Water Resources Development Grant Program – State & Local Projects

The Water Resources Development Grant Program (WRDG) State and Local Projects component is administered by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality through its Division of Water Resources. The program is authorized under North Carolina General Statutes and is designed to support local governments in implementing water resource development initiatives that provide environmental, economic, and social benefits. The program operates on an annual application cycle and focuses on projects that improve water management, restore aquatic ecosystems, and expand water-based recreational opportunities. It is a state-administered grant program intended to strengthen infrastructure and environmental resilience across North Carolina. The primary purpose of the program is to provide cost-share funding and technical assistance for projects that address water resource challenges. Eligible project categories include stream restoration, water management activities such as stormwater control and flood mitigation, water-based recreation infrastructure, and feasibility or engineering studies supporting these efforts. Projects funded under this program are expected to deliver measurable benefits such as improved water quality, enhanced ecological function, increased public access to waterways, and reduced flood risk. Nature-based and environmentally sustainable design elements are considered competitive factors during evaluation. Funding is provided on a cost-share basis, with the state contributing up to 50 percent of eligible non-federal project costs. This matching requirement was established by the North Carolina General Assembly and applies to all qualifying projects. Applicants are encouraged to request funding amounts that align with available program resources, typically not exceeding $200,000 for most project types and $50,000 for feasibility or engineering studies, although higher amounts may be awarded in certain cases. Matching funds may include non-federal sources such as state, local, or private funding, as well as documented in-kind contributions such as staff time or equipment use. Eligibility for the program is limited to units of local government and local political subdivisions, including municipalities, counties, and councils of government. While non-governmental organizations such as nonprofits, universities, consultants, and watershed associations cannot serve as the primary applicant, they may participate as partners or provide administrative and technical support on behalf of an eligible local government sponsor. Projects must meet specific eligibility criteria and cannot be used for maintenance activities, regulatory compliance obligations, or mitigation banking purposes. The application process requires prospective applicants to engage in a pre-application consultation with program administrators at least one month prior to the application deadline. This consultation is intended to confirm project eligibility and provide guidance on application requirements. Applicants must submit supporting materials such as project narratives, maps, and geotagged photos as part of the application. Applications are evaluated based on statutory criteria, including economic and environmental benefits, regional impact, financial capacity of the applicant, environmental considerations, and benefits to state-owned properties. The program follows a recurring annual application cycle. For the 2026 cycle, applications opened on January 1, 2026 and close on June 30, 2026. The next cycle is scheduled to open on January 1, 2027 and close on June 30, 2027. Applicants are encouraged to monitor program updates and maintain communication with grant administrators throughout the process. Awards support projects that advance water resource sustainability and infrastructure development across the state, reinforcing long-term environmental stewardship and community resilience.

Contact program staff early and incorporate nature-based design elements to improve competitiveness; ensure all required supporting documentation is complete before submission