Opportunity Information: Apply for EPA R9 WTR3 12 003
Apply for EPA R9 WTR3 12 003
- The Environmental Protection Agency in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Innovative Source Reduction for Land Based Sources of Marine Debris from Coastal Watersheds" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 66.439 Targeted Watersheds Grants.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 10, 2012 and posted on May 10, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 8, 2012 Please refer to the announcement, including Section IV, for additional information on submission methods and due dates.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $283,660.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $283,660.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- See Section III of the announcement for additional eligibility information.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9 offered this discretionary grant opportunity to fund projects that prevent marine debris from entering coastal waters by tackling the problem at its origin in coastal watersheds. The program focus is on protecting and restoring water quality and habitat in coastal waters, estuaries, bays, near-shore zones, and ocean waters by using innovative, comprehensive source reduction strategies. The central idea is to stop litter and debris upstream before it becomes marine debris, rather than relying on downstream collection methods after trash has already been generated and has begun moving through stormwater systems and waterways.
A key feature of this opportunity is its strong preference for "true source reduction" approaches. EPA Region 9 explicitly distinguishes source reduction from more common municipal practices centered on capture and removal, such as installing catch basin screens, increasing street sweeping, or other end-of-pipe and in-system interception methods. In other words, the agency was looking for projects that change behaviors, systems, purchasing, operations, and local conditions so less trash is created or escaped in the first place. Successful proposals were expected to be forward-looking and to address the root causes of land-based debris entering waterways from urban and coastal watershed activities.
The opportunity also emphasized the need to connect environmental outcomes with economic and institutional incentives. Applicants were expected to demonstrate and promote the economic benefits of source reduction for both businesses and government, such as reduced cleanup and maintenance costs, improved operational efficiency, avoided regulatory or compliance burdens, and potential savings associated with preventing litter-related impacts. In addition, proposals were expected to inspire innovative local policies that promote litter prevention, suggesting the EPA wanted projects that could be replicated and scaled through ordinances, procurement changes, business practices, or other governance tools that shift the default system toward prevention.
Collaboration was another core requirement. EPA Region 9 encouraged creative partnerships that bring together local governments, nonprofit organizations, and the business community, reflecting the reality that debris prevention often depends on coordinated action across sectors (for example, retailers, event organizers, property managers, and municipal services). The overall expectation was that funded projects would not just run a one-off intervention, but would build durable relationships and shared accountability for reducing waste leakage from the watershed.
The announcement made clear what would not be funded. Proposals that primarily supported recycling, cleanup events, treatment activities, trash capture/removal technologies, disposal, or bans focused specifically on plastic bags and/or polystyrene were considered out of scope and would not be funded. This exclusion is important because it signals the agency was not trying to expand conventional waste management or removal programs; it was trying to fund upstream prevention strategies that reduce the creation and release of debris in the first place, rather than managing it once it exists.
Administratively, the funding opportunity was titled "Innovative Source Reduction for Land Based Sources of Marine Debris from Coastal Watersheds" with Funding Opportunity Number EPA-R9-WTR3-12-003. It was offered as a grant under the environmental funding activity category and tied to CFDA 66.439 (Targeted Watersheds Grants). The EPA anticipated making three awards, with an estimated total funding amount of $283,660. The minimum award size listed was $90,000, and the maximum award ceiling was $283,660. The opportunity required cost sharing or matching funds, meaning applicants needed to contribute non-federal resources toward the project budget. The solicitation was posted on May 10, 2012, and closed on June 8, 2012, with the archive date listed as July 8, 2012. Eligibility was described generally as "Others" with additional eligibility details provided in Section III of the full announcement, indicating that applicants needed to consult the official notice for the precise list of eligible entity types and any restrictions.
For access and submission details, the announcement directed applicants to review Section IV for submission methods and due dates. The listed contact for assistance in accessing the full announcement was Ephraim D. Leon Guerrero at EPA Region 9, reachable at (415) 947-3444.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this EPA funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "Innovative Source Reduction for Land Based Sources of Marine Debris from Coastal Watersheds".
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is EPA-R9-WTR3-12-003.
Which EPA office offered this grant?
This discretionary grant opportunity was offered by EPA Region 9.
What problem is this grant trying to address?
