Roosevelt Fire Resources
Clean Water Act Section 319 Grants/Nonpoint Source Program (DEQ/WQD)
Section 319 grant funds are federal funds provided to the state under the Clean Water Act to reduce nonpoint sources of pollution to surface water and ground water. Nonpoint source pollution occurs when surface water runoff from rainfall or snowmelt travels over and/or percolates through the ground and picks up contaminants. These contaminants can be deposited into streams, lakes, rivers, and ground water. Post-wildfire erosion resulting in sediment loading to nearby streams/rivers would be an example of nonpoint source pollution.
Contact: Jennifer Zygmunt, Nonpoint Source Program Coordinator, DEQ/WQD
Phone: 307-777-6080
Website: http://deq.wyoming.gov/wqd/non-point-source/
Open/closure date
Funds are awarded through a competitive proposal process. A Request for Proposals is issued annually, typically in July. Proposals are due in September. Proposals are reviewed and funding recommendations are made by the Nonpoint Source Task Force in October/November. Funding is available for recommended projects the following spring/summer (the timing is dependent on federal budget approval and EPA release of grant funds). To receive notice of the Request for Proposals release, please register for the DEQ/WQD Nonpoint Source Program email distribution list: http://deq.wyoming.gov/wqd/public-notices/water-non-point-source-pollution-program/
Cost share? A minimum of 40% of total project costs must be non-federal match (cash or in-kind).
Who is eligible?
Public and private entities, including local governments, cities, counties, regional development centers, local school systems, colleges and universities, local nonprofit organizations, state agencies, federal agencies, watershed groups, for-profit groups, and individuals are eligible to apply for Section 319 funds. Awards to individuals are limited to demonstration projects.
Section 319 grant funds are available each year on a competitive basis to agencies and organizations to implement voluntary projects that will reduce nonpoint source pollution to surface and ground waters of Wyoming. Generally, all projects that demonstrate the real potential to improve water quality by reducing nonpoint source pollution are eligible. Projects that implement “on-the-ground” activities to restore impaired waterbodies are highest priority.
Projects that implement “on-the-ground” activities to protect unimpaired waterbodies are medium priority. All other project types are low priority. Watershed planning requirements may apply before “on-the-ground” activities can be implemented. Section 319 funds have been used in the past to implement wildfire rehabilitation activities to reduce erosion and sediment loading to nearby surface waters. Past wildfire rehabilitation activities have included vegetation establishment (e.g., seeding and tree/shrub planting), erosion control/containment treatments (e.g., contour felling, straw wattles), road drainage feature repair, and culvert replacement.
On a limited basis, minor amounts of funding may be available outside of the proposal process for small-scale projects (e.g., purchase of supplies). Please contact the Nonpoint Source Program Coordinator to inquire about the availability of these funds. The use of these funds must still be associated with reducing nonpoint source pollution to improve or protect water quality.