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MassDEP says 604(b) planning grants will prioritize watershed‑based planning and community engagement
Summary
MassDEP told applicants 604(b) planning funds will prioritize development of MassDEP‑approved watershed‑based plans, ambient monitoring, modeling and community engagement; the agency estimated roughly $1.8M available this cycle and said 604(b) carries no match requirement.
MassDEP staff told applicants that Section 604(b) funds in the upcoming RFP will be used primarily for watershed‑based planning and capacity building. "Development of MassDEP‑approved watershed based plan is our priority under this RFP," Panmini said, noting planning activities could include ambient sampling, data analysis, modeling of nitrogen‑reduction scenarios, and development of comprehensive watershed management plans (CWMPs) or targeted watershed management plans (TWMPs).
Panmini said 604(b) awards carry no nonfederal match requirement and that this year’s 604(b) allocation is "much bigger than our normal," estimated at around $1,800,000; she urged applicants to detail "active and comprehensive community engagement" in proposals because such engagement earns prioritization points. The presenter also encouraged use of MassDEP tools (INSPIRE, the MasCleanWater toolkit) to assemble GIS layers and past project examples that strengthen planning applications.
