TMDL Water Quality Restoration Grants
Annually, the state legislature provides funding for the
implementation of best management practices, such as regional
stormwater treatment facilities, designed to reduce pollutant loads
to impaired waters from urban stormwater discharges. This funding is
administered by the Department as the TMDL Water Quality Restoration
Grant, which is set out by rule in Chapter 62-305, F.A.C.
and authorized by Section 403.890(2), F.S.
The grant applications may be submitted at any time throughout the
year and are reviewed and ranked in March, July, and November annually.
Projects will be selected for grant funding based on these rankings and
the availability of funding. Projects not selected for funding will
remain in the pool of projects that will be ranked for one year from the
date of submittal.
Project Eligibility
Applicants are eligible for the TMDL Water Quality Restoration Grant
for the following types of projects:
- The project reduces stormwater pollutant loadings from
urban areas that discharge to waterbodies on the state’s
verified list of impaired waters.
- The project is at least at the 60% design phase.
- The project is permitted or the permit has been scheduled
for approval at the next meeting of the water management
district governing board or Department.
- The project includes storm event monitoring to determine the
actual load reduction.
- The construction will be completed within three years of
appropriation of the funds by the Legislature in order to ensure
fund remain available.
- The applicant provides a minimum of 50% of the total project
cost in matching funds, of which at least 25% are provided by
the local government.
- The grant funds are used for construction of best management
practices, monitoring to determine pollutant load reductions, or
public education activities specifically associated with the
project and may only occur after the date of contract. Funds
spent in advance of contract may be used for match, such as
design, land acquisition, and other costs incurred by the
applicant.
Project Ranking and Selection
The criteria for project evaluation and ranking include:
- Impairment status of the receiving water body
- Estimated load reduction of the pollutants of concern
- Percentage of local matching funds
- Cost effectiveness based on the cost per pound of Total
Nitrogen and/or Total Phosphorus removed per acre treated
- Inclusion of a robust educational component
- Whether the local government sponsor has implemented of a
dedicated funding source for stormwater management, such as
a stormwater utility fee
To apply for a grant, please submit a
TMDL Water Quality Restoration Grant application form
(MSWord format - 236 kb). Please be sure to read the instructions
and the
associated guidance to assure that the project description
complies with recent changes in state law. Applications are
continually accepted and projects are ranked in March, July, and
November. All applications should be submitted electronically to
Connie Becker,
Connie.L.Becker@dep.state.fl.us, 850-245-8505. For additional
information regarding TMDL Water Quality Restoration, you may
contact Lee Marchman,
Lee.Marchman@dep.state.fl.us,
850-245-8682. If you have additional questions about what you can do
to address nonpoint sources of pollution or additional funding
opportunities, please feel free to contact Connie Becker,
Connie.L.Becker@dep.state.fl.us,
850-245-8505. You may want to
review additional funding opportunities including the
Section 319 grant program and the
State
Revolving Fund.
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2012 State of Florida