Funding Database: Water Resources Development

The Water Resources Development Grant Program for State and Local Projects provides cost-share grants to local governments in North Carolina. The program, administered by the NC Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) Division of Water Resources (DWR), provides funding for water management, stream restoration and water-based recreation projects. The grant also supports feasibility and engineering studies for these initiatives, which can be implemented on public or private properties.

Eligible Applicants

Cities, towns, counties and councils of government are eligible to apply. Nongovernmental organizations such as nonprofits, private consultants and higher education institutions can help administer the grant on behalf of the local government sponsor.

Eligible Projects

The grant funds projects in water management, stream restoration and water-based recreation. It also provides funding for feasibility or engineering studies to support the implementation of these projects. Example projects include green stormwater control measures, living shorelines, shoreline and stream stabilizations, stream buffer plantings, drainage and flood control, and dam and aquatic passage barrier removals. Other example projects include greenways adjacent to waterbodies, land acquisition and conservation for water-based park development and more.

Funding Amount

DWR advises applicants to not exceed a $200,000 funding request.

Match Requirements

The program requires a minimum of a 50% cost-share of non-federal project costs. Any non-federal funding can be used to meet the applicant’s 50% match requirement. In-kind contributions for time and materials are also acceptable.

Application Schedule

There are two annual application cycles for State and Local Projects. The spring cycle runs from Jan. 1 through June 30. The fall cycle runs from July 1 through Dec. 31. Timeframes are subject to change.

Application Process

Applicants should contact the State and Local Projects Grant Manager Amin Davis to obtain project information, confirm eligibility and schedule a pre-application site visit. Application documents should be emailed directly to the grant manager by the close of business on the last day of the application cycle. The application submission includes a completed application spreadsheet, two maps and a set of signed documents.

Application Assistance

DWR strongly encourages applicants to review the following documents on the program homepage under the “State and Local Projects” heading: 

• “Guidelines”
• “Application Form” (focus on the “Benefits and Evaluation Criteria” tab)

DWR also encourages applicants to contact the grant manager listed above for assistance in developing a competitive grant application.

Funding Source

This funding is provided by the NC DEQ through legislative appropriations.