I hope this email finds you well and that you and your families are staying safe and healthy. This email is to let you know that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 1 is now accepting applications from all New England non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for the 2021 EPA Region 1 Stormwater Toolbox Equipment Loan Program.
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.
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 by providing quality data 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 allow groups to have access to uniform monitoring equipment and methodologies to collect data that can have a meaningful impact in their communities.
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.
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 attached to this email (Attachment A). The application form is included in Attachment A as Appendix A. 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 (Attachment B), which is the EPA scientific framework behind the toolbox.
Applications will be accepted through close of business on Friday, April 2, 2021 with selections to be announced by Friday, April 16, 2021. We will not respond to applicants that we do not select.
In order to reach the largest number of NGOS throughout New England possible, I am asking that you please forward along this information to those that you know who work with NGOS or any of your NGO contacts that would be interested in this opportunity. Thank you to all for your assistance in getting the word out.
Attachments
A: EPA Region 1 Stormwater Toolbox Equipment Loan Program Plan (application form is Appendix A)
B: EPA New England Bacterial Source Tracking Protocol
For questions please contact-
Michelle Coombs
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Region 1
Laboratory Services and Applied Science Division
Field Services Branch
11 Technology Drive (Mail Code: LFSB)
North Chelmsford, MA 01863-2431
(617) 918-8665
coombs.michelle@epa.gov