The program is intended to fund projects that prevent marine debris from entering coastal waters by addressing the issue at its origin in coastal watersheds. The emphasis is on stopping litter and debris upstream before it becomes marine debris moving through stormwater systems and waterways.
What types of waters and habitats are the focus of this program?
The focus is on protecting and restoring water quality and habitat in coastal waters, estuaries, bays, near-shore zones, and ocean waters.
What kind of approach does EPA Region 9 prefer for this opportunity?
EPA Region 9 expressed a strong preference for "true source reduction" approaches, meaning strategies that reduce the creation and escape of trash in the first place by changing behaviors, systems, purchasing, operations, and local conditions.
What does "true source reduction" mean in the context of this grant?
Within this opportunity, "true source reduction" means upstream prevention that addresses root causes so less trash is generated or leaked into the watershed. It is distinct from capture or cleanup methods that act after trash has already been created and has entered stormwater or waterways.
What types of projects were considered out of scope or not fundable?
The announcement stated that proposals primarily supporting recycling, cleanup events, treatment activities, trash capture/removal technologies, disposal, or bans focused specifically on plastic bags and/or polystyrene were considered out of scope and would not be funded.
Are storm drain capture devices or other interception methods eligible for funding?
Projects centered on capture and removal (for example, installing catch basin screens, increasing street sweeping, and other end-of-pipe or in-system interception methods) were explicitly distinguished from source reduction and were not the preferred focus for this opportunity.
Is the EPA looking for one-time cleanups or ongoing prevention?
The opportunity emphasized forward-looking proposals that address root causes and build durable systems and relationships for prevention, rather than one-off interventions that primarily remove debris after it has already been generated.
What kinds of strategies did EPA expect to see in competitive proposals?
Based on the announcement, competitive proposals were expected to use innovative, comprehensive source reduction strategies that prevent litter and debris upstream and connect actions to lasting changes in behaviors, systems, operations, purchasing, or local conditions that reduce waste leakage.
Did the announcement emphasize any economic or operational benefits?
Yes. Applicants were expected to demonstrate and promote economic benefits of source reduction for businesses and government, such as reduced cleanup and maintenance costs, improved operational efficiency, avoided regulatory or compliance burdens, and other potential savings tied to preventing litter-related impacts.
Did EPA want projects that influence local policy or institutional practices?
Yes. The opportunity highlighted the value of inspiring innovative local policies that promote litter prevention, including approaches that could be replicated and scaled through ordinances, procurement changes, business practices, or other governance tools that shift systems toward prevention.
Is collaboration required or encouraged?
Collaboration was described as a core requirement. EPA Region 9 encouraged creative partnerships among local governments, nonprofit organizations, and the business community to reflect the cross-sector nature of debris prevention.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is tied to CFDA 66.439 (Targeted Watersheds Grants).
What type of funding mechanism is this?
It was offered as a grant under the environmental funding activity category.
How many awards did EPA anticipate making?
EPA anticipated making three awards.
What was the estimated total funding amount available?
The estimated total funding amount was $283,660.
What is the minimum award amount?
The minimum award size listed was $90,000.
What is the maximum award amount (ceiling)?
The maximum award ceiling listed was $283,660.
Does this opportunity require cost sharing or matching funds?
Yes. The opportunity required cost sharing or matching funds, meaning applicants needed to contribute non-federal resources toward the project budget.
When was the solicitation posted?
The solicitation was posted on May 10, 2012.
What was the application deadline?
The opportunity closed on June 8, 2012.
When was the archive date?
The archive date listed was July 8, 2012.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was described generally as "Others", with additional eligibility details provided in Section III of the full announcement. Applicants were instructed to consult the official notice for the precise list of eligible entity types and any restrictions.
Where can applicants find the official submission methods and due dates?
The announcement directed applicants to review Section IV of the full announcement for submission methods and due dates.
Who can be contacted for help accessing the full announcement?
The listed contact for assistance was Ephraim D. Leon Guerrero at EPA Region 9, reachable at (415) 947-3444.
What is the central concept behind this funding opportunity?
The central idea is to stop litter and debris upstream before it becomes marine debris, rather than relying on downstream collection methods once trash has been generated and has begun moving through stormwater systems and waterways.
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