ABOUT Clean Water Act Section 319 grants
The Nonpoint Source (NPS) Section in the Indiana Department of Environmental Management's (IDEM) Office of Water Quality manages two federal pass-through grant programs aimed at improving water quality in the state: Section 319(h) and Section 205(j); each named after the portion of the Clean Water Act that authorizes the program.
The Federal Clean Water Act Section 319(h) provides funding for various types of projects that work to reduce nonpoint source water pollution. Funds may be used to conduct assessments, develop and implement TMDLs and watershed management plans, provide technical assistance, demonstrate new technology and provide education and outreach. Organizations eligible for funding include nonprofit organizations, universities, and local, State or Federal government agencies. A 40 percent (non-federal) in-kind or cash match of the total project cost must be provided.
Projects are administered through grant agreements that spell out the tasks, schedule, and budget for the project. Projects are normally two to three years long and work to reduce nonpoint source pollution and improve water quality in the watershed primarily through:
For more information about Section 319 funding, contact IDEM.
The Federal Clean Water Act Section 319(h) provides funding for various types of projects that work to reduce nonpoint source water pollution. Funds may be used to conduct assessments, develop and implement TMDLs and watershed management plans, provide technical assistance, demonstrate new technology and provide education and outreach. Organizations eligible for funding include nonprofit organizations, universities, and local, State or Federal government agencies. A 40 percent (non-federal) in-kind or cash match of the total project cost must be provided.
Projects are administered through grant agreements that spell out the tasks, schedule, and budget for the project. Projects are normally two to three years long and work to reduce nonpoint source pollution and improve water quality in the watershed primarily through:
- Education and outreach designed to bring about behavioral changes and best management practice (BMP) implementation that leads to reduced nonpoint source
pollution; - The development of watershed management plans that meet U.S. EPA’s required nine elements; and,
- The implementation of watershed management plans through a cost-share program focusing on BMP implementation that address water quality concerns.
For more information about Section 319 funding, contact IDEM.
ABOUT our project
In October, 2013, the Clark County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) received a Federal Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Grant for Fourteen Mile Creek/Goose Creek - OH River (IN) watersheds.
Nonpoint source pollution is the leading cause of water quality problems in Indiana and is responsible for many of the impairments identified on the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s (IDEM) 303(d) List of Impaired Waterbodies. Nonpoint source pollution results when water (rain of snowmelt) moves across the land, such as city streets, agricultural fields and residential backyards, and picks up dirt, fertilizer, pesticides, animal wastes, road salt, motor oil, and other pollutants. These pollutants have harmful effects on drinking water supplies, recreation, fisheries and wildlife. Fourteen Mile Creek and several of its' tributaries are currently on the 303(d) list for E. Coli, dissolved oxygen, and impaired biotic communities. The ultimate goal of this project was to develop a comprehensive watershed management plan that documented the status of water quality within the watershed, outline a vision for its future, and recommend a clear strategy for implementing watershed/water quality improvements. |
Our watershed management plan was approved in 2017. In December 2018, we were awarded a Section 319 Nonpoint Source Implementation grant, which allowed us to move forward in implementing our water quality improvement efforts. Our Watershed Coordinator in place who oversaw all activities and tasks of the project, maintaining communication with partners in the project, and ensuring that activities and tasks were completed in a timely manner. The Coordinator worked closely with the Steering Committee, and the SWCD, to carry out their decisions and fulfill their requests in order to keep the project moving forward.
A cost-share program was developed, and information about the program made available at this website as well as at the Clark County Soil and Water Conservation District Office. Best management practices such as cover crops, forage and biomass planting, critical area planting, critical area planting, grassed waterways, filter strips, fencing, and others that addressed water quality concerns, were eligible for cost-share. Landowners were provided technical assistance to facilitate practice implementation through farm visits, site and project design, and practice selection. Our project included an outreach component to stimulate community awareness of water quality concerns and lay a foundation of water stewardship of all citizens. |