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Grants to Texas Nonprofits, Agencies, and IHEs for Projects to Reduce Water Pollution in Watersheds

Nonpoint Source (NPS) Program - Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 319(h) Grant


Grant Writers
Agency
State
GrantWatch ID#
144176
Funding Source
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
Funding or PIN Number: Solicitation Number: 582-23-42719
Array ( )
Geographic Focus
USA: Texas
Important Dates
Deadline: 07/14/23 3:00 PM CT Save
Grant Description
Grants to Texas nonprofit organizations, government agencies, school districts, and institutions of higher education for projects to reduce and prevent water pollution throughout the state. Funding is intended to develop and implement watershed protection plans. Grants may be used for activities such as data collection, assessment, management practices, and outreach that lead to the decrease of nonpoint source pollution.

Successful projects primarily describe one or more of the following:

  1. The development of Watershed Protection Plans (WPP) that meet EPA’s required nine key elements for a watershed-based plan.
  2. The implementation of EPA-accepted WPPs focusing on best management practices (BMP) that measurably reduce nonpoint source pollution. 
  3. Targeted education and outreach designed to bring about behavioral changes that lead to reduced nonpoint source pollution
  4. The engagement and commitment of essential watershed partners
  5. The implementation of multiple management measures in WPPs
  6. The inspection of On-Site Sewage Facilities (OSSFs) in the Texas Coastal Zone Boundary

Both EPA and TCEQ place a strong emphasis on achieving measurable results for projects selected to receive 319(h) grant funding. To that end, implementation projects should be sited as close to the impaired water body and/or assessment unit (AU) as possible to target identified sources of water quality degradation. Therefore, TCEQ seeks proposals involving on-the-ground implementation that have the highest chance to improve water quality. 

Targeted Areas: For this RFGA, TCEQ is not targeting any specific watersheds/AUs but may do so in the future.

Priority is given to the development and implementation of watershed protection plans (WPPs). Local stakeholder groups guide the development of these plans to restore and protect water quality in specific Texas waterways. This planning process commonly involves gathering and/or assessing water quality data, determining the probable causes and sources of pollution, and selecting management measures designed to reduce pollution through voluntary efforts. Half of this grant program’s funding must be spent to implement federally accepted WPPs. 

Water bodies in the most recent application Priority Watersheds Report are given priority for restoration and/or protection activities.

Other eligible activities include:

  • Education and outreach designed to motivate changes in behavior that reduce NPS pollution
  • Implementation of both technology-based and water quality-based management measures to address NPS pollution - for example, low-impact development installations, riparian or shoreline restoration, and repair or replacement of failing septic systems.
  • Project designed to protect unimpaired waters.
Full Grant Text RFP
Recipient
Eligibility
  • Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)
Additional Eligibility Criteria
Grants are available to state agencies, political subdivisions of the State of Texas (including cities, counties, school districts, state universities, and special districts), and nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations. Applicants are encouraged to partner with appropriate local, regional, state, and federal entities responsible for water resource management in the project area.
Ineligible
Projects involving any work outside of the United States or dredging activities are not eligible for funding.

Funds awarded under this grant may not pay for activities required by a permit issued to meet CWA requirements, such as a wastewater discharge permit or a stormwater permit. However, related activities not specifically required by a permit may be submitted for consideration.

This solicitation is not for agricultural or silviculture projects, which are under the jurisdiction of the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB).

TCEQ does not fund the following costs:
- The cost of activities required by or demonstrating compliance with federal CWA requirements, such as wastewater or stormwater permits.
- Costs incurred in the preparation, submission, or revision of the grant application and work plan prior to entering into a contract with TCEQ.
- Costs incurred outside the TCEQ contract period (before the final signature or after the contract closes).
Pre-Application Information
Timeline:
- Deadline for Submission of Questions: June 15, 2023, at 3:00 PM (Central Time)
- Proposal Due Date: July 14, 2023, at 3:00 PM (Central Time)

All projects must include non-federal matching funds for 40% of the project’s total costs. Federal funds equal 60% of total project costs for awarded Contracts and are reimbursed by TCEQ.

For more information and relevant documents, see
https://www.txsmartbuy.com/esbddetails/view/582-23-42719
Number of Grants
Historically, TCEQ funds approximately 6 – 15 projects per year.
Estimated Size of Grant
There is no defined maximum and minimum grant amount for TCEQ’s 319(h) Grant Program. However, recent awarded projects have ranged from $60,000 to $480,000 (federal dollars). Total project costs (including match) have ranged from $100,000 to $800,000.
Term of Contract
Successful projects are usually two to four years long.
Contact Information
Email applications to procurements&contracts@tceq.texas.gov

If a file is too large to email, it may be submitted via TCEQ’s FTP website.

Questions must be directed to:
Wendy Foley
Email: wendy.foley@tceq.texas.gov
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