Nonpoint source grant fundsSECTION 3:19 NONPOINT SOURCE GRANT FUNDS
PROJECT ELIGIBILITY
Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act authorizes the distribution of federal funds
for implementation of nonpoint source prevention and watershed restoration
activities as identified in the State of Texas Nonpoint Source Management
Program. Implementation activities proposed are subject to a 40 percent local
match on the part of the implementing entity.
A proposed project and its associated work plan must comply with each of the
following 319(h) program requirements:
• Project must address a water body, stream segment or aquifer included in
the 319 Nonpoint Source Assessment Report.
• Project includes implementation activities which will accomplish or support
State of Texas 311) Nonpoint Source Management Program objectives.
• Project includes a. quantifiable water quality goal.
• Project identifies the best management practices and other measures which
will be undertaken to reduce pollutant loadings resulting from the
constituent(s) designated in the State of Texas 319 NPS Assessment and
1998 303(d) Report.
• Project identifies programs (i.e. nonregulatory or regulatory programs for
enforcement, technical assistance, financial assistance, education, tra�ning,
technology transfer) to achieve implementation of best management
practices for the nonpoint source pollutant(s) of concern.
• Project contains :milestone schedules for 1) utilization of the program
implementation methods identified; and 2) implementation of the best
management practices.
PRIORITIZATION METHODOLOGY
Once a project proposal has satisfied the basic 319(h) program► requirements, it will be
rated on the criteria below and given a numerical score. There are a total of 100 points
possible. The TNRCC will recommend to the Environmental Protection Agency that
projects with the highest scores receive Section 319(h) funding.
SCORING CRITERIA
State Priority (10 points) Points awarded based upon which UWA category a targeted
waterbody resides as follows: `
Category I 10 points
Category II 8 points
Category III 5 points
Category IV 1 point
Priority Waterb (20 points) Points awarded upon the waterbody segment targeted by
the project and its overall ranking in the 1998 303(d) list as follows:
High 20 points
Medium 15 points
Low 10 points
Threatened 5 points
Potential Water Ouality Benefit (20 points) Points awarded based upon the potential of
the project to prevent or reduce nonpoint sources of pollution and their associated water
quality benefits.
Comprehensive Watershed Approach (15 points) Points awarded based upon the
degree to which the project addresses the most significant cause;(s) and sources of water
quality degradation within the watershed.
Institutionalized Program (10 points) Points awarded based on the likelihood a the
work continuing in the absence of federal funding assistance.
Project Coordination (10 points) Points awarded based on the extent of participation of
affected stakeholders and coordination between local, regional, ; state and federal partners.
Capacity of Pro osing Entity (10 points) Points awarded based on the feasibility of the
lead entity to fulfill all commitments specified in the project proposal.
Oualitv of Work Plan Proposal (5 points) Points awarded based upon the degree to
which the proposal format and content guidelines were followed.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING A SECTION 319(h) PROJECT
PROPOSAL
In order for the TNRCC and EPA to rank and select potential projects for funding, each
proposing entity will be required to complete a proposal which describes what the entity is going
to do; how the work is going to be done; it-ho will be doing the work; when the work will be
done; approximately hotiv much it will cost; and what it-ill be the desired environmental result(s)
or outcome(s) of the project. Successful proposers will be asked to complete a more
comprehensive work plan and scope of work-for later submission. Initial project proposals
should be no more than 3 pages in length (exclusive of attachments and illustrations) and
include the following information:
TITLE OF PROJECT: (Self: Explanatory) .
PROJECT LOCATION: River Basin: ( ) Hydrologic Unit Code: ( ) Segment: ( )
PROJECT PERIOD: Project should not extend beyond 8/31/2002.
WATERBODY TYPE: River ( ) Lake ( ) Wetland ( ) Ground Water ( ) Other ( )
PROBLEM DEFINITION: Describe the nature and extent of nonpoint source impairment in
the watershed and the location and size of the critical area(s) to be treated. (Maps may be
attached.)
PROJECT GOALS /OBJECTIVES: State what your ivater quality goals are, what you want to
accomplish, and how you will, meet your goals. For example: "Decrease urban runoff loads to
Crystal Creek by 40% by end of project term, using volunteer reduction in pesticide use;
installation of 14 BMPs within the 26 miles radius of Creek; and increase neighborhood
awareness of NPS pollution prevention and controlled pesticide use."
