Section 319 Nonpoint Source Fund. A 1986 state statute created the Centennial Clean Water Fund, which is financed primarily through taxes on tobacco products. In 1987, Congress established the State Revolving Fund, which provides low-interest loans to local governments and Native American tribes. In 1990, Congress created the Section 319 grant program to help states and communities manage nonpoint source pollution and improve and protect water quality. Nonpoint source pollution comes from multiple and diverse sources such as stormwater runoff, land development and gardening and agricultural practices.
Ecology is responsible for administering the grant and loan programs.
This year, local governments and Native American tribes requested more funding for more projects than ever before. Communities asked for nearly twice the amount of money available. However, those decisions must be made to meet the highest priority needs statewide with the available funds. Ecology evaluated each project based upon the community's water quality problem, solution or anticipated outcome to the problem and the adequacy of the project budget. The homes and businesses will be connected to the city's wastewater treatment plant.