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 New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) has been awarded a $307,000 Formula Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 1 under the Water Quality Management Planning (CFDA 66.454) program. This 3-year grant will fund NHDES's water quality management planning efforts to improve impaired waters and protect unimpaired waters across the state of New Hampshire. Key activities include:

1. Supporting NHDES staff through salary, benefits, travel, supplies, and lab costs to conduct water quality planning work.

2. Issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit and fund eligible regional, state, and interstate entities to carry out water quality improvement planning projects. At least 40% of the total grant funding, or $122,400, will be passed through to these regional planning organizations via subawards.

The grant requires NHDES to prioritize projects that address environmental justice and climate change impacts. One subaward example is a $75,000 grant to the Halfmoon Lake Association to develop a watershed-based management plan for Halfmoon Lake, which has water quality impairments. This subaward will help identify actions to restore the lake and protect recreational uses.

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 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 see a.23.d for further details on subawarded activities.subrecipient:the tasks and activities of this assistance agreement to be implemented via subawards are described in the applicant's workkplan. The relevant portion of which follows below. Pass through to regional public comprehensive planning organizations pursuant to the requirements of CWA section 604(b), no less than 40 percent of the total grant shall be awarded to 'regional public comprehensive planning organizations'. The 604(b) allocation for FY23 is $306,000 of which a minimum of $122,400 (40%) is pass-through. Nhdes will prepare and release a request for proposals to be funded with FY23 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, 2023; - announce selected projects in october, 2023; - receive full proposals in january 2024; - submit contracts for governor and council approval by april, 2024; - receive governor and council approval and commence contracts in may, 2024. 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