Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program

The University of New Orleans Research and Technology Foundation (UNORTF) seeks written proposals for restoration projects and related scientific and public education projects for the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program (PRP). This funding opportunity is made through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6.

This RFP seeks to fund approximately $10,200,000 worth of project work in restoration and preservation efforts that support the ecological health of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin.

If you are interested in submitting a proposal for consideration in this round of funding, please make sure to read and follow all guidelines and use the templates from the links below to submit. 

Please direct any and all inquiries to Blair Bourgeois at bbourgeois@thebeachuno.org.

The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program (PRP) was authorized by the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Act of 2000; Clean Water Act, Section 121 which amended the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; the first grant was awarded in 2002.

The purpose of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program (PRP) is to restore the ecological health of the Basin by developing and funding restoration projects and related scientific and public education projects to reduce the risk of pollution. Program activities vary, but typically include ecosystem and habitat restoration, water quality improvements, nutrient reduction, climate resilience, environmental education and outreach and local capacity building.

The project activities may include:

• Developing and funding restoration project and related scientific and public education projects.

• Continuing to implement the plans and studies identified in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Program Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP).

• Continuing activities to preserve, enhance or restore waters for recreational use.

• Supporting the Comprehensive Habitat Management Plan (CHMP) which prioritizes significant habitat restoration and flood protection.

• Performing educational activities for the public

Description

Lake Pontchartrain Basin is a 10,000 square mile watershed that encompasses 16 Louisiana parishes and 4 Mississippi counties. The Basin is the center of southeastern LA’s unique cultural heritage. With almost 2.1 million residents, including rural farming communities, metropolitan New Orleans, and the fishing, shrimping, crabbing, and oyster industries, the area is brimming with a diversity of people bound by a common interest: the desire for clean and healthy waters in the Pontchartrain Basin.

Projects funded under the PRP are guided by the plans and studies identified by the Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) and are also supported by the Comprehensive Habitat Management Plan (CHMP). Projects are created with the goal to restore the ecological health of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin.

Participating Louisiana Parishes, Mississippi Counties and Organizations include:

Ascension Parish
East Baton Rouge
East Feliciana Parish
Iberville Parish
Jefferson Parish
Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation
LPB Maritime Museum
Livingston Parish
Orleans Parish
Plaquemines Parish
RPC
St. Bernard Parish
St. Charles Parish
St. Helena Parish
St. James Parish
St. John the Baptist Parish
St. Tammany Parish
Tangipahoa Parish
Washington Parish
Lincoln County
Pike County
Amite County
Wilkinson County

Applicant Eligibility

Federal, state, interstate, local governments, Tribal governments (must be federally-recognized), regional water pollution control agencies, and other public or nonprofit private agencies, institutions, and organizations are eligible. Private profit-making entities, and individuals, are not eligible. Eligible subaward grantees may be located outside of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Watershed but projects must be located inside the Basin.

Private profit-making entities, and individuals are not eligible. Non-profit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are not eligible.

For more information regarding the Pontchartrain Restoration Program

Contact

Blair Bourgeois
(504) 280-1044
PRPgrant@thebeachuno.org