resources for towns

PREPA Grant Program

PREP's grant program is called the Piscataqua Region Environmental Planning Assessment Grant Program—also known as the PREPA Grant Program. PREPA Grants support any of the 52 cities and towns within the Piscataqua Region Watershed in both Maine and New Hampshire. The program helps our communities make big strides in protecting their natural resources and water quality, as well as in preparing for and adapting to climate change.

Project topics often include:

Shoreland Protection: Safeguarding areas along shores and rivers.
Freshwater Wetlands: Preserving wetlands that provide essential ecological benefits.
Stormwater Management and Erosion Control: Managing rainwater and preventing soil erosion.
Climate Adaptation and Resilience: Preparing for and adapting to climate changes.
General Actions for the Watershed: Efforts to improve water quality, protect natural resources, and build climate resilience. For example, land conservation, increasing vegetative buffers, or adopting fertilizer regulations.

We strive to make the entire grant process—from application to reporting—as accessible as possible. Our current application is only five (5) pages and our team is always available to discuss your questions, your budding ideas, or provide first-time application support.

Additionally, we conduct and update an assessment (called The Piscataqua Region Environmental Planning Assessment (PREPA)) that does the leg work of identifying gaps or inconsistency in water quality and natural resource protections in our entire region, organized by town. The assessment includes both regulatory and non-regulatory approaches to resources management. By looking up the data for your specific city or town, you can use that analysis as inspiration for your project.

Grants may be for planning or regulatory purposes. Have questions or what more information? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions and/or contact Community Engagement Manager Abigail Lyon:

📧 Abigail.Lyon@unh.edu ☎️ (603) 862-3729

Frequently Asked Questions

Get Emails about PREPA Grant Opportunities

A fall marsh landscape in Great Bay with pines and deciduous tress in the background and blue water and red glasswort and tan marsh grass in the foreground. Photo by Jerry Monkman.

2025-2026 PREPA Grant Request for Proposals

We're excited to announce our Request for Proposals for 2025-2026 PREPA Grants. Funding for each project ranges from $5,000-$25,000 in scope. Applications are due March 31, 2025.

For more information about this opportunity, please visit our Request for Proposals page and/or download the Request for Proposals. On January 15, 2025 from 10AM-11:30AM (EST), we’re hosting a PREPA Grant Program webinar on Zoom. In this session, we’ll break down the fundamentals about the application process, hear from funded applicants, and answer all your questions during a Q&A session.

Request for Propsals (PDF)

Request for Proposals
(Word Document)

Register for our January
PREPA Grant Webinar

A map of the Piscataqua Region Watershed, featuring 42 towns in New Hampshire, ranging east from Portsmouth and Hampton, west to Deerfield and Candia, and North to Wakefield. The map also features 10 Maine towns from Acton north and inland), Berwick, to Kittery along the coast. The map is also color cordinated by subwatershed, including the Piscataqua River, Salmon Falls River, Lamprey River watersheds, among others.

Eligibility

The PREPA Grant Program provides funding opportunities to any of the 52 cities and towns in the Piscataqua Region Watershed in both Maine and New Hampshire.

It also funds watershed groups and organizations partnering with one or more municipalities in the Piscataqua Region Watershed. A watershed is an area of land where all the water from rain and snow drains into a common body of water, such as a river, bay, or ocean.

Our waterways are deeply connected, even if there is distance between them. From Wakefield and Deerfield in New Hampshire to Portsmouth (NH) and Kittery, Maine our watershed is like a big bowl that catches all the water and channels it to one place: the ocean. When all parts of our watershed thrive, so do we.

Projects may, but are not required to, use town-specific recommendations and/or analysis from the Piscataqua Region Environmental Planning Assessment.

Click the map to the left to view an enlarged version.

Get Ideas for your grant: explore the data by Municipality in the PREPA Assessment

Choose Municipality

The 2020 Assessment - All data collected can be downloaded for each of the 52 municipalities in the Piscataqua Region watershed. Click the button to the left to select your municipality. A new tab will open with recommended actions.

Each community page includes an Excel spreadsheet with community-specific data, excel spreadsheets with data for the corresponding sub-watersheds, and community-specific actions for better protection of water quality and natural resources, as well as enhanced community resilience.

An update to the assessment will launch in 2025.

Shoreland Protection

Adopting and enforcing setbacks for all building, septic systems, and fertilizer application from all ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, and coastlines is critical to protecting the long-term water quality of the Piscataqua Region's surface waters. Explore the "Shoreland Protection" data to learn more about setback and buffer protections across the watershed.

54% of municipalities in the Piscataqua Region watershed have no regulations restricting the disturbance of vegetated buffers along 1^st-3^rd order streams, 56% for 2^nd order streams, and 48% for 4^th order streams, lakes, and great ponds.

1^st order streams
2^nd order streams
3^rd order streams
4^th order streams
Lakes
Tidal Waters

PREP recommends buffers of 100 feet to protect water quality and recognizes that when larger buffer width are not feasible, even a 50 foot buffer provides environmental benefit (Buffer Options for the Bay).

