effective regulation of marine and nearshore areas; Enhancing enforcement of and compliance with regulations governing habitat alteration, including shoreline modification; Restoring habitat, including shorelines, estuaries, and feeder bluffs/drift cell function; Developing programs to reduce shoreline armoring and, where armoring is needed, promote soft armoring techniques to achieve a net gain of unarmored shoreline. Funding for chemical analyses for Toxics in Fish Vital Signs.

Watersheds (for stormwater): Focus on protection and restoration of floodplains, stream shorelines, riparian areas and primary creeks; Focus on levees and flood revetments; Enforcement of Critical Area Ordinances; Address stormwater impacts to the hydrological regime by working with local government to limit impervious surface and manage flows; Work with local governments to develop ecosystem service markets (placing value on ecosystem services and functions); Stormwater facility design and prioritization; establishment of permanent conservation easements.

Toxics and Nutrients Lead Organization: Implement key findings from the Toxics Loading Study to prevent and reduce toxic loadings to Puget Sound; Implement key findings from Ecology reports on nutrient programs in Puget Sound and address sources of nutrients on agricultural lands; Support of the Governor's Blue Ribbon Panel on Ocean Acidification.

Pathogens Lead Organization: Focus on recoverable shellfish beds; Work with local governments to create effective ordinances and enforcement programs; Develop sustainable funding in each health district for on-site septic system (OSSS) repair and maintenance programs; Complete no discharge zone designation.

Management of Action Agenda Implementation Lead Organization: Funding in support of the habitat-related efforts of the Northwest Straits Commission; Direct funding for Local Integrating Organization habitat protection and restoration projects; Integration of science into the CCMP, performance management, monitoring, and managing the required matching funds provided by the Management Conference.

Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2016: No new solicitations for FFY2016 funding were conducted for these areas under the Scientific Studies and Technical Investigations program.

Priorities for the five Lead Organization awards FFY2010 through FFY2016 include:

Nearshore and Marine Lead Organization; Protecting habitat through promoting effective regulation of marine and nearshore areas; Enhancing enforcement of and compliance with regulations governing habitat alteration, including shoreline modification; Restoring habitat, including shorelines, estuaries, and feeder bluffs/drift cell function; Developing programs to reduce shoreline armoring and, where armoring is needed, promote soft armoring techniques to achieve a net gain of unarmored shoreline. Funding for chemical analyses for Toxics in Fish Vital Signs.

Watersheds (for stormwater): Focus on protection and restoration of floodplains, stream shorelines, riparian areas and primary creeks; Focus on levees and flood revetments; Enforcement of Critical Area Ordinances; Address stormwater impacts to the hydrological regime by working with local government to limit impervious surface and manage flows; Work with local governments to develop ecosystem service markets (placing value on ecosystem services and functions); Stormwater facility design and prioritization; establishment of permanent conservation easements.

Toxics and Nutrients Lead Organization: Implement key findings from the Toxics Loading Study to prevent and reduce toxic loadings to Puget Sound; Implement key findings from Ecology reports on nutrient programs in Puget Sound and address sources of nutrients on agricultural lands; Support of the Governor's Blue Ribbon Panel on Ocean Acidification.

Pathogens Lead Organization: Focus on recoverable shellfish beds; Work with local governments to create effective ordinances and enforcement programs; Develop sustainable funding in each health district for on-site septic system (OSSS) repair and maintenance programs; Complete no discharge zone designation.

Management of Action Agenda Implementation Lead Organization: Direct funding for local habitat protection and restoration projects; Integration of science into the CCMP, performance management, monitoring, and managing the required matching funds provided by the Management Conference.

Beginning in FFY2016, a greater emphasis on direct implementation of near term actions, including Tribal and local priorities, will be the focus of the updated Action Agenda and the Puget Sound Program. Priority will be given to actions that fall in the three strategic initiatives of the Action Agenda and have been scientifically and technically reviewed for the likelihood of positive results to achieve targeted environmental outcomes. The three strategic initiative areas in the Action Agenda are: habitat protection and restoration for salmon and other Puget Sound aquatic species; water quality improvements to protect and improve shellfish growing areas; and control and prevention of pollution from stormwater. An RFP was issued to award FFY16 funding for these strategic initiative leads.

