TN Section 319 Nonpoint Source Grant Program

The TN Section 319 Nonpoint Source Grant Program, administered by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, addresses the critical issue of nonpoint source pollution, which affects water quality across the state. This program provides funding for Best Management Practices to combat pollution, supports watershed restoration projects, and promotes public education on managing water resources effectively. With a cost-share model, it incentivizes local initiatives to protect and restore vital water bodies in Tennessee.

Nonpoint Source Program EPA Section 319
Today, nonpoint source pollution (NPS) is the nation's largest source of water quality problems. NPS pollution occurs when water runs over land or through the ground, picking up pollutants, and depositing them into rivers, lakes, and coastal waters or introducing them into ground water. NPS pollution is widespread because it can occur any time activities disturb the land or water. Agriculture, forestry, grazing, septic systems, recreational boating, urban runoff, construction, physical changes to stream channels, and habitat degradation are potential sources of NPS pollution. Careless or uninformed household management also contributes to NPS pollution.
To address this diffuse type of pollution, Congress established the Nonpoint Source Program, funded by the US-EPA through Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture administers the Nonpoint Source Program in Tennessee on behalf of US-EPA.
The TDA-NPS Program is non-regulatory, promoting voluntary, incentive-based solutions. It is a cost-share program, paying for 60% of the cost of a project. It is up to the grantee to come up with the remaining 40%, usually in cash and “in-kind” services. It primarily funds two types of programs:
Watershed Restoration Projects improve an impaired waterbody, or prevent a not impaired water from becoming placed on the 303(d) List. Projects of this type receive highest priority for funding. All projects involving BMPs must be based on an approved “Watershed Based Plan”. Small projects can be funded to write these plans.Educational Projects funded through TDA-NPS raise public awareness of practical steps that can be taken to eliminate NPS pollution.