The Fisher-Led Aquatic Trash Prevention and Abatement in Urban and Inland Disadvantaged Communities funding opportunity (EPA-R4-GM-2024-FISHER) from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeks to engage fishers in addressing aquatic trash issues in disadvantaged communities. This program aims to leverage the expertise of recreational, subsistence, and commercial fishers to identify, prevent, and remove trash from common fishing spots and surrounding waterways. The focus is on building community-led solutions that utilize fishers' local knowledge of the waterways to develop effective strategies for trash removal and prevention.

Eligible applicants for this funding include state agencies, local governments, Indian tribes, institutions of higher learning, and nonprofit organizations. Projects must be located within one of the five Gulf states (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, or Texas) and within the Gulf of Mexico watershed. Each project should target multiple locations within the chosen state and engage fishers from various disadvantaged communities to help reduce trash pollution in those areas.

EPA anticipates awarding approximately $3.25 million for five projects, with each project receiving between $500,000 and $650,000. The project duration may extend up to three years. Proposed projects should include community outreach and education components to raise awareness about trash prevention, involve fishers in regular clean-up efforts, and use innovative tools to quantify and document the amount of trash removed. Applicants are encouraged to use EPA's Escaped Trash Assessment Protocol (ETAP) to measure the effectiveness of trash reduction efforts, though its use is not mandatory.

Key deliverables of the projects will include the mass or volume of trash removed, the number of individuals and organizations engaged in trash removal activities, and educational resources developed to promote community participation. Outcomes should also include measurable improvements in water quality and habitat restoration, with applicants required to provide performance measures and a timeline for project milestones.

Applications must be submitted by November 22, 2024, through Grants.gov. The proposals will be evaluated based on the project's design, the anticipated environmental results, partnerships with fishers and local communities, and the applicant's past performance in managing similar projects. Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate a clear plan to work with disadvantaged communities and show strong potential for replicability in other locations.

Applicants are required to include letters of support from partners or subawardees, as well as a detailed budget that outlines costs associated with personnel, supplies, and outreach activities. EPA will notify successful applicants by February 2025, with awards expected to begin in July 2025. Projects must also adhere to federal quality assurance and reporting requirements, including the submission of regular progress reports and making all collected data publicly available.