Maryland Nonpoint Source Pollution Grant

The Maryland Department of the Environment administers the Nonpoint Source Program under Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act to address diffuse sources of water pollution across the state. As Maryland’s lead environmental regulatory agency, the Department is responsible for protecting and restoring the quality of the state’s air, land, water, and climate resources. Through the Section 319(h) program, the agency provides management and financial assistance to support projects that reduce nonpoint source pollution and improve water quality in rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands, coastal waters, and groundwater. The program aligns with broader state and federal water quality restoration efforts, including watershed implementation and Chesapeake Bay restoration initiatives. Nonpoint source pollution differs from pollution that originates from a single discharge pipe or point source. Instead, it results from rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground, collecting pollutants from agricultural lands, developed areas, construction sites, forestlands, and other landscapes. These pollutants may include fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, oil, grease, sediment, bacteria, nutrients, and chemicals. Because these pollutants originate from multiple diffuse sources, addressing them requires coordinated watershed-based planning, implementation of best management practices, and collaboration among state and local partners. The Section 319(h) grant program provides financial assistance to support activities that prevent, control, or remediate nonpoint source pollution. While specific funding amounts, award ceilings, and cost-share requirements are not detailed on the program summary page, the program is structured as a competitive Request for Proposals process tied to federal fiscal year allocations. Funded activities typically focus on water quality restoration, implementation of watershed plans, and pollution reduction practices consistent with state and federal nonpoint source management objectives. The program operates on a recurring annual cycle. The Request for Proposals for Federal Fiscal Year 2026 funding is closed. The next Request for Proposals for Federal Fiscal Year 2027 funding is scheduled to open on July 1, 2026. This indicates that the program follows a regular annual solicitation process aligned with the federal fiscal calendar. The official opening date marks the earliest point at which applications may be submitted for that funding cycle. Application submission requirements, evaluation criteria, award notification timelines, and performance periods are not described in detail on the summary page and are expected to be outlined in the formal Request for Proposals document when released. Prospective applicants should monitor the Maryland Department of the Environment website for the official FFY27 solicitation, which will include complete instructions, required components, eligibility details, and deadlines. As a state-administered federal pass-through program, the Section 319(h) grants support Maryland-based water quality improvement efforts and are designed to advance measurable environmental outcomes consistent with state water quality standards.