Authority and Administration
Under the Federal Clean Water Act Section §319(h) (leaving MDE), grant funds are available to reduce or eliminate water quality impairments that are associated nonpoint source pollution. In Maryland, the §319(h) Grant Program is administered by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE).
Entities Eligible for Funding
In Maryland, the opportunity for §319(h) funding is offered to local and State entities including county and municipal agencies, Soil Conservation Districts, State agencies and State institutions of higher learning, private firms, and nonprofit organizations. Projects may include subcontracts for private firms and nonprofit organizations for consulting, engineering, construction and other tasks. Project managers must ensure they have the capacity in grant management and funding, as §319(h) funding is a reimbursement style grant in Maryland which requires funding to be produced by the recipient prior to receiving grant money. Justification of capacity must be included in the proposal, and MDE may request further documentation or have additional oversight to ensure project completion if a project is selected.
Proposal Selection
Applications for FFY2026 funding are no longer being accepted. Selections for the FFY26 funding will be made in November 2025.
If you are interested in submitting a proposal for FFY27 funding, the RFP associated with FFY27 funding will be open in July 2026. If you have questions, contact Maryland's §319(h) Program at (410) 537-4437 or
[email protected].
Project Types
§319(h) Grant funds can pay for planning, design, construction, monitoring and analysis. However, the majority of §319(h) Grant funding in Maryland is intended for implementation of projects that will:
- Reduce or eliminate water quality impairments listed in the Maryland’s List of Impaired Water (303(d) List), particularly in watersheds where Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) have been approved; and
- Result in quantifiable or measurable improvements in water quality and habitat, including, pollutant load reductions for impairments addressed in TMDLs or identified in the 303(d) List.
Search for Maryland 319(h) Grant Projects - Public Information In National EPA “GRTS” Database (leaving MDE website)
Watershed Plan
Typically, a prerequisite for §319(h) funding of implementation projects (any project involving in-the-ground construction) is EPA acceptance of a watershed plan. Acceptance is based on meeting EPA’s criteria for watershed-based plans (Federal Register 10/23/03, page 60659). In Maryland, watershed plans are reviewed using a
spreadsheet created by EPA Region 3. By downloading this spreadsheet and using its elements as a guide while drafting a watershed plan, the likelihood of EPA acceptance can be improved.
For guidance on developing a watershed plan see, EPA's "Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters".
Watersheds In Maryland Eligible for §319(h) Grant Implementation Funding
Below are watershed plans that EPA have accepted. There are multiple links for each watershed. The webpage link provides local information and documents (leaves MDE website). The download links (PDF) provide a copy of the document (remains in MDE website). Please note, some of the files are large and may take some time to download.
Annual Reports
Older reports available upon request
Other Useful Links and Funding Sources
Contact Information
If you have questions, contact Maryland's §319 Program at (410) 537-4437 or
[email protected]
