Funding Database: Public Beach and Coastal Waterfront

Public Beach and Coastal Waterfront Access Program

The Public Beach and Coastal Waterfront Access Program provides awards to local governments for projects that improve pedestrian access to the state's beaches and waterways.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) Division of Coastal Management (DCM) administers this program.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include municipal and county governments.

Eligible Projects

Eligible projects include land or easement purchases for future public access or facilities; construction of ADA access, boardwalks, piers and boat launches, as well as other support facilities; and rehabilitation and maintenance of public access sites. Nature-based features may be part of a project provided pedestrian access is still a major component of the project, with nature-based features being used to support, protect and enhance access improvements.

DCM uses the following criteria to prioritize and select projects:

• Pedestrian access must be a major component.
• The community cannot have received assistance from this grant program in the past.
• There is a demonstrated need for the project due to high demand, availability and adequacy of opportunities in the area.
• The project is identified in a local beach or waterfront access plan or certified Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) land use plan.
• The commitment of matching funds meets or exceeds the minimum required local match.
• The community has demonstrated its ability to complete projects and maintain public facilities.
• The donated land is deemed “unbuildable” due to regulations or physical limitations.
• The project design exceeds ADA requirements or incorporates nature-based features.

Funding Amount

Funding awards vary depending on annual allocations. Total annual funding for the Public Beach and Coastal Waterfront Access Program averages around $1 million.

Match Requirements

The program requires a 15% match for land acquisition and a 25% match for all other grant funds. If the applying jurisdiction is in a Tier One development county, the match requirement is 10% for all grant applications.

Application Schedule

Public Beach and Coastal Waterfront Access Program applications are funded annually.

• Applications open in February
• Pre-applications are due by April
• DCM will invite select recipients to submit a full application in July or August.
• Grant recipients are notified of funding from September to October
• Contracts start in November or December

Application Process

Application materials are provided on the program’s Grant Application Package webpage.

Application Assistance

Contact a local CAMA land use planner for technical assistance with the project or for help completing the application. Local governments located in Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Hyde and Pamlico counties should contact Rachel Love-Adrick. Local governments located in Bertie, Brunswick, Camden, Chowan, Gates, Hertford, New Hanover, Onslow, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Tyrell and Washington counties should contact Mike Christenbury.

Materials from past workshops for the grant are hosted on the Grants Workshops page. These pages provide further information about the benefits of the program and guides to writing a successful proposal.

Funding Source

The program is funded through the NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund by the NC General Assembly.