205(j) WQ Management Planning Grant
Request for proposals for FY 2024 grant funding
Pursuant to Sections 205(j) and 604(b) of the Clean Water Act, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources (DWR) is now seeking proposals for water quality management planning projects using federal fiscal year 2024 grant funds. Grant funds are to be awarded to Regional Commissions and Councils of Governments for water quality management planning. The request for proposals opened Friday, July 26. The deadline for proposals is midnight on Thursday, Sept. 19.
Through the Section 205(j) Grant program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides states with funding to do water quality planning. North Carolina typically receives around $150,000 for competitive funding of water quality planning projects. These projects can involve identifying the nature, extent and cause of water quality problems or doing planning work to address those problems. Projects can include but are not limited to the development of EPA 9-Element Watershed Restoration Plans for a 12-digit or smaller USGS HUC, mapping stormwater infrastructure, conducting engineering designs for stormwater best management practices, and watershed assessments of pollutant sources.
205(j) grants are eligible to regional Councils of Government; COGs may partner with any public sector organization to implement projects. A match is preferred, but not required. Once contracted, projects can run for a maximum of 18 months. Funds are dispersed on a quarterly reimbursement basis, with any invoice to be accompanied by a report of the work performed. The request for proposals is released annually in summer and projects are selected in fall.
Watch the “What is the 205(j) Water Quality Planning Grant?” webinar here.
| 2024 205j Timetable for Grant Applications | |
|---|---|
| Friday, July 26, 2024 | 205(j) grant RFP opens |
| Thursday, September 19, 2024 | Deadline for proposals; must be received electronically by midnight |
| Thursday, October 3, 2024 | Applicants will receive review team’s questions about their proposals |
| Thursday, October 10, 2024 | Deadline for applicants to answer review team’s questions |
| Tuesday, October 29, 2024 | Applicants notified if selected for funding. Move forward with contracting. |
| Tuesday, November 12, 2024 | Deadline for selected applicants to return completed contracting forms to 205(j) grant manager, to enable contracts to be developed on time. |
| Wednesday, January 1, 2025 | Contracts executed, projects may start. (Estimated depending on time for contract preparation.) |
2024 205(j) Grant Request for Proposals
2024 205(j) Grant Application
2024 205(j) Grant Review Criteria
PIs for funded projects must submit a quarterly report detailing work performed along with any invoice to be reimbursed. If no work is completed in a quarter, no report is required. Project PIs should use the following report and invoice templates:
205j Grant Administrator
Robin Hoffman
robin.hoffman@deq.nc.gov
(919) 707-3643