The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) has announced the allocation of over $1.1 million in grants to enhance stream restoration, water-based recreation, and water management projects throughout the state.
A significant portion, amounting to $768,950, was distributed among seven local governments through the Water Resources Development Grant program. Additionally, DWR provided $350,880 for two stream restoration projects on agricultural lands in collaboration 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 grant funding is intended for various purposes including stormwater control measures such as drainage and flood control; stream restoration initiatives like shoreline stabilization and dam or aquatic barrier removals; and improving access to water-based recreational resources through greenway construction near waterways, park development, or establishing water access sites. The program also supports feasibility studies related to 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 with Resource Institute (co-applicant): Hoglot Branch at Bateman ($197,000)
– Clay County Soil and Water Conservation District with Resource Institute (co-applicant): Webb Creek at Webb & Penland ($153,880)
These grants are part of a cost-sharing initiative that covers up to 50% in two categories: state/local projects shared with local governments and agricultural land projects shared with EQIP. The 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 30th while the fall cycle starts on July 1st ending December 31st. Further details about funded projects can be found on the Water Resources Development Grant program website.
For additional information contact Amin Davis via email at amin.davis@deq.nc.gov.
