Section 319(h) – Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Financial Assistance Program - Watershed-Based Planning

Section 319(h) – Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Financial Assistance Program - Watershed-Based Planning is sponsored by Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) (funded by U.S. EPA). Seeks proposals for watershed-based planning projects to address nonpoint source (NPS) pollution to prevent, eliminate, or reduce water quality impairments to Illinois' surface and groundwater resources.

Section 319(h) – NPS Pollution Control Financial Assistance Program (FY 2026) Section 319(h) Grant Program Section 319(h) – NPS Pollution Control Financial Assistance Program (FY 2026) The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) is seeking proposals for nonpoint source (NPS) pollution control projects (Projects) to prevent, eliminate, or reduce water quality impairments to Illinois’ surface and groundwater resources.

The Illinois EPA receives federal funds from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) through Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) (33 U.S.C. § 1329(h)) to help implement the Section 319(h) Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Financial Assistance Program (a. k.

a. Section 319(h) Grant Program) (https://epa. illinois.

gov/topics/water-quality/watershed-management/nonpoint-sources/grants. html). NPS pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground.

As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and human-made pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands and even our underground sources of drinking water. It has been determined that over 60% of the (national) documented water pollution problem can be traced to nonpoint sources.

The Section 319(h) Grant Program prioritizes Projects addressing Illinois waters for which NPS pollution is a significant cause of water quality impairment. Assessment information for Illinois’ waterbodies can be found in the most recent Integrated Water Quality Report and Section 303d List (https://epa. illinois.

gov/topics/water-quality/watershed-management/tmdls/303d-list. html). This NOFO will give higher priority to projects that implement components of an Illinois EPA-approved watershed-based plan (WBP) (https://epa.

illinois. gov/topics/water-quality/watershed-management/watershed-based-planning. html) or an Illinois EPA-approved Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Implementation Plan (https://epa.

illinois. gov/topics/water-quality/watershed-management/tmdls. html).

These Projects can include best management practice (BMP) implementation, environmental monitoring, social indicator monitoring, and outreach efforts. Individual BMPs, treatment systems or outreach efforts not identified in a WBP or TMDL Implementation Plan are eligible for funding but will not be prioritized as highly as those Projects specifically identified in an Illinois EPA-approved WBP or TMDL Implementation Plan.

Examples of project types and BMPs that have been, or could be, funded through the Section 319(h) Grant Program-Watershed-Based Plan Implementation and Other Activities are listed below. The list is not all-inclusive, and inclusion of a Project, activity, or BMP does not equate to an automatic eligibility for funding under the NOFO.

Eligible Section 319(h) Grant Program Project types include: o Implementation of NPS components of an Illinois EPA-approved watershed-based plan (WBP) o Implementation of NPS components of an U.S. EPA-approved Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Implementation Plan o Best Management Practice (BMP) Implementation o Development of a watershed-based plan o Update of an existing watershed plan o NPS Information and/or Outreach Programs o NPS Technical Assistance (planning and/or implementation) o Monitoring (environmental, social indicator, or data management) related to a Section 319 prospective project or projects, the project proposed in this application, or a project previously funded by a Section 319 grant.

All monitoring projects must have an Illinois EPA-approved Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) prior to the beginning of the monitoring. Monitoring cannot commence without an Illinois EPA approved QAPP. Information on types of BMPs can be found on the Section 319 Program website at: https://epa.

illinois. gov/topics/water-quality/watershed-management/nonpoint-sources/faqs. html For additional information on watershed-based planning, please refer to Appendix C of the Nonpoint Source Program and Grants Guidelines for States and Territories (April 12, 2013) (https://www.

epa. gov/sites/default/files/2015-09/documents/319-guidelines-fy14. pdf) and the Guidance for Developing Watershed Action Plans in Illinois (Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, 2007) (https://epa.

illinois. gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/epa/topics/water-quality/watershed-management/documents/watershed-action-plan-guidance. pdf).

