DEQ offers grants dispersed under federal Clean Water Act

| June 19, 2012 9:45 PM

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is issuing a Fiscal Year 2013 call for grant applications under Section 319(h) of the Federal Clean Water Act.

Section 319(h) are funds for projects which are distributed competitively to support the most effective and highest priority projects that address Non Point Source (NPS) water pollution.

There are two categories for competitive projects: Watershed Restoration and Education and Outreach.

DEQ is soliciting project proposals from eligible applicants to further Montana’s NPS Program.

Montana’s goal is to protect clean water and restore Montana’s waters that are impaired by NPS pollution and do not meet state water quality standards.

Protection of water that meets or exceeds standards is through the use of Best Management Practices and education and outreach activities.

Restoration of NPS-impaired waters is best accomplished by implementation of load reductions identified in “total maximum daily load” documents.

All applicants must complete and submit the project proposal form by Friday, July 27.

The final application form is due on Monday, Oct. 1, 2012.

Successful applicants will be announced after the 319 Agency Review Panel meets on Tuesday, Oct. 23.

The DEQ is also sponsoring a 319 grant workshop. The workshop is open to the public and anyone interested in submitting an application is encouraged to attend.

The workshop will be held on Tuesday, June 26, at the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks Montana Wild Facility (2668 Broadwater Avenue, Helena), at 9 a.m.

For more information on the 319 Call for Grants Applications, please contact: Robert Ray, Watershed Protection Section Manager, DEQ Planning, Prevention, and Assistance, at (406) 444-5319 or by e-mail at rray@mt.gov or visit the DEQ Website at www.deq.mt.gov.

The DEQ’s mission is to protect, sustain, and improve a clean and healthful environment to benefit present and future generations.

For more information on the 319 grant writing workshop or for persons with disabilities who need reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the workshop, please contact Laura Andersen at the Montana DEQ at (406) 444-0549.