319/205(j) Grant Application Instructions

Section 319 Grants

The Federal Clean Water Act Section 319(h) provides funding for various types of projects that work to reduce nonpoint source water pollution. Funds may be used to conduct assessments, develop, and implement TMDLs and watershed management plans, provide technical assistance, demonstrate new technology and provide education and outreach. Organizations eligible for funding include nonprofit organizations, universities, and local, state, or federal government agencies. A 40% (non-federal) in-kind or cash match of the total project cost must be provided.

• Eligible Entities: Nonprofit organizations, universities, and local, state, and federal governmental agencies.
• Amount available: approximately $2,000,000 annually; Grants are for 60% of project costs; a 40% matching contribution is required. Federal funds cannot be used for matching.
• Grant Cycle: One application round per year.

Instructions, Forms, and Important Information:

• Instructions for the Nonpoint Source Management Program Section 319 Grant Application [PDF]
• Section 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Grant Application (State Form 49367) - Available on the IDEM Agency Forms page
  • Sample Form [PDF]
• Grant Application Budget Worksheet [XLS]: The current application forms calculate the columns and rows in the budget table; however, this spreadsheet can be used as a tool to help develop the budget. It provides helpful formulas to determine the amount of match required based on the grant funds requested.
• IDEM’s Solicitation Announcement [PDF]
  • Provides information as to when IDEM will be requesting applications for grants. IDEM does not accept grant applications outside of the solicitation period.
• Priority watersheds
  • Map of priority watersheds [PDF]
  • List of priority watersheds [XLS]

The Section 319 program is subject to the provisions of the Build America, Buy America Act (Section 70914 of P.L. 117-58), which requires that federally funded public works infrastructure construction projects give preference to American-made products. This requirement took effect on May 14, 2022, and applies to grant funds awarded for projects after that date. In Indiana, this will apply to federal fiscal year 2022 grants and forward.

Products covered under BABA include iron and steel, manufactured products, and non-ferrous construction materials that are permanently incorporated in a project. BABA implications may be waived if any of the following scenarios apply:

• The federal funding of the assistance agreement for the projects is less than $250,000.
• There are no permanently incorporated products covered by BABA involved in the project.
• All the activities of the projects are for agricultural or conservation best management practices.
• All project activities are solely for the purchase, construction, maintenance, or improvement of a private project solely for non-public use.

Additional information on the BABA Act is available on the U.S. EPA website.

Section 205(j) Grants

The federal Clean Water Act Section 205(j) provides funding for water quality management planning. Funds are to be used to determine the nature, extent and causes of point and nonpoint source pollution problems and to develop plans to resolve these problems. Organizations eligible for funding include municipal governments, county governments, regional planning commissions, and other public organizations. For-profit entities, nonprofit organizations, private associations, and individuals are not eligible to receive this assistance.

The Section 205(j) program provides for projects that gather and map information on nonpoint and point source water pollution, develop recommendations for increasing the involvement of environmental and civic organizations in watershed planning and implementation activities, and develop and implement watershed management plans.

Watershed planning is a priority for IDEM’s Office of Water. Because IDEM typically receives more applications for nonpoint source projects than it can fund through its Section 319 solicitation, IDEM chooses planning projects that are eligible and appropriate to fund with 205j/604(b) appropriations through the 319 solicitation process.  Entities who wish to be considered for 205j funding should talk to their Watershed Specialist about submitting a proposal under the Section 319 solicitation.

• Eligible Entities: Municipal governments, county governments, regional planning commissions, and other public organizations.
• Amount Available: Amount varies, averages $350,000 annually. From FFY 2022-2027, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law made available nearly $750,000 annually.
• Grant Cycle: Periodic.
• Competitive projects: have local leadership, strong public involvement, and support, comprehensively address how to reduce the pollution source, and seek to demonstrate management practices or processes that are new to the area.

There are some restrictions to using 205(j) funds. They cannot be used to fund any of the following: dredging; drainage or flood control; permit fees; implementation projects; or compliance with NPDES permits or enforcement actions. Funds can be requested for up to $100,000. No match is required for 205(j) projects.

Instructions, Forms, and Important Information:

• Section 205(j) Nonpoint Source Pollution Grant Application (State Form 53970) - Available on the IDEM Agency Forms page
• Grant Application Budget Worksheet [XLS]: The current application forms calculate the columns and rows in the budget table; however, this spreadsheet can be used as a tool to help develop the budget. It provides helpful formulas to determine the amount of match required based on the grant funds requested.