Nonpoint Source (Section 319) Grants

Nonpoint Source (Section 319) Grants is sponsored by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. A federal grant administered by TCEQ and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) for activities that prevent or reduce nonpoint source (NPS) pollution.

Nonpoint Source Program Grant - Texas Commission on Environmental Quality - www. tceq. texas.

gov Texas NPS Management Program Quality Assurance Project Plans Watershed Protection Plans NPS Grant Funded Projects Public Education Materials Types of Projects Prioritized Requirements Related to Stormwater Activities Quality Assurance Requirements Tools for Documenting Pollutant Reductions Funding for Septic Systems/On-Site Sewage Facilities Other Nonpoint Source Funding TCEQ and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) administer a federal grant for activities that prevent or reduce nonpoint source (NPS) pollution .

The grant is made available through a federal program authorized under Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act. Funds are appropriated by Congress. The grant will reimburse 60% of the cost of selected projects; applicants provide the other 40% of the cost as match , which may include in-kind services by volunteers or partner organizations.

The Request for Grant Applications (RFGA) for the Federal FY27 Clean Water Act Section 319(h) Grant submittal period is closed. Our next RFGA will open in the summer of 2027. You must submit a separate application form for each individual project proposed.

All applicants that meet submission requirements will be notified of the outcome of their proposal, and TCEQ will ask selected applicants (usually in the fall) to submit a revised project proposal addressing any comments. TCEQ and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will review proposals and may approve, reject, or negotiate revisions of the projects.

TCEQ will then develop a contract with each applicant, which is anticipated to start on September 1 of the following year. Types of Projects Prioritized You can find descriptions of past projects funded through the TCEQ’s Nonpoint Source Program on our Projects webpage . Agricultural and silvicultural projects addressing nonpoint source pollution are funded through the TSSWCB Section 319(h) Grant Program.

The types of projects that are prioritized include those that: lead to water quality improvements develop and implement EPA-accepted watershed protection plans (WPPs). Nonprofit organizations, federal agencies , and all state agencies or political subdivisions of the State of Texas—including cities, counties, school districts, state universities, and special districts—are eligible.

Individuals and for-profit business organizations may participate in projects as partners or contractors but may not apply for direct funding. Applicants are encouraged to partner with other local, state, and federal authorities to increase the impact of their activities.

Activities and Costs That Are Eligible To be eligible for funding, a project must address the objectives, goals, or priorities identified in the most recent Texas Nonpoint Source Management Program . Priority is given to developing and implementing WPPs. Local stakeholder groups guide the development of these voluntary plans to restore and protect water quality in specific Texas waterways.

This planning process commonly involves gathering or assessing water quality data, determining the probable causes and sources of pollution, and selecting management measures designed to reduce pollution through voluntary efforts. Half of this grant program’s funding must be spent to implement federally accepted WPPs.

For more information about these plans please refer to our Watershed Protection Plan webpage , and the NPS Project Viewer , an interactive mapping application for Texas WPPs and projects that are protecting and restoring specific rivers, lakes, and bays. Water bodies in the most recent Priority Watersheds Report are given priority for restoration or protection activities.

In addition to our Projects webpage , you can find information about projects funded by TCEQ’s NPS Program on the NPS Project Viewer Other eligible activities include: Education and outreach to motivate changes in behavior that reduce nonpoint source pollution.

Implementation of both technology-based and water quality–based management measures to address nonpoint source pollution - for example, low impact development installations, riparian or shoreline restoration, and repair or replacement of failing septic systems. Projects designed to protect unimpaired waters. Eligible costs include the grantee's indirect costs (IDC) attributable to the project.

Lower IDC rates are favored as they allow more funding to go directly to project needs. They also include in-kind third-party contributions and the value of volunteer services, although such costs can only be used toward meeting the matching funds requirement. More information about costs eligible for reimbursement or as matching costs is available in resources listed under Guidance for NPS Grants below.

