Nonpoint Source (Federal § 319) FY 2027

Nonpoint Source (Federal § 319) Subgrants in Idaho FY 2027

The Clean Water Act § 319 established a grant program under which states, territories, and tribes may receive funds to support a wide variety of nonpoint source pollution management activities. DEQ is the state agency responsible for administering this grant program in Idaho. These grants are awarded annually on a competitive basis.

40% Match Required. Based on the minimum total project cost ((319 requested funds)/0.6)*0.4=40% minimum match requirement.

Subgrant recipients can seek reimbursement for indirect costs associated with managing projects. Indirect costs are costs incurred for common or joint purposes within the organization that benefit one or more cost objectives. Indirect costs are not readily assignable to specific cost objectives or projects. Common indirect costs include but are not limited to salaries of administrative staff that serve multiple programs; rent, utility, and maintenance costs of a building that houses several different agencies; audit expenses; and the pro-rated cost of basic office supplies with varied responsibilities. New in 2026: The Nonpoint Source Program has capped administrative/indirect costs at 15% (or your federally negotiated indirect rate) for all projects. All projects will use the same calculation to calculate their administrative/indirect costs: (Personnel/Supplies/Travel/Contractual) X (15%) = Administrative/Indirect Cap.

Federal § 319 Nonpoint Grant Application Period: April 20, 2026 - July 17, 2026

A successful § 319 grant request must focus on reducing pollutants and improving the water quality of lakes, streams, rivers, and aquifers. Funds may be used to address a variety of NPS management and prevention activities: -Agriculture (except those activities covered by a draft or final Idaho Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (IPDES) permit). -Urban stormwater runoff (except instances covered by a draft or final IPDES permit). -Transportation (except instances covered by a draft or final IPDES permit). -Silvicultural or forestry-related activities. -Mining (except those activities covered by a draft or final IPDES permit). -Ground water activities (to the extent identified by the state’s NPS management program, including source water protection efforts that involve regional collaboration or have the statewide application). -Hydrologic and habitat modification and related activities (including wetlands reconstruction). Proposed projects that meet the following criteria are ranked higher for funding. Applicants must target projects ready to implement management practices that reduce pollutant loads. Eligible projects must target pollutants identified in total maximum daily loads and implementation plans. Applicants must submit a completed work plan and budget, provided with the application material below. Projects must involve multiple partners and leverage other funding sources. Project contracts have three-year implementation timeframes. The Basin Advisory Groups prioritize project proposals for funding.

Idaho Department of Environmental Quality's Nonpoint Source Subgrants in Idaho webpage