Nonpoint Source Grant Program

The 2026 Nonpoint Source Grant Program is administered by the State Water Resources Control Board with funding from the United States Environmental Protection Agency under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, with possible passthrough funds from Section 604(b). The program is designed to address nonpoint source pollution such as sediment, pesticides, and nutrients that affect waters of the state, particularly in priority watersheds identified by the Regional Water Quality Control Boards. In fiscal year 2026-2027, the State anticipates awarding approximately $3 to $4 million in grants, with additional funds potentially available from previous unencumbered grant years. The program emphasizes improving impaired waters, protecting high-quality waters, and supporting fire-damaged landscape recovery. Applicants can submit proposals for both planning and implementation projects. At least 75 percent of funding is earmarked for implementation activities, which include the installation of management practices, finalizing design plans, securing permits, conducting monitoring and reporting, and education or outreach efforts related to implementation. Planning projects are eligible if they contribute to future implementation work and may be funded with Clean Water Act 604(b) funds. A proposal may include both planning and implementation components, but planning activities cannot exceed 25 percent of the total budget and must be tracked separately. Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, federally recognized tribes, and federal, state, local, or other public agencies or public colleges. Federally recognized tribes must provide a limited waiver of sovereign immunity for eligibility. Private entities other than 501(c)(3) organizations, projects fulfilling enforcement obligations, projects tied to cannabis production, and those that directly implement National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements are ineligible. Projects that are solely educational, research-focused, or required by stormwater permits are also excluded. Funding requests must range between $250,000 and $1,000,000 for implementation projects, though exceptions up to $1,500,000 may be approved. Planning proposals must request between $50,000 and $250,000. Implementation project timelines cannot extend beyond August 2030, while planning projects must end no later than February 2029. Matching funds are required for most implementation projects, amounting to at least 25 percent of the project cost, unless a waiver is granted. Post-fire recovery projects are eligible without a matching requirement. All applicants must consult with their Regional Water Board Grant Coordinator before submission. Applications are submitted through the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST) system at https://faast.waterboards.ca.gov/. The State Water Board expects to release a solicitation for proposals around September 16, 2025, with a submission deadline specified in the solicitation notice. Proposals include a detailed project narrative, scope of work, budget, schedule, watershed-based plan verification, and required environmental documentation. Attachments include project maps, performance measures, and match commitment forms. Applications that do not meet minimum eligibility criteria or fail to submit complete proposals will not be considered. The evaluation process includes an initial eligibility check followed by review from a panel comprising staff from the State and Regional Water Boards and the U.S. EPA. Proposals are scored based on project description, watershed context, watershed-based planning, site selection, relationship to water quality, management practices, team qualifications, project management, cost-effectiveness, funding match, readiness to proceed, resilience to severe weather events, adaptability, and alignment with the Human Right to Water. Proposals addressing disadvantaged communities or incorporating multiple local efforts receive additional consideration. Final selections are approved by the State Water Board Executive Director, and award announcements are expected by May 2026. Successful applicants will collaborate with Regional Water Board coordinators and State Water Board staff to finalize grant agreements. Costs are reimbursed only for work completed within the terms of the agreement. Indirect cost rates must be federally negotiated or capped at 15 percent of modified total direct costs. Grant recipients are also subject to federal and state compliance requirements, including prevailing wage rules, competitive bidding, disadvantaged business enterprise participation, and Build America Buy America provisions. U.S. EPA has final approval authority for all projects funded under Section 319.

Consult with Regional Water Board coordinators, provide clear scope and detailed budget, track planning vs implementation costs separately, demonstrate readiness, secure match before submission.