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$600,000 in Watershed Council Support Funding Announced - Free Webinar Offered

The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announces $600,000 in funding under the Watershed Council Support Program. Funds are available to support general organizational administration as well as conservation and educational activities. Watershed Councils and Watershed Alliances established under State law as well as local units of government, tribal entities, colleges, universities, and entities with 501(c)(3) status working to improve water quality on a watershed basis are eligible for this funding. Individual grants are capped at $40,000 and have a maximum one-year timeframe. No local match is required.

Funding priorities are projects that, in no particular order, will:

• Support capacity building or staff training within eligible grant entities.
• Purchase equipment and supplies to support new or existing water quality efforts.
• Develop proposals or proposal elements for other water quality funding opportunities.
• Update or develop elements of existing or new watershed management plans.
• Develop and distribute outreach materials using traditional and electronic formats.
• Translate and distribute environmental information to non-English speaking communities.
• Assess the feasibility of or result in the adoption of water quality ordinances.
• Demonstrate environmental justice as a project priority.
• Especially in environmental justice, marginalized, underserved, and or overburdened communities:
  • Make progress toward identifying and removing barriers to restoring and protecting water quality.
  • Support or expand existing water quality improvement efforts.
  • Enhance community outreach or community involvement.

Full details are included in the Request For Proposals posted on the Nonpoint Source Program website along with all required forms and instructions. Proposals are due on or before 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, 2023 and must be submitted via email to [email protected]. Selected projects will be awarded funding in the summer of 2023.

A webinar will be held Thursday, April 13, 2023, at 10:00 am to explain this funding opportunity.  EGLE staff will present details of the grant program, the application process, and to answer questions from the audience. The webinar is free, but registration is required.

Zoom Webinar Registration.

Additional information is available at the NPS Program page. Questions can be addressed to Bob Sweet (517-512-9765) or [email protected]) or to your local Nonpoint Source District staff.