Funding for Fiscal Year 2022
Funding priorities for FY 2022 were developed by the GBEP subcommittees (Water and Sediment Quality-WSQ, Natural Resource Uses-NRU, Public Participation and Education-PPE, and Monitoring and Research-M&R) at the June 2020 meetings and align with the implementation of The Galveston Bay Plan, 2nd Edition.
WSQ
- Green infrastructure and soil health projects/monitoring to improve water quality
- Supporting management measures and watershed-based plans
- Waterway trash, marine debris, and/or macroplastics and microplastics
NRU
- Habitat Acquisition
- Enhancement of Existing or Ongoing Restoration/Conservation Efforts
- Benefit to Native Fish and Wildlife, including Federal and State Listed Species, Species of Greatest Conservation Need, or Nongame Wildlife
- Brings Funding or Work Leverage to the Subcommittee
PPE
- Mapping/database identifying underrepresented communities and a needs assessment for volunteer and stewardship programs and opportunities for those underrepresented communities
- Programs building capacity to target and partner with underrepresented communities that encourage diversity, equity, and addresses language barriers
- Create and facilitate a workshop that convenes thought leaders, stakeholders, and partners to address how to partner with underrepresented communities to deliver environmental education and outreach efforts. As an outcome of the workshop, develop a plan of action on how to deliver programs in the Galveston Bay watershed for underserved communities
- Programs that address careers in the environmental field targeting high school-aged youth, young adults in college, and young professionals. Programs may encourage careers in, but not limited to, natural resource management, formal and informal education and outreach, and environmental communication
M&R
- Contaminant fate and transport and/or effects of contaminants (especially from chemical and oil spills) on species populations
- Estimation of spatial/ temporal trends in point source and/or nonpoint source loading and compliance with effluent standards
- Effects of increased frequency of flood tides and erosion on species populations
If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact the corresponding Subcommittee Coordinator.
______________________________________________________________
How the Galveston Bay Estuary Program funds projects
Federal, state, and partner contributions are critical to the success of the GBEP. The Estuary Program is funded annually with EPA funds from Section 320 of the Clean Water Act, which is matched (1:1) with state funds from TCEQ. The partnership between TCEQ and EPA is important to the successful implementation of The Galveston Bay Plan since some plan actions fulfill the tenants of the Clean Water Act and Texas Water Code and support the missions of both agencies.
GBEP receives additional state funding, which is leveraged to match other federal grants.
GBEP provides technical support to its partners in developing and securing funding for a variety of project types and applies for external funding when applicable. Awards received include Coastal Impact Assistance Program, which was administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in partnership with the Texas General Land Office, and the Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
The Estuary Program project development and funding is unique in that the staff members work closely with stakeholders to take a project from concept to implementation. This process is one of the strengths of the Estuary Program as it has garnered diverse and vital partnerships and helped leverage resources from multiple entities and organizations.
The fiscal year for the State of Texas is September 1 through August 31. Throughout the year the Galveston Bay Council and its subcommittees meet to develop projects that are aligned with the Galveston Bay Plan.
The Water and Sediment Quality (WSQ), Natural Resource Uses (NRU), Public Participation and Education (PPE), and Monitoring and Research (M&R) subcommittees meet quarterly during the year to discuss each group’s priority focus and determine what projects or issues need to be addressed. The subcommittees also work in concert with the Galveston Bay Council, the Budget and Priorities subcommittee (B&P), and Estuary Program staff to develop priority needs. The B&P subcommittee consists of the chairs of each of the subcommittees and the Council Chair and Vice Chair as well as former Council Chairs. This body also meets regularly to review and assess the needs of the program and the other subcommittees.
Starting in early summer, the committees meet to set priority needs that will help determine project planning for the upcoming fiscal year funding.
By early fall, each subcommittee meets to review project proposals based on the priorities set throughout the year. A project proposal submission form is made available for each subcommittee and the public at large. Projects are presented in the September subcommittee meetings.
After subcommittee members have reviewed the proposals, projects are selected either by consensus or ranking depending on the approved process in each subcommittee.
Once the projects are selected by each subcommittee, the projects are then reviewed by the B&P subcommittee. This body is tasked with providing a balanced fiscal year budget for the program that takes into consideration program needs, operating costs, and project funding.
In October, the Council is presented the GBEP budget that includes the proposed projects. Once the Council has approved the projects and proposed GBEP budget, the Estuary Program and TCEQ work to develop the fiscal year work plan for the EPA that lays out program operating costs, project funding, and program needs.