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A Daily News Service of the North Carolina Coastal Federation

Grants available for environmental projects

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Jacksonville received $175,000 from the Environmental Enhancement Grant program to expand 12 of the existing reef sites in the New River Estuary Oyster Highway, shown here, construct 1,850 small patch reefs and add nearly 2.5 million oysters to improve biofiltration. Photo: City of Jacksonville

North Carolinians can apply for up to $500,000 in grants to fund projects that improve and protect environment and natural resources.

Through Attorney General Josh Stein’s office, the Environmental Enhancement Grant program released Tuesday its request for proposals. Letters of intent are due on March 31 and completed proposals are due May 26.

A voluntary interest meeting for further information is set to be held remotely at 10 a.m. March 22. Email eeg@ncdoj.gov for more information or to reserve a spot at the meeting.

“The Environmental Enhancement Grant program has invested more than $38 million in nearly 200 projects that protect our natural resources and improve North Carolinians’ quality of life,” said Stein in a statement. “These projects are critical to cleaning the air we breathe and the water we drink. Many also help address environmental issues that harm disadvantaged communities. If you’re working on an environmental project that could benefit our state and its people, please consider applying for these grants.”

The EEG program funds three-year grant projects of up to $500,000 from nonprofit organizations, including academic and government institutions that improve air, water, and land quality in the state.

Several EEG awards were presented last year, many on the coast. The city of Jacksonville was awarded $175,000 to expand 12 of the existing New River Estuary Oyster Highway reef sites, construct 1,850 small patch reefs and add nearly 2.5 million oysters to improve biofiltration.

The North Carolina Coastal Land Trust also received $50,000 to acquire 348 acres of Hoggard’s Millpond Tract and transfer it to the town of Windsor to create a new public park and Bertie County Hive House received $74,350 to improve a 4-acre greenspace in Lewiston Woodville through cleaning, stormwater remediation, and planting.

Preference is given to projects in or benefiting underserved or overburdened communities, such as those with vulnerable populations or environmental justice concerns, according to Stein’s office. EEG funds have previously been used for projects including green jobs, wetland restoration, land acquisition, stormwater remediation, stream stabilization and buffer installations.

The EEG program was established in 2000 with funds from a 25-year agreement between then-Attorney General Michael Easley and Smithfield Foods to provide $2 million every year for environmental projects across the state. Since the program began, the Office of Attorney General has awarded more than $38 million to nearly 200 projects.

More information about the 2021 grant cycle is available online.

About Staff Report

The story was compiled by staff members of Coastal Review.

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