Water Quality Funding

There are numerous programs that support watershed management to improve water quality. Those programs that specifically list development practices as a positive mechanism to preserve or enhance water quality are listed here.

Flood Hazard Mitigation and Riverine Ecosystem Restoration Program (Army Corps of Engineers):
Informally known as Challenge 21, this watershed-based program focuses on identifying sustainable solutions to flooding problems by examining nonstructural solutions in flood-prone areas, while retaining traditional measures where appropriate. The program will create a framework for more effective federal coordination of flood programs and will create partnerships with communities to develop solutions to flooding problems. Eligible projects will meet the dual purpose of flood hazard mitigation and riverine ecosystem restoration. Contacts: Army Corps of Engineers Planning Division, 202-761-0115

Coastal Program (DOI/US Fish and Wildlife Service):
This program focuses efforts in bays, estuaries, and watersheds around the US coastline. The purpose of the program is to conserve fish and wildlife and their habitats to support healthy coastal ecosystems. The Service provides funding through the program to 15 high-priority coastal ecosystems. Contacts: Kathi Bangert, 703-358-2201

Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act Program (DOI/US Fish and Wildlife Service):
The purpose of this program is to acquire, restore, and enhance wetlands of coastal states and the Trust Territories. Contacts: Sally Valdés-Cogliano, 703-358-2201

Partners for Fish and Wildlife Habitat Restoration Program (DOI/US Fish and Wildlife Service):
This program, through partnerships with conservation groups and federal/state/tribal/local government agencies, provides technical and financial assistance to private landowners interested in voluntarily restoring or otherwise improving native habitats for fish and wildlife on their lands. In addition, the program focuses on restoring former and degraded wetlands, native grasslands, stream and riparian areas, and other habitats to conditions as natural as feasible. Contacts: Department of the Interior, 703-358-2201

Capitalization Grants for Clean Water State Revolving Funds (EPA/Office of Wastewater Management):
EPA awards grants to states to capitalize their Clean Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRFs). The states, through the CWSRF, make loans for high-priority water quality activities. As loan recipients make payments back into the fund, money is available for new loans to be issued to other recipients. Contacts: EPA Office of Wastewater Management, SRF Branch, Municipal Support Division, 202-260-7360

Ecosystem Protection Program (EPA Region 8):
The Ecosystems Protection Program, located in the Office of Ecosystems Protection and Remediation, seeks to integrate a variety of EPA programs. This approach is aimed at achieving ecosystem protection goals. The program stresses formation of partnerships with states, other federal agencies and communities to achieve collaborative goal setting. Contacts: Office of Ecosystem Protection, Region 8, 303-312-6312

Five-Star Restoration Program (EPA/OWOW):
This program provides challenge grants for restoration projects that involve multiple and diverse partners, including local government agencies, elected officials, community groups, businesses, schools, and environmental organizations. Its objective is to engage five or more partners in each project to contribute funding, land, technical assistance, workforce support or other in-kind services that match the program's funding assistance. Contacts: John Pai, 202-260-8076

Nonpoint Source Implementation Grants-Section 319 (EPA/OWOW):
The 319 program provides formula grants to the states and tribes to implement nonpoint source projects and programs in accordance with Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. Nonpoint source pollution reduction projects can be used to protect source water areas and the general quality of water resources in a watershed. Contacts: EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds Nonpoint Source Control Branch, 202-260-7100

Water Quality Cooperative Agreements (EPA Region 4):
Grants are provided to support the creation of unique and new approaches to meeting stormwater, sanitary sewer, combined sewer outflows, biosolids, and pretreatment requirements, as well as enhancing state capabilities. Eligible projects include research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys, and studies related to the causes, effects, extent, and prevention of water pollution. Contacts: Barry Benroth, 202-260-9545

Coastal Zone Management Administration/Implementation Awards (NOAA):
This program assists states in implementing and enhancing Coastal Zone Management (CZM) programs that have been approved by the Secretary of Commerce. Funds are available for projects in areas such as coastal wetlands management and protection, natural hazards management, public access improvements, reduction of marine debris, assessment of impacts of coastal growth and development, special area management planning, regional management issues, and demonstration projects with potential to improve coastal zone management. Contacts: NOAA, 301-713-3155, ext. 195

River Network Partner Grants (River Network):
To assist conservation groups to increase their membership or build their volunteer base. Contacts: Robin Chanay, 202-364-2550, or Kathy Luscher in Portland office at 800- 423-6747, ext. 16.

Watershed Assistance Grants (River Network/EPA OWOW):
EPA selected the River Network to coordinate and administer the Watershed Assistance Grants Program. The purpose of this program is to provide small grants to local watershed partnerships to support their organizational development and long-term effectiveness.

Water Protection and Conservation Grants (Turner Foundation):
The purpose of this program is to protect rivers, lakes, wetlands, aquifers, oceans, and other water systems from contamination, degradation, and other abuses. The Foundation will consider programs that are national in scope and will consider state and local programs, giving priority consideration to programs in New Mexico, Montana, Colorado, Nebraska, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Contacts: Program Department, 404-681-9900

Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program (USDA):
This program provides technical and financial assistance to address resource and related economic problems on a watershed basis. Projects related to watershed protection, flood prevention, water supply, water quality, erosion and sediment control, wetland creation and restoration, fish and wildlife habitat enhancement, and public recreation are eligible for assistance. Contacts: state NRCS office or Natural Resources Conservation Service, 202-720-3534

Water Quality Special Research Grants Program (USDA):
This purpose of this program is to identify and resolve agriculture-related degradation of water quality. Eligible proposals will provide watershed-based information that can be used to assess sources of water quality impairment in targeted watersheds; develop and/or recommend options for continued improvement of water quality in targeted watersheds; and evaluate the relative costs and benefits associated with cleanup to all responsible sectors (e.g., farming, processing, urban runoff, municipal waste treatments). Contacts: Department of Agriculture Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, 202-401-5971

Wetlands Reserve Program (USDA):
This voluntary program provides landowners with financial incentives to restore and protect wetlands in exchange for retiring marginal agricultural land. Contacts: Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, 202-690-0848

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