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

This $270,000 Formula Grant award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Water Quality Management Planning program (CFDA 66.454) will fund the State of Oklahoma's water quality management planning efforts. The key activities to be performed include:

Developing methods to identify high-quality waters, creating nutrient and sediment models for water supply watersheds, mapping stormwater infrastructure to report illicit discharges, engaging underserved youth in citizen science activities to educate them about water quality issues, and creating groundwater models for two cities. The anticipated deliverables include data quality assurance project plans, model development, citizen science curriculum, workshops/events, and progress/final reports.

The overarching goals are to improve Oklahoma's capacity to address water quality challenges, reach underserved communities, and enhance understanding of the state's groundwater resources. The Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment will directly implement these activities, collaborating with regional watershed management agencies as required by the program. The award period runs from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2028.

This agreement is to fund the state of oklahoma'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 U.S. Environmental protection agency (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 IIJA (PL 117-58). Activities:the activities to be performed include the following water quality management planning activities: developing a method to identify high quality waters, developing nutrient and sediment models for water supply watersheds, creating stormwater infrastructure maps to report illicit discharges, engaging underserved youth in citizen science activities to educate them about water quality issues, and creating groundwater models for two cities. Subrecipient:the activities to be performed include the following water quality management planning activities: developing a method to identify high quality waters, developing nutrient and sediment models for water supply watersheds, creating stormwater infrastructure maps to report illicit discharges, engaging underserved youth in citizen science activities to educate them about water quality issues, and creating groundwater models for two cities. Outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include primary and secondary data qapps, the development of models, developing curriculum for a citizen science program, hosting workshops and educational events, and producing semi-annual and final reports (for each individual project). The expected outcomes resulting from these efforts include improved capacity of the state to improve water quality in specific situations including drought, reaching underserved communities, and a better understanding of the state's groundwater resources. The intended beneficiaries include the citizens of oklahoma.