This Request for Applications (RFA) is issued pursuant to Clean Water Act (CWA) §319(h), which authorizes the EPA to award grants to eligible Tribes and intertribal consortia to implement approved Nonpoint Source (NPS) management programs developed pursuant to CWA §319(b)(1) “for controlling pollution added from nonpoint sources to the navigable waters” and “improving the quality of such waters.” NPS management programs must identify “best management practices and measures which will be undertaken to reduce pollutant loadings resulting from each category, subcategory, or particular nonpoint source” identified in the Tribe’s NPS assessment report developed pursuant to CWA §319(a). After allocating CWA §319 Tribal funds for Tribal base grant work plans, the EPA allocates the remaining CWA §319 Tribal funds to eligible entities according to the competitive procedures in this RFA.

NPS Projects Solicited Under This Announcement:

The funding available through this RFA will support Tribal projects primarily focused on implementing on-the-ground best management practices (BMPs) that will help protect or restore waters from sources of NPS pollution. All applications must include an on-the-ground project to implement NPS BMPs. As described below, applicants may also use up to 25 percent of requested federal funds to support other eligible project activities, including the development of a nine-element watershed-based plan (i.e., up to $31,250 of a $125,000 federal grant request). Tribal staff time supporting the implementation of NPS BMPs is not included in this 25 percent cap.

Examples of NPS BMPs and other project activities eligible to be funded under this RFA include, but are not limited to the following:

Examples of eligible NPS BMP implementation:

• Road stabilization/removal;
• Riparian planting;
• Streambank stabilization;
• Natural channel restoration;
• Low impact development/storm water management practices;
• Livestock exclusion fencing;
• Septic system rehabilitation; and
• Nutrient or grazing management practices.

Examples of other eligible project activities (up to 25% of requested federal funds):

• Development of a watershed-based plan;
• NPS ordinance development;
• Project monitoring (e.g., baseline monitoring and post-BMP implementation monitoring);
• Training which assists the applicant in developing NPS implementation projects; and
• NPS education and outreach relevant to successful implementation of NPS projects.