This agreement provides support to the state of south dakota to implement its nonpoint source management program, focusing on watersheds with water quality impairments caused by polluted runoff from…

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8 awarded the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources $4,396,667 under the Nonpoint Source Implementation Grants program (CFDA 66.460) on October 1, 2025, to implement nonpoint source pollution management activities through October 1, 2030. The grant supports four primary watershed-based projects designed to reduce water quality impairments caused by polluted runoff. These initiatives encompass structural and non-structural best management practices (BMPs), watershed planning and monitoring, technology demonstrations, and education/outreach programs targeting pollutants including E. coli, total suspended solids (TSS), fecal coliform bacteria, nutrients, and sediment loads across multiple South Dakota watersheds.

The four primary projects delivered through sub-awards to local implementing partners include: (1) the Belle Fourche River Watershed Partnership's implementation of BMPs such as irrigation sprinkler systems, grazing management, and riparian improvements to address seven total maximum daily loads (TMDLs); (2) the Big Sioux River Watershed Project (Segment 5) led by Minnehaha Conservation District, a multi-year TMDL implementation strategy addressing TSS, dissolved oxygen, and bacterial impairments; (3) the Prairie Coteau Watershed Improvement and Protection Project administered by Day County Conservation District, combining two locally-led initiatives focused on protecting glacial lakes, streams, and rivers in northeast South Dakota; and (4) the Rapid Creek Watershed Project (Segment 1) implemented by West Dakota Water Development District, emphasizing erosion control, stream restoration, and riparian health BMPs in the Black Hills region, supported by public outreach workshops and field demonstrations.

This agreement provides support to the state of south dakota to implement its nonpoint source management program, focusing on watersheds with water quality impairments caused by polluted runoff from nonpoint sources. Nonpoint source implementation projects include a variety of structural and non-structural best management practices (bmps), watershed planning, monitoring, technology demonstrations, and a variety of education/outreach programs.activities:the proposed work in this agreement includes the following four projects: 1)the belle fourche river watershed partnership which will continue implementing bmps that reduce e. Coli and TSS pollutants. 2)the big sioux river watershed project is a multiyear tmdl implementation strategy that will be completed in multiple segments. The project will restore and/or maintain the water quality of the big sioux river and its tributaries to meet the designated beneficial uses. 3) the prairie coteau watershed improvement and protection project . Where the goal is to protect and improve the water quality of northeast south dakota glacial lakes, streams, and rivers by implementing conservation practices that reduce the amount of fecal coliform bacteria, nutrients, and sediment loads entering project water bodies, maintaining their assigned beneficial uses, and to build on previous efforts and protect water quality improvements realized from previous implementation projects and segments.4) the rapid creek watershed project segment 1 where the goal is to protect and improve water quality through planning and implementation of erosion control, stream restoration, and soil and riparian health best management practices (bmps) in the rapid creek watershed located in the black hills of south dakota. Subrecipient:subaward activities to be implemented include efforts to improve impaired water and protect unimpaired waters across the state of south dakota through two projects. Subawards include:1) rapid creek watershed project segment 1- the project will implement bmps to address protection of nonimpaired waters in the rapid creek watershed, 2) prairie coteau watershed improvement and protection project - segment 1 - amendment 2- the project will implement bmps that reduce fecal coliform bacteria, nutrients and sediment entering the waterbody, 3) big sioux river project - segment 5,- this project aims to reduce loadings from soil erosion, animal feeding operations, damaged riparian areas, and expanding ongoing project activities from TSS, dissolved oxygen and/or bacteria. 4) belle fourche rier watershed management and project implementation plan segment 11- the project will implement bmps including : (1) installing irrigation sprinkler systems, (2) implementing riparian and range grazing management systems, (3) installing riparian/bank stability improvements, (4) implementing improved cropping systems, (5) improving and/or relocating livestock feeding areas. Outcomes:the anticipated deliverables and expected outcomes include project designs, monitoring reports, project construction completion reports, and water quality improvement from nutrient, bacteria, and sediment load reductions. See project workplans attached in SEC. M for more details on deliverables and project load reductions. Direct beneficiaries of this program include all state residents and occupants, both permanent and temporary.