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: 

• 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.

IDEM project managers work closely with the project sponsors to help ensure that the project runs smoothly and the tasks of the grant agreement are fulfilled. Site visits are conducted at least quarterly to touch base on the project, provide guidance and technical assistance as needed, and to work with the grantee on any issues that arise to ensure a successful project closeout.

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 is allowing us to move forward in implementing our water quality improvement efforts.  We currently have a Watershed Coordinator in place who will be overseeing all activities/tasks of the project, maintaining communication with partners in the project, and ensuring that activities/tasks are completed in a timely manner.  The Coordinator is now actively seeking members for the Steering Committee.  Once formed, he will work 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 will be develope; details of the program and applications will be available early this spring to producers.  Best management practices such as cover crops, forage and biomass planting, critical area planting, grassed waterways, filter strips, fencing, and others that address water quality concerns, will be eligible for cost-share.  Landowners will be provided technical assistance to facilitate BMP implementation through activities such as conducting farm visits, assisting with conservation planning and BMP selection, and inspecting installed BMPs to ensure that they meet design specifications.  If you would like to receive an application for cost-share funds when they are available, or would like more information, please contact the SWCD office at (812) 256-2330, ext. 3.
 
Our project also includes an outreach component in order to stimulate
community awareness of water quality and lay a foundation of water stewardship.