The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) is now open to receiving proposals for projects aimed at reducing flood risk and enhancing flood resilience in key river basins across the state. The division is also accepting statewide proposals focused on stream restoration, water-based recreation, and water management.
This initiative follows a $5 million allocation from the NC Flood Resiliency Blueprint within DEQ’s Division of Mitigation Services. DWR is looking for flood mitigation project proposals such as water retention, floodplain restoration, or nature-based flood mitigation efforts specifically targeting the Cape Fear, French Broad, Lumber, Neuse, Tar Pamlico, and White Oak river basins.
The grants for flood resiliency represent a one-time funding opportunity available to local government units including counties, cities, towns, or regional councils of government. These entities are encouraged to collaborate with non-governmental organizations. Applications will be accepted until June 30.
Priority consideration will be given to shovel-ready projects that offer significant benefits in terms of flood reduction or resilience. Grant funding can cover up to 66.67% of construction costs; grantees must provide the remaining percentage of non-federal construction costs.
Additionally, DWR seeks proposals for stream restoration and water-based recreation projects during the current spring 2025 application cycle under the Water Resources Development Grant Program.
The State & Local Projects program offers cost-sharing grants covering up to 50% of non-federal project costs for initiatives related to stream restoration and water management. Grants are also available for stream restoration on agricultural lands through collaboration with the Natural Resources Conservation Service Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Annually, DWR typically receives $3 million for state and local projects and $2 million for EQIP projects.
For more information about these programs and previously funded projects, interested parties can visit the Water Resources Development Grant program website. Recently updated interactive storymaps are available under the Featured Projects link. Further inquiries can be directed to Amin Davis via email at amin.davis@deq.nc.gov.
