Nonpoint Source Grant for Pollution Control Projects Watershed-based Plan Development RFA

The Nonpoint Source Grant for Pollution Control Projects aims to assist communities in developing Watershed-based Plans (WBP) to restore or protect water bodies from nonpoint source pollution. The Department of Environmental Protection coordinates this initiative, ensuring compliance with federal guidelines. Funded partly by the EPA, the program emphasizes the importance of management strategies that consider climate change and environmental justice. Eligible applicants must submit a watershed-based plan to qualify for further funding under the Clean Water Act.

Purpose and Background
The Department of Environmental Protection (Department or DEP) is seeking applications for projects to help communities develop Watershed-based Plans (WBP) as defined in this Request for Applications (RFA) document. A watershed-based plan provides assessment and management information and describes actions needed to restore nonpoint source (NPS) impaired water bodies or to protect water bodies threatened by NPS pollution. This document provides instructions for submitting applications, the procedure and criteria by which the Applicant(s) will be selected and the contractual terms which will govern the relationship between the State of Maine (“State”) and the awarded Applicant(s).
Pursuant to Maine statutes (38 M.R.S., Chapter 3, Article 1-F), the Department is charged with coordinating Maine’s Nonpoint Source Pollution Program to prevent or reduce NPS water pollution so that lakes, streams and coastal waters are protected and/or attain their clean water quality standards. Maine’s NPS Program is funded - in part - with grants from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under Sections 319 and 604(b) of the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA). Applications selected through this RFA will be funded (subject to the availability of federal funds) under CWA Section 604(b) and Section 319. DEP also administers a separate RFA for CWA Section 319-funded implementation projects. A watershed-based plan accepted by the Department is a prerequisite to be eligible to apply for CWA Section 319 funds to help implement the plan.
The EPA awards funds to the Department pursuant to Section 604(b) to carry out water quality management planning under Sections 205(j) and 303(e) of the Federal Clean Water Act. Pursuant to the Act, grant funds may be used to determine the nature and extent of point and nonpoint source pollution and to develop management plans. EPA encourages states to give priority to watershed restoration planning and to incorporate climate change, environmental justice (EJ) and equity considerations into their water quality planning, as appropriate. Section 205(j)(3) requires States allocate at least 40 percent of 604(b) funds for pass-through grants to eligible organizations for water quality management planning. DEP administers the program and awards and monitors sub-grants for projects to determine the nature and extent of NPS and to develop management plans.