TCEQ does not fund the following costs: The cost of activities required by or demonstrating compliance with federal CWA requirements, such as wastewater or stormwater permits. See the next section for eligible stormwater activities. Costs incurred in the preparation, submission, or revision of the grant application and work plan prior to entering into a contract with TCEQ.

Costs incurred outside the TCEQ contract period (before final signature or after the contract closes). Projects outside the United States. Dredging activities as a means to reduce nonpoint source pollution.

Requirements Related to Stormwater Activities Projects that implement Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit requirements are not eligible for funding. However, projects within areas covered by MS4 permits might be eligible for assistance if the proposed management measures are not required or used for permit compliance.

For example, low impact development practices and retrofits of storm water control structures on developed properties are outside the scope of most MS4 permits in Texas and thus are usually eligible for 319(h) funding. Contact us for more information or see the following: Technical Manual: Guidance for Sustainable Stormwater Drainage along the Texas Coast .

This is a guidance manual with stormwater management practices and protocols for use by government agencies, businesses and industries, institutions, and the general public. Best Management Practices (BMPs) for new, existing and site developments. These strategies provide a framework for preventing or greatly reducing the effects of nonpoint source pollution in our communities.

Quality Assurance Requirements All project-related water quality data must be acquired, collected, and analyzed in accordance with an approved Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) . This includes all "environmental data operations" such as water quality sampling and analysis, flow measurement, acquisition or collection of rainfall data or geospatial data, and hydrologic or water quality modeling.

QAPPs may take 3-6 months for final approval which must be obtained before any work specified in the QAPP can begin. Additional Guidance for NPS Grants Texas Management Program for Nonpoint Source Water Pollution and its companion the The most recent Texas NPS Annual Report is a good reference on recent NPS project work across the state and in specific watersheds.

2024 (current) EPA Guidelines for Section 319(h) Grants Watershed Planning Guidance EPA Regulations, Guidance, and Information for the Nonpoint Source Grant Program and the Nonpoint Source Project Viewer Tools for Documenting Pollutant Reductions The federal NPS program uses the term "best management practices," or BMPs, to refer to any activity that has proven effective in preventing or reducing NPS pollution.

Every grant project that implements BMPs must include an estimate of the amount of pollution its activities will prevent or reduce, and an evaluation of the performance of the BMPs implemented. Many projects funded by TCEQ have used the Spreadsheet Tool for Estimating Pollutant Load (STEPL) to estimate pollutant reductions. The Pollutant Load Estimation Tool (PLET; see below) has replaced STEPL.

This tool uses the same underlying formulas as STEPL, but in a more user-friendly web interface. Links to some of the BMPs that Texas has found effective are provided below. Information on these websites can help you estimate pollutant reductions from the associated practices.

BMP Efficiency Water Quality Monitoring Urban Storm Water BMP Performance Monitoring Modeling to Estimate Pollutant Load Reductions EPA Green Infrastructure Modeling Tools Pollutant Load Estimation Tool (PLET) Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) BMP Modeling Concepts and Simulation (EPA, 2006) International Storm Water Best Management Practices Database : This database site contains BMP Performance Summary Reports North Central Texas Council of Governments Integrated Storm Water Management Technical Manual Lower Colorado River Authority Stormwater Runoff Pollution Ordinance Funding for Septic Systems/On-Site Sewage Facilities The TCEQ NPS grant program does not provide direct assistance to individual homeowners for septic systems.

However, this grant program does fund projects managed by local entities, that provide septic system assistance and training on maintenance to homeowners.

The Texas U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development offices , certain projects funded under TCEQ’s Supplemental Environmental Projects program , and other state and federal sources may offer technical and financial assistance with septic system repair and/or replacement in Texas. TCEQ also offers helpful information about septic systems for homeowners .

Other Nonpoint Source Funding Funding for Watershed Protection and Restoration (EPA) Funding for Green Infrastructure (EPA) Funding for Coastal NPS Projects in Texas (General Land Office) Funding for Conservation Practices (Natural Resources Conservation Service) For more information, contact the NPS Program by e-mail at nps@tceq. texas. gov , or call 512-239-6682.