The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Waste Management (DWM) is now accepting applications for the Debris Recovery & Disposal (DRD) grant program, to help Western North Carolina communities clean up additional debris left by Hurricane Helene.
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 million of the allotted funds.
“Hurricane Helene produced mountains of debris that blocked roadways, clogged streams, and created long-lasting eyesores,” said DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson. “These grants will help communities clean up debris on public and private land, streambanks, farmland, local parks and other areas. We appreciate EPA for making the funds available to help Western North Carolina continue to recover from the devastating storm.”
“These 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,” DWM Director Michael Scott said.
For more information, visit https://www.deq.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2026/06/19/ncdeq-announces-18-million-available-support-debris-cleanup-efforts-western-north-carolina.