Non-State Member Support for the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58), enacted November 15, 2021, appropriated $60 million for EPA to issue grants, including grants to non-state Hypoxia Task Force (HTF) members and key partners (21 eligible tribes, three sub-basin committees, and a Land Grant University Consortium) to support the implementation of the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan. This grant program considers relevant approaches to achieving the intended goals and objectives of the program consistent with statutory requirements. Awardees are required to provide annual progress reports which will be used to measure successful implementation and support evaluation. EPA�s funding priority is to award funds to non-state HTF partners to provide technical assistance and outreach support to the HTF Members on nutrient reduction strategies and to advance bold, systemic actions that accelerate nutrient load reductions in the MARB and to the Gulf of America. EPA expects HTF Partners to develop workplans that prioritize those actions most effective as to help the HTF reach the Action Plan goals and develop capacity to reducing nutrient loads, using both proven and innovative approaches, that are now possible with funding for the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan.

Funds are awarded to eligible entities to implement the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan . Funds are distributed to the respective entities as follows: $2,000,000 distributed among eligible Tribes based on land area and capacity to administer Clean Water Act programs, $1,200,000 distributed equally among the three sub-basin committees, and $600,000 to the Land Grant University Consortium. Applications are assessed consistent with the merit review regulations in 2 CFR 200.205.