1. TMDL Water Quality Restoration Grant, and State Revolving Funds Loans
Overview of the
EPA 319(h) Grant,
TMDL Water Quality Restoration Grant, and
State Revolving Funds Loans
This presentation will mainly cover programs managed by FDEP that
may be able to assist you in funding projects to implement the BMAP

2. Nonpoint Source Pollution Overview
Nonpoint source pollution is the biggest cause of water pollution in Florida.
Nonpoint sources include stormwater runoff from urban areas and agricultural operations, faulty septic tanks, and erosion.
Reducing it is critical to restoring Florida’s waters and meeting TMDLs and BMAPs.
Here are photos of Spoonbill Marsh in Indian River County an in-situ wetland system designed to treat brine concentrate and lagoon water to help achieve TMDLs for Indian River Lagoon. Spoonbill Marsh is designed to receive 1 million gallons of brine a day and mix it with 2.5 million gallons of lagoon water — a $51,500-a-year operation — then filter it through ponds, wetlands and mangroves, where nutrients would be absorbed by oysters and plants and other materials diluted before it flows into the lagoon.
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3. EPA 319(h) Grant Clean Water Act Federally Funded Grant
$160 million total
$5-6 million Florida (4%)
Nonpoint source pollution abatement
319 Program is administered through FDEP with EPA Oversight.
FDEP solicits, selects, and administers specific projects all over the State.
At least half of Florida’s funds must be used for projects.
FY 2014 National funding level of ~$164.5 million for all 50 States and eligible Indian Tribes
Florida receives ~4% of total 319(h) funds annually, typically between $5-6 million
Focus is on nonpoint source pollution abatement
Once stormwater enters a major conveyance system it is considered a point source and may not be eligible for the 319(h) Nonpoint Source Grant.
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4. 319(h) Cycle
PLAN AHEAD: Can take up to two years from application to ability to expend funds.
Have land acquisition & liability issues resolved.
When possible, finalize design and permitting prior to receiving 319 grant.
Be prepared to document project construction and results.
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5. 319(h) Timeframe Annual awards Project duration 3 years
Left-over funds – short turn around
Grants are awarded annually. A new grant cycle begins every year.
Project duration should be no longer than 3 years.
Periodically the Department sends out requests for applications in order to utilize leftover funds from earlier grant years (short term funds). The project timelines are much shorter for the short term funds.
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6. 319(h) Eligible Projects
The majority of funding is used to support the construction of stormwater treatment
facilities; however, funding has also been used for demonstration projects
(for agricultural and urban best management practices), training opportunities,
and education programs.
Septic Tank Pollution Abatement Projects: case by case basis for eligibility. Can include education on septic maintenance, inventory, enhancing septic systems with nutrient reduction components (acquiring easements may be needed for this).
Urban Stormwater Projects
BMP construction for stormwater treatment prior to entry into a major conveyance system
E.g., bioswales, wet detention ponds, low impact design, wetland restoration
Agricultural BMP Development, Monitoring &/or Evaluation
Low Impact Development
Septic Tank Pollution Abatement
There are limitations on the types of projects that are eligible.
Silvicultural Best Management Practices (BMPs)
Erosion / Sediment Control
NPS Education and BMP Training
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7. 319(h) Eligible Applicants
State agencies
Local governments
Colleges, Universities
Non-profit organizations
Public utilities
State water management districts
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8. 319(h) Evaluation Criteria
Emphasis is placed upon:
Project effectiveness monitoring
Implementing watershed plans
Addressing pollutants in impaired water bodies
Cost-effectiveness
Cooperative Projects
Use of innovative BMPs
Project-related public education
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9. 319(h) Funding Eligibility
319(h) Grant Funds
Eligible for funds:
Construction of Best Management Practices (BMP)
Monitoring
Public education
Not eligible for funds:
Design, engineering
Land acquisition
Activity required by a federal permit
While you are encouraged to seek out and obtain funding from all sources,
including federal sources, federal funding and other federal in-kind services
cannot be counted as match.  
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10. 319(h) Match Eligibility Match Expenditure Funds
Projects should include a minimum 40% non-federal match
Eligible for match: project construction, in-kind services, design, engineering, monitoring, public education.
Not eligible for match: alternative federal funding, land acquisition
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11. TMDL Water Quality Restoration Grant
State grant for projects that reduce pollutant loadings from urban areas
~$3 million annually
Schedule:
Projects are evaluated three times per year, March, July and November.
Eligible Applicants:
Local governments and state water management districts
Eligible Projects:
Urban stormwater BMPs
Set out by rule in Chapter , F.A.C and authorized by Section (2), F.S.
