The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is offering a combined $4.4 million in funding for watershed management planning and implementation projects. This initiative targets nonpoint source pollution, such as runoff from farms and urban areas, aiming to enhance water quality statewide. Eligible projects can include efforts like streambank stabilization, wetland restoration, and educational outreach. The funding opportunities are open to local governments, non-profit organizations, and other eligible applicants. Interested groups can apply through the Illinois EPA’s Nonpoint Source Grants webpage. The deadline and full criteria are available online, encouraging innovative solutions to some of Illinois’s most pressing water issues.
“Illinois EPA’s Section 319 program enables us to prioritize projects in areas where nonpoint source pollution is a significant cause of impairment in local watersheds,” said Acting Director Jennings. “Projects focused on the development of a watershed management plan, or the eventual implementation of such plans are essential to addressing and improving water quality throughout Illinois.”
The Notice of Funding Opportunities and additional information can be found on Illinois EPA’s Nonpoint Source Grants webpage. Applications for the Section 319(h) Grant program will be accepted through 1:00 PM (CDT) on July 23, 2025. Applicants must apply through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act Grantee Portal.
