The NC Department of Environmental Quality鈥檚 Division of 91仓库 Management (DWM) is now accepting applications for the Debris Recovery & Disposal (DRD) grant program,听to听help听Western North Carolina communities听clean up听additional听debris听left by Hurricane Helene.听听
Funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the American Relief Act of 2025, the DRD program provides up to $18 million in grants to local governments, councils of government and nongovernment organizations (NGOs). NGOs are eligible for up to $5听million听of the allotted funds.听
鈥淗urricane Helene鈥痯roduced听mountains of debris鈥痶hat blocked roadways, clogged streams, and created听long-lasting听eyesores,鈥� said DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson. 鈥淭hese grants will help听communities听clean up debris on public and private land,听streambanks, farmland, local听parks听and other areas. We appreciate EPA for making the funds available to help Western North Carolina听continue to听recover from the devastating storm.鈥濃��听
鈥淭hese grants will not only assist with unmet needs for ongoing debris removal related to Helene but may also support other recently funded resiliency initiatives across the region for solid waste and recycling infrastructure,鈥澨鼶WM Director Michael Scott听said.听
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