Federal Section 319 Grant

The Federal Section 319 Grant administered by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is part of a broader national effort established under the Clean Water Act to address nonpoint source pollution. This program provides federal funding to states, territories, and tribes to support activities that reduce pollution and improve water quality in lakes, rivers, streams, and aquifers. In Idaho, DEQ serves as the administering agency and is responsible for managing the application process, distributing funds, and ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements. The program is designed to support a wide range of environmental protection efforts that align with Idaho’s Nonpoint Source Management Program. The primary purpose of the grant is to reduce pollutant loads entering water bodies through nonpoint sources, which are diffuse sources such as agricultural runoff, urban stormwater, forestry activities, and hydrologic modifications. Funded projects must demonstrate a clear connection to improving water quality and should align with established total maximum daily loads and implementation plans. Eligible project types include agricultural best management practices not covered by discharge permits, urban stormwater initiatives, transportation-related runoff mitigation, forestry and silviculture practices, mining-related environmental protections, groundwater protection activities, and habitat or hydrologic restoration such as wetlands reconstruction. Funding under this program can be used for a variety of management and prevention activities, but it excludes projects already regulated under Idaho Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits. The program emphasizes readiness for implementation, meaning that projects should be well-developed and capable of producing measurable environmental outcomes within the contract period. Beginning in 2026, administrative and indirect costs are capped at 15 percent of modified total direct costs or the applicant’s federally negotiated indirect cost rate, whichever is preferred. This change aligns with Environmental Protection Agency guidance and standardizes cost calculations across funded projects. Eligible applicants are not explicitly listed in the provided materials, but the program requires collaboration among multiple partners and encourages leveraging additional funding sources. This implies that applicants may include governmental entities, nonprofits, and other organizations capable of implementing environmental projects at scale. Projects are prioritized based on their ability to reduce pollutant loads, alignment with established water quality plans, readiness for implementation, and the strength of partnerships and leveraged resources. Applications must be submitted through the Idaho DEQ AmpliFund grant management system. Applicants are required to use the 2026 State and Federal Application Materials Guide to prepare their submissions, which must include a completed work plan and budget. The system allows applicants to save and revisit submissions, and guidance is provided for accessing and navigating the portal. Technical assistance is available through regional DEQ offices to support applicants throughout the process. The application period for the Federal Section 319 Grant opens on April 20 and closes on July 17 annually. For the current cycle, applications are being accepted for fiscal year 2027 funding. Projects awarded funding will operate under a three-year implementation timeline. Proposals are reviewed and prioritized by Basin Advisory Groups, which play a key role in recommending projects for funding based on established criteria. For additional information or technical support, applicants may contact the Nonpoint Source Coordinator, Bonnie Yoshizaki, via email at Bonnie.Yoshizaki@deq.idaho.gov or by phone at (208) 373-0439. The program operates on an annual cycle, and applicants are encouraged to prepare early to align project proposals with program priorities and submission requirements.

Focus on projects ready for immediate implementation with clear pollutant reduction outcomes; align with TMDLs; demonstrate strong partnerships and leveraged funding; ensure complete work plan and budget