PROJECT TASKS: Discuss how you will accomplish the project objectives by describing the
location and type of BMPs to be implemented, the programs to be used to implement the BMPs
and a monitoring program to evaluate the effectiveness of the project in terms of achieving its
stated goals and objectives. For example: "City will target the residential and commerci4l
developments adjacent to the Creek; will install water quality BMPs; will monitor results using
City and volunteer staff; will also use staff and volunteers to educate and manage neighborhood
NPS Block Attack Program."
NPS CATEGORIES: Indicate the major source(s) of nonpoint source impairment that the
project addresses (i.e. Agriculture, Silviculture, Construction, Urban Runoff, Resource
Extraction, Land Disposal, Hy dromodification)
KEY PROJECT ACTIVITIES: These are the activities that you will implement in order to
meet the project goals. (Check all appropriate areas)
i
)Monitoring ( )Regulatory Assistance ( )Technical Assistance ( )Education
)BMP Implementation ( ) Financial Assistance ( )Training ( )Other
MEASURES OF SUCCESS: Describe how the State, EPA and the public will determine the
project's success in protecting or improving water quality. Include environmental indicators and
performance measures. For example: "Target goal is to install 14 BMPs, reduce load reductions
into Creek by roughly 40 %, adjacent golf course adopting recommended pesticide management
guidelines, 20% improvement per year in increased coordination efforts in neighborhood
landscape management."
PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Please identify the Lead Entity who will assume primary
responsiblity for implementation of the project. (Include name of contact person.) Also identify
the name of any Cooperative Entities or Agencies and their roles and responsibilities. Attach
letter(s) of support.
PROJECT COST: Complete the following budget categories:
Personnel/Salary $
Fringe Benefits
Travel
Supplies
Equipment
Contractual
Construction
Other
Total Direct Costs $
Indirect Costs
TOTAL COSTS $
(100 %)
Federal Share $ (60%) Non- Federal Share$ (40 %)
PROJECT MILESTONES: Include a schedule assigning dates for completion of the program
implementation methods and the best management practices identified under the project tasks.
a
y
PROPOSAL EXAMPLE
SECTION 3:19(h) NONPOINT SOURCE PROPOSAL
TITLE OF PROJECT: East Bouldin Creek Streambank Stabilization Project.
PROJECT LOCATION:
River Basin: Colorado
Hydrologic Unit Code: 12090206
Segment: 1429 - Town Lake
PROJECT PERIOD: June 1, 1997 to August 31, 1998
WATERBODY TYPE: River ( ) Lake (X) Wetland ( ) Ground Water ( ) Other ( )
NPS CATEGORY(IES): Urban Runoff
KEY PROJECT ACTIVITIES:
( )Monitoring ( )Regulatory Assistance ( X)Technical Assistance (X )Education
(X )BMP Implementation( ) Financial Assistance ( )Training ( )Other
PROBLEM DEFINITION:
East Bouldin Creek in Austin, Texas contains a significant amount of erosional problems. East
Bouldin Creek is a tributary of Town Lake which is listed on the State of Texas Nonpoint Source
Assessment Report as having known nonpoint source impacts from urban stormwater runoff.
This project will address one of the water quality concerns in this watershed by utilizing
biotechnical streambank stabilization to reduce sediment loadings. Current practice in the
Austin/Central Texas area is limited to gabions and concrete for channel stabilization with little
attention given to stream mechanics, habitat, aesthetics or cost reduction. To date, no engineering
firms or contractors in the Austin area have designed and installed a true biotechnical streambank
project due to a lack of knowledge or exposure to these techniques. This project will remedy that
deficiency and present an alternative to conventional structural best management practices for
erosion control.
PROJECT GOALS /OBJE,CTIVES:
The overall project objectives are:
• Increase the number of professionals competent in the design, installation and inspection
of successful biotechnical streambank engineering projects.
• Demonstrate biotechnical technology by stabilizing 450 ft of streambank along East
Bouldin Creek.
• Decrease sediment loading from bank erosion into East Bouldin Creek by 100 cubic yards
and increase vegetative cover on the project site by 50 %.
• Document and disseminate procedures for design and installation of biotechnical
streambank stabilization.
PROJECT TASKS:
The City of Austin Drainage Utility Department will conduct a biotechnical stabilization
educational workshop culminating in a demonstration project on East Bouldin
Creek.Biotechnical techniques employ vegetation, soils and structural elements in a matrix that
resist the erosive forces of high streamflows. The City of Austin will implement this technology
to decrease bank erosion on East Bouldin Creek. The benefits of biotechnical stabilization
measures include: 1) long -term erosion control which increases in strength as the vegetation
matures; 2) preventing downstream bank and bed scour which are often unintended
consequences of traditional erosion control solutions such as concrete and gabions; 3) increased
aquatic and terrestrial habitat due to establishment of native vegetation; 4) increased aesthetics
since native vegetation fits the character of parkland more closely than gabion baskets.
