FY27_BWR_NRNSA_QandA_a11y.docx

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Department of Environmental Protection

Address: 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900, Boston MA 02114 | Phone: 617-292-5500 Maura T. Healey Governor Kim Driscoll Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Tepper Secretary Bonnie Heiple Commissioner

FY27 Natural Resource Nitrogen Sensitive Area Grant Program MassDEP’s Official Answers to Questions

Posted on October 21, 2026

On September 24, 2026, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) announced the 2026-2027 Opportunity for the Natural Resource Nitrogen Sensitive Area (NRNSA) Grant Program (Grant Program). On October 6, 2026, at 2 p.m., MassDEP held a virtual Pre-Application Meeting. A recording of the video is available on our website. Written questions from potential applicants were accepted through the end of day October 7, 2026. Written and verbal questions received, and their answers, are summarized in accordance with Section 4 of the Grant Program’s Request for Responses, the Estimated Calendar for Grant Application/Award.

Below are MassDEP’s official Answers to all questions received by the October 7, 2026, deadline. All questions are formatted in bold font and answers are posted below questions in normal italicized font.

Eligible Projects

Question 1 (Q1): What are some activities that are eligible for funding under this grant opportunity?

Answer 1 (A1): Section 1.4 (Eligible Activities) of the RFR identifies the following uses for the grant funds:

Planning activities that contribute to, or come from a Watershed Management Plan (WMP), a Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP), a Comprehensive Water Resource Management Plan (CWRMP), a Targeted Watershed Plan (TWMP), Watershed Permit application or De Minimis Load application (as defined in 314 CMR 21.00) will be considered for funding. Examples of Eligible Projects include, but are not limited to:

· Planning activities necessary to complete a watershed permit application, as explained by 314 CMR 21.03(2), or De Minimis Load application, as explained by 314 CMR 21.12. Such activities include, but are not limited to:

· Completing a Watershed Management Plan, CWMP, TWMP, or Scientific Evaluation;

· Assessment of nitrogen loads; or

· Modeling of nitrogen reduction scenarios.

· Planning activities required by approved watershed permit. Such activities may include, but are not limited to:

· Data analysis of ambient water quality monitoring results; or

· Permeable reactive barrier design.

· Review of ambient water quality monitoring, modeling, and/or other measures for the purpose of demonstrating de minimis load within a watershed or sub-watershed.

Implementation projects for actions identified within an approved plan Watershed Management Plan, as defined above, filed with a Watershed Permit Application, will be considered for SFY27 funding. However, due to funding limitations and the need for applicants to complete work by June 30, 2027, examples of implementation and construction projects that will not be considered for funding include, but are not limited to:

· Construction of approved sewering;

· Upgrades to existing wastewater treatment facilities not already fully permitted;

· Continued operation or maintenance of wastewater treatment facilities; or

· Upgrades to septic systems that already include a DEP approved technology to reduce nitrogen.

Ownership of all equipment or resources purchased pursuant to a grant award shall remain the property of the grantee.

Eligible Entities

Q2: Are regional governments considered an eligible entity under this grant opportunity?

A2: Per Section 1.3 of the RFR eligible Entities are regional or local government units that:

a) meet the regulatory definition of "Local Government Unit" as defined in 314 CMR 21.02; and

b) are seeking a Watershed Permit to address nitrogen pollution in at least one (1) of the 31 Cape Cod watersheds designated as an NRNSA under Title 5. The NRNSA Address Lookup Map can be found at: MassDEP NRNSA Map Viewer I Mass.gov.

Award Questions

Q3: Can work that was completed on or after July 1, 2026, but before the announcement of this grant opportunity be eligible for reimbursement under the grant program?

A3: Yes. Per the RFR, pre-contract expenses incurred during SFY27 (June 30, 2026 – July 1, 2027) are potentially eligible for reimbursement. For applications proposing the inclusion of work conducted before the date of full contract execution of the Grant Application, but on or after July 1, 2026, the applicant must provide documentation (e.g. invoices, quotes, contracts), in the Grant Application. If successfully awarded, all pre-contract expense documentation and proof of payment must be submitted within thirty (30) days of Notice of grant award.

Q4: When will grant applicants be notified of award decisions?

A4: The notification of grant award(s) is estimated to take place in January 2027.

Q5: When do grant funds have to be expended by?

A5: All work funded by the grant must be completed by the end of day on June 30, 2027.

Misc. Questions

Q6: When are grant applications due?

A6: Applications for the FY27 Natural Resource Nitrogen Sensitive Area Grant Program are due by 5:00 p.m. E.S.T. on October 26, 2026. Applications shall be submitted to Caroline Adamson, via email at: Caroline.P.Adamson@mass.gov. Please include the applicant name AND “NRNSA Grant Program” in the subject line.

image1.png