DOE: Water Quality Improvement Grant

Overview

The aim of the Water Quality Improvement Grant is to help the wider community to contribute to delivery of the Water Framework Directive objectives set out in the River Basin Management Plans (RBMP)

Priorities for Funding

In making this funding available the Department will focus on bringing forward Projects which would not ordinarily be taking place. Project bids can be made that build on existing Projects and action but it should be made clear how the elements that are being bid for go beyond that which has already been committed.

The Water Quality Improvement Grant should not be used as a replacement source of funding. Eligible projects must have a clear objective to improve the quality element that is failing to reach good ecological status or potential in a water body, or enable a Protected Area to meet its objectives as defined under the Water Framework Directive.

The funding can be used to deliver Projects that improve any water bodies or Protected Areas in Northern Ireland as defined under the Water Framework Directive. This includes rivers, lakes, ground waters, estuaries, coastal waters, Protected Areas and heavily modified water bodies. Projects that will benefit waters that cross the border to the Republic of Ireland can be considered but funding will only be eligible for those parts of the project which will be carried out in Northern Ireland and this should be made clear in the application.

The grant scheme is open to a broad range of not-for-profit organisations such as:

• community groups;
• schools;
• environmental charities;
• Rivers Trusts;
• local councils.

Which Projects are eligible?

• Fit within Northern Ireland River Basin Management Plans
• Projects must be consistent with the aims and objectives of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency
• Grant applications will not be supported where work is targeted by other government grant schemes such as the Countryside Management Scheme or the Woodland Grant Scheme
• Projects must have a clearly identified need
• Partnerships are encouraged where this will enhance the outcomes
• Grants will be awarded up to a value of 75% of the total project cost
• Grants are capped at £10k
• The Project must be completed by 31 March 2014

Eligible projects must have a clear objective to improve the quality element that is failing to reach good ecological status or potential in a water body, or enable a Protected Area to meet its objectives as defined under the Water Framework Directive. Projects can be as simple as planting native bank side vegetation or as complex as a catchment scale process restoration. Other examples may include:

• restoring natural processes in rivers, loughs or wetlands;
• engineering degraded rivers to restore natural profiles by, for example, recreating meanders;
• removing or modifying weirs to improve fish passage, flow and sediment movement;
• restoring flood plains, intertidal zones and wetlands;
• controlling non-native invasive bank side and in-stream plants.

The aim of the proposed project must be to improve or maintain the ecological status of the water environment. A strong link should be established between the ecological element(s) which the project is aimed at improving or maintaining the ecological status.