Water Protection Program
Section 319 Nonpoint Source Major Subgrants
Major Subgrant Notification of Available Funding
Targeted Watershed Plan Implementation
The Department of Natural Resources has funding available to assist watershed-based groups with implementing best management practices and associated activities as described in their department-accepted watershed management plan. The purpose of the funding is to implement on-the-ground practices aimed at controlling, reducing or managing nonpoint source pollution as described in the Missouri Nonpoint Source Management Plan.
Fund 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 provide by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Department of Natural Resources.
Grant Use
Funding is available for watershed groups to implement best management practices as detailed in their watershed management plan. The department anticipates meeting with each qualified group that expresses interest in this announcement to discuss the implementation process. Funding decisions will be made based in part on the criteria listed in the qualifications section of this notice. Priority will be given to watersheds with an EPA-approved total maximum daily load, frequently referred to as a TMDL, that includes nonpoint source components.
Refer to the "Priority watersheds with a watershed management plan for the Request for Proposals FY2010" map for additional information.
Additional resources can be found at: /env/wpp/nps/319applicationresourcetools.htm
Section 319 project examples can be found at: 319 Project Examples
Qualifications
To be considered for funding, eligible applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Have a department-accepted watershed management plan containing the nine critical elements as identified by EPA.
- 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.
- Have an active and diverse watershed partnership to carry out implementation of best management practices as described in their watershed management plan.
- 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 operation and maintenance for the installed best management practices.
- Have a water quality monitoring component to document water quality changes and help confirm load reductions, whether provided by recipient, contractor, the department, or another partnering agency.
- Have the ability to model or contract out modeling of best management practices to report load reduction of the impairment(s).
- Have an information and education component relative to the impairment(s) and practices to be implemented, as described in their watershed management plan.
Eligible Applications
All major subgrant applications must explain how they will address nonpoint source pollution in at least one of the following ways:
- Increase public knowledge of nonpoint source water pollutants and their impact on surface and groundwater quality.
- Increase public awareness of alternatives that can prevent nonpoint source water pollution.
- Stimulate individuals to assess and modify practices and behaviors that contribute to nonpoint source water pollution.
- Develop tools and programs to encourage behavioral changes toward sound preventive practices.
- Encourage local partnerships and public participation in efforts to restore, conserve, and protect water resources threatened by nonpoint source water pollution.
Grant Amount
Funding awards will be based on the number of eligible applicants and depend on the ability of the watershed group to mobilize, stay on schedule and meet the implementation milestones of the best management practices in their watershed management plans. Implementation costs will be negotiated prior to final approval of the project. Funding awarded to eligible applicants will be based on practices to be implemented, as detailed in their nine element watershed management plan and costs will be negotiated prior to final approval of the project. The project sponsor is required to provide 40 percent of the total project cost with non-federal dollars or in-kind activities. Partnerships with local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, University Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service, local and state governments are strongly encouraged.
To Schedule a Preliminary Meeting
A formal request must be submitted in writing and should include the following information:
- Name of organization and contact information.
- One paper and one electronic copy of the watershed management plan and date of development or revisions.
- List of partners, including contact information, and proposed contributions.
- Watersheds and HUCs that will be addressing the nonpoint source 303(d) impairment by implementing the watershed management plan.
- Brief summary of proposed scope of work and preliminary cost of efforts.
- Ability to provide group’s organizational hierarchy, separation of duties, payroll, time accountability, etc. during preliminary meeting.
The above information should be postmarked by close of business, Nov. 15, 2010, and submitted to:
Darlene Schaben
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Water Protection Program
P.O. Box 176
Jefferson City, Mo 65102-0176
573-751-7428; darlene.schaben@dnr.mo.gov
Depending on amount of interest, the department will be meeting with the organizations requesting a formal meeting as soon as available. A formal request for proposal will be provided to qualifying organizations who have submitted a formal request. Only at that time shall a major subgrant application be completed.
Application Information
Major Subgrant 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
The department is in the process of changing fill-in forms from Word format to PDF fill-in. You will be able to save and reuse these PDF forms. However, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader 7 or higher to save the PDF fill-in form.
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