CWA §319 Grant: Current Guidance

Clean Water Act Section 319(h) funds are provided only to designated state and tribal agencies to implement their approved nonpoint source management programs. State and tribal nonpoint source programs include a variety of components, including technical assistance, financial assistance, education, training, technology transfer, demonstration projects, and regulatory programs. Each year, EPA awards Section 319(h) funds to states in accordance with a state-by-state allocation formula that EPA has developed in consultation with the states.

Section 319(h) funding decisions are made by the states. States submit their proposed funding plans to EPA. If a state’s funding plan is consistent with grant eligibility requirements and procedures, EPA then awards the funds to the state.

For state-specific application information, please contact your state NPS coordinator. 

• Nonpoint Source Program and Grants Guidelines for States and Territories (pdf) (3.93 MB, May 4, 2024, EPA 841-R-24-009)
  These guidelines apply to grants made with funds appropriated by Congress under Section 319 of the CWA in Fiscal Year 2025 and subsequent years. They replace the Nonpoint Source Program and Grants Guidelines for States and Territories that have been in effect since the FY 2014 grant cycle (hereinafter referred to as the “2014 guidelines”).
  • The response to public comment document can be found on the Guidelines Update page.
  • Reference Materials for the 2024 Guidelines can be found in the Federal Register Docket under Docket Number: EPA-HQ-OW-2024-0206
• Section 319 Grants Streamlining Policy and Program Expectations for Expenditure of Funds (pdf) (154.3 KB)
  This May 9, 2013 memorandum issues guidance on grants streamlining specific to the national Clean Water Act §319 Nonpoint Source program and provides national program expectations regarding the rate of expenditure of funds by the states.

Additional Resources and Information:

Questions and Answers related to the updated guidelines and other programmatic or administrative procedures are updated periodically.