Section 319(h) Georgia's Nonpoint Source Implementation Grant

UPDATED March 2021: 

•  FY2021 Grant Application Period is OPEN.

• Application Deadline: APRIL 30, 2021.

PRE-APPLICATION MEETING WEBINAR: The required pre-application webinar was completed on March 10, 2021. All applicants were required to attend the webinar with GAEPD Grants Unit Staff to discuss the current application process. If an potential applicant missed the webinar please contact Blue Cole for further instructions. Recording of the webinar is available below as well as the Slides of the presentation. 

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GAEPD) anticipates receiving a FY2021 Section 319(h) grant to prevent or abate nonpoint source pollution in support of the  2019 Georgia’s Statewide Nonpoint Source Management Plan. Using a competitive process, GAEPD will award grant funds to eligible projects that propose to reduce pollutant loads and result in measurable water quality improvements to impaired waters throughout the State.

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The grant requires a cost-share ratio of 60% Federal dollars (maximum) and 40% non-federal match (minimum) toward the total project cost. The maximum Federal award to any individual project is $400,000 with no minimum Federal award amount. Proposed project schedules should be completed within three years.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: Local, State or regional public entities, agencies or authorities that operate public service or delivery programs (e.g. sewer, water, resource development or planning); city or county governments that have Qualified Local Government status; county extensions; local school systems; and State colleges and universities. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR FUNDING: To be considered for funding, projects must meet all three of the following minimum requirements:

1. Implement existing watershed-based/watershed management plans that adequately address USEPA's Nine Elements for Watershed Planning;
2. Focus within a 10-digit Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC-10) or smaller watershed; AND
3. Commit to a minimum 40% non-federal match.

ELIGIBLE PROJECTS: Grant applications must specify the nonpoint sources of pollution and identify the activities best suited to address those sources, such as the following: green infrastructure/low impact development projects; watershed hydrology restoration; urban stormwater controls not included in NPDES permits; agricultural BMPs; education and training; and lake/pond dredging as long as ALL contributing sediment sources have been corrected.

APPLICATION DOCUMENTS: 

• Grant Announcement - FY2021 Grant Announcement
• Grant Application - Section 319(h) FY2021 Nonpoint Source Implementation Grant Application (WORD Format) [Revised January 2021]
• Grant Project Schedule - Section 319(h) FY2021 Grant Project Schedule (EXCEL Format) [Revised January 2021] This document is a required component of the FY2021 Section 319(h) Grant application and will be used to track the completion of tasks, reporting requirements and the expenditure of funds.
• Grant Guidelines - Section 319(h) FY2021 Grant Guidelines [Revised February 2021]

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION RESOURCES:

• Georgia’s Statewide Nonpoint Source Management Plan 2019
• Georgia's Watershed Based Plans Addressing Nonpoint Source Pollution - List of Nine Element Watershed Based Plans funded by GAEPD 
• Georgia’s 2020 Section 305(b)/303(d) List of Waters - access 305(b)/303(d) Integrated Report for listings of 2020 Rivers/Streams, 2020 Coastal Streams, and other waterbodies.
• Sample Score Questions  - [PDF Format]. This document represents possible questions that the GAEPD Grants Unit may consider when scoring applications.
• USEPA's Watershed Planning Website  - Contains information about the "Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters", the "Quick Guide to Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters", and the Watershed Plan Builder application to build a plan framework. Note: Datasets for Georgia may not be up-to-date nor appropriate for HUC10/HUC12 level watersheds. 

ADDITIONAL CRITERIA APPLIED DURING THE SELECTION PROCESS: Applications that meet the following criteria will be reviewed in a more competitive light: Include appropriate project evaluation components; demonstrate cost-effectiveness; support the current, revised Georgia's Statewide Nonpoint Source Management Program (see 2019 Plan above); alleviate NPS pollution in impaired waters or protect healthy watersheds (Georgia’s 2020 Section 305(b)/303(d) List of Waters); engage multiple partnerships; leverage ongoing watershed management activities; address priority pollutants; target priority watersheds; correct adverse impacts of increased impervious surfaces; correlate BMPs to management strategies identified in appropriate Regional Water Plans.

SECTION 319(H) FY2021 GRANT TIMELINE

• January 2021: GAEPD issues the call for proposals
• March 10, 2021 Pre-application Meeting Webinar (required) 
• March 31, 2021: Last day to submit DRAFT applications for GAEPD review and written comments (optional)
• April 30, 2021: Deadline to submit applications to GAEPD via email
• Summer 2021: Grant award selection 
• Summer 2021: GAEPD notifies applicants of grant award
• Fall 2021: GAEPD and grant recipients finalize project scope of work
• Fall 2021: GAEPD and grant recipients execute contract, and project begins