Request for Applications from Indian Tribes and Intertribal Consortia for Nonpoint Source Management Grants Under Clean Water Act Section 319

Margot Buckelew
tribal319grants@epa.gov

A list of regional EPA contacts is available in Section VII of the application instructions.

This program provides funding to develop and/or implement watershed-based plans and on-the-ground projects that will result in significant steps towards solving Nonpoint Source (NPS) water quality impairments on a watershed-wide basis.

Examples of eligible project activities include:

• Road stabilization or removal
• Planting on the banks of rivers and streams (riparian planting)
• Streambank stabilization
• Natural water channel restoration
• Development of low impact storm water management practices
• Livestock exclusion fencing
• Nutrient or grazing management practices
• NPS ordinance development
• Septic system rehabilitation
• Project monitoring
• Development of a watershed-based plan
• Training
• Materials, education, and outreach

List of eligible tribes and intertribal consortia

To be eligible to apply, tribes and intertribal consortia must have met all of the following eligibility requirements as of October 14, 2023:

1. Be federally recognized
2. Have an EPA-approved NPS assessment report in accordance with CWA section 319(a)
3. Have an EPA-approved NPS management program in accordance with CWA section 319(b)
4. Have "treatment-in-a-manner-similar-to-a-state" (TAS) status in accordance with CWA section 518(e)

Award ceiling: $125,000
Estimated number of awards: 28
Total Program Funding: $3,500,000

The program requires a non-federal cost share/match of 40% of the total project cost. The match may be provided through cash or in-kind contributions. EPA may decrease the match requirement to as low as 10% if the applicant can demonstrate a hardship submitted in writing to the appropriate regional administrator. Additional guidance on cost sharing is available in the application instructions.

In fiscal year 2024, a portion of the total funding will be set aside for applicants that have not received a competitive CWA Section 319 Tribal program grant in the last five years. Up to 5 recipients will be selected for these funds.

Links to the full announcement and online application process are available through grants.gov. The application instructions will be found on the related documents tab.