Type of Assistance: Grant

Program Description: Section 319 of the 1987 federal Clean Water Act establishes a grant program to fund nonpoint source pollution management strategies. Arkansas receives annually approximately $3.8 million in federal funds from EPA, which Arkansas supplements with state funding. The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC) administers the Nonpoint Source Management program with an emphasis on funding best management practices in priority watersheds.

The project ideas must be proven and technically sound, as ANRC does not fund research or study projects under this grant. The by-products of any process must be accounted for and disposed of properly as part of the project. An additional condition is the process (equipment, installation, and implementation) must be economically feasible. Proposals are ranked not entirely true prioritization is based upon location priority watershed or not, cost benefit ratio, and potential load reduction from the implementation of BMPs, educational components, or demonstration according to the cost benefit ratio (environmental benefit versus the project cost). ANRC is currently considering a poultry litter anaerobic digester project. The anaerobic digester is one of several projects receiving consideration.

Requirements
Eligible agencies and organizations include:

•  state and local governments
•  interstate and intrastate agencies
•  non-profits
•  Federal agencies are not eligible

A 43 percent non-federal cost share of the total project costs is required.

An activity that requires a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit is not eligible.

Requests for grant applications are usually issued in the fall, with an application deadline in January.

For More Information: www.arkansaswater.org