Through Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides states with funding to reduce nonpoint source pollution. North Carolina typically receives around $1 million for competitive funding of watershed restoration projects. Funds may be used to conduct watershed restoration projects such as stormwater and agricultural best management practices and restoration of impaired streams. Section 319 grant projects must be used to help restore waterbodies currently impaired by nonpoint source pollution in areas with approved watershed restoration plans. 

State and local governments, interstate and intrastate agencies, public and private nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions are all eligible to apply for 319 funding. An interagency workgroup reviews the proposals and selects those of merit to be funded.  

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Division of Water Resources (DWR) is soliciting proposals for Clean Water Act-Section 319 (h) Nonpoint Source Grant Funding for Fiscal Year 2022 for projects that implement a DWR-approved watershed restoration plan to restore the water quality of waters impaired by nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. Funds are provided by the US Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act. State and local governments, interstate agencies, public and private nonprofit organizations including academic institutions, and state-recognized tribes are eligible to apply.

Applications are now open and due by May 4, 2022.