Types of Projects 



Who Is Eligible 



Types of Assistance 



Among the projects eligible for federal financial assistance under 

 Section 320(g) are research! efforts, surveys, studies, modeling, 

 and other technical work needed to develop the CCMP. 



A variety of tasks will be required as part of developing the manage- 

 ment framework, characterization report, and CCMP. It will be 

 necessary, for example, to gather and analyze existing historical 

 data from information previously collected in the estuary. Identifying 

 the need for and conducting research to acquire new or additional 

 data to address priority problems may also be relevant. Perhaps 

 the task will be to increase regional public understanding about the 

 problems and complexities of the estuary and to solicit public 

 involvement during the decision-making and management proces- 

 ses. A review and evaluation of new initiatives in water and sedi- 

 ment quality programs and in living resource programs may be 

 called for. All these types of projects are eligible for federal financial 

 assistance. 



Eligible applicants include state, interstate, and regional water 

 pollution control agencies and entities; state coastal zone manage- 

 ment agencies; interstate agencies; other public or nonprofit private 

 agencies; and institutions, organizations, and individuals. For-profit 

 organizations are not eligible for direct grants or cooperative agree- 

 ments under Section 320 (g). 



Where Management Conferences have been convened for a par- 

 ticular estuary, the responsible EPA regional office can provide 

 preapplication assistance. All proposals or work statements 

 respond to the priority tasks identified in the estuary program 

 approved Annual Work Plan, which the Management Conference 

 develops. Each estuary program handles its own request for 

 proposals. Proposals are submitted to the EPA regional estuary 

 coordinator. Appropriate advisory committees within the estuary 

 management organization and the EPA regional program will 

 review and approve each proposal. 



Federal financial assistance is awarded under two categories: 

 cooperative agreements and grants. They differ only in the degree 

 of federal involvement during the project. Cooperative agreements 

 require substantial federal involvement. Grants do not. The applica- 

 tion form must clearly indicate which type of assistance is being 

 requested. 



Because EPA's award of assistance under the National Estuary 

 Program depends on annual congressional appropriations and 

 Annual Work Plans developed by the estuary program Manage- 

 ment Conferences, National Estuary Program grants usually are 

 funded on a 12-month basis. However, an applicant may choose 

 its project period and budget period in consultation with and subject 

 to the approval of the EPA Regional Administrator. Applications for 

 assistance must be submitted annually during EPA's designated 

 application period. 



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