For watershed-based plans, the applicant must describe the expected outcomes of the Project in terms of watershed-based planning NPS pollution control for surface and/or groundwater quality improvement. The long-term outcomes are the important changes that are to be set in motion or supported by the Project. These changes may be environmental or social and may be expected to appear on different time scales.

Watershed-based plan areas must be a minimum 5,000 acres to qualify for funding. Applicants may apply for more than one project. Partial funding may be offered if sufficient funds are not available to fund an entire application.

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency epa. bowgrants@illinois. gov Illinois EPA’s Section 319(h) Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Financial Assistance Program (a.

k. a. Section 319(h) Grant Program) is designed to provide grant funds for projects that prevent, eliminate, or reduce water quality impairments caused by NPS pollution.

Funding Opportunity Number Assistance Listings Number https://il. amplifund. com/Public/Opportunities/Details/624a27f5-7a26-4bc1-85e3-0b31ef4fbad7 Federal Or Federal Pass Through Funding Source Description This grant award is utilizing federal pass-through funds.

The federal pass-through funds are received from U.S. EPA and distributed by Illinois EPA under Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act. Illinois EPA expects to award a total of $5 million.

This includes a total of up to $500,000 for watershed-based planning (with a minimum score of 68), $250,000 for Education and Information projects (with a minimum score of 72), $150,000 for Monitoring projects (with a minimum score of 72), and $3,700,000 for BMP projects (with a minimum score of 67).

Illinois EPA has the option to award all $5 million to BMP projects if no Watershed Planning, Education and Information and/or Monitoring projects meet the minimum score. The actual amount depends upon the final U.S. EPA budget approved by Congress and the allocation awarded to Illinois by U.S. EPA. The Section 319(h) Grant Program is a reimbursement program.

The Grantee must perform the work, pay Project costs, and submit an invoice with supporting documentation before Illinois EPA will reimburse the Grantee for any approved eligible costs. Illinois EPA shall only make reimbursements to the Grantee and shall reimburse the Grantee no more frequently than monthly. The Illinois EPA may elect to partially fund an application by funding discrete portions or phases of the Project scope of work.

This could be due to ineligible (e.g., proposed monitoring without a draft QAPP) or low priority components identified in the application or inadequate funds available to complete the entire Project. The Section 319(h) Grant Program may provide up to 60% of the approved Project costs. The remainder, normally 40% is the responsibility of the Grantee and constitutes the match.

The Grantee must document the required match at, or before, the time of invoice for reimbursement. Match may include money spent or in-kind services utilized to complete the approved Project tasks. Match cannot be federal funds or funds used to match another federal program.

Match can be provided by the Grantee, sub-contractor, or Project partners (e.g., State programs, private foundations, landowners). A Grantee may match greater than 40%. If an applicant wants to use a grant from another funding agency as match, the applicant should check with that funding agency issuing the grant to ensure that it may be used as match for the Section 319(h) Grant Program.

The following applies when using other grants to match the Section 319(h) Grant Program: • The matching grant scope of work must directly satisfy a portion of the Section 319(h) Grant Program scope of work • The date that the Grantee incurs costs for the matching grant must fall within the effective and expiration dates of the Section 319(h) Grant Program grant agreement • The costs incurred under the matching grant must be eligible according to the Section 319(h) Grant Program criteria See the Funding Source Description for more information Indirect Cost Description In order to charge indirect costs to a grant, the Grantee must have an annually negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA).

There are three types of NICRAs: 1. Federally Negotiated Rate. Organizations that receive direct federal funding may have an indirect cost rate that was negotiated with the Federal Cognizant Agency.

The State of Illinois will accept the federally negotiated rate. The applicant must provide a copy of the federally negotiated NICRA. 2.

State Negotiated Rate. The applicant must negotiate an indirect cost rate with the State of Illinois if they do not have a Federally Negotiated Rate or elect NOT to use the De Minimis Rate. The indirect cost rate proposal must be submitted to the State of Illinois within 90 days of notification of award.

