Region 3 Fiscal Year 2025 Wetland Program Development Grants

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking applications for the Region 3 Fiscal Year 2025 Wetland Program Development Grants (WPDGs), which aim to assist state, Tribal, territorial, and local government agencies in developing or refining programs that protect, manage, and restore wetlands. The primary objectives include increasing the quantity and quality of wetlands in the United States through conservation and restoration efforts. Eligible applicants must demonstrate a project need related to wetland programs and provide tangible environmental benefits, with projects focusing on developing wetland program capacity through activities such as mapping, assessment, regulatory development, and knowledge transfer. Evaluation criteria will likely emphasize the project's potential impact, environmental significance, and alignment with EPA's wetland program goals. The application deadline is set for November 13, 2025, at 11:59 pm ET, with anticipated notification of selection in February 2026 and award notifications in March 2026.

Approximately $2.4 million is available for 6-12 awards, with two distinct applicant tracks: Track One for developing Wetland Program Plans (WPP) and Track Two for non-WPP projects. Individual applicants can request up to $900,000, with approximately $1.7 million allocated to Track One and $700,000 to Track Two. The project periods can range from one to four years, and recipients must provide a minimum 25% cost share. These grants are authorized under Section 104(b)(3) of the Clean Water Act and support EPA Administrator Zeldin's Five Pillars, with a particular focus on clean water and cross-agency partnerships. The grants will support projects across the EPA Region 3 geographic area, which typically includes Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.