Subtask1_7_RecsFromExistingPlansReport

Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning
Efforts with Flood Resilience
Recommendations
North Carolina Flood Resiliency Blueprint
Prepared for the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality by AECOM
September 2023
North Carolina Flood Resiliency Blueprint
Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | i
Table of Contents
Definitions ...................................................................................................................... iv
Acronyms ......................................................................................................................... v
1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Purpose of Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations ................... 1
1.2 Overview and Organization of Recommendations on How to Use Existing Work ..................... 1
1.3 Inclusion Criteria ............................................................................................................................... 2
1.4 Connections to Other North Carolina Flood Resiliency Blueprint Tasks .................................... 2
2 Plans Review .............................................................................................................. 3
2.1 Plans and strategies.......................................................................................................................... 3
2.1.1 North Carolina Climate Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan (2020) ......................... 3
2.1.2 State of North Carolina Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Plan (2023) .............................. 4
2.1.3 North Carolina Department of Transportation Resiliency Strategy Report
(2021) ................................................................................................................................. 6
2.1.4 North Carolina Department of Administration Climate Strategy Report
(2022) ................................................................................................................................. 7
2.1.5 North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service Climate
Strategy Report (2022) ..................................................................................................... 7
2.1.6 North Carolina Department of Commerce Climate Strategy Report (2022) .............. 8
2.1.7 North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Climate Strategy
Report (2022) ..................................................................................................................... 8
2.1.8 North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Climate Strategy
Report (2022) ..................................................................................................................... 9
2.1.9 North Carolina Department of Information Technology Climate Strategy
Report (2022) ................................................................................................................... 10
2.1.10 North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Climate Strategy
Report (2022) ................................................................................................................... 11
2.1.11 North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Climate
Strategy Report (2022) ................................................................................................... 12
2.1.12 North Carolina Department of Public Safety Climate Strategy Report (2022) ......... 16
2.1.13 North Carolina Department of Revenue Climate Strategy Report (2022) ................ 23
2.1.14 Action Plan for Nature-Based Stormwater Strategies (2021) .................................... 23
2.1.15 North Carolina Natural and Working Lands Action Plan (2020) ................................ 29
2.1.16 North Carolina Coastal Habitat Protection Plan: Amendment (2021) ...................... 30
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2.2 Technical Reports ........................................................................................................................... 31
2.2.1 North Carolina Climate Science Report (2020) ............................................................ 31
2.3 Studies ............................................................................................................................................. 33
2.3.1 Collaboratory Flood Resiliency Study (2021) .............................................................. 33
2.4 Programs .......................................................................................................................................... 37
2.4.1 Regions Innovating for Strong Economies and Environment Program (2020) ........ 37
2.4.2 North Carolina Resilient Coastal Communities Program (2020) ............................... 39
2.4.3 North Carolina Resilient Coastal Communities Program (2020) ............................... 40
2.4.4 Flood Risk Reduction Grant Program (2022) ............................................................... 40
2.4.5 North Carolina Division of Water Infrastructure Stormwater Funding
Program (2022) ............................................................................................................... 41
2.5 Data Tools ........................................................................................................................................ 42
2.5.1 North Carolina Resilience Clearinghouse (2022) ......................................................... 42
2.5.2 Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool (2020) ............................................................. 42
3 Recommendations with Applicability to Blueprint ..................................................... 44
3.1 Climate and Risk Assessment Plan................................................................................................ 44
3.2 State Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Plan ....................................................................................... 44
3.3 NCDOT Resiliency Strategy ............................................................................................................ 45
3.4 North Carolina Department of Administration Climate Strategy Report (2022) ...................... 45
3.5 North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Climate Strategy Report (2022)......... 45
3.6 North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Climate Strategy Report
(2022) ................................................................................................................................................ 46
3.7 North Carolina Department of Information Technology Climate Strategy Report
(2022) ................................................................................................................................................ 46
3.8 North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Climate Strategy Report
(2022) ................................................................................................................................................ 46
3.9 North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Climate Strategy
Report (2022) ................................................................................................................................... 47
3.10 North Carolina Department of Public Safety Climate Strategy Report (2022) ......................... 48
3.11 Action Plan for Nature-Based Stormwater Strategies (2021)..................................................... 54
3.12 Natural and Working Lands Assessment Plan ............................................................................. 59
3.13 Coastal Habitat Protection Plan: Amendment 2021 ................................................................... 59
3.14 Collaboratory Flood Resiliency Study .......................................................................................... 60
3.15 Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the RISE Program .................................. 61
3.16 Resilient Coastal Communities Program ..................................................................................... 61
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3.17 Resilient Communities Program ................................................................................................... 61
3.18 Flood Risk Reduction Grant Program (2022)................................................................................ 61
4 Concluding Remarks ................................................................................................. 62
5 Index ........................................................................................................................ 63
5.1 Parameter Assessment Overview .................................................................................................. 63
5.2 Index Summary Table ..................................................................................................................... 64

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Definitions
A comprehensive list of definitions applicable to multiple Flood Resiliency Blueprint documents is
provided in a separate document.