3. De Minimis Rate. An organization that has never received a Federally Negotiated Rate may elect a de minimis rate of the 15% of modified total direct cost (MTDC).

Once established, the de minimis rate may be used indefinitely. The State of Illinois must verify the calculation of the MTDC annually in order to accept the de minimis rate. An applicant has the discretion not to claim payment for indirect costs or use it as match.

Applicants that elect not to claim indirect costs cannot be reimbursed for indirect costs or use it as match. Restrictions on Indirect Costs Submission Timeline Additional Information Incomplete applications at the closing date and time shall not be considered for funding and preclude the Illinois EPA from making an award to the applicant.

Allow Multiple Applications Individuals, Small Businesses, Others, Government Organizations, Education Organizations, Nonprofit Organizations, For-Profit Organizations Additional Eligibility Information Section 319(h) Grant Program funds are available to any entity that has legal status to accept funds from the State of Illinois.

This can include: local watershed groups; land conservancies or trusts; public and private profit and nonprofit organizations and institutions; units of county, municipal, township, and state governments; universities and colleges; park districts and other local land managing agencies; soil and water conservation districts; conservation organizations; and others.

Section 319(h) Grant Program applicants must have the financial ability to initiate the project, pay expenses, and then request reimbursement from the Illinois EPA, while continuing to finance their normal operating expenses. Applicants must have the authority and ability to implement the proposed project or propose to subcontract portions of the project to the appropriate entities for implementation. Match is required.

See the Funding Information Section for more information. Examples of ineligible projects, activities, tasks, and components that shall not be funded through Section 319(h) are provided below.

The list is not all-inclusive: o Any activity or project that does not control, prevent, or address NPS pollution o Any activity or project required by State or federal law or State or federal permit, including activities required or anticipated to be required by National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulations, including Phase 1 and Phase 2 stormwater permit requirements o Routine maintenance or repair of existing on-site systems, such as culvert replacement, street sweeping, catch-basin cleaning o Bonus or acceleration payments to contractors to meet contractual completion dates for construction; fees for failure to pay invoices on time, check overdrafts, etc. o Projects used mainly for habitat improvement, flood control, sediment removal (dredging), support facilities (roads, sewer systems), historic preservation, water supply protection, recreation, or wastewater treatment.

However, if the Project serves both eligible and ineligible components, Section 319(h) funds may be provided for the eligible portion of the Project, on a proportional basis o Ineligible activities based on current U.S. EPA guidelines for Section 319(h) grants Grantees shall not use any subcontractors, outside associates, or consultants in connection with any services covered by a grant agreement unless specifically authorized by the Illinois EPA.

Grantees shall use procurement procedures that reflect applicable local and State of Illinois laws and regulations relating to any sub agreements for the performance of grant projects funded under the Section 319(h) Grant Program.

The requirements of the U.S. EPA Guidance for Management of Section 319(h) Grant Program Funds apply to all recipients of grants made with funds appropriated by Congress under Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act. Applicants must be pre-qualified in the GATA portal in order to receive an award from this NOFO. Pre-qualification items include: 1.

Registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) (www. SAM. gov) 2.

Have a valid and active Unique Entity Identification (UEI) Number 3. In good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State (if applicable) 4. Not currently debarred by the State of Illinois and/or federal government 5.

Not on the Federal Excluded Parties List 6. Not on the Illinois Stop Payment List 7. Not on the sanctioned party list of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services 8.

Not on the SAM. gov exclusion list. Applicants must also complete the latest available Internal Control Questionnaire within the GATA portal prior to an award being made.

Illinois EPA staff will complete a programmatic risk assessment during the merit-based review of the applications. The awarding State agency considers both the ICQ responses regarding the organization-level programmatic questions and the content of the application submission. Submission of the Internal Control Questionnaire is not a pre-qualification requirement; however, not completing timely could result in delay of the award.