The City will first educate a core of professionals (contractors, design engineers and government
regulators) on biotechnical stabilization techniques for streambank erosion control through a
hands -on workshop. The workshop will provide instruction in design and installation of
streambank stabilization incorporating native riparian vegetation as an erosion control agent.
The vegetation acts in conjunction with geotextiles to promote bank stability, control surface
erosion, induce sediment deposition/trapping, provide aquatic and terrestrial habitat and increase
the aesthetic quality of the riparian zone.
The second objective of this project is to implement this technology on a segment of East
Bouldin Creek. City staff will design appropriate measures for stabilization of 250 ft of
streambank at Gillis city park as a demonstration site. Native vegetation, large rock and
geotextiles, will be used to stabilize eroding streambank at the park by City of Austin Erosion
Control staff and workshop participants working under the direction of a biotechnical consultant.
After the workshop, the city will apply biotechnical design and installation techniques to stabilize
an additional 200 ft of streambank upstream of the demonstration site. The city will videotape
the workshop and the biotechnical streambank stabilization activities. Copies of the videos will
be publicized and disseminated to interested parties for technology transfer.
MEASURES OF SUCCESS:
Expected water quality benefits from this project will be 1) increased number of professionals in
Austin competent in the design, installation and inspection of successful biotechnical streambank
engineering projects; 2)increased exposure of biotechnical stabilization as an effective, practical
measure for streambank erosion control; 3) decreased sediment loading from bank erosion into
East Bouldin Creek by 100 yd3; 4) 50% increased vegetative cover; 5) development of
permanent/reproducible video educational tool.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT:
The City of Austin Drainage Utility Department assumes primary responsibility for
implementing this project. Environmental Resources Management Division and Watershed
Enaineering Division will provide all staffing and equipment necessary for project coordination.
Contact Person: Mr. Joe Ellow, P.E.
(512) 2351 -9999
PROJECT COST:
Personnel/Salary
10,000
Fringe Benefits
2,100
Travel
registration list.
Supplies
2,000
Equipment
5,000 -
Contractual
'
Construction
Perform additional stabilization upstream c
Other
10,000
Total Direct Costs29,100
Indirect Costs 10,900
TOTAL COSTS $ 40,000
PROJECT MILESTONES:
Task No.
Deliverable
1
Conduct educational workshop and submit
Park ion site;
Stabiliank at
registration list.
2
Perform bioteclanical stabilization at Gillis
ambantion;
(1) Engineering; design plans, (2) 250 ft of
Gillis Park.
3
Perform additional stabilization upstream c
Engineering design plans, (2) 200 addition,
stabilized strearnbank at Gillis Park.
4
Videotape workshop and installation of strt
Submit 10 copies of edited videotapes.
5
Submit Final Report.
Due Date
handoAat
12/31/97
Park ion site;
Stabiliank at
12/31/97
f demite; (1)
�l ft of lly
12/ 31/97
s
ambantion;
03(01/98
8/31/98
NONPOINT SOURCE FUNDING SCHEDULE
Entities submit proposals to TNRCC
TNRCC submits draft work plans to EPA
EPA provides response to work plans
TNRCC submits final work plans and grant
application to EPA
EPA approves work plans and awards
grant funds
J- 0
December 1, 1998
January 16, 1999
February 13, 1999
March 13, 1999
April 17,1999
NONPOINT SOURCE WEB SITES OF INTEREST
1. Nonpoint Source Assessment Report
The Nonpoint Source 319(h) Assessment Report is the same as the State of Texas 303(d) list
prepared by the TNRCC. Waterbodies listed as NPS impacted are eligible for grant funding.
mrhttp: //home.tnrcc. state. tx. us /admin/topdoc/sfr /058 /index.htm]
2. Clean Water Action Plan Guidance
The following two web sites give additional information on the scope and intent of the
President's Clean Water Action Plan initiative as well as background information on Unified
Watershed Assessments:
cwhttp: // www. epa. gov / OWOW /NPS /Section3l9 /f`y99guid.html
owhttp: // www. epa. gov /cleanwater /uwafinal/uwa.html #V
3. Nonpoint Source Program, Clean Water Act, Section 319 Grants Guidance
This site has grant guidance issued in 1996 which has basic legal and program requirements still
relevant to funding of 319 grant projects.
orhttp: // www.epa.gov /OWOW/NPS /guide.html