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Polluted Runoff: Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution

Current Tribal §319 Grant Information

Tribes are eligible to receive Clean Water Act Section 319 grant funding to implement EPA-approved NPS programs. As required under the Clean Water Act, tribes must be approved for treatment in a similar manner as a state (TAS) and have an EPA-approved NPS assessment report and NPS management program to receive §319 funds. Each year, a §319-eligible tribe may apply for a base §319 grant that support their NPS management program, and they are eligible to compete nationally for additional §319 funds (competitive §319 grants) to implement on-the-ground projects to restore and protect their waters. 

See below for current information on application deadlines, eligible tribes and additional guidance.


Base Grants

The EPA anticipates awarding section 319 base grants to eligible tribes in the amount of $30,000 or $50,000 of federal §319 funding (depending on land area) on a noncompetitive basis. For tribes with 640,000 acres (1,000 square miles) or more, the base allocation is $50,000; for tribes with 640,000 acres or less, the base allocation is $30,000. Section 319 base funds may be used for a range of activities that implement the tribe's approved NPS management program, including: hiring a program coordinator; conducting NPS education programs; providing training and authorized travel to attend training; updating the NPS management program; developing watershed-based plans; and implementing watershed-based plans and on-the-ground watershed projects.

See below for the current EPA Guidelines for Awarding Clean Water Act Section 319 Base Grants to Indian Tribes.

Proposed base 319 grant work plan deadlines vary by EPA Region. Please contact your EPA region for more details.

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In addition to awarding section 319 base grants (described above), each year the EPA's National NPS Program solicits applications via a national competition from §319-eligible tribes and intertribal consortia to implement on-the-ground projects to manage NPS pollution. Competitive §319 grants may be used to develop and/or implement watershed-based plans and other on-the-ground projects that will result in significant steps towards solving NPS impairments on a watershed-wide basis. Tribal applicants may request up to $100,000 in federal §319 funds through this competition. In recent years, the EPA has awarded approximately $2.5 million/year in federal §319 funds under this solicition, depending on Agency funding levels. Please note that applicants must submit applications via Grants.gov. Click here to visit the Grants.gov Announcement Page

The FY 2021 Request for Applications from Indian Tribes and Intertribal Consortia for NPS Management Grants Under CWA Section 319 was posted on November 12, 2020. Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about the Request for Applications.

Here are they key dates for this year's competitive grant process:

  • Wednesday, December 2, 2020, 1-2:30pm Eastern Time: The EPA will host an information session/Q&A webinar (1 of 2) about the Request for Applications. Click here to register
  • Tuesday, December 8, 2020, 1-2:30pm Eastern Time: The EPA will host an information session/Q&A webinar (2 of 2) about the Request for Applications. Click here to register.

Click here for a copy of the presentation slides from the information session webinars.

  • Tuesday, January 5, 2021: Deadline for questions from prospective tribal applicants about the FY 2021 Request for Application. You may submit questions to tribal319grants@epa.gov
  • Thursday, January 14, 2021*Application Deadline.* Applications must be submitted electronically to the EPA through Grants.gov by 11:59pm EST in order to be considered for funding. Late applications will not be considered for funding. Click here for the direct link to the Grants.gov announcement page
  • April 2021: The EPA anticipates announcing final selections under this competition in April 2021.

Click here for a list of tribes and intertribal consortia eligible to apply for FY 2021 CWA Section 319 funding

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Current Grant Documents

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