Provide west virginia department of environmental protection's watershed improvement branch with federal funds in the amount of $1,855,000, $10,000 of which are in-kind funds

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) received a $1,855,000 Formula Grant award from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 3's Nonpoint Source Implementation Grants program (CFDA #66.460) to implement its nonpoint source pollution management program from June 1, 2022 to September 30, 2026.

Through nine sub-awards totaling $3,112,099 to local governments and non-profits, the WVDEP will support best management practices and other activities aimed at reducing nitrogen, phosphorus, pathogens, sediments, and metals in impaired watersheds across West Virginia. Specific projects include green infrastructure design and implementation, acid mine drainage treatment system improvements, wastewater infrastructure upgrades, and public education. Project outcomes include restoring water quality and removing waterbodies from the state's impaired waters list, thereby improving public health and the economic potential of targeted watersheds.

Description

The purpose of this award is to provide west virginia department of environmental protection's watershed improvement branch with federal funds in the amount of $1,855,000, $10,000 of which are in-kind funds. This award provides support to the state of west virginia to implement its nonpoint source management program, focusing on watersheds with water quality impairments caused by polluted runoff from nonpoint sources. Nonpoint source implementation projects include a variety of structural and non-structural best management practices (bmps), watershed planning, monitoring, technology demonstrations, and a variety of education/outreach programs.activities:the proposed work in this agreement includes nine (9) projects that will support the state's pursuit of long-term nonpoint source pollution reduction through the implementation of bmps that address and reduce total maximum daily loads (tmdls) of priority pollutants, coordination with partner agencies and organizations to implement program administration, watershed and source water planning, treatment of acid mine drainage, and the reduction of bacteria through septic remediation and repair. Activities include the implementation of green infrastructure (GI) projects modeling the integration of source water protection plans (swpps) into comprehensive watershed based plans (wbps), installation and improvements to AMD passive treatment systems, wastewater infrastructure improvements, public outreach and education activities, and additional activities as deemed necessary to the success of the NPS program. Subrecipient:activities include the implementation of green infrastructure (GI) projects modeling the integration of source water protection plans (swpps) into comprehensive watershed based plans (wbps), installation and improvements to AMD passive treatment systems, wastewater infrastructure improvements, public outreach and education activities, and additional activities as deemed necessary to the success of the NPS program. Outcomes:the anticipated deliverables and expected outcomes are project-dependent. Each project aims to reduce, or to contribute towards the reduction of, total loads of nitrogen, phosphorus, pathogens, sediments, and metals in their watersheds, improve PH and water quality indicators to restore environmental conditions, remove bodies of water from list of impaired waterways, reduce human health risks, and improve the economic potential of the watershed. Direct beneficiaries of this program include all west virginia residents, visitors, and businesses, both permanent and temporary, as well as the watersheds and environments within the state.