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Acronyms
BRIC – Building Resilient Infrastructure and
Communities
CAMA – Coastal Area Management Act
CCAP – Coastal Change Analysis Program
CDBG-DR – Community Development Block
Grant-Disaster Recovery
CDBG-MIT – Community Development Block
Grant-Mitigation
CHPP – Coastal Habitat Protection Plan
DEMLR – Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land
Resources
DMF – NC Division of Marine Fisheries
DOT – Department of Transportation
DPR - Division of Parks and Recreation
DWR – Division of Water Resources
EO – Executive Order
ESHPF – Emergency Supplemental Historic
Preservation Fund
FAIR data – data which meet principles of
Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and
Reusability
FEMA – Federal Emergency Management
Agency
FIMAN – Flood Inundation Mapping and Alert
Network
FIMAN-T – Flood Inundation Mapping and
Alert Network-Transportation
FY – Fiscal Year
GIS – Geographic Information System
IRT – Interagency Resilience Team
IT – Information Technology
LEED – Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design
NAP – Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance
Program
NC – North Carolina
NCCF – North Carolina Coastal Federation
NCCSR – North Carolina Climate Science
Report
NCDA&CS – North Carolina Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Service
NCDEQ – North Carolina Department of
Environmental Quality
NCDEQ-DWI – North Carolina Department of
Environmental Quality-Division of Water
Infrastructure
NCDHHS - North Carolina Department of
Health and Human Services
NCDIT – North Carolina Department of
Information Technology
NCDMVA – North Carolina Department of
Military and Veterans Affairs
NCDNCR – North Carolina Department of
Natural and Cultural Resources
NCDOA – North Carolina Department of
Administration
NCDOC – North Carolina Department of
Commerce
NCDOR – North Carolina Department of
Revenue
NCDOT – North Carolina Department of
Transportation
NCDPS – North Carolina Department of Public
Safety
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NCEM – North Carolina Emergency
Management
NCORR – North Carolina Office of Resilience
and Recovery
NERR – National Estuarine Research Reserve
NFIP – National Flood Insurance Program
NGO – Non-Government Organization
NOAA – National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
NWL – Natural and Working Lands
OSA – Office of State Archaeology
RAPT – Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool
RCCP – Resilient Coastal Communities
Program
RISE – Regions Innovating for Strong
Economies and Environment
RSF – Recovery Support Function
SAV – Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
SCM – Stormwater Control Measure
SDRTF – State Disaster Recovery Task Force
SERA – State Emergency Response Application
SHPO – State Historic Preservation Office
TAG – Technical Advisory Group
TBD – To Be Determined
UNC – University of North Carolina
USACE – United States Army Corps of
Engineers

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1 Introduction
1.1 Purpose of Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience
Recommendations
The purpose of this Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations Review is to
document identified specific recommendations from existing statewide planning efforts that
correspond with flood resilience strategies, and to provide an understanding of completed and
ongoing statewide efforts related to watershed and resiliency planning. This review will build an
awareness of existing efforts to meet the intent of the North Carolina (NC) Flood Resiliency Blueprint
(Blueprint). The Blueprint is a statewide watershed planning effort to establish a framework and tools
to assist local communities in decision-making related to reducing flood risk and increasing resilience.
Reviewed materials are organized by purpose in the sections listed below.
• Plans and Strategies
• Technical Reports
• Research Studies
• Programs
• Data Tools
For each source, the report includes the identified flood resiliency strategies and recommendations
on how to use existing work. Assessment parameters, including relevance to the Blueprint, year
published, and update cycle, are summarized in the Index. Identification of existing recommendations
including possible applicability to the Blueprint in is presented in this document as well as a
spreadsheet format in Subtask 2.10 so users can navigate listed actions.