Additional Information URL https://epa. illinois. gov/topics/water-quality/watershed-management/nonpoint-sources.

html Additional Information URL Description Additional information about Section 319(h) can be found on Illinois EPA’s NPS webpage. Check out the Illinois' Nonpoint Source Management Program and the Section 319(h) Biannual Report, which describes the projects that have been funded in the past under the Section 319(h) Grant Program.

Environmental or social indicator monitoring is not required in order to qualify for the Section 319(h) Grant Program. It may be difficult to complete projects that include BMP design, engineering and permitting, BMP implementation, and monitoring during a single grant period. Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are eligible to compete with applications for new grant awards.

Contact the NPS Unit at (217) 782-3362 to discuss application options for long-term projects. Illinois EPA has the right to use (including, but not limited to, citing, circulating, displaying, and reproducing) all products that result from the Grantee receiving financial assistance under the grant agreement whether the product is developed by the Grantee or a sub-grantee.

Illinois EPA is not obligated to make any grant award as a result of this NOFO. Award Administration Information The Illinois EPA shall specify the funding terms and specific conditions resulting from the Fiscal and Administrative Risk Assessments. Administrative and National Policy Requirements The terms and conditions of the award shall be specified in the grant agreement.

No Grantee shall receive a grant or any other State or federal assistance that would provide more than 100% of the eligible Project costs. Each Grantee must agree to comply with all applicable federal and State requirements. This includes Uniform Administrative Requirements, 2 C.

F. R. § 200, Executive Order 12372 "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs”, and GATA.

These can have a significant impact on the costs and complexity of a Project.

The Section 319(h) Grant Program Grantees will comply with all State and federal mandates, including but not limited to: a) The Interagency Wetland Policy Act of 1989; 20 ILCS 830/: In accordance with the Interagency Wetland Policy Act of 1989, a Grantee whose proposed Project site is located on or within 250 feet of a wetland site listed on the National Wetlands Inventory will be required to comply with the requirements of the Act.

This includes developing a plan to minimize adverse impacts on wetlands or providing written evidence that the proposed Project will not have an adverse impact on a wetland. Project must also comply with Federal Wetlands Protection regulations at 24 C. F.

R. § 58. 5(b)(2), which may require preparation of an Eight-Step Wetlands Review.

b) Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act; 520 ILCS 10/ and the Illinois Natural Area Preservation Act; 525 ILCS 30: Compliance requires consultation with the Endangered Species Consultation Program of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to assure compliance.

The consultation process must be implemented to avoid or minimize adverse impacts to State-listed species and their essential habitats that may result from the actions of State and local units of government. Grantees must certify the completion of the consultation process.

c) Illinois Prevailing Wage Act; 820 ILCS 130/: The Illinois Prevailing Wage Act requires the payment of prevailing wages for all construction funded in whole or in part with State funds, including funds passed through to private firms.

Grantees shall comply with all requirements of the Prevailing Wage Act, including but not limited to, inserting into all contracts for construction a stipulation to the effect that not less than the prevailing rate of wages as applicable to the Project shall be paid to all laborers, workers, and mechanics performing work under the award and requiring all bonds of contractors to include a provision as will guarantee the faithful performance of such prevailing wage clause as provided by contract.

Grantees will be required to report on Prevailing Wage Act compliance. If your Project involves construction and/or equipment installation, go to https://labor. illinois.

gov/laws-rules/conmed/prevailing-wage-act. html for more information. d) Build America, Buy America: The Section 319 program is subject to the provisions of the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA, Section 70914 of P.

L. 117-58), which requires that federally-funded public works infrastructure construction projects give preference to American-made products. This requirement took effect on May 14, 2022 and applies to grant funds awarded for projects subsequent to that date.

In Indiana, this will apply to federal fiscal year 2022 grants and forward. Products covered under BABA include iron and steel, manufactured products, and non-ferrous construction materials that are permanently incorporated in a project. BABA implications may be waived if any of the following scenarios apply: • The federal funding of the assistance agreement for the project is less than $250,000.

• There are no permanently incorporated products covered by BABA involved in the project.