Also an RFP was issued to award FFY 16 funding to provide support and coordination assistance to the Puget Sound National Estuary Management Conference and the Action Agenda Strategic Initiative Leads and their Teams and the Tribal Lead Organization to develop Implementation Strategies to achieve environmental results and progress related to the Puget Sound Action Agenda Vital Signs. Other activities of support include regional coordination of stewardship and social marketing, bridging of local activities and the regional recovery strategy, and other identified management conference support activities.

Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2017: Continuing in FFY2017, a greater emphasis on direct implementation of near term actions, including Tribal and local priorities, will be the focus of the updated Action Agenda and the Puget Sound Program. Priority will be given to actions that fall in the three strategic initiatives of the Action Agenda and have been scientifically and technically reviewed for the likelihood of positive results to achieve targeted environmental outcomes. The three strategic initiative areas in the Action Agenda are: habitat protection and restoration for salmon and other Puget Sound aquatic species; water quality improvements to protect and improve shellfish growing areas; and control and prevention of pollution from stormwater. Depending on FFY2017 appropriations, funding will be continued for these three strategic initiative leads.

Assistance can be used to study, evaluate, model, plan, and prepare for the impacts of climate change on Puget Sound ecosystem protection and restoration activities. Such assistance could include: studies to evaluate the impacts of climate change on specific activities; development of tools and models that can assist in understanding the impacts of climate change; implementation strategies that consider the impacts of climate change and increase the climate resiliency of projects; and specific modification and adaptation of design or construction components of projects to increase the climate resiliency of Puget Sound protection and restoration activities.

Additional information on use restrictions, if any, for this program, will be provided in each Request for Proposals published on the EPA Region 10 website.

Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: https://www.epa.gov/geospatial.

Grant recipients and sub-recipients are encouraged to adopt and enforce policies that ban text messaging while driving company-owned or -rented vehicles or government-owned vehicles, or while driving privately-owned vehicles when on official government business or when performing any work for or on behalf of the government. Grant recipients and sub-recipients are encouraged to conduct initiatives of the type described in section 3(a) of the Federal Leadership on Reducing Text Messaging While Driving Executive Order that was signed on October 1, 2009. Generally this program makes Federal awards on a discretionary basis. For further information, please contact the Headquarters or regional office.

Applicant Eligibility:

Federal government agencies and Washington State government agencies are eligible to apply under this program.

Public and private institutions of higher education located in the United States

are eligible to apply under this

Units of local government organized under Washington State law and located within the Greater Puget Sound basin are eligible to apply. Also eligible to apply are special purpose districts, as defined by Washington State law at R.C.W.36.93.020, including but not limited to, irrigation districts, and water and sewer districts that are located in or govern land and water resources within

Program Descriptions

Watershed planning units formed under RCW 90.82.040 and RCW 90.82.060, local management boards organized under RCW 90.88.030, salmon recovery lead entities organized pursuant to RCW 77.85.050, regional fisheries enhancement groups organized pursuant to RCW 77.95.060 and Marine Resource Committees organized pursuant to RCW 36.125.010 and RCW 36.125.020 are eligible to apply if they are located within or their jurisdictions include waters and/or lands within the Greater Puget Sound basin.

-Intrastate organizations such as associations of cities, counties or conservation districts in the Greater Puget Sound basin are also eligible to apply.

Nonprofit nongovernmental entities are also eligible to apply.

Federally recognized Indian Tribes located within the greater Puget Sound basin and any consortium of these eligible tribes are also eligible to apply.

An Intertribal consortium must have adequate documentation of the existence of the partnership and the authorization of the member Tribes to apply for and receive assistance. Documentation that demonstrates the existence of the partnership of Indian Tribal governments may consist of Tribal council resolutions, Intertribal consortia resolutions in conjunction with a Tribal council resolution from each member Tribe, or other written certification from a duly authorized representative of each Tribal government that clearly demonstrates that a partnership of Indian Tribal governments exists. Documentation that demonstrates that member Tribes authorize the consortium to apply for and receive assistance may consist of a Tribal council resolution from each Tribe or other written certification from a duly authorized representative of each Tribal government that clearly demonstrates that the Tribe authorizes the consortium to apply for and receive the grant on behalf of the Tribe. An Intertribal consortium resolution is not adequate documentation of the member Tribes authorization of the consortium unless it includes a written certification from a duly authorized representative of each Tribal government.

from coverage under E.O. 12372. Application Procedures:

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. For competitive awards, applicants will be required to submit application materials as described in the Request For Proposals.

Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through http://www.grants.gov. Award Procedure:

For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications, proposals, and/or submissions in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements. Deadlines:

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:

The Region expects that its review of the applications received in response to competitive solicitations will be completed within 120 to 150 calendar days following the deadline for the submission of applications for each Request for Proposals issued under this program. Appeals:

Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005). Copies of these procedures may also be requested by contacting the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts." Disputes relating to matters other than the competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 2 CFR 1500 Subpart E, as applicable. Renewals:

program so that applicants can identify expenditures of nonfederal funds on projects that implement the CCMP by themselves as well as by other Management Conference members as proposed nonfederal match for the financial assistance being requested.

Contact the EPA Regional Office contact identified in this program description for more information.

This program does not have MOE requirements.
This program does not have MOE requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:

The assistance will be awarded during FFY 2010-2016. Funds will be disbursed to individual assistance recipients in accordance with the terms specified in the assistance agreement. Dependent on congressional appropriations, new funding will be available for FFY2017. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Assistance will be disbursed in accordance with the terms specified in the assistance agreement. Typically, assistance recipients draw funds at either monthly or quarterly intervals based on their incurred

costs.

Reports:

No program reports are required. No cash reports are required. Progress report requirements will be a part of each assistance agreement. A schedule of interim milestones and the outputs that will be completed by the end of the project period will also be included. Typical progress reports will discuss the progress that has been made on each major task and on each interim milestone identified in the approved statement of work. Progress reports will also discuss any difficulties or problems that have been encountered and how they have been or are being resolved. Other specific reporting requirements will be defined in the assistance agreement based on the statement of work described in the application. Expenditure reports will typically be required at the same time intervals as progress reports. The expenditure reports will document expenditures to date in a manner that allows the report user to confirm that all assistance payments (disbursements to assistance recipients) are for costs that have been incurred in compliance with applicable costs principles and, for assistance agreements in which a matching contribution is required, the reports will also document expenditures of that matching contribution. Recipients of this funding will be required to use EPA's Puget Sound Financial and Ecosystem Accounting Tracking System (FEATS), which is the primary mechanism for performance monitoring. Key grant outputs will be tracked on a semi-annual basis through FEATS, as well as progress towards project milestones and deliverables. FEATS provides linkages to EPA Puget Sound performance measures and Dashboard Indicators. FEATS allows award recipients to share challenges, solutions, lessons learned, and reflections associated with their work.

Audits:

In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503. Grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspections and audits by the Comptroller General of the United States, the EPA Office of Inspector General, other EPA staff, or any authorized representative of the Federal government. Reviews by the EPA Project Officer and the Grants Specialist may occur each year. In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-federal entities that expend $750,000 or more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single or a program specific audit conducted for that year. Non-federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503. Records:

Financial records, including all documents to support entries on accounting records and to substantiate charges to each grant must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA grant accounts. All records must be maintained until expiration of three years from the date of submission of the

additional $2,861,520 for the establishment of permanent conservation easements, and the other lead organizations received supplemental funding for strategic initiative work. The Management of Action Agenda Implementation Lead Organization received supplemental funding for implementation strategy work, additional funding for the local implementing organizations, and funding for special projects.

FY 2016 is planned for the new Strategic Initiative Leads: Stormwater $5,200,000; Habitat - $5,200,000 - Shellfish - $5,000,000. Also $2,800,000 will be awarded to the new Management Conference Support for Implementation Lead Organization.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:

The EPA made awards for scientific and technical studies in the range of $200,000 - $700,000. Awards for implementation assistance and for managing and monitoring the implementation of the CCMP ranged from $200,000 to $6,000,000 each. Funding for the Strategic Initiative leads and the Management Conference Support for Implementation Lead will range from $2.490M to $5.500M.

