Kentucky Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program

Kentucky Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program is sponsored by Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet. This program provides grant funding assistance for projects addressing nonpoint source pollution to protect and restore watersheds in Kentucky. Grants are available for watershed restoration projects and watershed implementation plan development, as well as other nonpoint source pollution control projects.

A small business could propose a project related to monitoring and researching nonpoint source pollution impacting reservoirs.

Section 319(h) Grant Program Funding - Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet Section 319(h) Grant Program Funding Section 319(h) Grant Program Funding ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Clean Water Act §319 Grant Program Funding By amendment to the federal Clean Water Act in 1987, the Section 319(h) Grant program was established to provide funding for efforts to reduce nonpoint source pollution.

Each year DOW applies to US EPA to receive 319(h) funding. After receiving the federal award, DOW distributes a majority of the monies received through a competitive grant award process. Within this program, funds may be used to demonstrate innovative best management practices (BMPs), support education and outreach programs, develop Watershed Based Plans, and to implement Watershed Based Plans.

Funds can be used to pay for 60 percent of the total cost for each project; a 40 percent nonfederal match is required. Applicants to the Commonwealth's Section 319(h) Grant Program are highly encouraged to submit a Letter of Intent. Interested applicants may include communities, citizen groups, government agencies, colleges or universities and nonprofits.

Letters of Intent are reviewed and by NPS and Basin Team Section. Each Letter of Intent will be assigned a Technical Advisor and Basin Coordinator to assist with application development. The grant award application is substantially more detailed compared to the proposal.

Applications include several pages of project summary and background, detailed objectives, a milestone schedule, a list of project partners with letters of support, and a comprehensive budget. DOW staff are available to work with applicants to ensure all parts of the application are completed sufficiently for submission.

Complete applications that are received by the annual deadline are reviewed and ranked by DOW and an expanded group of invited partners. Awards are granted to those applications that rank the highest. The top applicants consistently build partnerships in their watershed that include stakeholders from all areas to achieve citizen and government support and maintain sustainable results.

DOW strives to fund as many applications as possible in order to see the greatest positive impact on nonpoint source pollution in Kentucky. ​​ 2026 Grant Application and Funding Process​​​ Read the Grant Guidance Document and Application​ instructions. Contact a NPS staff member (your Basin Coordinator ) to discuss your potential project.

Submit a Letter of Intent by Dece​mber 1​, 2025 . A NPS staff member will contact you to discuss your project. Submit application.

Application must be postmarked by midnight February 13, 2026 . If delivered by hand, application must be received by 4:30 p. m.

ET February 13, 2026​​ , at the Division of Water, NPS Section, 300 Sower Blvd, Third Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601. Contract written and executed. Project estimated start date October 1, 2026.

Section ​319(h) Resources Application Process Resources​ 319(h) Grant Application Walkthrough 319(h) Watershed & Report Viewer 319(h) Budget Worksheet with Tabs 319(h) Rank Criteria - WSP Implementation 319(h) Rank Criteria - WSP Development Programmatic 319(h) Rank Criteria - Statewide Education Programmatic ​ 319(h) Rank Criteria - Demonstration Project Existing Project Resources 319(h) Invoicing Form with Instructions 319(h) Progress Report Form with Instructions 319(h) Funding Statements ​ 319(h) Annual Load Reduction Report Spreadsheet 319(h) BMP Implementation Plan Guidelines 319(h) Final Report Guidelines 319(h) Data Package Requirements 319(h) Ineligible Expenses 319(h) Project Indirect Cost ​ 319(h) SHPO Section 106 Guidelines EPA Eligibilities and Approaches Land Conservation Guidance 2024 (EPA) Build America (BABA) Guidelines Davis Bacon Act (DBA) Guidelines Section 319(h) Grant Documents Frequently Asked Questions 319(h) Program Frequently Asked Questions If you have any questions, email Nonpoint Source Pollution​ .

​​​​​​​ 319 Grant Webinar​​​ (youtube. com) ​​​Please be advised there is a new link for the 319 Grant Reporter Tool needed for the 319 Grant Application. Versions of the previously downloaded application forms may have the old link that will not work properly.