• All the activities of the projects are for agricultural or conservation best management practices e) Business Enterprise Program for Minorities, Females, and Person with Disabilities Act; 30 ILCS 575/: For grant awards of $250,000 or more, the Grantee will be required to comply with the Business Enterprise Program for Minorities, Females, and Persons with Disabilities Act, which establishes a goal for contracting with businesses that have been certified as owned and controlled by persons who are minority, female, or who have disabilities.

The Grantee must document a plan for compliance prior to the establishment of the grant agreement and ensure compliance through the life of the grant. f) The National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Source Categories; 40 C. F.

R. § 63: These standards assure that, when existing buildings are demolished and/or renovated, people outside of those buildings (e.g., passers-by or neighborhood residents) are protected from airborne asbestos. If asbestos materials are involved in the rehabilitation work, the Grantee must contact the Field Operations Section, Bureau of Air of the Illinois EPA to ensure compliance with asbestos NESHAP.

Successful applicants will be required to execute a formal grant agreement and adhere to all requirements of the Section 319(h) Grant Program and other State and federal contractual requirements.

In the grant agreement, the Grantee shall be required to: • Certify that it does and shall comply with all provisions of the federal Internal Revenue Code (26 USC 1), the Illinois Income Tax Act; 35 ILCS 5/, and all rules promulgated thereunder, including withholding provisions and timely deposits of employee taxes and unemployment insurance taxes.

• Certify that it does and shall comply with the reporting requirements of the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006; PL 109–282, September 26, 2006, 120 Stat. 1186 with respect to federal Awards greater than or equal to $25,000.

• Certify that it shall adhere to the applicable Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements, which are published in Title 2, Part 200 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and are incorporated herein by reference. See 44 Ill. Admin.

Code 7000. 30(b)(1)(A). • Certify that it and its sub-grantees shall: (i) be registered with the federal SAM if seeking an Award that is partially or fully paid by federal funds and registered with the State equivalent of SAM; (ii) be in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State; and (iii) have a valid UEI number.

It is Grantee’s responsibility to remain current with these registrations and requirements. If Grantee’s status with regard to any of these requirements change, or the certifications made in and information provided in the Uniform Grant Application changes, Grantee’s must notify the Grantor in accordance with ARTICLE XVIII.

• Submit a “Section 319(h) BMP Documentation Form Part I” with designs, maps, and pollutant load calculations for all BMPs, including BMPs installed with matching funds. The designs must be certified by U.S. Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff or a registered or licensed professional engineer of Illinois.

The designs must be approved by the Illinois EPA, Bureau of Water, NPS Unit prior to the start of BMP construction or implementation. • Secure applicable State and federal permits for all BMPs, including BMPs installed with matching funds, prior to the start of their implementation. • Develop and submit a 10-year Operations and Management Plan for each of the BMPs.

This includes BMPs installed with matching funds. Operations and Management Plans must be approved by the Illinois EPA’s NPS Unit before BMP implementation and are for a minimum of ten (10) years starting from the completion date of the BMP. • Submit a Section 319(h) BMP Documentation Form Part II with cost documentation and pre- and post BMP photos and/or video of the Project site.

All Projects require quarterly reporting of progress. Quarterly progress reports shall include a Periodic Financial Report and a Periodic Performance Report. All Projects require a final project report.

The grantee shall submit to the Illinois EPA, by the date specified in the grant agreement, a report explaining the execution of the project and evaluating the Project’s success. The report shall document the Project tasks and summarize the findings, costs, and benefits of the Project.

