This action approves an award in the amount of $3,000,000 to the national association of conservation districts INC

The Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 awarded a $3 million Cooperative Agreement to the National Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. to implement the Geographic Programs - Gulf of Mexico Program. Through subawards, the Association will fund projects from 2022-2027 to improve water quality and habitat in historically underserved farm communities in the non-Mississippi River Gulf region of Texas. Ninety percent of funds will support subawards to implement innovative practices focused on water quality, habitat restoration, and outreach to underserved farmers and communities. Anticipated outcomes include 15 to 35 subawards over two funding cycles to build resilience through improved water quality and habitat. This Cooperative Agreement aims to advance the objectives of the Gulf of Mexico Program to demonstrate approaches that reduce nutrient pollution and flooding impacts in the region.

The purpose of this award is to improve water quality by implementing competitive sub-awards to engage with eligible applicants across the non-mississippi river gulf region, increasing the ability of historically underserved farm communities to address nutrient pollution and frequent flooding.activities:the activities to be performed include a competitive sub-award program to assist underserved farmers with improving water quality and habitat. There will be collaborative meetings and outreach performed with sub-award recipients and other stakeholders.subrecipient:subrecipient activities will be funded to implement competitively selected projects with focus on the key areas of water quality, habitat, and underserved farmer and farm community support and outreach.outcomes:anticipated deliverables and expected outcomes include awarding 90% of funds through sub-awards, improving water quality and habitat to build resilience. The sub-awards will occur twice a year for two years of the projects, with 3-4 year project periods. 15-35 sub-awards will be completed. Intended beneficiaries are the residents and underserved communities in the non-mississippi river region for the gulf of mexico, who will benefit from improved water quality and habitat through demonstrations of innovative practices.