Iowa agencies and organizations are invited to submit watershed-based water quality project applications for Section 319 funding from the DNR Watershed Improvement Program.

While the DNR does not offer a formal pre-application process, our staff is available to answer questions or for one-on-one consultations. Regional Watershed Coordinators can also assist with project development and assuring that proposed watershed-based projects are compatible with Section 319 grant requirements.

Please note there is no form to fill out for a project application. However, there is guidance regarding requirements of the Section 319 program and information that must be included in project applications. Please carefully read all guidance, as there have been significant changes from past years.

Specifically:

• Targeting Impaired Waters: Of the Section 319 funds Iowa receives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), roughly half will be targeted for waters included in the Section 303(d) list of impaired waters submitted to EPA for approval (category 5a and 5b of Iowa's Integrated Report) from these years:
  • FY2004 (final list)
  • FY2006 (final list)
  • FY2008 (draft or final list)
  In addition, priority will be given to applications addressing a waterbody for which a water quality improvement plan (TMDL) has been completed (category 4a of Iowa's Integrated Report) or is currently being developed.
  Find waterbodies eligible for 319 grants
  
  
• Measuring Load Reductions: EPA requires states to improve the performance and accountability of the Section 319 program. Those projects receiving FY2009 Section 319 funding will be required to provide additional data as part of the annual reports to measure reductions in pollutant loading, specifically sediment and nutrients, resulting from conservation practice implementations.
  Additional guidance on measuring pollutant loading (attachment 8) (*.pdf)
  
  
• EPA Required Elements: EPA requires projects receiving Section 319 funding to include required elements, whether they are designed to protect unimpaired waters, restore impaired waters or both.
  Explanation of elements, required table for application (attachment 9) (*.pdf)
  
  
• Watershed Management Plans: A requirement for the FY2009 Section 319 grant cycle is the development of a watershed management plan, in accordance with the required EPA elements outlined in attachment 8. This grant cycle, the watershed management plan is not required to be submitted with the application. However, applications that are approved by DNR will be required to develop a watershed management plan prior to receiving their grant award. Please be aware that watershed management plans will be an eligibility requirement next year for the 2010 grant cycle.
  Additional WMP information (attachment 10) (*.pdf)
  Sample WMP (*.pdf)
  
  
• Water Quality Monitoring: EPA requires that water quality monitoring be a component of all new watershed-based projects targeting impaired waters. The DNR Section 319 program has set aside funding for water monitoring and will work with new watershed-based projects to develop a water monitoring plan. Therefore, applications for new watershed projects on the (303d) impaired waters list do not need to include a budget or plan for water monitoring, as this component will be coordinated by DNR.
  
  
• Eligibility for Projects within Designated Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4)
  Guidance on Section 319 Grant Funding for MS4s (*.pdf)

To be considered for funding, submit all applications to DNR by April 1, 2009.

Where to mail:
Please send 16 hard copies along with one electronic copy on a Compact Disc (CD) to:
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Wallace State Office Building
502 E. 9th St.
Des Moines, IA 50319
attn: Steve Hopkins, DNR

Who to contact
The DNR is here to assist you as you consider applying for a Section 319 grant. Our staff welcome any questions and are available for one-on-one consultations. Our staff includes:

Kyle Ament, project officer, (515) 242-6196, Kyle.Ament@dnr.iowa.gov

Rachel Glaza, project officer, (515) 281-8158, Rachel.Glaza@dnr.iowa.gov

Steve Hopkins, program coordinator, (515) 281-6402, Stephen.Hopkins@dnr.iowa.gov

Application materials
Following is a list of the application materials. Please read all applicable attachments before preparing a project application:

Attachment	Title	PDF	Word	Excel
	Request for Applications
1	Guidance for Developing FY2009 Project Applications for the Section 319 Program
2	Required Application Cover Sheet - Iowa Water Quality/Watershed Protection Project
3	Outline for Watershed Improvement Applications
4	General Budget Sheets
5	Detailed Budget Sheets
6	Section 319 Project Application Evaluation Criteria
7	Information about the Section 319 Grant Program
8	Accountability, Measuring Results and Reporting
9	Elements of a Watershed Based Plan
10	Watershed Management Plan Summary

Grant process timeline - Section 319 grants (*.pdf)

DNR Contact
Steve Hopkins
DNR Watershed Improvement Program Grants Coordinator
(515) 281-6402
Stephen.Hopkins@dnr.iowa.gov