State Awarding Agency Contacts If you have any programmatic questions regarding the Section 319(h) Grant Program, this NOFO, or the Section 319(h) Grant Program application, contact the Illinois EPA’s Nonpoint Source Unit staff at: Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Bureau of Water, WMS, NPS Unit #15 Springfield, Illinois 62794-9276 Email: epa. bowgrants@illinois.

gov If you have any fiscal and administrative questions regarding the Uniform Grant Application, the Uniform Grant Budget Template, Indirect Cost Rates, Internal Controls Questionnaire (ICQ), contact the Illinois EPA’s Fiscal staff at: Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Fiscal Springfield, Illinois 62794-9276 Email: epa. gata@illinois.

gov Additional information about Illinois' Nonpoint Source Management Program can be found on Illinois EPA’s website, including the Section 319(h) Biannual Report, which describes the projects that have been funded in the past under the Section 319(h) Grant Program. Illinois EPA is not obligated to make any grant award as a result of this NOFO.

In the event that a project award is not fully spent within the grant period, or the project is terminated, Illinois EPA reserves the right to use those unspent funds for another Notice of Funding Opportunity.

All Section 319(h) applications shall be reviewed for completeness, technical merit, cost effectiveness, and adherence to the Clean Water Act, U.S. EPA Section 319(h) program guidance, and the competitive grant evaluation criteria described in this NOFO.

Applications found to be complete shall undergo a comprehensive, merit-based review performed in compliance with GATA Legislation, 30 ILCS 708 and Uniform Administrative Requirements, 2 C. F. R.

§ 200. The merit-based review is designed to evaluate the applications against the following criteria: For BMP implementation applications, the following criteria will be used Project Need (0 – 30 points) The BMPs in the specified location(s) will result in reducing or preventing pollutant loads and/or problems resulting from nonpoint source pollution.

100% of the BMP(s) in their locations will reduce or prevent pollutant loads and/or problems resulting from nonpoint source pollution (5 points) . The BMP type(s) proposed does not have a specific location(s) but will reduce or prevent pollutant loads and/or problems resulting from nonpoint source pollution in the identified watershed (3 points).

The BMP(s) in the specified locations will not reduce or prevent pollutant loads and/or problems resulting from nonpoint source pollution (0 points). The pollutant load reduction model results have been included in the application.

The application includes full pollutant load reduction model input and model results in a pdf or spreadsheet format from an approved pollutant load reduction model (Pollutant Load Estimation Tool (PLET), STEP-L, or Region 5 model) (5 points). The application includes pollutant load reduction model results from PLET, STEP-L, or Region 5 models in the Additional Details spreadsheet.

(3 points) The application does not include information on pollutant load reductions (0 points). The proposed project(s) are recommended in an approved watershed-based plan.

The specific project or BMP type is recommended in an Illinois EPA approved watershed-based plan that is 10 years old or less (including in plans submitted and currently under Illinois EPA review) (5 points) The specific project or BMP type is recommended in an Illinois EPA approved watershed-based plan that is Illinois EPA approved watershed plan or watershed-based plan that is 11 years or older (3 points).

The specific project or BMP type is not recommended in an Illinois EPA approved watershed-based plan (0 points). Pounds of phosphorus BMPs will reduce or prevent per year on average .

Reductions over 249 pounds of phosphorus (5 points) Reductions from 150 to 249 pounds of phosphorus (4 points) Reductions from 75 to 149 pounds of phosphorus (3 points) Reductions from 25 to 74 pounds of phosphorus (2 points) Reductions from 1 to 24 pounds of phosphorus (1 Point) Pounds of nitrogen BMPs will reduce or prevent per year on average.

Reductions over 750 pounds of nitrogen (5 points) Reductions from 400 to 749 pounds of nitrogen (4 points) Reductions from 200 to 399 pounds of nitrogen (3 points) Reductions from 100 to 199 pounds of nitrogen (2 points) Reductions from 1 to 99 pounds of nitrogen (1 point) Tons of sediment BMPs will reduce or prevent per year on average .

Reductions over 300 tons of sediment (5 points) Reductions from 150 to 299 tons of sediment (4 points) Reductions from 75 to 149 tons of sediment (3 points) Reductions from 25 to 74 tons of sediment (2 points) Reductions from 1 to 24 tons of sediment (1 point) Project Readiness (0 – 20 points) BMP(s) types and location identification All sites and BMP(s) identified (5 points) .

