The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) has allocated over $1.1 million in grants to enhance stream restoration, water-based recreation, and water management projects throughout the state.
The funding includes $768,950 awarded to seven local governments via the Water Resources Development Grant program for state and local projects. Additionally, DWR granted $350,880 for two stream restoration projects on agricultural lands through a cost-sharing initiative 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,” stated DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson. “Several of these projects will help improve and restore waterways in western North Carolina communities heavily damaged by Hurricane Helene.”
The grants can be utilized for stormwater control measures such as drainage and flood control; stream restoration projects including shoreline stabilization and dam or aquatic barrier removals; and improving access to water-based recreation resources through constructing greenways near waterways, park development, or water access sites. The program also funds feasibility studies supporting these project categories.
Approved projects 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
The grants are part of the Water Resources Development Grant Program that offers cost-sharing grants up to 50% in two categories: state/local projects shared with local governments, and agricultural land projects shared with EQIP. These awards correspond to applications submitted during the fall 2024 cycle.
There are two grant application cycles annually. The current spring 2025 cycle concludes on June 30, while the fall cycle starts on July 1 ending December 31. More details about funded projects are available on the Water Resources Development Grant program website.
For further information, contact Amin Davis, grant manager at amin.davis@deq.nc.gov.
