TSSWCB requests proposals for watershed assessment
Oct 9, 2009 11:45 AM
The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board is requesting proposals for watershed assessment, planning, implementation, demonstration and education projects seeking funding under the FY2010 Clean Water Act 319(h) Nonpoint Source Grant Program. Proposed projects should focus on agricultural and/or silvicultural nonpoint source pollution prevention and abatement activities within the boundaries of impaired or threatened watersheds but may also include unimpaired watersheds.
The 2008 Texas Water Quality Inventory and 303(d) List describes the current water quality conditions for waterbodies in the state. All proposals must focus on the restoration and protection of water quality. Up to $2 million of the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board's FY2010 Clean Water Act §319(h) grant will be eligible for this request for proposals. Approximately $1.2 million will be targeted to implementation and education and $800,000 will be targeted to watershed planning and assessment. No more than 10% of this request for proposals may be utilized for groundwater projects. A competitive proposal process will be used so that the most appropriate and effective projects are selected for funding.
Specific activities that can be funded with §319(h) grants include the following: development of nine-element watershed protection plans including the formation and facilitation of stakeholder groups, surface water quality monitoring, data analysis and modeling, implementation of nine-element watershed protection plans and the nonpoint source portion of total maximum daily load implementation plans, demonstration of innovative best management practices, technical assistance to landowners for conservation planning, public outreach/education, and monitoring activities to determine the effectiveness of specific pollution prevention methods.
Project proposals should focus on water quality restoration, stress interagency coordination, demonstrate new or innovative technologies, use comprehensive strategies that have statewide applicability, and emphasize public participation.
Eligible organizations that may receive grant funding include public and private entities such as soil and water conservation districts, local municipal and county governments, and other political subdivisions of the State; educational institutions; non-profit organizations; and state and federal agencies.
To obtain a complete copy of the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board's request for proposals and proposal submission packet, please visit http://www.tsswcb.state.tx.us/managementprogram#rfp or contact TJ Helton at (254) 773-2250 ext. 234. Proposals must be received by 5:00 p.m. CST, Monday, November 16, 2009 to be considered for funding.
The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board is the lead agency for planning, implementing, and managing programs and practices for preventing and abating agricultural and silvicultural nonpoint sources of water pollution. The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board also coordinates the programs of the state's 216 soil and water conservation districts and administers the state brush control program.
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