The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) is now accepting grant proposals for projects that will help improve water quality and reduce or eliminate nonpoint source pollution.

"Keeping Tennessee's waterways clean and healthy will benefit our citizens for years to come," Agriculture Commissioner Jai Templeton said. "The Nonpoint Source Program is a significant tool at our disposal in the fight to reduce the amount of pollutants that enter our state's waters. We encourage those who are eligible to submit project proposals for funding."

Nonpoint source pollution is soil, urban runoff, fertilizers, chemicals, and other contaminants that degrade surface and groundwater quality. The Nonpoint Source Program was created in 1987 as part of the Clean Water Act and provides funding to states to stop nonpoint source pollution.

Local governments, regional and state agencies, public institutions, and private nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for those federal dollars administered by TDA's Land and Water Stewardship Section. Highest priority is given to projects that seek to make measurable improvements to waters impaired by nonpoint source pollution. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation assesses water quality.

The deadline for submitting grant proposals is Dec. 1. Proposals will be evaluated based on program goals and objectives, performance evaluation criteria, and applicable EPA nonpoint source grant guidelines. Other priorities for funding include water quality related educational projects and projects that aim to protect threatened waters.

A list of impaired waters and the FY 2019 Request for Proposals can be found at www.tn.gov/agriculture/farms/conservation/nonpoint-source-program_rd.html. For more information, contact Sam Marshall at 615-837-5306 orsam.marshall@tn.gov.