Emma Hennen Director of Legislative Affairs | North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Emma Hennen Director of Legislative Affairs | North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Coastal Management (DCM) is inviting communities and contractors to apply for Phases 1 through 4 of the N.C. Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP). This initiative aims to enhance coastal resilience at the local level by providing communities with the necessary tools and resources.
Approximately $2 million is estimated to be available for Phases 1 and 2, while around $6 million will be allocated for Phases 3 and 4 in fiscal year 2025-2026. The deadline for submitting applications is April 25, 2025, by 5 p.m.
An informational webinar on the application process will be hosted by DCM on March 21 from 2-3:30 p.m., offering interested parties a chance to learn more about the program.
Applications are being sought from county and municipal governments within North Carolina's 20 CAMA counties, as well as qualified contractors such as private planning and engineering firms, Councils of Government, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and academic institutions. These phases help communities assess risks, engage stakeholders, and identify projects to enhance resilience.
Additionally, DCM seeks applications from coastal communities wishing to update their local CAMA Land Use Plans by integrating elements of the RCCP's Resilience Strategies. Selected communities will incorporate resilience into land use planning efforts alongside or independently of Phases 1 and 2.
The RCCP consists of four phases:
- Phase 1: Community Engagement and Risk/Vulnerability Assessment
- Phase 2: Planning, Project Identification, and Prioritization
- Phase 3: Engineering and Design
- Phase 4: Project Implementation
Phase-specific objectives include funding engineering design projects in Phase 3 based on prior assessments or alternative plans meeting RCCP criteria. In Phase 4, funding supports project implementation identified in earlier phases or equivalent work. Projects may address coastal hazards like stormwater flooding or shoreline erosion through initiatives such as wetland restoration or improved stormwater management infrastructure.
Questions regarding the program can be directed to RCCP@deq.nc.gov.
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