This agreement is to fund the state of wyoming's water quality management planning program to improve impaired water and protect unimpaired waters across the state by conducting planning that…

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8 awarded the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality $212,000 under the Water Quality Management Planning program (CFDA 66.454) effective October 1, 2025, through October 30, 2027. This formula grant, funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, supports comprehensive water quality management planning activities designed to improve impaired waters and protect unimpaired waters across Wyoming. Primary deliverables include identification of cost-effective facility and nonpoint source pollution measures to meet water quality standards, development of implementation plans with state and local financial and regulatory commitments, and determination of the nature, extent, and causes of water quality problems across various Wyoming areas.

In accordance with Clean Water Act Section 205(j)(3) requirements, the recipient must pass through a minimum of 40 percent of total funding to regional or interstate watershed management planning agencies through competitive sub-award processes. A documented sub-award to the Lower Wind River Conservation District ($212,000 sub-award dated June 5, 2026) focuses on post-Total Maximum Daily Load assessment activities for the Ocean Lake Watershed, including compilation and evaluation of water quality data, identification of data gaps, and documentation of Best Management Practices implemented since the 2009 TMDL completion.

This agreement is to fund the state of wyoming's water quality management planning program to improve impaired water and protect unimpaired waters across the state by conducting planning that informs and supports implementation of clean water act programs. In accordance with clean water act section 205(j)(3), unless a waiver request is approved by EPA, the recipient will jointly develop workplans with and passthrough at least 40% of funding to regional or interstate watershed management planning agencies. This agreement is supported by funding provided under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58). Activities:the activities to be performed include the following water quality management planning activities water quality and management planning and assessment to address nonpoint source pollution priorities in wyoming. Water quality management activities may include, but are not limited to, 1) identification of the most cost-effective and locally acceptable facility and nonpoint measures to meet and maintain water quality standards, 2) development of implementation plans to obtain state and local financial and regulatory commitments to implement measures developed under 1), and 3) determination of the nature, extent, and causes of water quality problems in various areas of wyoming. Subrecipient:subaward activities will be awarded through an open competitive process to local planning agencies, including cities, counties, towns, and conservation districts. Activities will include 1) identification of the most cost-effective and locally acceptable facility and nonpoint measures to meet and maintain water quality standards, 2) development of implementation plans to obtain state and local financial and regulatory commitments to implement measures developed under 1), and 3) determination of the nature, extent, and causes of water quality problems in various areas of wyoming. Water quality planning and assessment efforts are prioritized for impaired waterbodies and lakes and reservoirs with recurrent harmful cyanobacteria blooms (hcbs) in wyoming. These activities will lead to on-the-ground projects to restore water quality and measurable improvements in water quality. Outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include, but are not limited to 1) watershed assessments identifying the extent and nature of nonpoint source pollution impacts, particularly within impaired waterbodies, 2) development or refinement of 9-element watershed-based plans for priority watersheds, 3) targeted water quality monitoring programs, including data collection, development of sampling and analysis plan (SAP), and quality assurance project plan (qapp), with submission of collected water quality data to wdeq, and 4) educational and outreach materials or events to raise awareness of nonpoint source pollution, land-use practices, and voluntary strategies to implement bmps. The expected outcomes include sampling and analysis plans for monitoring, water quality data, education and outreach materials, and ultimately improved water quality. The intended beneficiaries include all the citizens and visitors to the state of wyoming.