Chesapeake Bay Program Updates and Accountability Details

Jim Edward, Deputy Director EPA, Chesapeake Bay Program Office CAC Meeting September 8, 2016

Chesapeake Bay Program Updates 1. Elements of the Chesapeake Bay Accountability and Recovery Act Independent Evaluator Federal and State Crosscut Budget 2. Diversity Workgroup Activities 3. 2014-2015 EPA Grant Funding for Local Governments 4. Small Watershed and Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Grant Funding for Local Entities

Chesapeake Bay Accountability and Recovery Act (2014) Independent Evaluator Chesapeake Bay Crosscut Budget

Independent Evaluator There shall be an Independent Evaluator for restoration activities in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, who shall review and report on (1) restoration activities; and (2) any related topics that are suggested by the Chesapeake Executive Council.

What needs to be done? Executive Council may nominate an independent evaluator Within 30 days the Administrator selects a nominee that demonstrates excellence in Marine science Policy evaluation Other studies relating to complex environmental activities First report due to Congress in 180 days, every 2 years after

Two Options Under Consideration EPA Science Advisory Board Convener Standing Committee Nominating individuals with expertise to the Committee Nominating an institution to act as the Independent Evaluator The National Academy of Science Convener Panel Individuals are selected based on expertise

Key Considerations Format Costs to Program Timeliness Sustainability Readiness Meets Intent of law Avoids actual or appearance of conflict of interest

Discussion and Decision Agree on the selected option Next steps to include Initial task/charge development Recommended expertise needed for individual members Process for nominating members Bring back to PSC and EC for final approval of approach Make Recommendation to EPA Administrator

Proposed Charge for the First 180-Day Study The Independent Evaluator Panel will review any documentation relative to the findings, recommendations, and responses for any audits and evaluations that are included in the Chesapeake Bay Evaluation, Audit, and Review Excel Document and respond to the following two questions: What are the highest priority issues/challenges identified in the review of these recommendations? What new issues and challenges are missing from this body of recommendations in the context of the 2014 Agreement?

Proposed Charge (cont) The Independent Evaluator Panel will report on their findings and recommend focal topics for the next two- year independent evaluation. This report will not make specific recommendations for changes to the Chesapeake Bay Program but will identify topical areas that merit further in-depth evaluation.

Estimated Costs for Agreement Signatories It is anticipated that the cost of this initial 180-day report would be within the range of $125,000 and $250,000. The Proposed Allocation Methodology (based on CBIG Allocations) would be: 7% for DC, DE, NY and WV = $8,750/year (@$125K) to $17,500/year (@$250K) 18% each for MD, PA, VA and EPA = $22,500/year (@$125k) to $45,000/year (@$250K) The annual cost and allocation for subsequent 2-year evaluations would range from $250,000 - $375,000 per year for each 2-year study 7% for DC, DE, NY and WV = $17,500/year (@$250K) to $26,250/year (@$375K) 18% each for MD, PA, VA and EPA = $45,000/year (@$250K) to $67,500/year (@ $375K)

Budget Accounting

CBARA Budget Accounting Definition of restoration activity: A program or project carried out with the express intent to directly* protect, conserve, or restore living resources, habitat, water resources, or water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including programs or projects that provide financial and technical assistance to promote responsible land use, stewardship, and community engagement in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Categories May Include: physical restoration, planning, feasibility studies, scientific research, monitoring, education, infrastructure development

Interagency Cross-cut Budget OMB Director, in consultation with the EC, shall submit to Congress a financial report containing: Expenditures for Federal, and to the extent available, State restoration activities for preceding 2 fiscal years, current fiscal year, and succeeding fiscal year (FY 2014, 15, 16 & 17)

Funding Levels and Timeline Funding Levels - For the first 3 years, funding > $300,000 - After that, funding > $100,000 Timeline Due Sept. 30, 2016 and each year there after Federal Agencies Reporting: EPA, USDA, DOD, DOC (NOAA), DHS, DOI, Army Corps (Not DHS or DOT) Jurisdictions Reporting: DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV, (Not NY)

Diversity Workgroup Activities Preliminary Results of CBP Demographic Profile EJ Screen GIT Funding Project Chesapeake Bay Funders Network and Choose Clean Water Coalition SOW for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy October Diversity Workgroup Meeting (TBD)

Why a demographic profile? An important aspect of tracking and assessment is to collect baseline data in order to measure progress towards the goal/outcome. Green 2.0 made a national call to environmental organizations to share their diversity data in order to begin improving diversity at all levels.

