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EPA: New England Stormwater Toolbox Equipment Loan Program

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 1 is now accepting applications from all New England non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for the 2023 EPA Region 1 Stormwater Toolbox Equipment Loan Program.

This EPA program supplies NGOs within New England with a loan of stormwater monitoring equipment. This equipment can then be distributed to any municipalities regulated by the MS4 for assistance in volunteer monitoring. The loan comes with initial supplies, but does not come with any replenishing or consumable supplies (gloves, reagents, etc). The program runs on a year long schedule with applications due in the Winter and toolboxes sent out in the Spring to be returned in the Fall.

The loan program is open to all NGO monitoring groups - groups subject to MS4 permit requirements are not eligible. Watershed associations are the most common applicants, but most non-governmental organizations are eligible. EPA typically verifies with the individual entity to determine eligibility if it comes into question. There is no limit to how many times a group can apply. A Quality Assurance Program or Project Plan must be submitted with the application.

Contact: Shea.Shannon@epa.gov

More information:

Introduction

Each year, EPA Region 1 offers NGOs the opportunity to obtain equipment and instrumentation for stormwater monitoring in their communities, free of charge. We do this through an equipment loan program, whereby NGOs in any New England state can apply and, if selected, receive a stormwater toolbox to use during the annual field season. Loaned equipment consists of a water quality meter and several field-ready test kits for screening-level water quality analysis of municipal storm sewer systems and receiving waters.

Vision and Goal

The ultimate goal of the equipment loan program is to provide the tools and a framework to enable groups to take an active role in their community and watershed. This can allow groups to enhance environmental stewardship, create healthy, sustainable communities and to collaborate with government at all levels in protecting the environment. The equipment loan program will give groups access to uniform monitoring equipment and methodologies to collect data that can have a meaningful impact in their communities.

Eligibility

Any NGO is eligible to apply (universities, watershed associations, planning commissions, tribes, etc.). Any interested applicant must have a Quality Assurance Program or Project Plan (QAPP) currently in place OR be willing to develop one, in order to be eligible for the program. Municipalities and other members of the regulated community that are subject to NPDES monitoring requirements are not eligible to apply.

Building Equitable Partnerships

EPA is committed to being intentional in its efforts to protect the health and environment of all Americans, including those historically marginalized, overburdened, underserved, and living with the legacy of structural racism. Region 1 is actively working to deploy technical tools and resources to incorporate environmental justice (EJ) considerations into our activities. We need your help to accomplish this task. So, in order to reach the largest number of eligible NGOS throughout New England possible, we are asking that you please forward along this information to those you know who work with NGOS or any of your NGO contacts that would be interested in or benefit from this opportunity, including groups in watersheds with EJ concerns. Thank you to all for your assistance in getting the word out.

Program Details and Application

A detailed description of the program, including available equipment, organization eligibility, selection process and criteria, and conditions of the equipment loan agreement can be found in the program plan. In order to apply, applicants must be familiar with all the items in the plan, as well as the EPA New England Bacterial Source Tracking Protocol, which is the EPA scientific framework behind the toolbox. APPLICATION HERE.

Deadlines

Applications will be accepted through close of business on 03/01/2024 with selections to be announced by 03/15/2024. We will not respond to applicants that we do not select.

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