TCEQ annually solicits project proposals each summer and awards grants the following year for projects lasting up to three years. These grants fund 60% of the cost of the selected projects; applicants provide the other 40% of the cost as match, which may include in-kind services by volunteers or partner organizations. Priority is given to the development and implementation of watershed protection plans. Local stakeholder groups guide the development of these plans to restore and protect water quality in specific Texas waterways. This planning process commonly involves gathering and/or assessing water quality data and using models to determine the causes and sources of pollution, followed by strategic selection of management measures to assure the water bodies meet water quality standards. Half of this grant program’s funding must be spent to implement federally accepted watershed plans.
The El Paso Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Center has proposed partnering with the County of El Paso to submit a proposal to TCEQ for the development of the Greater El Paso Watershed Protection Plan. Both the Center and County have proposed providing the required forty percent match through in-kind technical and support services. If developed, a watershed conservation plan will provide the County and other agencies sin the region with a framework of strategies aimed at promoting the watershed while also mitigating hazards related to stormwater through low-impact development and green-infrastructure. The development of a watershed conservation plan may also identify strategies and/or projects which may be eligible for future construction grant funding that the County may seek.
If the El Paso Agrilife Extension receives the award from TCEQ, the County and Agrilife Extension will develop an interlocal agreement codifying the in-kind contribution between both agencies to satisfy the local match requirement of the grant. At this time, the letter of commitment is related only to the submission and subsequent review of the application by the granting agency, TCEQ.