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Funds available for watershed restoration projects

Goal is to reduce and prevent runoff pollution

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Funding is available for projects that help clean up polluted streams, rivers, lakes and groundwater and for projects that protect water resources. The funds can be used for watershed restoration projects, watershed plan development, and other projects that reduce and prevent runoff pollution.

Runoff pollution, also known as nonpoint source pollution (NPS), is the number one contributor to water pollution in Kentucky, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the impaired rivers, streams and lakes in the state. Runoff pollution occurs when water runs across the land and carries sediment, nutrients, pesticides, metals, and waste into streams, rivers, and groundwater.

Each year, federal funding is provided to The Kentucky Division of Water’s Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act. These funds can be used to pay for up to 60-percent of the cost of each project, with a required 40-percent non-federal match.

The Division of Water gives priority to projects involving watershed plan development and implementation for impaired waters, source-water protection areas, and the protection of special use waters (e.g., cold-water aquatic habitat, exceptional waters, state wild rivers and federal wild and scenic rivers) with identified threats. To determine stream designations in your area, see http://watermaps.ky.gov/WaterHealthPortal/.

To be considered for these competitive funds, a project proposal must be submitted by March 8, 2019. Nonpoint source program staff will review the project proposals and rank them according to eligibility and priority criteria to determine if they warrant further consideration and formal applications.

The project proposal form, along with supporting documents, can be found at http://water.ky.gov/Funding/Pages/NonpointSource.aspx. Proposals may also be submitted throughout the year for NPS program staff review and consideration for a future grant cycle.