The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources has announced the allocation of over $1.1 million in grants aimed at supporting stream restoration, water-based recreation, and water management initiatives throughout the state.
This funding includes $768,950 in grants awarded to seven local governments through the Water Resources Development Grant program’s state and local projects fund. Additionally, $350,880 has been allocated to two stream restoration projects on agricultural lands in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
“These grants will enable communities across the state to enhance access to water recreation and to help reduce flooding and the negative impacts of stormwater runoff,” said DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson. “Several of these projects will help improve and restore waterways in western North Carolina communities heavily damaged by Hurricane Helene.”
Grant awards are designated for various purposes including stormwater control measures like drainage and flood control; stream restoration activities such as shoreline stabilization and dam or aquatic barrier removals; and improving access to water-based recreational resources through greenway construction near waterways, park development, or establishing water access sites. The program also provides funding for feasibility studies related to these project categories.
Projects approved for funding include:
State and Local Grant Awards:
– Land of Sky Regional Council: Outacite’s Retreat stream and floodplain restoration ($200,000)
– Buncombe Soil and Water Conservation District: Smith Mill Creek Stream Restoration ($187,000)
– Town of Weaverville: Main Street Nature Park Stormwater and Streambank Stabilization ($180,000)
– Town of Rosman: Rosman Riverfront Park Phase 1 ($86,700)
– City of Raleigh: Lake Wheeler Green Stormwater Infrastructure Feasibility Study ($50,000)
– Watauga Board of Commissioners: Cove Creek Stream Restoration and Park Redevelopment Engineering Study ($50,000)
– Wake Soil and Water Conservation District: North Carolina State Farmers’ Market Feasibility Study ($15,250)
U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service – EQIP Stream Restorations:
– Macon Soil and Water Conservation District & Resource Institute (co-applicant): Hoglot Branch at Bateman ($197,000)
– Clay County Soil and Water Conservation District & Resource Institute (co-applicant): Webb Creek at Webb & Penland ($153,880)
These grants are part of a cost-sharing initiative under the Water Resources Development Grant Program that offers up to 50% funding support for both state/local projects with local governments and agricultural land projects via EQIP. Applications for this cycle were submitted during fall 2024.
The grant application process occurs biannually with the current spring 2025 cycle closing on June 30th. The subsequent fall cycle is scheduled from July 1st through December 31st. Further details about funded projects can be found on the program’s website.
For additional information regarding these grants, contact Amin Davis via email at amin.davis@deq.nc.gov.
