Under section 106 of the clean water act (33 U.S. Code 1256), the environmental protection agency (EPA) provides financial assistance to states (including territories and the district of columbia),…

The Environmental Protection Agency Region 2 awarded $944,051 to the Interstate Environmental Commission on October 1, 2026, under the Clean Water Act Section 106 program (CFDA 66.419, Water Pollution Control State, Interstate, and Tribal Program Support). The award funds water pollution control activities across the tri-state region of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut through September 30, 2029.

The Interstate Environmental Commission will use the funding to provide water pollution abatement and water quality management assistance; conduct laboratory and field monitoring with supporting quality assurance and quality control programs; continue coordinated compliance assistance and water quality monitoring programs, including coordination of a volunteer monitoring initiative; and deliver public information and education services. The commission will procure microbial source trackdown laboratory equipment to expand source tracking monitoring efforts across the interstate environmental district. Additionally, the commission will partner with regional organizations to perform water quality assessments at current and proposed restoration sites with focus on eelgrass, oyster, and other habitat restoration activities. The program benefits residents of the tri-state area by preventing degradation of unimpaired waterbodies and reducing the number of impaired waterbodies. No sub-awards are included in this assistance agreement.

Under section 106 of the clean water act (33 U.S. Code 1256), the environmental protection agency (EPA) provides financial assistance to states (including territories and the district of columbia), interstate agencies, and eligible tribal nations to establish, implement and administer ongoing water pollution control programs for the prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution. This agreement provides funding to the interstate environmental commission (IEC) to carry out its program to maintain, protect, and improve the water quality of its rivers, lakes, streams, groundwater, and other waterbodies. The environmental benefits of this program include preventing degradation of unimpaired waterbodies and reducing the number of impaired waterbodies in the TRI-state (NY, NJ, CT) area. Residents of the TRI-state area will benefit from the IEC's efforts. Activities:the IEC will use the awarded clean water act section 106 funds to continue to provide assistance on issues related to water pollution abatement and water quality management; perform environmental analyses (laboratory and field monitoring) supported by quality assurance and quality control program to ensure high-quality data; continue its coordinated compliance assistance program; continue and expand established water quality monitoring programs including coordinating a volunteer water quality monitoring program; and provide public information and education services to those in both the public and private sectors. For the monitoring initiative, IEC will procure microbial source trackdown (MST) laboratory equipment to expand source trackdown monitoring efforts throughout the interstate environmental district. Additionally, IEC will partner with regional organizations to preform water quality assessments of current and proposed restoration sites focusing on eelgrass, oyster and other habitat restoration activities. Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:direct beneficiaries of this assistance agreement include residents of the TRI-state (NY, NJ, CT) area through IEC ongoing water pollution control program. The anticipated deliverables include semi-annual progress reports of activities and accomplishments. Some specific outcomes will include: 1) shared information, experiences and approaches related to water quality, which results in improved water quality programs; 2) coordinated water quality management efforts and identification of priorities on an interstate basis; 3) planning, monitoring and management across shared waters; 4) monitor regional notifications and assist, where appropriate, in responding to planned and unplanned sewage bypasses; 5) produce scientifically valid information to support management decisions related to water quality in TRI-state waters; 6) expanded regional laboratory analytical and monitoring capabilities based on regionally identified needs; 7) ensure coordinated compliance monitoring and assistance related to water quality standards and regulations across state borders and among shared waterways; 8) expand monitoring data in near-shore, under-monitored waterways; 9) ensure wholistic recreational water quality assessments; 10) perform monitoring activities that fills specific regional gaps in water quality information; 11) provide rapid and 'real-time' information related to recreational water quality to inform stakeholders and users; 12) water quality assessments of current and proposed restoration sites; 13) procurement of microbial source trackdown (MST) laboratory equipment and 14) educate and inform individuals at all levels in the public and private sector of IEC activities and related water issues.