DEP opens Q&A window for 2024–25 watershed planning grant; questions due Sept. 13, answers by Sept. 27

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) staff opened a question-and-answer session for the 2024–2025 NR NSA grant RFR, reminding applicants that questions are being accepted through 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13 and that official answers will be published on or before Friday, Sept. 27 at 5 p.m.

DEP staff said the grant is intended to help municipalities complete watershed permit or de minimis load applications by funding planning projects and activities that support watershed permits, particularly in natural resource nitrogen sensitive areas. "We'll be accepting questions through 5 PM on Friday, September 13th in relation to this grant opportunity with official answers to all of those questions being published on or before Friday, September 27th at 5 PM," one staff speaker said.

The agency listed examples of eligible planning work in the RFR, including comprehensive watershed management plans (CWMPs), scientific evaluations, assessments of nitrogen loads, modeling of nitrogen‑reduction scenarios, analysis of ambient water‑quality monitoring data, and design work such as permeable reactive barriers. The staff member said planning activities required by an approved watershed permit are also eligible.

Mark Nelson, a participant who said he is working with the town of Brewster, asked whether projects that benefit freshwater ponds in a watershed would qualify. Nelson asked, "Is that something that's eligible under this program?" DEP staff replied that the program is focused on watershed permits and NRNSA planning but later clarified that projects primarily meeting watershed permit or de minimis load requirements may be eligible even if they provide secondary benefits to ponds: "I believe so. Yes. As long as it's meeting the conditions of the grant opportunity, which is supporting the watershed, the creation, or, planning activities of a watershed permit or de minimis load."

Participants also raised questions about the level of effort to prepare watershed permits. DEP staff suggested applicants contact southeast regional staff (naming contacts such as Maggie Leary and Drew) for detailed, on‑the‑ground guidance and confirmed that prior grantees frequently used consultants and that consultant work can be funded through the grant. A funding range of about $20,000 to $350,000 per applicant was mentioned during the discussion as a typical scope depending on watershed complexity.

Staff emphasized scheduling constraints: any portion of a project funded by DEP under this opportunity must be completed within the relevant fiscal year. The staff member clarified that the DEP fiscal year runs July 1 through June 30 and confirmed that work charged to this grant must end by the end of next June. They also confirmed that the grant allows reimbursement for eligible expenses incurred during the fiscal year.

For applicants unsure whether a specific activity is eligible, DEP staff advised emailing the listed contact; those questions will be addressed in the official Q&A document. The session concluded with staff thanking attendees and encouraging anyone with remaining questions to submit them before the deadline.