​​​​​​ KY 319 Grant Program Summary 319(h) Grant Application Walkthrough Nonpoint Source Main Page Watershed Planning ​319(h) Past Funded Projects​​ Contractor Project Summary 319(h) Grant Funds Non-Federal Match Grant Total ​Programmatic Funding Freshwater Experiences: Connecting Communities to Clean Water ​KY Environmental Education Council Partners will create a freshwater experiences program which will include using snorkeling and NPS education to connect citizens to their streams KWA Statewide Seed Grants II Kentucky Waterways Alliance Partners will continue to implement NPS pollution seed grants in each River Basin Upper Salt River Watershed Plan Mercer Co Sanitation District Partners for the project are working to create an EPA approved Watershed plan for the Upper Salt River Montgomery-Kinniconick Creek Watershed Plan Partners for the project are working to create an EPA approved Watershed plan for Montgomery Creek Limestone & Kennedy Creeks Watershed Plan Partners for the project are working to create an EPA approved Watershed plan for Limestone and Kennedy Creeks Banklick Watershed Plan Update and Implementation Banklick Watershed Council This project continues to fund the Banklick Watershed Coordinator who will lead efforts in updating the plan and implementing a variety of BMPs including Septic, Riparian Buffers, and NBS Morehead Triplett Creek Implementation Project This project funds the design of bioretention basins to address NPS pollution and mitigate flooding for the City of Morehead Septic Cost Share Project- McDougal and Castleman Watershed Lincoln Trail District Health Department This project establishes a new cost share program for septic repairs and replacements in the watershed while also educating citizens about proper maintenance Bacon Septic Repair and Replacement LaRue Co Conservation District This project funds a watershed coordinator to establish a new cost share program for septic repairs and replacements in the watershed while also educating citizens about proper maintenance Kentucky Waterways Alliance This project funds a watershed coordinator to continue septic replacement, pumpouts, and education work in the watershed Middle Fork Beargrass Creek Tree Boxes This project constructs street tree boxes that will increase filtration, mitigate litter, and treat stormwater in a CSO area Middle Fork Beargrass Creek Public Education and Engagement Jefferson Co Conservation District This project will implement a riparian meadow while engaging with the community through events, volunteerism, and workshops UKCES Agriculture Water Quality Education ​University of Kentucky Research Foundation UKCES works to educate and support professionals and farmers in implementing best management practices in agricultural that support reducing nonpoint source pollution, improving watershed health and water quality.

​Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE) Project goals are to build and strengthen the Project WET network in Kentucky and increase water literacy and water education opportunities for educators in the state. Trimble Co.

Hardy Creek-Little River Watershed Plan Trimble County Fiscal Court & Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency (KIPDA) Partners for the project are working to create an EPA approved watershed plan for Hardy Creek-Little Kentucky River watershed that address watershed health and water quality.

Whitesburg Tributaries Implementation I Cowan Community Action Group, Inc. The project partners are working to begin implementation of the North Fork: Whitesburg Tributaries Watershed Plan goals and targets towards watershed health and water quality. Mt Sterling Hinkston Creek Green Sink Design City of Mt.

Sterling & Gateway Area Development District The project partners are working to implement watershed and flood mitigation plans by creating green sinks to address flooding and watershed health. Oldham County Soil & Water Conservation District This project is working to implement stormwater basins designs and retrofit, education, and other nature based best management practices toward watershed health and water quality.

Beargrass Creek Green Infrastructure Design This project is focused on planning and design of green infrastructure best management practices to restore the natural functions of the channel, provide floodplain mitigation in the area and reduce non-point source pollution.

Red River Gorge Septic and Education USDA Forest Service, Daniel Boone National Forest The project objective is to reduce pathogens, nutrient, and sediment loads in Swift Camp Creek and Red River by implementing septic programs and education.

​Upper Buck Creek Watershed Project ​Pulaski County Conservation District ​Project plans to develop an EPA approved Watershed-Based Plan for Upper Buck Creek Watershed in the Upper Cumberland Basin ​Investing in Human Capital to Reduce Nonpoint Source Pollution in Kentucky ​University of Kentucky Research Foundation ​This project will implement a mini-grant and demonstration program focused in priority watersheds and provide technical assistance to watershed and agricultural professionals on agricutural water quality.

