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Funding for Nonpoint Source Related Projects

Attention: The Division of Water Quality 2021 NPS Grant Application Deadline Extended to April 24, 2020

In light of recent events, the Division of Water Quality has decided to extend the deadline for submission of Nonpoint Source Pollution grant applications from April 10th to April 24th.

This year applicants that are applying for funding to implement information and education type projects will be required to use a different application form (129 KB) than those that are applying for funding to implement structural NPS practices.

Pre-proposals must be submitted to Jim Bowcutt using either the Non Point Source Project Financial Assistance Application (129 KB) or the Nonpoint Source Information and Education Financial Assistance Application (129 KB).

Please provide as much specificity in your pre-proposal as possible including your ability to document the success of your project through monitoring before, during, and after project implementation.

The targeted basin for 2021 is the Colorado River Watershed although we will be able to use State NPS grants to fund high priority projects in other areas of the state, and encourage everyone that is interested to apply. Funding requests in excess of $150,000 require approval from the Water Quality Board.

Updated: Key dates for reference

  • February 1st, 2020: DWQ will begin accepting FY-2021 NPS Pre-proposals
  • April 24th, 2020: Due Date for 319 and State NPS grant pre-proposals
  • June 5th, 2020: Grant recipients will be announced
  • July 1st, 2020: Full State NPS Proposals due and State NPS funding available for contracting
  • August 1st, 2019: Full 319 proposals due
  • Spring of 2021: Section 319 funding is available

Please note that applications received are considered for State NPS funding and Section 319 funding. Once your application has been received, the Division of Water Quality will decide which source of funding will be the most appropriate to fund your project.

Pre-proposals should be developed in close coordination with representatives of DWQ. Find contacts for your watershed here.

For project sponsors with existing 319 projects, a brief status report and current project balance must also be included in your application.

A copy of the ranking criteria for both on-the-ground projects and information and education projects, as well as final project reporting requirements can be found below. Please forward this URL to anyone who may be interested in applying for these funds.

For questions please contact

  • Jim Bowcutt (NPS Program Coordinator) at (801) 536-4336

Section 319 funding is awarded each year to the State of Utah through a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency in accordance with Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. A requirement of 319 funding is that every project must adhere to a 60/40 cost share rate. This means that 60% of the total project cost can be paid using section 319 funding, and the remaining 40% will need to be paid by other non-federal funds, or as “in-kind” match. A summary of projects using 319 funds in the state can be found in the EPA Grant Recording and Tracking System.

  • GRTS Database

State Nonpoint Source Funding is provided by the Utah Water Quality Board every year from the interest on loans to communities for the maintenance and construction of sanitary sewage systems. The Water Quality Board recognizes that NPS pollution is a growing problem while point source pollution is progressively being dealt with through improved treatment. These funds are used for on-the-ground implementation, NPS studies, and information and education efforts to promote the protection and improvement of water quality.

Applications are ranked by the Water Quality Task Force made up of a team of resource professionals from federal, state and local agencies. Ranking criteria reflect the priorities of the Nonpoint Source program, including protecting public health, restoring impaired waters, and preventing surface and ground water pollution. Additional information on nonpoint source priorities can be found in UAC R317-100-4. Alpha Project Priority System.

All grants that are awarded by the Utah Division of Water Quality will require that a final report be submitted to the State Nonpoint Source Program Coordinator upon project completion. Guidance for final reporting can be found by following the link below.

Send all applications to:

Jim Bowcutt
Utah Division of Water Quality
P.O. Box 144870
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4870

Last updated: March 31, 2020 at 11:00 am
Categories: Water Quality