What is the CBP Diversities Profile? 11 Simple Questions Voluntary Self-Identify responses Includes questions on management/leadership roles due to outcome language

Chesapeake Bay Program Demographic Profile Questions 1. What type of organization do you currently work for? 2. Within your organization, what is your role? Please choose one. 3. Do you self-identify as a member of CBP leadership? If yes, please select all that apply. 4. How long have you been affiliated with the CBP? 5. What is your gender? 6. What is your age? 7. Which categories best describe you? 8. Do you identify as a member of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Gender Nonconforming community? 9. Do you identify as a person who is disabled? 10. In order to understand which Chesapeake watershed jurisdictions are represented, where do you live? 11. What landscape do you currently reside in?

The Process The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay conducted the profile on behalf of the Chesapeake Bay Program The profile was sent to the Principals Staff Committee, Management Board, Advisory Committees, GITs, and workgroup members. Encourage Chairs to incorporate in ongoing meeting agendas. Demographic Profile analysis based on participant response. Sent to over 750 CBP program partners. 40-50% response Rate!

Timeline May: Develop simple Survey Monkey instrument Early July: Email from Al Todd to CBP membership Have until August 31to complete the profile July/August: Follow-up email from CBP leadership (MB chair, GIT chairs, etc.) September 2016: Conduct Analysis and present results to Management Board September/October 2016: Post results on CBP website and present at Forum Press release and web story

EJ Screen FY 2016 Project This project will kick start the development of a comprehensive Bay watershed Environmental Justice Screening tool to provide jurisdictional, sub-watershed, and community level information on demographics and environmental conditions, and their relationship to selected Agreement outcomes. The tool will assist CBP partners as they identify workplan implementation priorities in relation to the impact of these priorities on Bay communities, especially on diverse communities. Will also help community groups (including underrepresented communities) as they engage in community based environmental restoration and sustainability projects. This project is designed as a pilot for expansion and will focus initially on public access, toxic contaminants, and climate resiliency.

EJ Screen Project (cont) The project will build on demographic and environmental data pulled from the national EJ Screen tool to include Bay Program-specific indicators and greater localized data. Cross-GIT and diversity stakeholder input will be used to design the EJ tool with regards to inputs and capabilities. The project will fund a programmer to assist the CBP GIS staff in designing a tool of the scale and detail necessary for use by GITs, with a customized reporting function. Funding will also be used to explore the usability of the tool for both the Bay partners and community groups and will serve as a template for other outcomes.

CCW and CBFN SOW to Develop a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy The Chesapeake Bay Trust, on behalf of CBFN and the CCWC seek a qualified service provider to assist with the development of a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan to guide future actions. August - September2016: Select contractor, hold kick off meeting , communicate to members on next steps October December 2016: DEI/cultural Competency workshops, planning meetings, member outreach and engagement January March 2017: Continued member engagement, DEI plan development and review by CBFN/CCWC DEI committee. April May 2017: Participate in CCWC/CBFN Spring membership meetings to assist with presentation of plan, proposal of next steps, solicit feedback, etc. June 2017: Final Plan submitted with report on the project

October 2016 Diversity Workgroup Meeting Meeting of Jurisdictions, Federal agencies and other partners who are Workgroup members. Review of 2016 Biennial Workplan commitments and 2016 progress in meeting them. Get Input on EJ Screen Project Review Results of Demographic Profile Results and Next Steps Presentation and opportunity fro Input on on CCW/CBFN DEI Strategy Development Other Issues?

