Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) recently announced that $1.7 million in grant funds is available to eligible individuals, nonprofits, municipalities and other entities with projects aimed at protecting the health of Arizona’s water systems.
Ventures designed to make on-the-ground water quality improvements in specific target areas are encouraged to apply for funding. High-priority zones are identified as Granite Creek near Prescott, Oak Creek near Sedona, San Francisco River near Clifton and San Pedro River near St. David.
“Our experience has shown that applying proven management techniques through a community-based approach is highly effective in protecting Arizona’s precious waters as well as making progress toward restoring areas of concern to healthy conditions for future generations,” ADEQ Water Quality Division Director Trevor Baggiore said.
Projects should focus on reducing nonpoint source pollution caused by runoff.
Approximately $1-2 million is available for funding during each grant cycle. There is no restriction on the amount of funds that can be requested by or awarded to a single project, but all project costs must be commensurate with appropriate and measurable water quality benefits.
Preproposal applications are due by 3 p.m. Jan. 15 with final applications to be entered by Feb. 12. ADEQ plans to announce grant winners in May 2016.