Multipurpose Grants to States and Tribes
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Introduction
EPA is pleased to announce the availability of funding for the FY 2021 Multipurpose Grant (MPG) program for States and Tribes. Multipurpose funds are intended to be used at state and tribal discretion, for high-priority activities to complement activities funded under established environmental statutes. For states and territories, funding is available to agencies that implement the categorical grant programs. For tribes, funding is available to tribes that have been delegated federal regulatory authority through the treatment in a similar manner to a state (TAS) process, and tribes approved to operate certain environmental regulatory programs through non-TAS approval provisions found in federal environmental statutes and regulations. Through these grants, EPA and its state and tribal partners will advance priorities to deliver environmental and public health results across the nation.
Background
Congress created the MPG program in 2016, and appropriated funds to this program in FY 2018, FY 2019, and FY 2020. This MPG program is for the $10 million Congress appropriated in FY 2021. The Explanatory Statement accompanying the 2021 Act suggested states and tribes often undertake primary cleanup and remediation efforts on emerging contaminants like PFAS. Given the current activities of states and tribes to address these emerging contaminants of PFAS and others, this funding can aid such regulatory, cleanup and remediation efforts of contaminated water sources, water systems, and lands, and of impacted air quality. The Committees note that such funds are not limited to only those activities subject to the categorical grants, but can also include any State-led effort that will lead to cleanup and remediation of areas affected by PF AS and other emerging contaminants. Grantees may also consider directing the funds to other high priority activities of their choosing, within the parameters of the MPG guidance.
Implementation
For States and Territories:
- A total of $8,500,000 is available for states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.
- State agencies are asked to respond to accept or decline the funds by June 8, 2021.
- Applications will be due through grants.gov on July 9, 2021. EPA will aim to make awards by the end of the fiscal year.
- EPA is offering each eligible state entity a base amount of $25K, and a supplemental amount based on FY20 funding.
- There is no match, cost-share, or maintenance of effort associated with the MPG funds.
- Eligible recipients are generally state agencies that carry out the federally funded environmental programs.
- Eligible activities include activities associated with the categorical grant programs that are eligible for inclusion in a Performance Partnership Grant.
- While states may choose to take advantage of the flexibilities offered by PPGs, states may also receive MPG funds through a separate, stand-alone grant.
- State agencies are free to direct the MPG funds towards the high-priority activities of their choosing, within the parameters of the multipurpose grant guidance.
- States who submit workplans or workplan amendments consistent with the multipurpose grant guidance and approved by their respective EPA Region will receive the full amount for which they are eligible.
For Tribes:
- A total of $1,500,000 will be available to tribes delegated federal regulatory authority through the treatment in a similar manner to a state (TAS) process, and tribes approved to operate certain environmental regulatory programs through non-TAS approval provisions found in federal environmental statutes and regulations. MPG funds are to be used to implementation activities performed by a tribe pursuant to the authority delegated or approved for the tribe.