This action approves an award in the amount of $3,231,000 to support to the state of mississippi to implement its nonpoint source management program, focusing on watersheds with water quality…

The Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 awarded the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality $5.385 million under the Nonpoint Source Implementation Grants (CFDA 66.460) Formula Grant program to implement Mississippi's Nonpoint Source Management Program from October 1, 2021 through August 31, 2027. The funding will support three projects focused on nutrient and pollutant reduction strategies through best management practices, watershed planning, education, and outreach in the Upper Piney Creek, Fuller Creek-Town Creek, and Muddy Bayou watersheds. Outcomes will include data entry into EPA's Grants Reporting and Tracking System database, watershed-based plan development, success stories, teacher workshops, onsite wastewater system education, and agricultural nonpoint source implementation assistance. Progress and activity reports will be provided. A subaward of $231,000 was also made to the Mississippi Wildlife Federation to assist the MDEQ's Nonpoint Source Pollution education program through personnel, facilities, and materials for the Adopt-A-Stream program in Mississippi.

This action approves an award in the amount of $3,231,000 to support to the state of mississippi to implement its nonpoint source management program, focusing on watersheds with water quality impairments caused by polluted run-off 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: three projects that will support: implementation of nutrient/pollutant reduction strategy, 319 NPS funding will be used to support projects in all regions of the state. NPS control measure along with awareness, outreach, and education activities as identified in approved 9 key element watershed plans in the following watersheds: upper piney creek watershed, fuller creek-town creek watershed, and muddy bayou watershed. Subrecipient:sub-awards are not know at the time of of work plan approval due to state procurement and solicitation process.outcomes:outcomes: entry of required data elements into epas grts database, development of watershed-based plans, NPS program success stories, environmental teacher workshops, onsite wastewater disposal system installation and maintenance education and agricultural NPS implementation assistance. Deliverables: reports will include: a summary of activities over the past year in each of the mississippi NPS program elements, explanation of how the activities over the past year contribute to achievement of NPS programs goals and a summary of the progress in achieving mississippi NPS program milestones. Direct beneficiaries of this program include all state residents and occupants, both permanent and temporary.