General Nonpoint Source

The General Nonpoint Source program offers communities affordable financing for a variety of nonpoint source water quality projects.

SPECIAL PURPOSE FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Stormwater Wetland, Des Moines, Iowa.

Visit cleanwateriowa.org/urban for more examples of eligible nonpoint source projects.

During SFY 2025, the SRF Program will be offering a competitive nonpoint source funding incentive to encourage implementation of locally directed, water quality improvement projects.

Funding Opportunity:
Direct loans will be offered to eligible applicants at 0% interest for up to $500,000 per GNS project. Loan amounts can be up to 100% of the project costs with no limitation on total project amounts and project costs above $500,000 will be funded at the current SRF interest rate. This incentive will be available on a first come, first-funded basis until all available funding has been obligated. Projects can be co-funded with other federal and non-federal funding sources.

Eligibility Requirements:
Applications will be scored based on the evaluation factors described in the General Nonpoint Source Application Instructions. Projects scoring a minimum of 10 points out of 20 may be offered special purpose funds.

Eligible Borrowers:
Public entities with the ability to issue a bond or another funding source available to repay a CWSRF loan are eligible. Borrowers must be an owner of record or demonstrate long-term control of the project area.

Application:
Prior to submitting an application, a pre-application meeting with DNR, the applicant, a technical advisor (e.g. Urban Conservationist) and the design engineer is required. To prepare for the pre-application meeting download and review the General Nonpoint Source application and associated Instructions linked in the Application Information section below. After the pre-application meeting submit the application package by the next IUP quarterly deadline.

Timeline:
Applications are due on the first of March, June, September and December. Six to eight weeks after each quarterly IUP deadline the applicant will be emailed a notice of funding approval which includes the application score, the assigned DNR Project Manager, and the date their project will be included in the DRAFT IUP to be reviewed by the Environmental Protection Commission (EPC). See SFY 2025 IUP deadlines and EPC review schedule on the SRF website.

Projects that are issued an Eligibility Letter within 18 months of project approval by the EPC will receive incentive funds when the applicant locks their interest rate.

Eligible Projects

Example of eligible projects include but are not limited to the following:

Stream stabilization
Permeable pavers
Bioretention Cells
Stormwater wetland construction or retrofit
Landfill closure
Remediation of underground or aboveground storage tanks

Eligible Applicants

Applicant must be an owner of record or demonstrate long-term control of the project area
Applicant must have a funding source for repayment of a CWSRF loan and the ability to issue a bond

Loan Terms

Loan amount can be up to 100% of the project costs
No minimum or maximum loan amount
Loan terms can be up to 20 years

GNS Intended Use Plan Application and Project Review Process

Pre-application consultation
1. Prior to applying contact the DNR SRF Nonpoint Source Program Manager at srf@dnr.iowa.gov to discuss project eligibility for the GNS program, application process and project timeline.
2. A pre-application consultation with the GNS project manager, technical advisor (TA) and the design engineer should occur prior to submitting the application. The pre-application consultation should ideally occur at least 10 business days prior to the quarterly IUP submission deadline.
3. A site visit to the proposed project area is also recommended to occur prior to submitting the application.
Submit a General Nonpoint Source application to SRF-IUP@iowa.dnr.gov
1. Applications are scored by DNR SRF nonpoint staff and reviewed by a TA and additional subject matter experts as needed.
2. In 6-8 weeks the applicant may be emailed a notice of funding approval which includes the application score, assigned DNR Project Manager, and the date their project will be included in the IUP and reviewed by the Environmental Protection Commission.
3. The DNR project manager will schedule a virtual design check-in meeting to occur after the quarterly Environmental Protection Commission meeting. If a site visit has not occurred, a site visit with the applicant, design engineer, technical advisor and DNR PM should occur prior to the design check-in meeting
Quarterly meeting of Environmental Protection Commission to review IUP and Project Priority List.

The design check-in meeting confirms the current status of design (e.g. design concept, 30%, 60%, 90%) and outlines next steps for design review.
Depending on technical and eligibility comments discussed at the design check-in meeting the applicant will proceed through 30/60/90%/Final plans and specifications review.
Final plans and specifications are submitted to the DNR PM for pre-bid eligibility review.
1. SRF Nonpoint Front-Ends must be included in final specifications in the bid document package
2. The DNR Project Manager issues a Final Plans and Specifications Letter to applicant identifying eligible and non-eligible line items
3. DNR Project Manager provides a Bid Document Checklist to be submitted to the DNR PM once bids have been awarded
Project goes to bid and is awarded.
The DNR Project Manager reviews the bid document package and issues an Eligibility Letter stating the total amount of SRF eligible construction costs of the project.

The applicant may now work with the Iowa Finance Authority to lock the interest rate and prepare a Construction Loan Application.
Pre-construction meeting.

TA and possibly DNR Project Manager visit the project during construction.
Final inspection.

For more information, contact:

SRF Project Approval Team

Email SRF Project Approval Team

SRF Financing Team

800.432.7230

Email SRF Financing Team