Nonpoint Source Implementation Grants (66.460)
Program
66.460 Nonpoint Source Implementation Grants
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF WATER, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Authorization
Clean Water Act, Title III, Section 319(h).
Program Number
66.460
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To assist States in implementing EPA-approved Section 319 nonpoint source management programs. EPA's funding priority is to award grants that promote the development and implementation of watershed-based plans which result in improved water quality in impaired waters. Funding Priority: EPA's funding priority is to award grants that promote the development and implementation of watershed-based plans which result in improved water quality in impaired waters. Nonpoint Source implementation projects include best management practice (BMP) installation for animal wastes, sediment, pesticide and fertilizer control, and variety of other structural and non-structural practices; watershed planning, monitoring, watershed coordinators, technology demonstration, and a variety of education/outreach programs, among others.
Types of Assistance
Formula Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Funds are provided to States to carry out nonpoint source projects and programs pursuant to Section 319 of the Clean Water Act as amended by the Water Quality Act of 1987. Requirements under Section 319 (h) include: Nonfederal matching funds of at least 40 percent of project costs(match is a overall State grant requirement -- in a few cases, States may allow a subgrantee to waive or lower the match requirement for an individual project. In-kind services may be used as match); maintenance of effort; grants may be used for financial assistance to individual persons in the case of demonstration projects only; annual reporting; and EPA determinations of adequate State progress before additional funding. Currently applicable EPA guidelines issued on May 16, 1996, identify the basic process for funding. Additional guidelines describing modifications to the award process and establishing priorities for the use of incremental funding were issued from FY 1999 to FY 2003. For FY 2002, supplemental guidelines were issued on September 13, 2001; for FY 2003, supplemental guidelines were issued on August 26, 2002. FY 2003 guidelines replace the portion of the FY 2002 guidelines that refer to future years beyond FY 2002. These guidelines are available on the Web at: http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/cwact.html.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas, Puerto Rico, Pacific Trust Territories, Virgin Islands, and qualified Indian Tribes. Grants are awarded to a single agency in each State designated by the governor as the lead nonpoint source agency. The lead nonpoint source agency may distribute grant funds to other organizations in accordance with its work program, which is approved by EPA.
Beneficiary Eligibility
State and local governments, interstate and intrastate agencies, public and private nonprofit organizations and institutions. The lead nonpoint source agency may distribute grant funds to other organizations in accordance with a work program which is approved by EPA.
Credentials/Documentation
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination with the appropriate EPA egional Office is recommended. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedure
Grant application by States must be submitted to the appropriate EPA Regional Office (refer to Appendix IV of the Catalog for a list of Regional Offices). Grant applications by subgrantees within a State (after EPA has made a grant award to the State) must be submitted to the State agency that administers Section 319 grants. List of State nonpoint source contacts for subgrantees is available on the Web at http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/contacts.html.
Award Procedure
Grant application must be submitted by the State to the appropriate EPA Regional Office to determine the overall adequacy of the application to meet the statutory objectives. Award procedure by States to subgrantees varies by State. List of State nonpoint source contacts is available on the Web at http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/contacts.html.
Deadlines
State grant applications must be submitted according to the dates established by the EPA Regional Offices. Consult the appropriate EPA Regional Office for details. Subgrantee deadlines for applications to State varies by State.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
As described in 40 CFR part 31, Subpart F.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Nonfederal match of at least 40 percent of project or program costs is required except for grants to Indian Tribes, where following demonstration of financial hardship, the nonfederal match may be reduced to as low as 10 percent of project or program costs. State must also meet maintenance of effort requirements contained in statute.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
As determined in accordance with Section 319. (h).
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Annual expenditure reports are requested. Progress reports are generally required at least semi-annually.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations." The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non- Profit Organizations," was published in the Federal Register on June 30, 1997. The Circular implements the Single Audit Act amendments of 1996. The Circular requires nonfederal entities that expend more than $300,000 in Federal award dollars, to have an audit conducted in accordance with the Circular's provisions. With the revised Circular, the previous OMB Circular No. A-128 for single audits of State and local governments was rescinded and the single audit requirements for these entities were incorporated among the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133.
Records
Financial records, including all documents to support entries on accounting records and to substantiate charges to each grant, must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA grant accounts. All records must be kept for three years from date of submission of the annual financial status report. If questions remain, records must be retained until the matter is completely resolved.
Program Accomplishments
Grants have been awarded annually to all States and selected Tribes. Grant funds were used by States and Tribes to implement portions of their NPS management programs.
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0103-0-1-304; 68-0103-7-1-304.
Obligations
FY 02 $237,476,800; FY 03 est $238,440,000; and FY 04 est $238,500,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
States/Territories: $625,400 to $12,365,600 (FY 2002); $4,240,650 (FY 2002). Indian Tribes: $30,000 to 150,000 (FY 2002). Ranges vary year-to-year based on size of appropriation (and also varies depending on number of applicants for grants to Indian tribes).
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
EPA's Transmittal of Nonpoint Source Program and Grants Guidance for Fiscal Year 1997 and Future Years (May 16, 1996); Process and Criteria for Funding State and Territorial Nonpoint Source Management Programs in FY 1999 (August 18, 1998); Funding the Development and Implementation of Watershed Restoration Action Strategies under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act (December 4, 1998); Supplemental Guidance for the Award of Section 319 Nonpoint Source Grants in FY 2000 (December 21, 1999); Supplemental Guidelines for the Award for Section 319 Nonpoint Source Grants in FY 2001 (November 21, 2000); Supplemental Guidelines for the Award of Section 319 Nonpoint Source Grants to States and Territories in FY 2002 and Subsequent Years (September 13, 2001); Supplemental Guidelines for the Award of Section 319 Nonpoint Source Grants to States and Territories in FY 2003 (August 26, 2002).
Related Programs
66.419, Water Pollution Control_State and Interstate Program Support.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Contact the appropriate EPA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog. A list of specific EPA Regional nonpoint source contacts is available on the Web at: http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/contacts.html.
Headquarters Office
Romell Nandi, Nonpoint Source Control Branch, Assessment and Watershed Protection Division, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, (4503T), EPA, Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460. Telephone: (202) 566-1203.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Nonpoint Source implementation projects funded include best management practice (BMP) installation for animal wastes, sediment, pesticide and fertilizer control, and variety of other structural and non-structural practices; watershed planning, monitoring, watershed coordinators, technology demonstration, and a variety of education/outreach programs, among others.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Funds are awarded to States in accordance with Section 319 (h). For selection processes in individual States, contact the appropriate State NPS coordinators. A list of these coordinators is available at: http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/contacts.html.
