Fund the association of BAY area governments' breaking ground PROJECT (PROJECT) to implement levee improvements for the palo alto horizontal levee pilot PROJECT; develop and deliver science…

The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) received a $4.3 million Project Grant award from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9 under the Geographic Programs - San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund (CFDA 66.126) to implement the Breaking Ground project from March 1, 2023 through December 31, 2026. ABAG will use the funding to complete levee improvements at the Palo Alto Horizontal Levee pilot site, develop and deliver science education curriculum with the local community around microplastics and Harbor Marsh, and evaluate two additional horizontal levee projects in Fairfield-Suisun and Hayward. Subawards will support writing design and development studies for the Hayward site, a climate resiliency study for Fairfield-Suisun, and community-based monitoring and education including a microplastics study. The grant aims to advance the goals of the San Francisco Estuary Partnership Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan by restoring habitat and improving water quality in San Francisco Bay through multi-benefit shoreline projects.

Description

The purpose of this award is to fund the association of BAY area governments' breaking ground PROJECT (PROJECT) to implement levee improvements for the palo alto horizontal levee pilot PROJECT; develop and deliver science information and curriculum with the local community (including community-centered monitoring for microplastics, education strategy development for harbor marsh, and two public stewardship outreach meetings at harbor marsh); and evaluate, study and plan two additional horizontal levee projects at the fairfield-suisun sewer district treatment wetland and climate resilience PROJECT and the hayward treatment ponds. This assistance agreement provides federal funding in the amount of $4,329,459. Pre-award costs are approved back to 03/01/2023.activities:to implement the SAN francisco estuary partnership comprehensive conservation and management plan (CCMP), the association of BAY area governments will accomplish the following activities: implement levee improvements for the palo alto horizontal levee through evaluation, pilot PROJECT; collaborate with the local community to develop and deliver science curriculum, skills and an educational strategy; and further evaluate and plan two SAN francisco BAY horizontal levee projects in fairfield-suisun and hayward.subrecipient:activities to be implemented through subawards include for task 3, writing of PROJECT design and development studies for the hayward horizontal levee, and development of a climate resiliency study for fairfield; and for task 2, development and delivery of community-based monitoring and education, and development of a microplastics study.outcomes:anticipated horizontal levee deliverables for the palo alto horizontal levee pilot PROJECT includes: upgrade of effluent pump, wastewater line, culvert and headwalls. Community-based education and monitoring deliverables include: a report on community-centered monitoring program on microplastics and metals, educational strategy memo for harbor marsh, and public stewardship events for the palo alto horizontal levee pilot PROJECT. Support for future horizontal levee projects include site evaluation, design and plan for the fairfield-suisun sewer district community treatment wetland and climate resiliency PROJECT; and operation and maintenance and permitting studies, options analysis and engineering services for the hayward treatment ponds.