The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources announced on Mar. 19 that it is accepting funding proposals until May 29 for projects aimed at restoring waterways affected by nonpoint source pollution.
This initiative is important because nonpoint source pollution, which occurs when runoff carries pollutants into streams and rivers, can significantly degrade water quality and harm aquatic ecosystems. The state expects to distribute $1.5 million in grant funding for watershed restoration projects during fiscal year 2026 through the Clean Water Act-Section 319 (h) Nonpoint Source Grant Funding Program from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Projects eligible for funding include efforts such as restoring riparian buffers along streambanks, managing stormwater, restoring wetlands and floodplains, reducing nutrients and sediment, or conducting stream restoration work. Eligible applicants are state and local governments, councils of government, interstate and intrastate agencies, public and private nonprofit organizations—including academic institutions—and federally recognized tribal groups with an approved Tribal Nonpoint Source management program plan.
The Division of Water Resources is specifically seeking proposals that would implement a DWR-approved watershed restoration plan to address waterways classified as impaired due to nonpoint source pollution. Impaired waterways are those listed as Category 4 or 5 in either the 2020 or 2022 Integrated Reports published by the DWR Modeling and Assessment Branch. Proposals may also be considered for waters included in Category 4 or 5 of the latest draft Integrated Report.
Applicants have the option to submit a draft application by April 6 for preliminary review by DWR staff before submitting final applications by May 29 at 11:59 p.m. The award and amount of grant funds will depend on available funding, with DWR reserving the right to fully fund, partially fund, or not fund any proposal or component thereof.
More information about program requirements, eligibility criteria, forms, and scoring can be found on DEQ’s Section 319 grant program website. For further questions regarding the request for proposals for fiscal year 2026 grants, interested parties may contact Rishi Bastakoti at rishi.bastakoti@deq.nc.gov.
