Federal money available for water pollution prevention projects
More than $1 million in federal funding grants is available through the Nevada Division of Environmental protection for projects that prevent or control non-point water pollution, the leading cause of poor water quality in Nevada.
Nonpoint source water pollution occurs when rain, snowmelt and irrigation water flows over developed or disturbed land, carrying with it contaminants including oil, sediment, pesticides, bacteria and nutrients. This contaminated water makes its way into Nevada’s waterways either directly or through storm drains.
“Pollution from nonpoint sources is a serious threat to our state’s water resources,” said Birgit Widegren, supervisor of NDEP’s Nonpoint Source Program. “We seek to reduce this threat by funding water quality protection projects throughout Nevada.”
Proposals will be accept by 5 p.m. Oct. 1 and must follow the guidelines for application outlined in the Request for Proposals, which is available for download at: http://ndep.nv.gov/bwqp/npsgwp.htm. State, local and tribal governments, nonprofit organizations and educational institutions are eligible to apply. A non-federal match (cash and/or in-kind) of at least 50 percent of the total project cost is required.
Examples of projects eligible for funding include:
— Water quality improvement projects;
— Implementation of Best Management Practices to protect water quality;
— Public education programs aimed at reducing NPS pollution;
— Implementation of Low Impact Development practices, and,
— Identified projects from an approved watershed implementation plan and/or Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) implementation plan.
Selected proposals will be awarded federal funds available under Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act, and will be administered by NDEP’s Nonpoint Source Program.
For information contact Birgit Widegren at (775) 687-9550 or Jason Kuchnicki at (775) 687-9450, or via email at bwidegren@ndep.nv.gov or jkuchnic@ndep.nv.gov.