Federal Grant Award Summary

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8 awarded the Montana Department of Environmental Quality $353,925 under the Water Pollution Control State, Interstate, and Tribal Program Support program (CFDA 66.419) to enhance water quality protection and monitoring across Montana. The award, obligated on March 20, 2026, with a completion deadline of December 31, 2027, supports the state's comprehensive water quality management initiatives through expanded standards development, broadened monitoring and assessment activities statewide, and participation in the National Aquatic Research Surveys. These efforts target both the prevention of further degradation of unimpaired waterbodies and the reduction of impaired waterbodies throughout the state.

Under this formula grant, Montana DEQ will deliver water quality monitoring services encompassing field sampling operations, laboratory analysis, and data management. Specific activities include developing and refining narrative and numeric water quality standards, conducting field operations such as site reconnaissance, crew training, sampling preparation, and implementing laboratory methodologies with full adherence to quality assurance and quality control protocols. The funding supports all associated operational costs including travel, equipment, laboratory audits, independent confirmations, and electronic data submission required to establish and maintain adequate measures for prevention and control of surface and groundwater pollution from both point and nonpoint sources.