Funding Database: Community Conservation Assistance

The Community Conservation Assistance Program, created in 2006, aims to improve water quality and reduce the delivery of nonpoint source pollution. Through the program, landowners work with state partners to select, design, install and maintain stormwater best practices. The program is voluntary. Funds are available for completing best management practices (cost-share only) and project repairs. Eligible landowners can also use the program for technical and administrative assistance, and to support education and outreach.

The NC Division of Soil and Water Conservation administers program funding on behalf of the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Eligible Applicants

All public and private landowners are eligible. A land parcel must have been developed for at least three years to be eligible for consideration. Lands can be urban, suburban and rural, but they cannot be connected to agriculture production. 

Eligible Projects

An overview of best management practice projects is available on the program website. Potential project examples include closing an abandoned well, converting impervious surface and establishing riparian buffers.

Funding Amount

Awards vary depending on project needs. Applicants can request funding, technical assistance or both. The NC Division of Soil and Water Conservation provides up to $35,000 for implementation per project and $70,000 per district. Recipients can receive a maximum of $5,000 for eligible repairs.

The Division of Soil and Water Conservation distributes funds and projects between western, central and eastern North Carolina. In fiscal year 2023, each region received two projects and approximately $45,000. Award amounts are subject to change based on annual appropriations from the state legislature.

Match Requirements

The maximum cost share allocation per project is $35,000. The program limits repair cost share to 75% of actual costs based on receipts.

Application Schedule

Applicants apply through their local soil and water conservation district. Contact your local district office to learn about county-specific deadlines.

Local soil and water conservation districts must submit a package of local applications to the NC Division of Soil and Water Conservation. The 2023 deadline for local district officers was in October. The State of North Carolina planned to make funding decisions in November.

Application Process

Interested landowners should apply to their local soil and water conservation district. Contact your district representative to start an application. Local district offices rank projects and submit a regional application to the state’s Division of Soil and Water Conservation, which ranks regional applications and selects the highest ranked projects for site assessments.

The Regional Application Process page includes a step-by-step application process video, a flow chart and links to other application resources and documents.

Application Assistance

The Regional Application page includes application information, an informational video on What Makes a Good CCAP Application for FY2022, ranking criteria and other helpful resources.

Funding Source

The NC General Assembly funds the Community Conservation Assistance Program through state appropriations.