This cooperative agreement is provided to massachusetts executive office of energy and environmental affairs (MA eoeea) to support the implementation of the infrastructure investment and jobs act…

This Project Grant award of $909,800.00 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 1 under the National Estuary Program (CFDA 66.456) will support the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (MA EOEEA) in implementing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) through the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program (BBNEP) Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). The key activities to be funded include:

1. Supporting the ongoing Buzzards Bay Stormwater Collaborative
2. Providing sub-awards to municipalities for infrastructure projects such as stormwater remediation, wastewater treatment facility upgrades, and wetland/habitat restoration
3. Offering technical assistance to municipalities developing infrastructure projects

This award will help restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Buzzards Bay Estuary and support its sustainable human uses, as outlined in the BBNEP's CCMP. The project period runs from January 19, 2025 to December 31, 2027.

This cooperative agreement is provided to massachusetts executive office of energy and environmental affairs (MA eoeea) to support the implementation of the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) through the buzzards BAY national estuary program (bbnep) comprehensive conservation and management plan (ccmp). The goal is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the estuary and support its sustainable human uses through tasks outlined in the IIJA workplan of the bbnep and its partners. This cooperative agreement will support the ongoing buzzards BAY stormwater collaborative, provide subawards through a grant program to support municipal infrastructure projects, and provide technical assistance to municipalities developing infrastructure projects.activities:the buzzards BAY national estuary program (bbnep) will utilize infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) funds to support its comprehensive conservation and management plan (ccmp). This cooperative agreement will support the buzzards BAY stormwater collaborative, provide subawards to support municipal infrastructure projects, and provide technical assistance to municipalities developing infrastructure projects.subrecipient:buzzards BAY national estuary program (bbnep) will implement their comprehensive conservation and management plan (ccmp) by providing subawards to support tasks outlined in the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) workplan of the bbnep and its partners. The subawards are: - supporting the buzzards BAY stormwater collaborative - a municipal infrastructure support grant program with eligible projects, including: - stormwater remediation designs; - implementation and construction of existing stormwater designs; - support for tasks to achieve MS4 compliance; - feasibility studies and conceptual plans to enhance nitrogen removal from municipal wastewater treatment facilities; - wetland, habitat, and migratory fish passage restoration; - construction of boat pump-out facilities; - tracking operation, maintenance, and monitoring of innovative and alternative septic systems; and - other IIJA-eligible projects that restore coastal waters and support the bbnep ccmp.outcomes:the buzzards BAY national estuary program (bbnep) will oversee and guide the buzzards BAY stormwater collaborative stormwater network mapping and discharge monitoring program and water quality database, as well as developing stormwater infrastructure projects and proposals throughout buzzards BAY. Bbnep will also release a request for proposals for a municipal program for stormwater remediation designs, implementation and construction of existing stormwater designs, enhanced nitrogen removal plans, fish passage restoration, and other projects that mitigate or restore coastal waters. Bbnep will also provide technical assistance to municipalities seeking to undertake infrastructure projects in the bbnep study area. Direct beneficiaries of this program include residents of the buzzards BAY watershed study area, and the ecosystem and users of ecosystem services.