Section 319(h) Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Financial Assistance Program

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency administers the Section 319(h) Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Financial Assistance Program using federal funds provided through the United States Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Water Act. This program is designed to address water quality impairments caused by nonpoint source pollution, which results from rainfall or snowmelt moving across land surfaces and carrying pollutants into rivers, lakes, wetlands, and groundwater systems. The Illinois EPA operates this program statewide and prioritizes projects that directly improve surface and groundwater quality in Illinois through targeted watershed-based strategies. The primary purpose of the program is to support projects that prevent, reduce, or eliminate water quality impairments linked to nonpoint source pollution. Eligible projects include the development, update, and implementation of watershed-based plans, as well as best management practice installations, environmental monitoring, outreach, and technical assistance. Projects that align with Illinois EPA-approved watershed-based plans or Total Maximum Daily Load implementation plans receive higher priority during evaluation. The program also supports education and information initiatives, as well as monitoring activities that contribute to water quality improvement efforts. Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis, meaning that grantees must incur and pay project expenses before seeking reimbursement from the Illinois EPA. The program may fund up to 60 percent of total project costs, requiring applicants to provide the remaining 40 percent as match through cash or in-kind contributions. Matching funds cannot originate from federal sources used for other federal programs. The program period is generally two years unless otherwise approved. Total program funding is approximately five million dollars annually, distributed across planning, education, monitoring, and implementation project categories, with the majority allocated to best management practice projects. Eligibility for the program is broad and includes any entity with the legal authority to accept state funds. This encompasses local governments, nonprofit organizations, for-profit entities, universities, conservation districts, watershed groups, and other organizations capable of implementing qualifying projects. Applicants must demonstrate the financial capacity to initiate and sustain project activities prior to reimbursement and must comply with prequalification requirements through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act portal. These requirements include federal registration, compliance with state and federal regulations, and completion of an internal control questionnaire. Applications must be submitted through the Illinois GATA Grantee Portal. The fiscal year cycle begins with the release of a Notice of Funding Opportunity, followed by a defined application window. For the current cycle, applications opened on July 22, 2026 and are due by September 16, 2026 at 1:00 PM. Applicants must ensure all required documentation is complete at submission, as incomplete applications will not be considered. The program allows submission of multiple applications and may partially fund proposals depending on available funding and project scope. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with program priorities, particularly the extent to which projects address documented water quality impairments and align with approved watershed plans. Additional considerations include technical feasibility, project outcomes, and organizational capacity. Selected applicants must enter into a formal grant agreement and comply with reporting requirements, including quarterly progress reports and a final project report documenting outcomes, costs, and benefits. For questions or assistance, applicants may contact the Illinois EPA Bureau of Water, Nonpoint Source Unit via email or phone. The program is offered annually, with recurring funding opportunities expected each year.

Align projects with approved watershed based plans or TMDL implementation plans and clearly demonstrate measurable water quality improvements