Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2026 Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 319(h) Grant

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is seeking grant applications for the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2026 Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 319(h) Nonpoint Source (NPS) Grant Program. This competitive grant opportunity aims to fund watershed protection and water quality improvement projects within Texas, with a focus on reducing nonpoint source pollution. Eligible activities include developing watershed protection plans, implementing best management practices, conducting water quality monitoring, performing stakeholder coordination, and remediating on-site sewage facilities. The grant application period opens May 1, 2025, with questions due by May 22, 2025, and full applications due by June 27, 2025. Anticipated project selections will occur in November 2025, with project commencement scheduled for September 1, 2026, and a three-year project duration until August 31, 2029. Evaluation criteria will emphasize potential water quality improvements, stakeholder involvement, implementation of pollution reduction strategies, and alignment with EPA-approved Watershed Protection Plans. Applicants must provide comprehensive project descriptions, environmental goals, management measures, and load reduction estimates, along with detailed documentation including project maps and partner commitment letters.

The grant opportunity is open to state agencies, political subdivisions of Texas, and nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, with no specific set-aside designations mentioned. The funding structure requires 60% federal funds and 40% non-federal matching funds, with recently awarded projects ranging from $60,000 to $480,000 in federal dollars and total project costs between $100,000 and $800,000. Matching funds cannot originate from federal sources and must be available by the second quarter of the project. Applicants must comply with various requirements, including Title VI compliance, Build America Buy America Act provisions, and quality assurance project plan (QAPP) standards. The grant follows a reimbursement model, with invoices requiring the 40% match. Eligible project types are specifically focused on watershed protection within the Texas Coastal Zone, prioritizing projects that implement EPA-approved Watershed Protection Plans and address water quality impairments in CWA 303(d) listed waters. The program emphasizes on-the-ground implementation of pollution reduction strategies and measurable environmental improvements.