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

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 awarded $220,000 to the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy under the Water Quality Management Planning program (CFDA 66.454) to support the state's comprehensive water quality management planning initiatives. Effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027, this formula grant—funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—enables Nebraska to conduct planning activities that inform and support implementation of Clean Water Act programs while improving impaired waters and protecting unimpaired waters across the state.

The award funds core water quality management activities including coordination of surface water quality standards programs, review and development of water quality criteria and use designations, updates to water quality standards under Title 117 of Nebraska administrative regulations, and development of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMLDs). Additional deliverables include review of water quality-based National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, technical recommendations on permittee reports and special studies, and coordination of the Continuing Planning Process documentation. No subawards are included in this grant; all work is performed directly by the state agency. The EPA waiver request dated May 21, 2025, was approved, exempting the recipient from the standard 40 percent pass-through requirement to regional watershed management planning organizations.

This agreement is to fund the state of nebraska'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), the recipient's waiver request dated 5-21-25 was received, reviewed and is considered approved by the EPA through the approval and award of this grant. This agreement is supported by funding provided under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58). Activities:the activities to be performed include the following water quality management planning activities: grant money from the 604B allotment is targeted toward water quality standards review (including potential emerging contaminants), update, and revision including title 117 changes. Overall coordination of water quality program policies is summarized in the continuing planning process (CPP) documentation, which is also reviewed and revised as necessary under this grant and CWA 106. Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include: coordinate surface water quality standards program, including review of existing standards, development of new criteria, use designation reviews (UAAS), review and comment on any surface water quality standards issues. Present surface water quality standards changes in title 117 to environmental quality council. EPA approves changes to surface water quality standards in title 117 within 150 days of ndee submittal. Review draft water quality-based npdes permits and provide comments to ndee's npdes and state permits section. Review letters, reports, and special study proposals submitted by npdes permittees in regard to water quality base npdes permits and provide recommendations to npdes and state permits section. Participate in meetings associated with npdes permit issues. Develop wlas for npdes permits discharging to surface waters that do not require tmdls. Update, as needed, continuing planning process (303E) documents for water quality programs. ** coordinated with 106 program. Issue, condition, or deny section 401 water quality certifications. Provide progress reports 401 certification actions processed. Encourage non-jurisdictional projects to comply with anti-degradation policy in title 117. SIT on state technical subcommittee (NRCS) for wetland reserve program and coordinate with other state agencies on priority of wetland restoration. Joint evaluation of grant accomplishments 1) accomplishments as measured against work plan commitments. 2) cumulative effectiveness of the work performed under all work plan components. 3) discussion of existing and potential problem areas. 4) suggestions for improvement (if any) review letters, reports, and special study proposals in regard to emerging contaminants and provide recommendations to the ndee emerging contaminant (focus on PFAS) coordination team. Participate in meetings associated with emerging contaminants. The expected outcomes include: continue to cooperatively address issues with standards, early and often in process. # of permits reviewed # of meetings attended # of reviews update sections with highest priority copies of 401 decisions to EPA. Work towards no net-loss of wetlands in nebraska through 401 actions. The intended beneficiaries include the citizens of the state of nebraska.