Utah Nonpoint Source (NPS) Grant Portal

The purpose of Utah’s Nonpoint Source Program is to reduce nonpoint sources of water pollution through voluntary and incentive-based best management practices that address critical water quality needs throughout Utah. The Utah Division of Water Quality (DWQ) provides state and federal grants to support these practices.

Ready to apply? Jump to the form links

Grant Funding Priorities

Projects are more likely to be funded if they align with one or more of the following strategic goals:

• Voluntary Pollution Reduction: Projects must promote voluntary action to reduce water quality pollution. This includes the construction of BMPs on private property, or an education initiative that promotes behavior change to improve water quality.
• Innovative and Nature-Based Solutions: High priority is given to projects using sustainable, ecosystem-friendly designs, such as wetland restoration, floodplain enhancement, low-tech process-based restoration (LTPBR) strategies, and soft bioengineering for bank stabilization.
• Riparian Health: Projects that protect riparian areas from overgrazing such as exclosure fencing.
• Rangeland Health: Projects that aim to restore rangeland health through strategic grazing infrastructure such as cross-fencing, virtual fencing, and off channel water systems.
• Stormwater BMPs using low impact development principles (e.g., bioretention and swales) outside of stormwater permits.
• Capacity Building and Coordination: We support initiatives that build the “human infrastructure” of water quality that provide technical and educational resources, including staff support for watershed groups, 9-element plan development, and workshops.
• Strategic Alignment: Priority is given to projects that align with an approved Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) or an existing Watershed-Based Plan. Projects are strongly encouraged to be part of a coordinated, watershed-scale effort. A 9-Element Watershed plan that is accepted by the Utah Division of Water Quality needs to be in place to be eligible for 319 funding.
• Public Participation and Outreach: Projects that promote public participation in citizen science or water quality improvement.

Common Eligible Project Types

1. Agricultural Improvements (BMPs)
   • Irrigation Modernization: Upgrading to surge irrigation, automated valves, or more efficient delivery systems (note the 10% funding cap for State NPS).
   • Livestock Management: Livestock exclusion fencing along riparian areas, off-stream watering systems, and rotational grazing infrastructure.
   • Animal Waste Management: Improvements to Small Animal Feeding Operations (AFO), including manure storage, composting facilities, and runoff control.
   • Soil Health: Implementation of cover crops, no-till practices, and nutrient management planning.
2. Stream, Riparian, and Wetland Restoration
   • Bank Stabilization: Using bioengineering and revegetation to prevent erosion (minimizing “hard” rock/rip-rap).
   • Floodplain Reconnection: Restoring natural hydrology and increasing water storage capacity.
   • Riparian Buffers: Planting native vegetation to filter runoff and provide shade (reducing water temperature).
   • Process-Based Restoration: Using low-tech methods like Beaver Dam Analogs (BDAs) to improve stream health.
3. Urban Stormwater and Green Infrastructure
   • Low-Impact Development (LID): Bioretention cells, rain gardens, and permeable pavement.
   • Stormwater Retrofits: Upgrading existing basins to improve filtration and reduce untreated runoff into state waters.
4. Planning, Monitoring, and Technical Support
   • Watershed Planning: Development of “9-Element” Watershed-Based Plans.
   • Effectiveness Monitoring: Data collection to measure the water quality impact of a specific project or effort (before, during, and after).
   • Technical Assistance: Engineering design, project management, and capacity building for watershed groups.
5. Outreach and Innovation
   • Education Programs: Targeted initiatives to educate landowners, farmers, or the public on best management practices.
   • Innovative Pilot Projects: Testing new technologies or experimental approaches to pollution control.
   • Septic System Improvements: Hardship assistance for repairing or replacing malfunctioning onsite wastewater systems, particularly in impaired watersheds.

Ready to Apply? – Choose Your Path

Utah offers two primary funding sources. Review the requirements below to determine which is right for your project.

Scoring and Priority Areas

All applications are competitive and scored by a multidisciplinary review team. Projects are prioritized based on:

1. Location: Use the Nonpoint Source Priority Area Map to see if your project is within a nonpoint source priority area
2. Project Scoring: We use the following scoring criteria for project evaluation.
3. Impaired Waters: Projects that benefit waters that do not meet water quality standards for their beneficial uses will receive additional scoring points. See the integrated report.
4. Watershed Plans and TMDLs: Projects that implement watershed plans or TMDLs receive additional scoring points. Check out your watershed to see if a watershed plan has been developed. In order to qualify for 319 funding a project must implement a watershed plan.

Contact

Paul Burnett ([email protected])
Nonpoint Source Program Coordinator