Local Government Funding FY 2014 - 2015 EPA s (managed by NFWF) Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction and Small Watershed Grants Funding for Local Entities 2014-2016 EPA Grant Funding for Local Governments 2012-2016 Local Government Assistance provided through the Environmental Finance Center

2008-2016 INSR and SWG Funding to Local Governments $45 million to local governments and non- government organizations, with $15 million going directly to fund Local government specified technical assistance needs Local government implementation and restoration projects

Outcomes of INSR and SWG Funding to Local Governments Outcomes of these projects included: 2.8 million square feet of rain gardens and bio retention installed 1.7 million square feet of impervious surfaces removed 13,946 acres with improved storm water management 6,612 acres of wetlands restored 1,695 miles of riparian forest restored Pay for hosting of annual networking (bay-wide and regional) forums to bring together local stormwater practioners (from municipalities) The ag community regional gatherings of local governments, watershed organizations, technical experts from the private sector and universities all local watershed organizations at the Chesapeake Watershed Forum

$5 million per year in EPA Funding for Local Implementation - FY14 and FY15 For local entities to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment loads to the Chesapeake Bay, consistent with the jurisdictions WIPs. Direct implementation of nutrient and sediment reduction Expansion of their regulatory and accountability capabilities Training requested by local entities

Local Government Implementation Local Funding Amount FY14 $ 322,784 $ 366,000 $ 615,635 $ 615,635 $ 449,654 FY15 $ 322,784 $ 366,000 $ 615,635 $ 615,635 $ 449,654 Jurisdiction CBRAP or CBIG CBIG CBIG CBIG CBRAP CBIG DC DE MD NY PA $1,190,544 CBIG $1,190,544 $ 750,000 CBIG $1,139,329 VA $ 389,329 CBRAP WV $ 300,139 $3,994,756 $1,004,964 $4,999,720 CBIG CBIG CBRAP $ 300,139 $4,384,085 $ 615,635 $4,999,720 TOTAL

Examples of Projects Funded with EPA Local Government $$$ Rain garden/barrel installation Green Infrastructure retrofits Bioretention facilities Stream restoration outreach and training Stormwater BMPs Stream exclusion practices Cover crops cost share Poultry litter transfer program

Environmental Finance Center Project Funding EPA funded the EFC with $1,025,000 from FY2012 to FY2016 for: Strategies to finance storm water and resiliency in specific localities in PA, NY, MD, VA and DE Agriculture financing (e.g. manure to energy) Innovative financing and capital work Local Capacity Building Initiative projects (with NFWF) Advancing local-level water quality and resiliency financing

Questions? Jim Edward edward.james@epa.gov www.ChesapeakeBay.net

District of Columbia - $322,784 RiverSmart Raingardens and other implementation projects Rain Barrel installation Green Roof Rebates Environmental Education

Delaware - $366,000 Green Infrastructure retrofit Restoration Project enhancements Denitrification bioreactor Small community water quality improvement program Ditch stabilization Bioretention facilities

Maryland Implementation Grant $615,635 Mostly to Counties Restore stream channels Septic system database and tracking Chesapeake Bay Trust Outreach and Training Planning Project Design

Maryland Regulatory and Accountability - $615,635 To various counties Neighborhood scale stormwater restoration and retrofit programs In Frederick County, those homes participating get 60% reduction of stormwater utility fee Design phase stormwater retrofit Stream restoration Converting Bay TMDL Waste Load allocations to county local TMDL loads and map BMP opportunities

New York - $489,654 Went to Upper Susquehanna Coalition Outreach, education, project planning, data collection and support

Pennsylvania - $1,190,544 Competitive award program to local governments for urban stormwater BMPs MS4 permittees must demonstrate: Significant nutrient and sediment reductions Work can be completed in project funding period Project will be maintained

Virginia - $750,000 + $389,329 Soil and Water Conservation Districts to increase cost share for stream exclusion practice Localities for historic BMP data clean-up

West Virginia - $300,139 Training for engineers, maintenance, and field staff on newest regulations and technology of stormwater management Cost share for Conservation Districts willing to plant early cover crops Develop litter transfer program Develop porous pavement demonstration