Natural Resource Nitrogen Sensitive Area Grant Program
Funds Massachusetts local governments to plan and develop science-based watershed management strategies addressing nitrogen pollution in Title 5-designated sensitive areas.
Funder: Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Due Dates (Anticipated): September 2026 (Questions) | October 2026 (Full application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $830,000 total; individual awards typically $20,000–$350,000; no match required but recommended.
Summary: Supports planning activities for Massachusetts local governments to address nitrogen pollution in designated sensitive watersheds through development of Watershed Management Plans and related applications.
Key Information: Only planning (not implementation) projects are eligible; must be in Title 5–designated Nitrogen Sensitive Areas.
Description
This program, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) under the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, funds planning activities that facilitate the completion of Watershed Management Plans (WMPs) targeting cultural eutrophication from nitrogen pollution. The focus is on supporting Massachusetts municipalities and other local government units in preparing Watershed Permit or De Minimis Load applications for watersheds designated as Natural Resource Nitrogen Sensitive Areas (NRNSA) under 310 CMR 15.000 (Title 5).
Eligible activities include data collection, technical analyses, modeling, stakeholder engagement, and the preparation of application components necessary for effective watershed management and nitrogen remediation. Construction or implementation projects are not eligible for this program.
