Wash. removes match requirement for nonpoint source funding

Funding through the Department of Ecology’s 2024 Water Quality Combined Funding program no longer requires a 25% match, allowing more communities to obtain nonpoint project funding.

Sept. 12, 2022

2 min read

The Washington Department of Ecology has announced that it has removed the match requirement for its 2024 Water Quality Combined Funding program for nonpoint source pollution.

Previously, applicants were required to cover 25 percent of the project cost with non-Ecology funds as a match for Ecology grants. However, EPA’s National Nonpoint Program identifies match funding requirements as a barrier for some communities to obtain nonpoint project funding — especially for smaller and less resources communities.

The removal of this matching requirement in Washington aims to improve equity of access to grant funding and encourage projects from more organizations.

The department is also now accepting applications for the 2024 funding cycle from August 13 to October 12, 2022. The Department of Ecology webpage has more information about applying.

What kind of projects can be done with this funding?

Public entities including groups like conservation districts, non-profit organizations, local governments, or Universities can apply for this funding and use it for a variety of projects that improve water quality and reduce polluted runoff from streets, forests, and farms.

Ecology is especially interested in projects that have been identified from multi-stakeholder watershed planning efforts like TMDLs or Salmon Recovery plans. Specific projects within a watershed could include:

Riparian, floodplain, wetland, and stream restoration
Agricultural best management practices for water quality
Land acquisition
Pollution identification and correction (PIC)
Watershed planning
Other water quality related activities (monitoring, technical assistance, outreach, etc.)

Once Ecology receives applications, it ranks projects based on water quality benefit and readiness to proceed. The SFY2024 Funding Guidelines has more details on eligibility and evaluation criteria.

Organizations interested in submitting an application for this cycle, which ends by Oct. 12, can use the Applicant Prep Tool and Nonpoint Applicant Workshop Presentation get started.