1.2 Overview and Organization of Recommendations on How to
Use Existing Work
Establishing how to use the flood resiliency recommendations included in the many hundreds of
pages of relevant documentation is a key part to setting a basis for understanding. This process
acknowledges the extensive efforts from diverse cross-sector stakeholders across North Carolina
while presenting recommendations for how this content can strategically inform the Blueprint
development. The recommendation areas included in this report refer to the
recommendations/strategies identified in these statewide planning efforts. This document cites
reports and their associated recommendations. The intent is not to alter a report’s recommendations,
but to leverage those recommendations for further development in informing the Blueprint.
The Principal Advisory Group, Core Advisory Group, Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) and other
stakeholders may use these documents and the identified recommendations to enhance and
complement their participation in the Blueprint development.
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1.3 Inclusion Criteria
Inclusion criteria for resources listed in this literature review and data inventory are listed below.
• Statewide geographic scope. The geographic scope for this inventory is the State of North Carolina;
materials included have statewide considerations and/or applicability.
• Credible and vetted. Resources have state or agency support or have been reviewed by subject
matter experts.
• Up-to-date, latest version. Generally, resources are published in 2019 or later, responsive to
Governor Roy Cooper’s Executive Order 80 that was signed in late 2018. If annual updates are
available, only the latest are reviewed (but earlier versions may be mentioned and/or links
included).
1.4 Connections to Other North Carolina Flood Resiliency
Blueprint Tasks
It is important to note that many of the reviewed materials for flood resilience strategies are listed in
full in the Statewide Planning Efforts with the Literature Review in fulfilment of Subtask 1.1 and the
identification of existing recommendations including possible applicability to the Blueprint in
fulfillment of Subtask 2.10.

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2 Plans Review
2.1 Plans and strategies
The Plans and Strategies section includes state level plans that include the background, summary of
efforts, and recommendations that are included in the listed planning efforts. Subtask 2.10 will
include the recommendations for NC Blueprint from the existing plans. The recommendations are
from the reviewed plans and are not specific for inclusion into Blueprint. Plans will need to be
included in the action strategy review for each basin to ascertain if recommendations have been
completed or if the recommendations should be updated with the Basin Strategy.
2.1.1 North Carolina Climate Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan (2020)
(https://files.nc.gov/ncdeq/climate-change/resilience-plan/2020-Climate-Risk-Assessment-and-
Resilience-Plan.pdf)
2.1.1.1 Background
The North Carolina Climate Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan (2020 Resilience Plan) was released
in June 2020. The development of the 2020 Resilience Plan, led by the North Carolina Department of
Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) with interagency collaboration and stakeholder support, was a key
action directed by Governors Cooper’s Executive Order 80 (EO 80), signed in October 2018. The plan's
purpose is to guide state action, engage policymakers and stakeholders, and facilitate col laboration
among many partners to protect the state against high-impact, low-frequency weather events.
2.1.1.2 Summary of Efforts
The 2020 Resilience Plan also establishes the North Carolina Resilience Strategy, formed by four
component documents:
1. North Carolina Climate Science Report
2. State Agency Resilience Strategies
3. Statewide Vulnerability Assessment and Resilience Strategies
4. State of North Carolina Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Plan
The 2020 Resilience Plan provided the following information:
• Our best understanding of the projected change in the climate.
• Climate justice considerations.
• State infrastructure, assets, programs, and services within 11 critical sectors vulnerable to climate
and non-climate stressors.
• Preliminary actions currently underway or which could be taken to reduce the risk for at least three
example vulnerability areas.
• Recommendations for nature-based solutions to enhance ecosystem resiliency and sequester
carbon in the state’s natural and working lands (NWL).
The 2020 Resilience Plan also establishes Cross-Cutting Resilience Strategies:
• Consider resilience criteria in making state investments
• Update plans, standards, and design values
• Increase resilience capacity in state agencies
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• Identify sustainable funding sources for resilience
• Increase communication and outreach on climate change
2.1.1.3 Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the Climate and Risk
Assessment Resilience Plan
Recommendations from the Flood Resiliency Identified in the Climate and Risk Assessment Resilience
Plan include:
• Integrate climate change adaptation practices and resiliency planning into cabinet agencies’
policies and operations.