Applications can be submitted at any time and for more than one project and are evaluated in the next review period
Projects not selected for funding will remain in the pool for one year, two additional grant cycles.
Match funds can be expended as of July 1 of the grant year.
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12. TMDL Grant Project Requirements
Projects must be near the start of the construction phase.
Storm event monitoring is required to assess project effectiveness.
Project duration should be no more than 3 years.
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13. TMDL Grant Evaluation Criteria
Emphasis is placed upon:
Project Effectiveness Monitoring
Watershed Plan Implementation
Addressing Pollutants in Impaired Water Bodies
Cost-Effectiveness
Use of Innovative BMPs
Project-related Public Education
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14. TMDL Funding Eligibility
TMDL Grant Funds
Eligible for funds:
Construction
Project-related monitoring
Project-related public education
Not Eligible for funds:
Design, engineering
Land acquisition
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15. TMDL Match Eligibility
Match Expenditure funds
Match amount must be equal to or greater than grant amount.
At least 25% of the match must be provided by local government.
Eligible Match Activities: BMP construction, in-kind services, design, engineering, monitoring, public education, land acquisition
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16. Applying for 319(h) or TMDL Grant
Contact the Department to be put on the grant notification list.
Know the deadlines.
Submit a completed application to the Department.
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17. Clean Water State Revolving Fund
Florida’s largest financial assistance program for water infrastructure, capitalized by federal grants through EPA
Provides low-interest loans to local governments to plan, design, and build or upgrade stormwater and wastewater facilities
Certain agricultural best management practices may also qualify for funding.
~$200 million annually, with a $25 million segment cap
Revolves using state and federal appropriations, loan repayments, investment earnings, and bond proceeds.
Interest rates on loans are below market rates and vary based on the economic wherewithal of the community
The highest priority of the program is to protect public health and the environment.
Projects that can document either of these outcomes will eventually be funded.
Historically, loans have been primarily for wastewater projects, but have had many
successful stormwater projects. Only two non-point source projects have been funded to date.
BMAPs are a new tool they plan to use for this documentation;
Assisting system in correcting a compliance issue is also a priority.
Whatever is fund, they must always ensure the perpetuity of the funds,
so it is important to provide adequate documentation on how the loan is to be repaid.
Generally, you must be a local government to be eligible for the CWSRF.
Non-point source and estuary projects can be private, but the revenue source
to repay the loan must still be demonstrated.
Program Goals:
Protect public health, water quality, and promote alternative water supply projects.
Assist local communities in correcting non-compliance.
Facilitate small community projects that might not otherwise be built.
Assure perpetuity of the funds.
Term Length = Useful life of the project.
10 years for non-governmental sponsors.
20 years for a local government.
30 years for financial hardship communities (Affordability Index less than 100).
Repayment begins six months after project work is scheduled for completion.
Payback consists of equal semiannual repayments.
A dedicated revenue source to repay the loan is required.
Excess revenue, debt service reserve and other loan security features may vary depending on the source and predictability of the pledged revenue.
Eligible Project Types (Plan/Design/Build/Upgrade):
Wastewater, Reuse, Stormwater, Non-point Source Pollution Control, and Estuary Facilities
Certain agricultural best management practices may qualify for funding.
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18. Small Community Wastewater Facilities Grants
Funded with Legislative Appropriations and ½ of the interest from loan repayments
Designed to work hand-in-hand with the Clean Water SRF program and to subsidize the sponsor’s loan repayments.
Provides grants to fund the construction of wastewater facilities:
Must be in Incorporated municipalities with 10,000 or fewer people, and
Per capita income levels below Florida’s average per capita income.
A local match is required.
Highly competitive.
Generally, projects get a CWSRF loan and the grant provides a subsidy to the loan. If the sponsor chooses not to go through the loan process, the local share must come from the municipalities own funds.
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19. Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
Provides low-interest loans to local governments and certain private utilities to plan, design, and build or upgrade drinking water systems.
~$70 million annually, with a $20 million segment cap
Discounted assistance for small communities may be available
Interest rates on loans are typically 40% below market rates
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20. For More Information FDEP 319 Grant:
Kate Brackett, ,
FDEP TMDL Grant:
Katie Britt, ,
FDEP State Revolving Funds:
Clean Water Loan, Wastewater Facilities Grant:
Tim Banks, ,
Drinking Water Loan:
Paul Brandl, ,
Water Project Funding in Florida:
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21. Questions?
Are there any questions?
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