BMP types are identified, and specific locations have not been identified yet, but the applicant has a strategy for identifying their locations ( 3 points ) BMP types are identified, but specific locations have not been identified ( 1 point) No sites or BMP types have been identified ( 0 points ).

Site landowners have confirmed permission to implement the project BMP(s) owned 100% by applicant or legally binding agreements with landowners already in place ( 5 points ). BMP(s) with multiple landowners that submitted written confirmation from ALL landowners that they plan to participate ( 3 points ). BMP(s) that have some but not all landowner confirmation ( 2 points ).

BMP(s) without documentation of landowner participation ( 0 points ). BMP(s) design(s) readiness BMP(s) design with PE stamped designs 100% complete (5 points) . BMP(s) with 60 – 90% designs complete (3 points) .

BMP(s) with only a conceptual design(s) (2 points) . BMP(s) with only narrative of the proposed project(s) (1 point) . Local, State, and Federal permits All required permits secured or no permits required ( 5 points ).

Some, but not all required permits secured ( 4 points ). Permits applied for or all permits that will be needed are described ( 3 points ). No discussion of permits ( 0 points ).

Cost-effectiveness (0 – 20 points) Average BMP cost/unit for the proposed project (If a project includes multiple BMPs that use different units of measurement, the BMP representing the predominant portion of the project will be used to determine the score. For example, if a project includes a major streambank stabilization component and a minor filter strip component, the streambank stabilization cost will be used for scoring.

If the BMP types are equally integral, an average of the two BMP scores will be used. When the averaged score falls between two whole numbers, the higher whole-number score will be selected.)

Cost from $0 - $75 per linear foot or $0 - $20,000 per acre (5 points) Cost from $76 - $150 per linear foot or $20,001 - $70,000 per acre (4 points) Cost from $151 - $250 per linear foot or $70,001 - $100,000 per acre (3 points) Cost from $251 - $600 per linear foot or $100,001 - 150,000 per acre (2 points) Cost over $600 per linear foot or over $150,000 per acre (1 point) Project’s cost per pound of Phosphorus reduced per year on average.

Cost of $0-1,000 per pound of phosphorus reduced (5 points) Cost of $1,001-3,000 per pound of phosphorus reduced (4 points) Cost of $3,001-6,000 per pound of phosphorus reduced (3 points) Cost of $6,001-10,000 per pound of phosphorus reduced (2 points) Cost over $10,000 per pound of phosphorus reduced (1 point) Project’s cost per pound of Nitrogen reduced per year on average.

Cost of $0-500 per pound of nitrogen reduced ( 5 points ) Cost of $501-1,500 per pound of nitrogen reduced (4 points) Cost of $1,501-3,000 per pound of nitrogen reduced (3 points) Cost of $3,001-5,000 per pound of nitrogen reduced (2 points) Cost over $5,000 per pound of nitrogen reduced (1 point) Project’s cost per ton of Sediment reduced per year on average.

Cost of $0-1,000 per ton of sediment reduced (5 points) Cost of $1,001-3,000 per ton of sediment reduced (4 points) Cost of $3,001-6,000 per ton of sediment reduced (3 points) Cost of $6,000-10,000 per ton of sediment reduced (2 points) Cost over $10,000 per ton of sediment reduced (1 point) Sustainability (0 – 10 points) BMPs designed lifespan(s) Projects that include 100% of BMPs with lifespan greater than 25 years ( 5 points ).

Projects that include BMPs with lifespan between 10 and 25 years ( 4 points ).

Projects that do not exceed the required 10-years of O&M ( 0 points ) Description of relevant and robust operation and maintenance (O&M) plan, including funds to implement said plan and identification of the entity responsible to implement the O&M plan Application specifically outlines the O&M activities necessary for the proposed BMP, source of funding, and responsible entity that has a secure capacity to conduct the required work (5 points) .

Applications provide brief descriptions of required O&M activities, sources of funds, and responsible entity (3 points). Applications provide brief descriptions of one or two of the following: required O&M activities,