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The DNR offers Iowa groups looking to improve our state's streams, rivers and lakes the opportunity to apply for grants.
These grants allow groups, such as Soil and Water Conservation Districts and other organizations, to create watershed projects.
Watershed projects help individual Iowans make changes on the land in order to improve the quality of water entering our rivers, streams and lakes.
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The deadline to apply for fiscal year 2008 grant funding was April 1. Check back in January 2009 for our next round of applications.
About the grants
The DNR is able to provide these grants through funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The grants, made possible through Section 319 of the federal Clean Water Act, are often called "Section 319 Grants."
The DNR uses the EPA grant funds to support its watershed improvement program and to fund grants for watershed improvement projects throughout the state.
The DNR often partners with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service on these projects.
More about watershed funding
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One-on-one assistance available
The DNR is here to assist you as you consider applying for a Section 319 grant. Our staff welcome any questions and are available for one-on-one consultations.
Our staff includes:
Kyle Ament, project officer, (515) 242-6196, Kyle.Ament@dnr.iowa.gov
Rachel Glaza, project officer, (515) 281-8158, Rachel.Glaza@dnr.iowa.gov
Steve Hopkins, program coordinator, (515) 281-6402, Stephen.Hopkins@dnr.iowa.gov
For those looking for additional planning assistance, the DNR also offers watershed planning grants to help groups evaluate potential projects and develop watershed plans before applying for a Section 319 grant.
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The application deadline for FY 2008 Section 319 funding, Water Protection Funds (WPF) and/or Watershed Protection Program Funds (WSPF) has passed.
Please check back in January 2009 for FY 2009 info.
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Selecting grant recipients
The DNR is looking to fund watershed projects that will:
- Target improvement of impaired waters
- Target priority areas
- Measure the amount of pollution reduced in the watershed
- Reduce the amount of pollutants reaching waters
- Implement watershed-based plans
- Implement conservation practices based on water monitoring and/or a watershed assessment
Grant process timeline - Section 319 grants
- April 1, 2008 - applications due
- June 2008 - DNR finishes reviewing applications
- July 2008 - Applicants notified of project status (tentatively approved or denied)
- July 2008 - Approved applications submitted to EPA for approval
- September 2008 - EPA approves applications
- November 2008 - EPA awards funding to DNR
- January 2009 - DNR Environmental Protection Commission approves project contracts
- February/March 2009 - Funds available to approved projects.
DNR Contact
Steve Hopkins
DNR Nonpoint Source Program Coordinator
(515) 281-6402
Stephen.Hopkins@dnr.iowa.gov
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