Water quality impacts us all, from our drinking water supply, to recreation opportunities, and to local farm fields. Watershed planning is a way the state helps preserve and protect our local water quality. It is important enough that the state and the federal government have funding available to help local communities create watershed plans. This series discusses funding opportunities and how communities can be prepared and successful in their application processes.

This session, Nonpoint Source Pollution Control (Section 319) Grant funding with a touch of Watershed-based Planning, will provide an overview of Illinois EPA’s Section 319 grant program. Since 1992, Illinois EPA has awarded approximately $100 million in Section 319 grant funds to a variety of recipients. The next Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Section 319 program will soon be released. Grant funds will be available for nonpoint source pollution control projects throughout Illinois. The session will present information on nonpoint source pollution control, eligible applicants and projects; including watershed-based planning, best management practice implementation, outreach and education, and other eligible activities. This session will also provide an overview of watershed-based planning and implementation, which is the foundation and main priority for the Section 319 program. Presenters will also discuss tips for a more successful grant application. The session will conclude with a question and answer segment.

Christine Davis
Christine Davis is the manager for the Watershed Management Section of the Bureau of Water at Illinois EPA’s Springfield headquarters. The Watershed Management Section has voluntary and regulatory programs to help protect Illinois’ surface and groundwater resources. Davis routinely works with not-for-profit organizations and local governments to successfully implement site-specific and watershed-wide nonpoint source pollution control practices, projects and programs. Prior to working at Illinois EPA, Christine was a resource conservationist for the Macon, Sangamon, and Macoupin County Soil & Water Conservation Districts for more than eight years. 

David Souther
David Souther is an environmental protection specialist with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. He has been with the agency since 2020 in the Non-point Source unit of the Watershed Management Section in bureau of Water. David is a project manager with his unit and provides geographical information services (GIS) support within the BOW as well as participating in field work with the Surface Water Section. Prior to working for the agency he worked in the environmental sector as a biologist for ten years. Some of his work includes environmental monitoring, water quality monitoring along the Illinois River near Emiquon, Illinois Osprey Recovery program, bat and bird mortality studies, and wetland delineation.