Finding the Money to Make it Happen

The funding sources described below may be good resources for your water-related projects. Keep these points in mind as you read on:

The grants cannot be used for your organization's general operating expenses. They must be used for specific projects.

Because they are federal or state in origin, they are highly bureaucratic. They are also highly competitive.

Again, because of their federal origins, the accounting and reporting requirements for these grants may be cost- or staff-prohibitive. Please take this into account before you apply.

Take note of those that require you to raise matching funds.

The following descriptions have been excerpted from the web sites listed. Click on the State Revolving Loan Fund and Section 319 titles for detailed descriptions of those funding sources.

State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF)

The Clean Water Act provides low-interest loans for communities, individuals, citizens' groups, non-profits, and others to better the quality of watersheds through a wide range of water-quality related projects. These loans are administered through "State Revolving Funds." Click here for a course page focused entirely on the SRF.

For more information, including links to regional and state SRF contacts, visit: http://www.epa.gov/owm/cwfinance/cwsrf/index.htm

Section 319: Funding for Nonpoint Source Control

Section 319 of the Clean Water Act establishes a national program to control nonpoint sources of pollution. It makes grant money available for projects that attempt to reduce nonpoint source pollution from agriculture, forestry and urban sprawl. Based on the number of groups using 319 funds, it appears to be a very useful funding source for watershed organizations.

For more information, visit: http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/cwact.html

For a recent update of national guidance for the states' use of 319 dollars, visit: http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/Section319/319guide03.html

For a summary of this guidance, produced by Clean Water Network, visit http://www.cleanwaternetwork.org

Grants for Pollution Control Programs

Section 106 of the Clean Water Act authorizes EPA to provide Federal assistance to States (including territories, the District of Columbia, Indian Tribes) and interstate agencies to establish and implement surveillance, monitoring, and enforcement; advice ongoing water pollution control programs. These programs include permitting, pollution control activities, and assistance to local agencies; and the provision of training and public information.

For more information, visit: http://www.epa.gov/owm/cwfinance/pollutioncontrol.htm

Water Quality Cooperative Agreements

Section 104(b)(3) of the Clean Water Act authorizes EPA to make grants to state water pollution control agencies, interstate agencies, municipalities, Indian tribes and other nonprofit institutions to promote the prevention, reduction and elimination of pollution. Priority consideration is given to implementing the Clean Water Action Plan (CWAP, released in 1998) and projects covering watersheds, and activities addressing stormwater, combined sewer overflows, mining, on-site systems, and animal feeding operations. Grant funds can be used for research, investigations, experiments, training, environmental technology demonstrations, surveys, and studies related to the causes, effects, extent and prevention of pollution.

For more information, visit: http://www.epa.gov/owm/cwfinance/waterquality.htm

Clean Water Indian Program

The Clean Water Indian Program represents a collaboration between EPA, other federal agencies, tribal organizations, state agencies and others to help build tribal wastewater infrastructure, improve water pollution control programs, and strengthen tribal capacity to effectively manage their public health and water resource programs.

For more information, visit: http://www.epa.gov/owm/cwfinance/cwindian.htm

State Wetlands Protection Grant Program

Section 404: Since 1990, this Federal grants program has supported State, Tribal, and local efforts to protect wetlands by providing funds to support the development of wetland water quality standards, and the development of Section 401 certification programs. See the section on federal money set aside in Section 319 of the Clean Water Act for reducing nonpoint source pollution. Section 319 money can also be applied to improve wetland protection.

For more information visit: http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/initiative/#financial

Signed into law in 1998, this Act provides funding for transportation initiatives through Fiscal Year 2003. Funds for environmental projects are set aside in TEA-21's Protecting Our Environment section. Funding for water related projects may be available if the projects are linked to transportation initiatives in a given area.

For more information, visit: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/legis.htm

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)

Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, CREP is a State-federal conservation partnership program targeted to address specific State and nationally significant water quality, soil erosion and wildlife habitat issues related to agricultural use. The program uses financial incentives to encourage farmers and ranchers to voluntarily enroll in contracts of 10 to 15 years in duration to remove lands from agricultural production.

For more information, visit: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/dafp/cepd/crep.htm

Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP)

Administered by the US Department of Agriculture, EQIP provides technical, educational, and financial assistance to eligible farmers and ranchers to address soil, water, and related natural resources concerns on their lands in an environmentally beneficial and cost-effective manner. Eligible producers enter into five- to ten-year contracts and create a conservation plan. They may also receive cost share payments to implement structural or vegetative practices, or incentive payments to implement land management practices.

For more information, visit: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip

Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program

Also known as the "Small Watershed Program" or the "PL 566 Program," this US Department of Agriculture program provides technical and financial assistance to projects related to watershed protection, flood prevention, water supply, water quality, erosion and sediment control, wetland creation and restoration, fish and wildlife habitat enhancement, and public recreation. Eligible parties include local or state agency, county, municipality, town or township, soil and water conservation district, flood prevention/flood control district, Indian tribe or tribal organization, or other subunit of state government with the authority and capacity to carry out, operate, and maintain installed works of improvement. Projects are limited to watersheds containing less than 250,000 acres.

For more information: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/watershed

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)

The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) is a voluntary program for people who want to develop and improve wildlife habitat primarily on private land. Through WHIP USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service provides both technical assistance and up to 75 percent cost-share assistance to establish and improve fish and wildlife habitat. WHIP agreements between NRCS and the participant generally last from 5 to 10 years from the date the agreement is signed.

For more information, visit: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/whip

Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)

The Wetlands Reserve Program is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical and financial support to help landowners with their wetland restoration efforts.

For more information, visit: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/wrp

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