Clean Water Act Section 319 Grant

The Clean Water Act Section 319 Grant is administered by the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to address nonpoint source pollution across the state. This program is funded through federal allocations under Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act and is designed to support projects that reduce pollutant loads in waterways and improve overall water quality. The program aligns with South Carolina’s Nonpoint Source Management Plan and emphasizes measurable environmental outcomes through targeted watershed-based interventions. The primary purpose of the grant is to fund implementation projects that address nonpoint source pollution such as runoff from agricultural lands, urban areas, and failing septic systems. Funded projects must be based on an approved watershed plan that meets EPA’s nine required elements, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of pollution sources, mitigation strategies, and expected outcomes. The program prioritizes projects that demonstrate the ability to achieve significant, measurable reductions in pollutant loads within a defined geographic area. Funding supports on-the-ground best management practices, which must account for at least seventy-five percent of the federal funds requested. Eligible activities include installation of structural BMPs such as streambank stabilization, septic system repairs, erosion control measures, and other practices that directly reduce pollution entering water bodies. However, the program explicitly excludes funding for watershed plan development, regulatory compliance activities, research, and monitoring using grant funds. Projects are reimbursed quarterly, and no costs are eligible prior to the execution of a formal grant agreement. Applicants must provide a non-federal match equal to at least forty percent of the total project cost. This match may consist of cash or in-kind contributions from non-federal sources and must meet the same eligibility standards as federal funds. Matching contributions must be fully documented and directly tied to project activities. The program also allows for cost-sharing arrangements to incentivize participation by landowners, provided that funded practices are properly maintained for their intended lifespan. Eligible applicants include a broad range of South Carolina public and nonprofit entities such as state agencies, local governments, public universities, soil and water conservation districts, regional planning commissions, watershed organizations, and nonprofit organizations. Projects must target waterbodies listed as impaired or those with approved total maximum daily loads, although protection-focused projects for high-quality or threatened waters may also be considered. The application process requires submission of a complete proposal package by email, including a proposal form, detailed budget, watershed plan, multiple maps, and commitment letters. Applications undergo an eligibility screening followed by a consultation phase for selected applicants, during which project details are presented to program staff. Final funding decisions are made after this review process, with applicants notified approximately sixty days after consultations. Selected projects must complete all work within a typical timeframe not exceeding thirty months. The grant operates on an annual cycle. For the 2025 cycle, applications were due August 22, 2025. Following submission, eligibility screening occurs within approximately thirty days, consultations are scheduled shortly thereafter, and final award decisions follow within roughly two months. The next application period is expected to open in June 2026, indicating a recurring funding opportunity for organizations engaged in watershed protection and restoration efforts.

Ensure watershed plan meets EPA nine elements; prioritize measurable pollutant reductions; allocate at least 75% of funds to BMPs; clearly justify budget and demonstrate administrative capacity