Puget Sound Action Agenda – Tribal Implementation Lead 2.0 | EPA I R10 PS 2022 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for EPA I R10 PS 2022 001

The Puget Sound Action Agenda - Tribal Implementation Lead 2.0 funding opportunity is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) discretionary cooperative agreement designed to support coordinated protection and restoration efforts in Puget Sound under the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 320 National Estuary Program (NEP). It builds on a long-running, more than 30-year partnership among EPA, Washington State, Tribal governments, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions focused on improving water quality and ecosystem health across the Puget Sound estuary.

At the core of the opportunity is the NEP requirement that each designated estuary operate through a formal "Management Conference." Under CWA Section 320, this conference must include a broad mix of representatives connected to the estuarine zone, including states (and any relevant foreign nations), Tribes, regional agencies, appropriate federal agencies, local governments, affected industries, academic institutions, and the public. The grant is framed to support implementation work aligned with the Puget Sound Action Agenda, which functions as a shared roadmap for restoration priorities, coordination, and accountability across the many participating entities, with a specific emphasis in this notice on Tribal implementation leadership.

The award is offered as a cooperative agreement, which typically means EPA expects to have substantial involvement in the project during the period of performance rather than simply issuing a grant and stepping back. The total potential funding amount is very large, with an award ceiling of $50,000,000, and EPA anticipated making one award under this opportunity. The program falls under CFDA (now generally referred to as Assistance Listing) number 66.121, and the activity category is environmental work tied to estuary protection and restoration.

Administrative details in the notice indicate it was created on January 20, 2022, with an original application closing date of March 11, 2022. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with the notice directing applicants to consult the additional eligibility text in the full announcement for specifics, which suggests the competition likely targets a particular type of lead entity or consortium capable of coordinating implementation at a scale consistent with the Action Agenda and the Management Conference structure.

In practical terms, this opportunity is about funding a lead effort that helps convert shared Puget Sound restoration goals into on-the-ground action, while ensuring Tribal participation and leadership are integrated into implementation. It sits within the larger NEP governance framework that requires multi-party coordination and inclusive decision-making, reflecting the reality that Puget Sound recovery involves many jurisdictions, communities, and sectors working in a structured, collaborative way.

• The Environmental Protection Agency in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Puget Sound Action Agenda – Tribal Implementation Lead 2.0" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 66.121.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jan 20, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 11, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for EPA I R10 PS 2022 001

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