This agreement is to fund the state of new hampshire'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 Region 1 awarded the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services a $306,000 Formula Grant under the Water Quality Management Planning program (CFDA 66.454) for the period of July 1, 2022 through September 30, 2025. The grant will fund the state's water quality management planning program to improve impaired waters and protect unimpaired waters through planning activities that support Clean Water Act implementation. At least 40% of grant funds, or $122,400, will be passed through via subawards to eligible regional planning organizations for water quality management planning projects. The Department of Environmental Services will issue a request for proposals and administer subawards to support project development and implementation.

This agreement is to fund the state of new hampshire'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 provide at least 40% of this award to regional or interstate watershed management planning agencies. This agreement is supported in part by funding provided under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58). At least 40% of this award will be passed through to to eligible regional public comprehensive planning organizations or interstate organizations for the purpose of carrying out water quality management planning activities via subawards. More details on subawards anticipated are described in sections a.23.b, a.23.c, and a.23.d below. Activities:the activities to be performed include the following water quality management planning activities: 1) support nhdes staff, including: * salary support * staff benefits * travel * office and lab supplies * lab analysis costs * RFP for projects issuance and oversight 2) support project development and implementation via subawards and other pass-through mechanisms a request for proposals (RFP) will be written and released to solicit eligible local, state, and interstate entities for projects. Such projects will be used to plan and implement water quality improvements in NH's impaired waters and protect water quality in NH's unimpaired waters. Note that EPA approval of the subaward workplans resulting from this RFP will be required. The appropriate condition for this situation is in the terms and conditions section of this document. From the workplan: --begin quote nhdes prepared and released a request for proposals to be funded with FY22 funds to the regional planning commissions and other organizations that qualify as regional public comprehensive planning organizations. The request will list the project eligibilities included in section 604(b) of the clean water act. Nhdes will submit proposed contracts to EPA prior to finalizing them. Nhdes will then administer the grants and prepare timely progress reports in accordance with the 604(b) grant award. An approximate schedule is provided below: - request for proposals (letter of intent) in june, 2022; - announce selected projects in october, 2022; - receive full proposals in december, 2022 or january, 2023; - submit contracts for governor and council approval by april, 2023; - receive governor and council approval and commence contracts in may, 2023. This year nhdes will award additional points for the categories of environmental justice (EJ) and climate impact. These categories award points for projects that are accessible to the public, in lower income areas, and address flooding or other water quality/quantity issues, etc. This will ensure that projects that address EJ and climate issues are more likely to receive funding. --end quote NB: this funding recommendation contains a grant condition restricting work and expenditures until: * individual project plans pursuant to nhdes' RFP are received by nhdes and EPA and approved by both agencies; * the climate and equity elements of the workplan are further bolstered and expanded pursuant to the requirements detailed in 'interim implementation guidelines for clean water act section 604(b) water quality management planning grants for fiscal years 2022 through 2026', EPA, office of water-owow, june 29, 2022. See a.23.d for further details on subawarded activities. Subrecipient:a summary of the activities to be implemented through subawards, as described in the workplan, is as follows: passthrough amount in the workplan is set as 58.77% pursuant to the r