Formula Grant 97762909

Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 awarded the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska $163,410 on January 1, 2026, under the Performance Partnership Grants program (CFDA 66.605) to operate the tribe's continuing environmental programs focused on water quality monitoring and watershed management through December 31, 2026.

The recipient will conduct physical, chemical, and biological monitoring of surface waters, including basic stream monitoring, habitat assessments, and biological condition evaluations across the Winnebago Reservation in Merry, Nebraska. Work includes review and revision of EPA-approved sampling plans and quality assurance project plans, data management and quality assurance, submission of validated datasets to EPA's Water Quality Exchange, and preparation of surface water quality assessment reports. The tribe will maintain and expand partnerships with federal, state, tribal, and local entities; conduct community outreach and public education on nonpoint source pollution; and implement targeted best management practices under the finalized EPA 9-Element Blackbird-Soldier and Logan Watershed-Based Plan, aligning with Year 1 implementation priorities.

Deliverables include validated monitoring datasets, WQX submissions, annual surface water quality assessment reporting, watershed planning documentation, and community outreach materials. Expected outcomes encompass improved understanding of water quality trends, protection of existing uses under tribal water quality standards, informed Section 401 decision-making, and progress toward long-term restoration of tribal waterbodies. No subawards are included in this assistance agreement.