84% of municipalities require septic setbacks from waterbodies.

37% of municipalities require septic systems be setback at least 100 feet from waterbodies.

1^st order streams
2^nd order streams
3^rd order streams
4^th order streams
Lakes
Tidal Waters

PREP recommends setbacks of 100 feet, where possible, for 1^st-4^th order streams, lakes, and ponds to support water quality (Buffer Options for the Bay).

79% of municipalities require setbacks for primary structures from waterbodies. 21% of municipalities have primary structure setbacks of 100 feet along 1^st-3^rd order streams, 25% have primary building setbacks of 100 feet along 4^th order streams, and 33% have primary building setbacks of 100 feet along lakes and great ponds.

1^st order streams
2^nd order streams
3^rd order streams
4^th order streams
Lakes
Tidal Waters

PREP recommends setbacks of 100 feet, where possible, for 1^st-4^th order streams, lakes, and ponds to support water quality (Buffer Options for the Bay).

21% of municipalities in the watershed have adopted regulations restricting the application of fertilizers adjacent to 1st-4th order streams, lakes, and ponds, and only 3 of these communities require a buffer of 100 feet or greater.

79% of municipalities have no regulations restricting or preventing the application of fertilizer along shorelands.

1^st order streams
2^nd order streams
3^rd order streams
4^th order streams
Lakes
Tidal Waters

PREP recommends setbacks of 100 feet, where possible, for 1^st-4^th order streams, lakes, and ponds to support water quality (Buffer Options for the Bay).

Download all 2020 PREPA data for the Piscataqua Region watershed

Freshwater Wetlands

Adopting and enforcing buffers of vegetated, undisturbed land surrounding freshwater wetlands protects waterbodies from pollution and degradation by allowing wetlands to continue to filter pollutants and sediment, provide flood storage, and habitat for wildlife. Explore the "Freshwater Wetlands" data to learn more about buffer protections across the watershed.

Municipalities have designated “prime” (NH) or “significant” wetlands and adopted local regulations to protect these wetlands: 44% yes; 56% no

Municipalities offer explicit protections for vernal pools: 48% yes; 52% no

44% of municipalities in the Piscataqua Region watershed have no regulations restricting the disturbance of vegetated buffers along wetlands.

Soil Minimum Buffer Width
Vegetation Minimum Buffer Width
Vegetation Buffer - Tidal Waters

PREP recommends buffers of 100 feet to protect water quality and recognizes that when larger buffer width are not feasible, even a 50 foot buffer provides environmental benefit (Buffer Options for the Bay).

92% of municipalities have primary building setbacks but only 15 municipalities require setbacks of 100 feet along wetlands.

88% of municipalities have secondary building setbacks but only 12 municipalities require setbacks of 100 feet along wetlands.

Primary Structure Setback
Secondary Structure Setback

PREP recommends setbacks of 100 feet, where possible, for wetlands to support water quality (Buffer Options for the Bay).

28% of municipalities in the watershed have adopted regulations restricting the application of fertilizers adjacent to waterbodies, and only 3 of these communities require a buffer of 100 feet.

71% of municipalities have no regulations restricting or preventing the application of fertilizer along wetlands.

PREP recommends setbacks of 100 feet, where possible, for wetlands to support water quality (Buffer Options for the Bay).

Download all 2020 PREPA data for the Piscataqua Region watershed

Stormwater Management & Erosion Control

Adopting ordinances and regulations for new and redevelopment that mandate the use of stormwater infiltration practices improves control of non-point source pollution from future development, mitigates and reduces runoff and non-point source pollution from existing development, and manages the quality and quantity of water resources. Explore the "Stormwater Management & Erosion Control" data to learn more about stormwater management across the watershed.

25 out of 52 municipalities have adopted the Southeast Watershed Alliance stormwater management ordinance/regulations or equivalent (Maine 10 municipalities).

15% of municipalities have a cap for effective impervious cover (EIC) and half of those have a cap of 10%.

23 out of 52 municipalities require the use of Low Impact Development (LID) techniques to the maximum extent practicable for new development and redevelopment.

12 out of 42 municipalities in NH participate in the Great Bay Pollution Tracking and Accounting Project

0 out of 52 municipalities have a stormwater and flood resilience fee or equivalent dedicated funding mechanism.

52% of municipalities have a minimum area of land disturbance that “triggers” the application of the municipality's stormwater management regulations equal to or less than 20,000 sq. ft.

*Madbury: Aquifer protection zone 2,500 square feet; within 100 feet of a waterbody trigger is 25,000 square feet; all other development the trigger is 40,000 square feet/New Durham: trigger dependent on slope/Sanford: All development subject to some stormwater management regulations

PREP recommends municipalities adopt "trigger" thresholds of 20,000 square feet or less for the application of stormwater management regulations. Lower thresholds better support water quality and capture more development that is subject to stormwater management regulations.