The Region awarded approximately $3.1 million each in four awards to state

agencies to lead Puget Sound ecosystem recovery efforts. Two of these awards were to the Washington State Department of Ecology to lead efforts for both "Toxics and Nutrients" and "Watershed Protection". A third award was made to the Washington State Department of Health for "Pathogen Control". The fourth award was made to the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife for "Marine and Nearshore Habitat Protection".

The Region awarded approximately $5.5m in incremental funding in FFY 2011 funds to each of these ecosystem Lead Organizations, totaling $21,600,000.

In FY 2012, the Region awarded approximately $3,600,000 in incremental funding to the four ecosystem lead organizations and $3,000,000 for the Management of Action Agenda Inplementation Lead Organization, totaling ~$17,400,000. The watershed Lead Organization also received an additional $1,800,000 for stormwater retrofit project prioritization and design. FY12 funding totaled $19,200,000.

In FY 2013, the Region awarded approximately $3,320,000 in incremental funding to the four ecosystem lead organizations and $2,800,000 for the Management of Action Agenda Implementation Lead Organization, totaling around $16,048,105. The watershed lead organization also received an additional, $1,200,000 for the riparian initiative. FY13 funding totaled $17,248,105.

In FY 2014, the Region awarded approximately $2,490,000 in incremental funding to each of the four ecosystem lead organizations and $2,850,000 for the Management of Action Agenda Implementation Lead Organization, totaling around $12,810,000. The watershed lead organization also received an additional $2,861,520 for the establishment of permanent conservation easements, and the marine nearshore lead organization received an additional $91,400 for chemical analyses for Toxics in Fish Vital Signs.

In FY 2015, the Region awarded approximately $2,490,000 in incremental funding to each of the four ecosystem lead organizations and $2,850,000 for the Management of Action Agenda Implementation Lead Organization, totaling around $12,810,000. The watershed lead organization also will receive an

Program Descriptions

Some of these awards may be incrementally funded with appropriations from future fiscal years. See under #122 for more details on the funding for the specific year.

TAFS Codes:

68-0108.

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Fiscal Year 2015: See below for a few of the FFY2014-15 accomplishments under these Lead Organization Grants.

Puget Sound is a leader in estuary recovery.

IC2 Alternatives Assessment Guide. Seven states collaborated to produce the Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse (IC2) Alternatives Assessment Guide, a methodology to identify harmful toxins in the manufacturing process and replace them with less harmful alternatives. (Toxics and nutrients prevention, reduction and control)

NW Green Chemistry - Northwest Green Chemistry, established in large part through National Estuary Program funding, offers technical assistance to Washington companies interested in participating in the Safer Choice Program. The program helps consumers and businesses find products that are safer for families, workplaces, communities and the environment. In 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

named the Washington State Department of Ecology and Northwest Green Chemistry as a Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award winner. (Toxics and nutrients prevention, reduction and control)

The Puget Sound program has made real and systemic changes that support sustainable efforts towards recovery.

■ Integrated zoning and development mapping. To provide a common foundation for land use planning decisions and facilitate cross-jurisdictional planning, the Washington State Department of Commerce developed an integrated map of zoning and development across Puget Sound. This map includes permitting data which could be valuable for counties required to complete Building Lands Reports. (Watershed protection and restoration)

■ Shoreline armoring removal. Shoreline armoring is an important indicator of ecological conditions in Puget Sound. By 2020, the goal is to remove more armoring than is added between 2011 and 2020. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is working with local governments, non-governmental organizations and landowners to remove seawalls, bulkheads

and other artificial barriers between the water and the land, helping restore Puget Sound shorelines and make beaches easier to access for all. National Estuary Program funds are used to address armoring systemically, combining direct work with homeowners with scientific advancements that address armoring and on-the-ground armor removal and restoration. It is because of this systemic approach that in 2014, for the first time, more armor was removed from Puget Sound than was installed a hopeful sign of things to come. (Marine and nearshore protection and restoration; Watershed protection and restoration)

■ No Discharge Zone. Fecal coliform in shellfish can cause illness in humans. One source of fecal coliform in the Puget Sound is sewage discharge from vessels. In order to protect public health, the Washington State Department of Ecology researched a federal "No Discharge Zone" (NDZ) designation for priority areas of Puget Sound. A draft NDZ agreement and petition were developed; over 26,000 public comments were received on the draft petition. If approved by the EPA, this would be the first NDZ in Washington State. (Pathogen prevention, reduction and control)

