Water Protection Program
Watershed Management Plan Development Grant Program
Program Background
Since the late 1980's, organizations and agencies have moved toward managing water quality by using a watershed approach, which includes stakeholder involvement and management actions supported by sound science and appropriate technology.
A watershed management plan, best defined by the U.S. EPA, is a strategy and a work plan for achieving water resource goals that provides assessment and management information for a geographically defined watershed. It includes the analysis, actions, participants, and resources related to development and implementation of the plan. The watershed planning process uses a series of cooperative, iterative steps to characterize existing conditions, identify and prioritize problems, define management objectives and develop and implement protection or remediation strategies as necessary.
Below is a list of the key elements to be discussed in a watershed management plan:
- Causes and Sources of Pollution - What are the watershed problems and threats?
- Nonpoint Management Measures - What are you going to do about the problem and threats and where will you do it?
- Water Quality-based Goals - What you hoping to achieve?
- Technical and Financial Assistance - How are you going to pay for the implementation of the plan?
- Information and Education - How will you garner support for the plan and its implementation?
- Schedule - How long will it take?
- Milestones - What steps will you take along the way?
- Criteria - How will you know you are successful?
- Monitoring - How will you measure your success?
Overall, watershed-based plans that are developed and implemented to manage and protect against nonpoint source pollution using Clean Water Act Section 319 funding must address EPA's nine critical planning elements. To help communities, watershed organizations, and local, state, tribal, and federal environmental agencies with the development and implementation of watershed management plans, the U.S. EPA developed the "Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters" for additional information. A detailed explanation of the nine elements can be found in Section 2.6 of the Handbook.
Additional resources on watershed planning can be found at: /env/wpp/nps/319applicationresourcetools.htm
Section 319 project examples can be found at: 319 Project Examples
Grant Background
Funding Source
Funding for this federal grant is authorized by Section 319 of the Clean Water Act to address nonpoint source water pollution, such as polluted runoff from unregulated or unpermitted sources and in waters needing improvements or protection from further degradation. The funding is provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Department of Natural Resources.
Grant Purpose
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources provides funding for the development of watershed-based management plans to restore waters impaired by nonpoint source pollution. A goal of Missouri’s Nonpoint Source Grant Program is to protect or improve the quality of Missouri’s waters that are impaired by nonpoint source pollution (polluted runoff from unregulated or unpermitted sources). This funding is provided pursuant to Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. The funds are administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the department.
Funding Amount
The size and scope of watershed management plans may vary significantly based on the drainage area chosen; therefore, the funding request for plan development should reflect the scope of work required to complete the plan. Up to $30,000 is available however, the application will be required to collect detailed assessment work as needed where information is lacking. Watershed assessments shall include: identification of water quality issues and sources of pollution, identification of critical areas, and estimate of water quality pollutant loads through modeling or water quality assessments, field verifications or windshield surveys. Funding decisions will be made based on the merit of the application. Available funding for this grant is limited.
Qualifications
To be considered for funding, eligible applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Eligible organizations include state and local agencies, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status. Proof of 501(c) status is required.
- Have an active and diverse watershed partnership to carry out watershed planning efforts.
- Have, or be able to recruit, staff with the capability, expertise and experience to perform the proposed work and grant administration.
- Have the ability to maintain partnerships to ensure project implementation as well as long-term cooperation and commitment to the implement watershed management plan.
- Have the ability to model or contract out modeling to estimate current pollutant loads and the levels that are needed to bring the water body back into compliance with the state's water quality criteria.
- Familiar with a variety of best management practices needed to address and obtain pollutant load reductions.
- Applicant must submit the Watershed Management Plan Development Grant application form, and detailed budget. If the project proposes to conduct water quality monitoring as part of the project efforts, a Water Quality Monitoring Worksheet in addition to a separate detailed budget explaining the proposed water quality monitoring expenses.
Ineligible Activities
- Research type projects and activities
- Activities required under National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits
Project Requirements:
- Projects may be up to three years in length.
- A well written application that thoroughly and concisely describes the issues, defines the activities to be conducted, and contains realistic milestones and budget.
- Complete Watershed Management Plan that addresses all of EPA's nine critical planning elements.
- Address the current EPA-approved nonpoint source 303(d) listed water body (or nonpoint source TMDL), Outstanding State or National Resource Water, or state prioritized water body.
- Non-federal match required in a ratio of 60 percent 319 funds to 40 percent non-federal funds. Matching support may include “in-kind” contributions. (Soil and Water Conservation Districts are not required to document match on agricultural projects.)
- Watershed assessments must specifically identify water quality issues, impacts and sources; identify critical areas of the watershed to target specific management practices; document current pollutant load(s) through water quality monitoring or watershed modeling, etc.
- Projects must be eligible for funding under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, and consistent with the Missouri Nonpoint Source Management Plan.
- Completed watershed management plans must be designed to achieve the load reductions called for in any completed Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) addressing nonpoint source impairment. If a TMDL has not been completed, the plan must be designed to reduce pollutant loads to meet water quality standards. TMDLs in progress and approved TMDLs are available on the Web at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/tmdl/index.html.
- Projects should encompass a complete watershed or sub-watershed of manageable size (e.g. 12-digit hydrologic unit code) and address all significant pollutant sources.
- Implementation schedule shall note critical areas of the watershed that will be targeted for future implementation.
- Involve interagency coordination and cooperation. Locally led projects are preferred. Letters of support should be included with the application.
Schedule
Applications will be accepted three times a year and due on February 1, June 1, and September 1.
Applications will be accepted until this limited pool of grant money is exhausted. Applications will be reviewed based on the dates stated above. Applications will be reviewed and awards made approximately 90 to 120 days after the deadline date.
Application Information
Watershed Management Planning Application and Detailed Budget Spreadsheet
Water Quality Monitoring Worksheet and Detailed Budget Spreadsheet (required for all projects proposing a water quality monitoring component as part of the 319 project effort)
- Water Quality Monitoring Worksheet
- Detailed Budget Spreadsheet XLS (the water quality monitoring expenses shall be addressed separately)
Eligible applications will be reviewed to determine:
- application is complete and all required documentation submitted by posted deadline,
- application contains detailed yet concise information to enable the review team to understand the purpose of the funding request,
- project has strong, achievable goals and objectives,
- project thoroughly and concisely describes how efforts will address/improve nonpoint source water quality issues,
- the project indicates strong support and interest, and has established partnerships to complete the goals and objectives of the project - letters of support and level of contribution,
- milestones are realistic and reasonable,
- budget detailed and ties directly back to the project activities,
- cost-effectiveness of the project. Projects that include higher percentages of funds for administrative, overhead or indirect costs will be considered a lower priority. Indirect rates cannot exceed 13 percent.
- if water quality monitoring or watershed modeling is to be conducted, applicant indicates they are capable of planning and budgeting for water quality monitoring to document on the ground improvements and/or provide enough information to calculate pollutant load reductions and/or the applicant is capable of running a simplified watershed model (e.g. STEPL) to accurately estimate pollutant load reductions and have the resources to do so. If not, then the applicant shall indicate the ability/willingness to subcontract.
Application Submittal
Mail completed application forms, along with one electronic copy on CD, with all necessary documentation to:
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Water Protection Program
Attn: Darlene Schaben
P. O. Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176