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Areawide-Groundwater Investigation Grant Survey

Ecology is not offering Area-wide Groundwater Investigation Grants (AWGIG) during the 2027-29 biennial solicitation due to limited funding and low demand demonstrated in previous biennia. However, we want your feedback to see if there are barriers to local governments effectively using this grant type.

A project is an investigation of a single study area that may extend more than one biennium. To be eligible for a grant (defined in WAC 173-322A-100), a project and applicant must meet all of the following requirements:
  1. Be a local government;
  2. Involve the investigation of known or suspected area-wide groundwater contamination;
  3. Not be required to conduct the investigation under an order or decree;
  4. Have necessary access to conduct the investigation or obtain access as scheduled in the grant agreement; and
  5. Be included in the 10-year financing plan required under RCW 70.105D.030(5).
1.Please let us know what kind of local government you are:(Required.)
2.By rule this grant type is to be included in the biennial solicitation if funding is available. This requires grant applications to be submitted 1.5 years ahead of when funding would potentially be awarded.

If the grant type could be awarded shortly after applications were solicited, would you be:(Required.)
3.Ecology is required to prioritize previously funded projects for Remedial Action Grants. Funding will likely continue to be limited and insufficient to meet demands across all Remedial Action Grant types making funding for AWGIG’s uncertain. The maximum total eligible cost for this grant type is $500,000 with no match requirement.

If AWGIG-specific funding was made available to support four (4) projects would you be:(Required.)
4."Area-wide groundwater contamination" means groundwater contamination on multiple adjacent properties with different ownerships consisting of hazardous substances from multiple sources that have resulted in commingled plumes of contaminated groundwater that are not practicable to address separately.

Are there elements of this definition that restrict the usefulness of this grant type:(Required.)
5.AWGIG’s require scope development for the application. Scope development outlines the work plan to investigate known or suspected areas of groundwater contamination caused by multiple releases of hazardous substances, and is submitted to Ecology as part of the grant application. Ecology understands that scope development can be a heavy lift for recipients, especially if funding is uncertain.

Is scope development:(Required.)
6.If technical assistance to help develop the scope of work was available, would you be:(Required.)
7.If technical assistance for scope of work development was available, which of the following top three would you find the most helpful: (please select up to 3)(Required.)
8.Are there any barriers aside from scope of work development that would prevent you from applying for this grant type? (check all that apply)(Required.)
9.Would you be more likely to apply for this grant type if area-wide groundwater contamination was:(Required.)
10.If this grant type was centered towards identifying suspected PFAS contamination would you apply?(Required.)
11.Would you like to add any additional comments?