This action provides funding in the amount of $909,800 under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58) to the county of charlotte coastal and heartland to assist national estuary…

The Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 awarded $909,800 to the County of Charlotte under the National Estuary Program (CFDA 66.456) on October 1, 2025, to support implementation of the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan and Strategic Plan for the Coastal and Heartland National Estuary Program in Florida.

Funded activities include protecting and restoring critical habitats including wetlands; supporting water quality protection and restoration through total maximum daily load plan implementation; monitoring and addressing toxics, pathogen loads, and contamination; implementing stormwater management practices to reduce non-point source pollution; promoting green and nature-based infrastructure approaches; preventing and managing aquatic invasive species; developing and implementing nutrient reduction strategies; measuring and implementing coastal resilience and adaptation strategies; and increasing opportunities for disadvantaged communities to access waterways, participate in ecosystem restoration, and engage in educational activities. The recipient may also support organizational and financial capacity-building projects identified in the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan.

The award obligates $909,800 for the five-year period from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030, with performance in Florida. Sub-recipients deliver Charlotte County Vulnerability Assessment, Polk County Vulnerability Assessment, Pine Island Flatwoods Restoration, CHNEP Water Atlas, and maintenance and improvements work, among other vulnerability assessments and restoration activities.

This action provides funding in the amount of $909,800 under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58) to the county of charlotte coastal and heartland to assist national estuary program (NEP), florida in supporting the implementation of the comprehensive conservation and management plan (ccmp) and strategic plan to improve water quality, protect the natural habitat and living resources, and support sustainable human uses. Activities:the activities include protecting and restoring critical habitats, including wetlands, and addressing challenging issues that threaten the ecological and economic well-being of NEP watersheds and communities; supporting water quality protection and restoration, including total maximum daily load plan implementation; monitoring and addressing toxics, pathogen loads and contamination; implementing stormwater management practices that reduce non-point source pollution impacts; promoting the adoption of green and nature-based infrastructure approaches; preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species and/or managing their impacts; developing and implementing nutrient reduction strategies; measuring, monitoring, developing, and implementing adaptation strategies and using adaptation tools to promote coastal resilience; and developing and implementing strategies to increase opportunities for disadvantaged communities to access, enjoy, and benefit from surface waters and waterways, participate in ecosystem restoration, and engage in capacity-building or educational activities. Neps may also use funds to support other activities identified in the ccmp, including projects that build organizational or financial capacity. NEP regional coordinators can answer specific questions on eligible uses. Subrecipient:charlotte county vulnerability assessment: polk county vulnerability assessment; pine island flatwoods restoration; chnep water atlas; maintenance and improvements; other vulnerability assessments and restoration projects to be determined.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include gpra reporting through the EPA neport. The expected outcomes include fully informed and engaged chnep management conference, other federal, state, and non-profit grants obtained to funding ccmp implementation and increased participation by NEP mission partners. The intended beneficiaries include the citizens of the state of florida.