Publication Summary

The state fiscal year 2003 (FY 2003) Draft Offer and Applicant List covers the Centennial Clean Water Fund (Centennial), the federal Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Fund (Section 319), and the Washington State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund (SRF) programs. The SRF Draft Intended Use Plan (IUP), which is available separately, contains more information on the projects where SRF funding is proposed. The projects proposed for funding reflect the highest priority water quality projects for the state of Washington.

The state fiscal year 2003 (FY 2003) Draft Offer and Applicant List covers the Centennial Clean Water Fund (Centennial), the federal Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Fund (Section 319), and the Washington State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund (SRF) programs. The SRF Draft Intended Use Plan (IUP), which is available separately, contains more information on the projects where SRF funding is proposed. The projects proposed for funding reflect the highest priority water quality projects for the state of Washington.

Local governments, Native American tribes, and not-for-profit groups submitted 119 requests for funding consideration during the FY 2003 application cycle. Based on an evaluation of these applications and direction from the Washington State Legislature, Ecology proposes to fund 35 activity and 37 facility projects totaling $146,579,359.

Ecology staff, using recommendations from other state agencies, evaluated the proposals, assigned points, and developed a statewide priority list reflecting projects in ranked order. In addition to the funds proposed on the FY 2003 Draft Offer and Applicant List, Ecology reserved $400,000 in FY 2003 Section 319 funds for water quality projects proposed by state of Washington agencies. This funding is used for high priority activities identified in Washington's Water Quality Management Plan to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution, April 2000. Sixteen applications were submitted by agencies with specific implementation responsibilities outlined in the Nonpoint Plan and 12 projects were selected to receive funding. Projects considered and selected are shown in a separate section of the Draft Offer and Applicant List.

Ecology is holding a public meeting (see enclosed Public Notice) to present an overview of these three funding programs and the process used to select projects for funding. Ecology staff will discuss the preparation of the draft list. Information will be provided on the remaining process and schedule to be followed before the FY 2003 Draft Offer and Applicant List will be finalized.

We welcome public comments on the FY 2003 Draft Offer and Applicant List or the FY 2003 SRF Draft IUP at these meetings. Alternatively, written comments will be accepted until August 19, 2002. Please mail written comments to:
Kim McKee
Department of Ecology
Water Quality Program
PO Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600

If you have questions about the Centennial program, please contact Kim McKee at (360) 407-6566. Questions about the SRF program can be directed to Brian Howard at (360) 407-6510 and questions for Section 319 can be directed to Aleceia Tilley at (360) 407-6429.