319 Grant Program
Let's stop polluted runoff in Hawai’i, one project at a time
The 2026 Request for Proposals has been Posted!
The Hawaii Department of Health Surface Water Protection Branch is pleased to announce the posting of the 2026 Request for Proposals (RFP) for Watershed Implementation Projects (Solicitation No. SWPB-CAS-25-01). More information regarding this funding opportunity can be found within the RFP posted on the Hawaii Awards & Notices Data System (HANDS) website linked here: Hawaii Awards & Notices Data System. Please note that you may need to search for the RFP by solicitation number.
What is the Section 319 Grant Program?
Section 319 of the federal Clean Water Act establishes a grant program for projects aimed at restoring impaired waters, protecting high quality waters, and reducing nonpoint source pollution. Each year, the Environmental Protection Agency distributes funding to the State of Hawaiʻi to be administered by the Surface Water Protection Branch (SWPB). 319 Grant Projects are EPA-funded, SWPB-administered projects Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act allocates funds to states for nonprofits, community-based organizations, and other government agencies advancing watershed protection and restoration projects that reduce nonpoint source pollution.
To be eligible for funding, projects must be located in watersheds with approved Watershed Based Plans (WBPs). See the list of WBPs. These projects typically implement components of their respective WBPs to address unique geographical and community needs, in alignment with broader water protection goals.
Common projects include, but are not limited to:
- Installation of ungulate fencing to protect native forest areas from erosion
- Removal of invasive plant or animal species
- Planting of native plant species
- Creation of riparian barriers along agricultural lands
- Community education workshops and service days
Hawai’i 319 Grant Projects
View the 319 Grant Project Viewer in a new tab
Submitting a Proposal
The SWPB typically issues a Request for Proposals (RFP) on an annual basis to solicit qualified projects for grant funding.
Grant recipients must provide at least 30% of their award amount in matching funds or in-kind contributions from non-federal sources. To learn more about matching requirements for EPA grants, visit the Code of Federal Regulations EPA 40 CFR Ch.1 (7-1-98 Edition) §31.24: Matching or cost sharing (3pp, 22K) or contact the PRC Program.
Contact the SWPB at [email protected] or 808-586-4309 for more information about submitting grant proposals or to receive copies of more recent RFPs.
Interested in making a difference? Check out our 319 Project Success Stories to see what others are doing & take a look at our latest RFP.
