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Funding for Watershed Projects in Urban Areas: Nonpoint Source (319) Grants and Related Resources Bill Carter Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Nonpoint Source Program Nonpoint Source (319) Grant Programs in Texas • Texas State Soil & Water Conservation Board (50% of funds) – Silviculture – Agriculture • Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (50% of funds) – Urban • Activities not required in MS4 management plans – Rural • Activities not associated with agriculture or forestry, such as mining, roadways, septic systems, etc. Eligible Applicants State agencies Cities Counties River Authorities Public Universities COGs Other Political Subdivisions of the State Grant Cycle • ~ 3 year projects • Approx. 18 months from project proposal to funding • $3.5 million awarded in FY2007 by TCEQ Subgrantee Funding • 60% - Provided by EPA • Through the State NPS Program • 40% - Must be matched (non-federal) • State funds (other state agencies; rarely provided by TCEQ) • Locals funds • In-kind services Matching Fund Sources Cash (salaries) In-kind (third party services) State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) and 319 Funding • MS4s are required by permit to implement 6 “minimum control measures” (MCMs) to manage storm water runoff • 319 grants are prohibited from funding activities required to meet the 6 MCMs • However, there are many kinds of projects that go beyond the MCMs and are eligible for 319 funding What 319(h) Grants May Fund Even in Urbanized Areas • Watershed planning • Monitoring and modeling to determine effectiveness of management measures • Low Impact Development • Retrofit of previously developed areas • Demonstration of advanced or innovative measures, including model ordinances • Special public education and involvement programs • Must not be required by the MS4 permit Urban Areas and 319-funded work • 319 Funds can be used to address the quality of stormwater before it enters the MS4 conveyance system Even if the stormwater has to pass through a grate or catch basin to enter the BMP, 319 grants can still potentially be used Urban Areas and 319-funded work • 319 Funds can be used to address the quality of stormwater after it leaves the MS4 Conveyance System To be eligible for 319 funding, such a project must address pollution picked up by the storm water after leaving the MS4 conveyance system Examples Of Control Measures/BMPs That Have Been or are Being Implemented Within Urbanized Areas With Section 319 Funds • Riparian management, streambank rehabilitation, and in-stream measures to eliminate/reduce channel instability; • Wetland creation, restoration and/or enhancement for water quality purposes; • Source area management/pollution prevention • New technologies and approaches, such as green roofs; • Information and education related to new approaches and technology; • Alternative road and parking pavements; • BMPs such as rain gardens and rain barrels in residential and governmental projects. Developing an Incentive Program Goal of Incentive Mechanism for Fee Reduction Process for Implementation Reduce Imperviousness Percent fee reduction Per-square-foot credit Percent reduction in imperviousness Square feet of pervious surfaces On-site Management Percent fee reduction Quantity/Quality credits (performance-based) List of practices with various credits Total area (square feet) managed Volume Reduction Percent fee reduction Performance-based quantity reduction Percent reduction in imperviousness Performance-based Total area (square feet) managed Practices based on pre-assigned performance values Use of Specific Practices Percent fee reduction One time credit List of practices with various credits Open S P A C E Infiltration BMPs Current NPS Program Priorities • Restoring impaired water bodies to meeting the standards for their designated uses, addressing specific pollutants • Significantly reducing the loading of key pollutants into water bodies (N, P, and Sediment) • Address specific program priorities such as the Coastal NPS Management Program Watershed Management Funding: References for the Grant Writer • EPA Watershed Funding References: http://www.epa.gov/owow/funding.html • Plan2Fund (Boise State U): http://efc.boisestate.edu/efc/Tools/Plan2Fu nd/tabid/104/Default.aspx • All TCEQ Funding Programs: http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/nav/funding/fun ding_opps.html More Resources for Nonpoint Source and Storm Water BMPs National Menu of Stormwater BMPs (organized into the 6 MCM categories) http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/menuofbmps/index.cfm NPDES Training Courses and Workshops http://cfpub2.epa.gov/npdes/outreach.cfm?program_id=0&otype=1 Nonpoint Source Outreach Toolkit http://www.epa.gov/owowwtr1/NPS/eduinfo.html Email Me: [email protected]