Watershed protection takes funding as well as action. Financial assistance is available to help communities develop a comprehensive plan to help restore and protect waters that have been impaired or threatened by pollution. Financial resources are also available for the voluntary implementation of various planned activities, including land management practices to protect high quality resources or address water quality impairments or concerns. Listed below are some resources that can help:
Department Financial Assistance
- Section 319 Nonpoint Source Subgrants - Funding to help with watershed planning to address impaired waters and for implementing activities in accepted nine-element watershed based plans. These plans must have been accepted by both the department and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
- Section 604(b) Water Quality Management Planning Grant - Funding to carry out water quality management planning. Planning activities funded by a 604(b) grant include determining the nature, extent and causes of point and nonpoint source water pollution problems, and developing plans to resolve these problems.
- Soil and Water Conservation Cost-Share Practices - Cost-share program to help landowners install soil and water conservation practices on agricultural land, save soil from eroding and reduce nutrients and pesticides from entering Missouri’s waterways.
- State Revolving Fund (SRF) - The Clean Water SRF program provides low-interest loans and grants to Missouri communities for a wide range of water quality infrastructure projects. Similarly, the Drinking Water SRF program provides low-interest loans and grants to Missouri communities for a wide range of drinking water infrastructure projects. Both programs can be used to help address priority nonpoint source needs.
External Funding Opportunities
- Animal Waste Treatment Loan Program - Missouri Department of Agriculture program provides loans to help finance animal waste treatment systems for independent livestock and poultry producers at below conventional interest rates.
- Community Conservation Funding Opportunities - Missouri Department of Conservation offers communities and partners a number of grant and cost-share options to assist with everything from green development to wildlife habitat to enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities.
- Environmental Justice Grants - Federal funding through EPA, to support and empower communities as they develop and implement solutions that significantly address environmental or public health issues at the local level.
- Funding Resources for Watershed Protection and Restoration - A list of resources, provided by EPA, to help find grants, loans and cost-sharing opportunities.
- Natural Resource Conservation Programs - U.S. Department of Agriculture provides assistance and incentives for voluntary conservation practice implementation through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). They also have additional programs and initiatives for technical and financial assistance for agricultural producers and rural communities.
Tools
- Developing a Sustainable Finance Plan: EPA’s Watershed Academy training module to help watershed organizations increase their impact through financial planning and acquiring sustainable funding.
- Grant Writing Basics - Grants.gov community blog that shares tips for writing grant applications.