Florida Section 319 and TMDL Grant Programs

1. Florida Section 319 and TMDL Grant Programs Heather Ritchie FDEP NPS Section Administrator Heather.ritchie@dep.state.fl.us (850) 245-8682 March 13, 2009

2. NonPoint Source Pollution is the biggest cause of water pollution in Florida. Reducing it is critical to restoring Florida’s impaired waters and meeting Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). The Problem…

3. Section 319 Nonpoint Source Grant Program is the largest grant program in EPA, National funding level of $199,278,000 (FY 07) for all 50 States and eligible Indian Tribes Part of the Solution ….

4. Florida receives the 4th largest 319 Grant award in the Nation • FY2009 expected award of $7,500,000 • Expect further reductions in coming years!

5. 319 Grant Basics… • Program is administered through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Bureau of Watershed Restoration with EPA Oversight • FDEP solicits, selects, and administers specific projects all over the State

6. 319 Grant Basics…continued • Grant period is four years • Funds expended on cost-reimbursement basis • 40% non-federal match required • Money / In kind services • Match can be counted up to one year prior to grant award

7. National Priorities • Watershed-based planning • Restoring impaired waters (303d list) • TMDL implementation • Protect threatened and good quality waters • Partnering with other programs • Measurable, documented results • Accountability for public funds • SPEND MONEY QUICKLY!!!

8. Who is eligible? • State and Local Governments • Water Management Districts and other agencies • Non-Profit Organizations • Colleges and Universities

9. Eligible Projects? • Must Address NPS, not just flooding! • Urban Stormwater Retrofits. • Septic Tank Pollution Abatement • Agricultural BMP Monitoring & Evaluation. • Silvicultural BMPs. • Erosion / Sediment Control. • NPS Education and BMP Training.

10. Eligible Uses? • 319$ for BMP implementation or construction. • Not for planning, engineering and design, general monitoring or land acquisition. • Cannot be used for “research” but can for BMP effectiveness evaluation. • Agricultural BMP Evaluation. • CANNOT be used for permit req actions.

11. Selection Criteria… • Eligible applicant, project type & use of funds. • Reduces pollutants in “Verified” TMDL impaired water (303d list). • Project in watershed management plan. • Cost-effective. • Project is innovative.

12. Selection Criteria…continued • Monitoring/evaluation component • Education component • Stormwater utility fee • Land ownership status • Funding partners and % match • Performance on previous projects • FDEP Best Professional Judgment

13. Not Likely to Be Selected

14. Lake Dot Alum injection Good Projects Baffle Boxes Sebastian Stormwater Park

15. What kind of projects do we like? • Projects with measurable results. • Projects with significant pollutant load reductions per 319 $ spent. • Projects that are managed well by the grantee and completed on time!!! • Treatment Trains

16. Conveyance and Pretreatment BMP TREATMENT TRAIN Runoff & Load Generation Additional Treatment & Attenuation Final Treatment and Attenuation Source controls Public ed Erosion control Roof runoff Florida Yards LID Storage tank Sediment sump Alum Swales Catch basins Filter inlets Oil/water separators Retention Detention Wetlands Alum

17. FY 2009 319 Grant Cycle • RFP in February, 2009 • Proposals due in May 2009 for FY 10 funds. • FDEP evaluates and selects in June-July. • Draft Work Plan due to EPA by September 30. • EPA awards funds in August 2010. • FDEP begins contracting Fall 2010 • Once contract executed, 319 funds can be expended.

18. Plan ahead… • Can take up to two years from application to ability to expend funds • Should be ready to spend funds when contract is executed. Have land acquisition & liability issues resolved. • Be prepared to document project construction and results • Finalize design and permitting prior to receiving 319 grant

19. Watershed Plans • EPA 319 grant funds are allocated in two parts – a Base program and an Incremental program • Over 50% of Florida’s grant award must go to implement the Incremental program • To be eligible for these funds a project must be implementing a “comprehensive watershed management plan” as defined by EPA

20. Watershed Plans Continued • All non-Incremental projects must compete for Base program funding • Funding for local projects is limited because program administration, erosion control program, FYN, other education & outreach programs are also funded from this pot

21. Comprehensive Watershed Plan • Plan must meet EPA nine elements: • Identification of causes & sources of impairment • Expected load reductions • Proposed management measures • Technical & financial assistance needs • Information, education & public participation • Implementation schedule • Measurable milestones • Load reduction evaluation criteria • Monitoring component • Elements can be met in a single plan or combined set of plans for a watershed (i.e local SW master plan + SWIM Plan)

22. For application and more info… http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/nonpoint/319h http://www.epa.gov/region4/water/nps Contact: Heather Ritchie (850)-245-8682 heather.ritchie@dep.state.fl.us

23. TMDL Grant Program • Funding provided through the Water Protection and Sustainability Trust Fund • Funds are available NOW for eligible projects

24. TMDL Grants • Similar eligibility and selection criteria • Project must improve a 303(d) listed waterbody • 50% match required • Projects ready or about ready to go to construction

25. TMDL Grants For application and more info… http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/watersheds/tmdl_grant.htm Contact: Godfather of Stormwater Eric Livingston (850)-245-8430 eric.livingston@dep.state.fl.us

26. Questions? By the way, today is my birthday!!