EPA Announces $4 Million Funding Opportunity for Phosphorus Reduction Efforts in Western Lake Erie Basin

EPA Announces $4 Million Funding Opportunity for Phosphorus Reduction Efforts in Western Lake Erie Basin

October 1, 2024

The western basin of Lake Erie experiences harmful algal blooms each summer. Reducing phosphorus loading from the surrounding watershed is expected to substantially reduce the extent of harmful algal blooms. The primary objective of this funding opportunity is to increase the resources available to help farmers improve their nutrient management.

EPA will support projects that do one or more of the following:

• Provide technical assistance to prevent overapplication and loss of fertilizers from farm fields, particularly manure.
  
• Build capacity of Soil and Water Conservation Districts to provide engineering services, administrative support, and establish relationships with their community.
  
• Support direct outreach and farmer education by extensions, industry, and farm bureaus.
  
• Incentivize retailers, conservation agronomists, and certified crop advisors to promote minimal fertilizer application, precision technology, and subsurface placement of nutrients.

Qualified non-federal entities eligible to apply for grants include non-federal governmental entities: state agencies; local governments; interstate agencies; and federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations. Institutions of higher education and non-profit organizations are also eligible to apply. Non-profit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are not eligible applicants 'For profit' organizations, federal agencies, foreign entities, and individuals are not eligible applicants.

Only projects within the western basin of Lake Erie watershed, as defined in the request for applications, are eligible. More information is available at the grants.gov link.

Applicants with general and technical questions about this funding opportunity can find more information through the following resources:

• Applicant Webinarto be held on October 9, 2024, at 11:30 am CT/12:30 pm ET, for funding opportunity and applicant information presentation provided by EPA staff. Registration information forthcoming via EPA's Funding Opportunity Website.
  
• EPA's Funding Opportunity Webpagefor frequently asked questions and answers; specific opportunity details; and general training for applicants.

Additional Background

Curbing nutrient runoff from the land, which fuels harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie, is a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative priority and a key commitment under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement with Canada. The U.S. and Canada are in agreement that phosphorus loads to the western basin of Lake Erie need to be reduced by 40% to mitigate harmful algal blooms, and are implementing phosphorus reduction strategies, articulated in state and federal action plans, towards this goal. Since 2010, GLRI has funded hundreds of on-the-ground and science projects, totaling over $100 million dollars to prevent and manage Lake Erie harmful algal blooms.

Learn more about the Great Lakes Restoration Initiativeand Lake Erie Nutrients.