​Clarks River Watershed Coordinator (Bee Creek and Clayton Creek) ​Friends of Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge ​Project plans to develop an EPA approved Watershed-Based Plan for Bee Creek and Clayton Creek Watersheds in the Four Rivers Basin ​Kentucky Watershed Network - Community Action for Clean Water ​Kentucky Waterways Alliance ​This project seeks to develop a program that provides technical training and support on NPS issues to audiences in communities in all 7 River Basins by overseeing and implementing a seed grant program throughout the state.

Banklick Watershed Plan Implementation and HAP for Sewer Connections ​Banklick Watershed Council ​This project supports a watershed coordinator that will incorporate a TMDL Alternative Plan and implement watershed programs including septic repairs, basin retrofits, nature based solutions, and riparian buffer preservation.

​Wolf Run Watershed Water Quality Basins and Update ​Lexington Fayette Urban Co Government ​This project implements BMP 48 and 49 as recommended by the Wolf Run Watershed Management Plan. BMP #48 will retrofit the Regency Road detention basin and #49 will create a detention basin. The Watershed Plan BMP table will also be updated as recommended in chapter 7.

Redbird River Septic and Education Project ​Kentucky Waterways Alliance ​This project will continue to support a watershed coordinator who will work to install 13 septic systems in the watershed and host septic education opportunities.

​Chestnut Creek Homeowners Assistance Program ​Friends of Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge ​This project will continue to support a watershed coordinator who will continue to implement a Homeowners Assistance Program that provides financial assistance for connecting homeowners to newly expanded sewer lines.

​Hinkston Creek Watershed Improvement Plan ​This project will continue to support a watershed coordinator that will implement Homeowner Assistance Programs that provides financial assistance for septic maintenance/repairs and riparian zone plantings.

​Federal Fiscal Year 2022 Strengthening Project WET in Kentucky Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE) Project goals are to build and strengthen the Project WET network in Kentucky and increase water literacy and water education opportunities for educators in the state.

$80,000 $53,333 $133,333 McDougal Creek and Castleman Creek Combined Watershed Plan LaRue County Fiscal Court Project plans to develop an EPA approved Watershed-Based Plan for McDougal Creek and Castleman Creek watersheds in the Green River Basin.

$42,774 $28,516 $71,290 Middle Fork Beargrass Creek (MFBGC) Watershed Coordinator, Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) This project will hire a Watershed Coordinator to address non-point source pollution in MFBGC.

$95,536 $63,390 $158,926 Basin Design, Retrofit and Education Project for Currys Fork Watershed, Salt River Basin Oldham County Fiscal Court The project goals include demonstrating the integration of the critical discharge (Qcritical) flow rate into designs for new basins and retrofits for existing basins.

Additionally the project will focus on expanding community engagement through education, training and action in the Currys Fork Watershed. $129,000 $86,000 $215,000 Chestnut Creek Watershed Plan Implementation, Four Rivers Basin Friends of Clark River National Wildlife Refuge This project will continue to support a local Watershed Coordinator who will work to expand the agriculture BMP implementation program for local producers.

Additionally, the project will support the 'Homeowners Assistance Program' which provides financial assistance for connecting homeowners to newly expanded sewer lines. $181,000 $120,667 $301,667 Lincoln County Homeowner Assistance Program – Phase 2, Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) This project will eliminate approximately 363 failing or close to failing septic systems and straight pipes.

$338,520 $225,680 $564,200 South Fork of Little River Watershed Based Plan Implementation – Phase 2, Hopkinsville Surface and Stormwater Utility This project will continue to support a local Watershed Coordinator wo will continue to work with landowners and homeowners to implement Best Management Practices.

$85,488 $56,992 $142,480 Sulphur Creek Watershed Ag BMP Implementation Plan – Phase IV, Mercer County Conservation This project aims to reduce nonpoint source pollution inputs of pathogens to the sub-watershed by implementing a cost-share program to assist landowners with installing Agriculture Best Management Practices. $147,934 $98,623 $246,557​