■ Onsite Regional Funding Program. There are more than a half million on-site sewage systems (OSS) in the Puget Sound Region. These systems are a valuable part of the region's wastewater treatment infrastructure. Like municipal wastewater treatment plants, OSS must be properly built, operated and maintained to effectively treat sewage, thereby protecting public health and water quality. Local health jurisdictions (LHJS) in the 12 Puget Sound counties implement comprehensive OSS management plans and enhanced operation and maintenance (O&M) programs to help accomplish this. Steering and Advisory Committees, made up of Washington Department of Health staff and representatives from the 12 Puget Sound counties evaluated the funding needs, key issues and optional funding mechanisms to develop strategic proposals to successfully establish and fund the two OSS programs in the Puget Sound region. (Pathogen prevention, reduction and control)

Floodplains by Design. The Nature Conservancy's multi-benefit floodplain restoration program, Floodplains by Design, has leveraged $50 in capital projects for every National Estuary Program dollar invested. (Watershed protection and restoration)

■ Floodplains by Design. The Nature Conservancy's multi-benefit floodplain restoration program, Floodplains by Design, has leveraged $50 in capital projects for every National Estuary Program

dollar invested. (Watershed protection and restoration)

National Estuary Program projects are a smart investment, enabling Puget Sound communities to leverage resources wisely and support critical work few others will fund.

■ Progressive comprehensive plan updates. The City of Duvall used National Estuary Program funds to complete a comprehensive plan update. As a small city, the funding made it possible for the city to pursue a more progressive update than is typical. They created watershed overlays to help communicate resource needs to elected officials and the general public, which encouraged development of regulations and incentive-based programs to address those needs. (Watershed protection and restoration)

Innovation is innate to the Pacific Northwest, and Puget Sound recovery is no exception.

■ Transfer of Development Rights: King County's Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program is only possible because of National Estuary Program funding. The program prevents urban sprawl by transferring development rights away from rural and resource lands to the county's Urban Areas. The Cities of Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace, Tukwila and Tacoma are now completing feasibility studies for TDR and may soon negotiate an

■ Hood Canal Regional PIC Program: In Hood Canal, shellfish beds are hard-hit by multiple sources of pollution. Kitsap County has an exemplary record of addressing Pollution Identification and Control (PIC) issues, and is now partnered with (and helping mentor) Mason and Jefferson Counties and the Port Gamble S'Klallam and Skokomish Tribes to reduce pollution inputs to Hood Canal's shellfish beds. This effort is part of the Department of Health's PIC program, which is active in all 12 counties around Puget Sound and promotes collaborative efforts to identify and reduce the amount of pollution reaching shellfish beds. (Pathogen prevention, reduction and control)

■ Facilitating the use of best practices: Several Lead Organizations have provided technical assistance and mentorship around the region, and developed resources to expand the reach of this support:

The Marine Shoreline Design Guidelines help identify the shoreline type that best suits conditions at a site

A Pollution Identification and Correction Program Guidance to find, correct and prevent pollutants from entering Puget Sound

IC2 Alternatives Assessment Guide to replace harmful chemicals in the manufacturing process

A K-12 curriculum on ocean acidification

The Northwest Straits Foundation held workshops for landowners, trained volunteers and provided free technical assistance to reduce shoreline armoring

The Department of Ecology certified over 50 landscape professionals in best management practices to reduce toxic and nutrient loading from pesticides and fertilizers. Fiscal Year 2016: No accomplishments to report with this year funding since the incremental funding was awarded in late FFY2015. Fiscal Year 2017: No Current Data Available REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

For grants and cooperative agreements with local governments, tribal governments and special purpose districts, the procedures and requirements should be in conformance with the OMB's Uniform Grants Guidance (UGG) located in 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards). This supersedes and streamlines requirements from 40 C.F.R. Part 31 "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments", and OMB Circular Nos. A-21, A-87, A-110, and A-122 (which had been placed in 2

CFR 220, 225, 215, and 230).

December 2016