The N.C. Division of Water Resources is accepting proposals for grant funds to implement watershed restoration plans to restore waterways impaired by nonpoint source pollution. The state expects to receive $1.2 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for competitive funding of projects under Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act during the 2019 grant cycle. All applications must be submitted electronically and received by midnight May 3. Applicants who submit a draft application by March 15 can obtain a preliminary review and feedback from division staff.
Funds may be used to conduct watershed restoration projects such as stormwater and agricultural best management practices and restoration of impaired streams. The grant projects must be used to help restore waterways currently impaired by nonpoint source pollution in areas with approved watershed restoration plans. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, councils of government, interstate and intrastate agencies, and public and private nonprofit organizations and institutions, including academic institutions.
When evaluating proposals to receive 319 grant funds, both the EPA and Division of Water Resources place a strong emphasis on projects that will achieve measurable results. Therefore, projects should be sited as close as possible to the impaired waterway to best target identified sources of nonpoint source pollution. In addition, proposals involving on-the-ground implementation must provide documentation assuring sustainable operation and maintenance measures for at least five years.
The grant application and submittal guidelines are available online at: https://bit.ly/2feAx3V. Grant fund recipients will be announced July 1.
Contact 319 Grant Administrator Rishi Bastakoti at rishi.bastakoti@ncdenr.gov for additional information.