Download all 2020 PREPA data for the Piscataqua Region watershed

Climate Adaptation & Resilience

Municipalities in the Piscataqua Region watershed are already experiencing the impacts of flooding from sea-level rise, coastal storm surge, relative sea-level rise induced groundwater rise, and increased precipitation, among other impacts. Completing climate vulnerability assessments for municipalities and critical infrastructure and incorporating climate projections into land use planning and regulatory practices can increase resiliency. Explore the "Climate Adaptation & Resilience" data to learn more about approaches municipalities are implementing across the watershed.

38% of municipalities have completed some form of climate change vulnerability assessment.

22 out of 52 municipalities have completed some form of climate adaptation planning effort.

19 out of 52 municipalities have adopted regulatory changes intended to reduce the municipality’s vulnerability to the impacts of climate change.

4 out of 52 municipalities explicitly account for climate change impacts in conservation planning.

9 out of 52 municipalities have updated design standard requirements for new public infrastructure that accounts for the impacts of climate change.

Download all 2020 PREPA data for the Piscataqua Region watershed

Actions for Watershed

The 2020 assessment highlighted the need for more protections for water quality, natural resources, and climate resiliency across the watershed. Explore "Action for the Watershed" to learn more about the critical actions our municipalities can take.

PREP is committed to assisting our municipalities increase protections for water quality. PREP is requesting proposals for the 2021 PREPA Grant Program from municipalities and partnering organizations within the Piscataqua Region watershed for projects resulting in achievement or significant progress toward achievement of one or more of the proposed actions for municipalities. For recommendations specific to a municipality, scroll to the top of this page and select the blue button "Choose Municipality."

Despite improvements over the last five years, results from the 2020 assessment continue to show there are critical protections still needed in most of our municipalities across the watershed. Below are the most critical actions our municipalities can take to better protect water quality and natural resources and to enhance community resilience. The following highest priority actions apply to the entire Piscataqua Region watershed. For recommendations specific to your municipality, scroll to the top of this page and select the blue button "Choose Municipality."

Apply science summarized in the NH Coastal Flood Risk Summary Part 1: Science by incorporating the step-by-step process laid out in the NH Coastal Flood Risk Summary Part 2: Guidance for Using Scientific Projections into local land use regulations.

Key Resources: NH Coastal Adaptation Workgroup

New Hampshire Coastal Flood Risk Summary – Part I: Science

New Hampshire Coastal Flood Risk Summary, Part II: Guidance for Using Scientific Projections

Continue land conservation efforts by working with landowners and local land trusts interested in voluntary land conservation. Many community in the watershed complete an Open Space Plan and/or Natural Resource Inventory or Assessment that identifies town-specific conservation priorities.

Key Resources: The Land Conservation Plan for New Hampshire's Coastal Watershed, Land Conservation Priorities for the Protection of Coastal Water Resources: A Supplement to The Land Conservation Plan for New Hampshire's Coastal Watersheds, The Land Conservation Plan for Maine's Piscataqua Region Watersheds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Don't see your question below? Please contact Abigail Lyon! 📧 Abigail.Lyon@unh.edu ☎️ (603) 862-3729

Funding varies from year to year depending upon federal budgets. That said, when you apply for a grant, the funds have already been secured and are ready for disbursement.

For reference, the 2023-2024 cycle offered funding between $5,000 and $25,000 per project, with up to $100,000 in funding for all projects. Applicants are required to budget a minimum of 15% for community engagement.

Currently, the source of funding for the PREPA Grant Program comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Data and recommendations for each municipality in the watershed were collected during the spring and summer of 2020 with staff support from the following:

To gather information, we reviewed Municipal Master/Comprehensive Plans, zoning ordinances, subdivision and site plan review regulations, natural hazard mitigation plans, open space plans, natural resource inventories, and climate change vulnerability assessments.

We update the assessment periodically with the next update expected in 2025.

History of the PREPA Grant Program

The PREPA grant program was established in 2016 following the publication of the 2015 Piscataqua Region Environmental Planning Assessment (PREPA) and building off the previous Community Technical Assistance Program grants. Current funding is provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Below are a few highlights from previous PREPA Grant-funded projects:

$16,284.14 has been granted to communities
$147,722.89 in match leveraged
21 community projects
Projects include:
- land conservation planning
- wetland/stream buffer protections
- fertilizer application regulations
- stormwater management regulations
- climate change vulnerability assessments

resources for towns

PREPA Grant Program

2025-2026 PREPA Grant Request for Proposals

Eligibility

Get Ideas for your grant: explore the data by Municipality in the PREPA Assessment

More information about Common Project Topics

Shoreland Protection

Freshwater Wetlands

Stormwater Management & Erosion Control

Climate Adaptation & Resilience

Actions for Watershed

Frequently Asked Questions

History of the PREPA Grant Program

2025-2026 PREPA Grants: Request for Proposals

2024-2025 PREPA Grants: Celebrating Five Local Community Projects Making an Impact

Unlocking Grant Opportunities: Simplifying the Path for Community Resources

Support for PREP