Nonpoint Source Grants
Section 319(h) Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Financial Assistance Program
Grants are available annually to local units of government and other organizations to protect water quality in Illinois. Projects must address water quality issues relating directly to nonpoint source pollution. Funds can be used for the development, update, and implementation of watershed-based management plans including the development of information/education programs and for the installation of best management practices.
Applicants must apply for a grant through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal, https://grants.illinois.gov/portal/. The FY 2025 Section 319 Notice of Funding Opportunities were released on May 30, 2025 with applications due by July 23, 2025 at 1:00 PM.
Illinois EPA receives these funds through Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act and administers the program within Illinois. The maximum funding award is 60 percent of the total project cost. The program period is two years unless otherwise approved. This is a reimbursement program.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
Section 319 Planning Notice of Funding Opportunity
and
Section 319 Implementation Notices of Funding Opportunity
Posted June 6, 2025
If you have any questions regarding the program or application, contact:
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Bureau of Water
Watershed Management Section
Nonpoint Source Unit
(217) 782-3362
epa.bowgrants@illinois.gov
Illinois EPA has annually has $4.75 million in funding through the release of two Section 319(h) Grant Program Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to address nonpoint source pollution. Illinois EPA will annually seek proposals for watershed-based planning projects and watershed-based plan implementation projects to prevent, eliminate, or reduce water quality impairments to Illinois' surface and groundwater resources.
Having Trouble Opening These Forms?: These forms must be opened using Acrobat Reader. If you click on one of these links and get a message that starts with "Please wait...", then your computer is trying to use the web browser rather than Acrobat Reader to open the file. In that case, do this:
- Right-click on the link and select "Save link as..." or "Save target as..." to save the file.
- Start Acrobat Reader.
- In Acrobat Reader's menu, select "File", then "Open" to open the saved file.
Application Assistance Resources
FY24 Presentation - Note, the funding opportunities are closed.