Second Cycle of Grants for Restoration of Natural Resources at Oak Ridge Reservation Scheduled to Open in October

Officials managing the $42 million Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR) Natural Resource Damages Restoration Fund will begin accepting requests for proposals next month for the second round of grants to help restore natural resources at the Superfund site.

The grant application period opens Oct. 19, 2026, with submissions due by 4 p.m. CST Jan. 22, 2027. Trustees will host a Restoration Grant Collaborative Workshop to help applicants prepare and connect with potential partners on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, at the TDEC Oak Ridge Field Office, 761 Emory Valley Road, Oak Ridge.

The ORR Natural Resource Damages Restoration Grant Program solicits, evaluates and selects projects that restore natural resources lost or damaged due to historic contamination at the ORR, which originated during the Manhattan Project in the 1940s.

Trustees administering the program include the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and the U.S. Department of the Interior through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). DOE and the State of Tennessee established the $42 million fund through a 2024 Consent Order, with the State administering the account.

The grants will fund projects that create ecological, groundwater, and recreational benefits, resulting in a net gain in natural resource services. Eligible project types include habitat creation, restoration, enhancement, habitat preservation, groundwater improvements, and enhancements to public recreation and access. Examples include removing invasive species and restoring native vegetation, improving boat launches, building trails, upgrading public recreation amenities, and conserving land for public access

Restoration priorities are outlined in the ORR Natural Resource Damage Assessment Restoration and Compensation Determination Plan/Environmental Assessment.

Eligible applicants include public entities including state and local governments, authorities, districts, and commissions, as well as nonpublic entities such as private organizations, corporations, partnerships, nonprofits, and individuals. Project locations must fall within designated HUC-12 watersheds identified in the request for proposals.

Applicants must submit a pre-proposal and meet requirements outlined in the newly released ORR Natural Resource Damages Restoration Project Selection Procedure (RPSP) Manual. Projects must include at least a 20 percent match, with higher match levels receiving priority. Some projects may require environmental permits or reviews, including NPDES coverage, aquatic resource alteration permits, federal Clean Water Act permits, and associated ecological or cultural consultations.

Proposals will undergo review by representatives of the ORR Trustees. Selected proposals will be posted available for public comment before final approval. TDEC, with Trustee consent, will execute grant contracts as funds allow.

RFP materials and application instructions are available through the TDEC Grants Management System. More information on the Oak Ridge Reservation can be found on TDEC's website.

For questions, applicants may contact Debbie Duren at [email protected].