TDA Now Accepting Water Quality Grant Proposals

-Funds support projects aimed at improving water quality and reducing pollution-

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is now accepting grant proposals for projects that will help improve water quality and reduce or eliminate nonpoint source pollution. The deadline for submitting grant proposals is Dec. 1. Proposals will be evaluated based on program goals and objectives, performance evaluation criteria and applicable EPA nonpoint source grant guidelines.  

“We’re able to make measurable improvements in water quality in watersheds across the state through the Nonpoint Source Pollution Program,” Agriculture Commissioner Julius Johnson said. “This is a great opportunity for local governments and other organizations to partner with us in addressing water quality issues in both our urban and rural communities.”

Local governments, regional agencies, public institutions, private nonprofit organizations and other state agencies are eligible to apply for federal dollars administered by TDA’s Water Resources office. Priority is given to projects that seek to make measurable improvements to waters known to be impaired by nonpoint source pollution.

Nonpoint source pollution is soil, urban runoff, fertilizers, chemicals and other contaminants that come from many different sources and degrades surface and groundwater quality. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation assesses water quality and compiles a list of impaired waters. The list can be found online at http://www.state.tn.us/environment/water/water-quality_publications.shtml.

Other priorities for funding include water quality related educational programs, projects that implement an approved Total Maximum Daily Load in a watershed area and projects that reduce urban runoff.

The FY 2014 Request for Proposals can be found online at http://www.TN.gov/agriculture/water/nps.html, or for more information contact TDA’s Nonpoint Pollution Program at 615-837-5306 or Sam.Marshall@TN.gov.