National Evaluation of the Clean Water Act Section 319 Program

Through this study, EPA developed a detailed understanding of the ways that states utilize the Clean Water Act (CWA) section 319 funding to implement successful state NPS programs. Beginning in 1999, when Congress nearly doubled 319 funding levels to $200 million, EPA has directed states to devote approximately one-half of the funds (referred to as “base”319 funds) to implement broad solutions to states’ NPS pollution problems and one-half (referred to as “incremental” 319 funds) to solve local water quality problems utilizing a watershed-based planning and implementation approach. A primary goal of this study was to gain a detailed, fact-based understanding of how states have used their base and incremental 319 funding. EPA’s conclusion is that, overall, these complementary approaches are critical to helping states restore NPS-impaired waters, as well as protect healthy waters from future impairment. 

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  • Clean Water Act Section 319 Program National Evaluation (PDF)(197 pp, 2 MB, November 2011)
    This national program evaluation was conducted by EPA to improve understanding of how states utilize and leverage their 319 funds to achieve nonpoint source management program goals and to identify opportunities for improvement of the 319 program.