The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) is inviting communities and contractors to apply for participation in Phases 1 through 4 of the N.C. Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP). This initiative aims to enhance coastal resilience at the local level. The department has allocated approximately $2 million for Phases 1 and 2, and about $6 million for Phases 3 and 4 in the fiscal year 2025-2026. Applications are due by April 25, 2025, at 5 p.m.
An informational webinar on the application process will be held on March 21 from 2 to 3:30 p.m., with registration available online.
Applications are sought from county and municipal governments within the state’s 20 CAMA counties, as well as from qualified contractors who can provide technical assistance. Eligible contractors include private planning and engineering firms, Councils of Government, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and academic institutions. These phases help communities assess risks, engage stakeholders, and prioritize projects to enhance resilience.
Additionally, DCM seeks applications from coastal communities in North Carolina that wish to update their local CAMA Land Use Plans while integrating resilience strategies developed through the RCCP. Selected communities will incorporate resilience into land use planning efforts.
For community applications under Phases 1-4, eligibility is open to municipal and county governments in the state’s coastal counties. For contractor applications under Phases 1 & 2, eligibility extends to private planning firms, engineering firms, Councils of Government, NGOs, and academic institutions.
The RCCP’s Phase 3 focuses on funding for engineering and design of prioritized projects identified through earlier phases or alternative plans meeting program criteria. Projects may include preliminary design work leading to near-complete designs ready for permitting or implementation.
Phase 4 provides funding for implementing prioritized resilience projects identified through previous phases or equivalent efforts. Grant funds can be used for construction projects enhancing community resilience against coastal hazards like stormwater flooding or shoreline erosion.
The RCCP is a comprehensive four-phase program addressing barriers such as limited capacity and economic constraints while assisting communities with risk assessments and project development. It aims to advance projects to “shovel-ready” status and connect communities with funding sources for implementation.
Questions regarding the program can be directed to RCCP@deq.nc.gov.