• Coordinate state agencies’ annual Climate Strategy Reports.
• Facilitate stream management and flooding reduction working group.
• Facilitate interagency communication on resilience topics projects.
• Facilitate the State Disaster Recovery Task Force (SDRTF) to coordinate efforts and advise state
government as needed on recovery and resilience.
• Support the development of an update to the NC Uniform Floodplain Management Policy for State
Construction.
• Conduct building vulnerability assessments and identify mitigation strategies for areas impacted
by riverine flooding from Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. https://flood.nc.gov/advisoryflood/)
• Conduct flood mitigation studies.
• Begin administering the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Program.
• Develop an online resilience resource center for local governments and community leaders.
• Purchase homes in the floodplain.
• Repair and elevate storm-damaged homes.
• Support nine regions in the eastern half of the state to complete climate vulnerability assessments
and develop implementation pathways for 5 to 10 priority projects.
• Work with local governments affected by Hurricane Matthew to restore damaged critical
infrastructure.
• Develop a climate resilience planning guide for local leaders.
• Account for climate change in the State Hazard Mitigation Plan.
• Conduct a dam breach analysis on intermediate and high hazard dams.
• Improve data collection at sites where flooding is expected. https://fiman.nc.gov/)
• Pilot a flood insurance program.
• Support updating and modeling NC climate impacts, local capacity building, and planning for
nature-based solutions to flooding impacts.
2.1.2 State of North Carolina Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Plan (2023)
(https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/emergency-management/hazard-mitigation/enhanced-
hazard-mitigation-plan)
2.1.2.1 Background
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires state and local governments to develop
and adopt hazard mitigation plans to receive certain types of non-emergency disaster funds. North
Carolina's Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Plan makes the state eligible for more funds to prevent future
damage. Due to the enhanced plan status, North Carolina qualifies for 20 percent (as opposed to 15
percent) of the total federal recovery assistance funds (i.e., what has been paid out through the
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combined individual and public assistance programs). These funds can be used on projects to
minimize the impact of future storms. The State of North Carolina Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Plan is
referenced in the 2020 Climate Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan and is considered a North
Carolina Resilience Strategy component. It is listed as a standalone source for this literature review.
2.1.2.2 Summary of Efforts
The Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Plan includes a Risk Identification and Vulnerability Assessment
considering natural and technological hazards, corresponding vulnerabilities, and critical asset
inventory. Statewide mitigation capabilities, including North Carolina Emergency Management
(NCEM) functions, state agency roles, mitigation programs and funding, local and tribal capabilities,
mitigation planning, and mitigation grants management are identified and summarized. The
mitigation strategy section identifies goals, objectives, and actions.
2.1.2.3 Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the Enhanced Hazard
Mitigation Plan
Recommendations for the Flood Resiliency Identified in the Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Plan include:
• The repetitive loss and severe repetitive loss strategy for North Carolina is geared towards
encouraging local communities to prioritize mitigation of repetitive loss and severe repetitive loss
properties and removing the financial strain imposed upon the National Flood Insurance Program
(NFIP) for claims that compensate homeowners who have suffered repeatedly from flood losses.
• Develop a robust network of tools and systems throughout the state to help local and state officials
better prepare for and respond to flooding events. This would include the following:
o Increasing the number of stream-flow gauges and dam impoundment water level gauges
statewide
o Collecting stream gauge data, rainfall data, and high-water mark data regularly
o Providing information to communities on real-time flood inundation
• Develop flood warning and alert system.
• Acquire or elevate properties that are in areas vulnerable to flooding.
• Analyze building stock to identify potential structures that could be mitigated.
• Provide funds to purchase conservation easements or land within the floodplain.
• Identify properties to be acquired that will support mitigation by coordinating with other entities
(such as the Clean Water Task Force) to leverage other funding sources for acquisition to support
additional state mandated goals.
• Develop and conduct county-wide educational programs for local officials on wildfire programs
such as Firewise Communities, “Ready, Set, Go!” and Fire Adapted Communities, and on flood risk
including flood mapping, new Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map s, flood insurance.
• Promote the benefits of adopting higher standards in local Flood Damage Prevention Ordinances.
• Promote river basin wide planning of flood hazards.
• Promote consideration of future build-out conditions when establishing land use and floodplain
management regulations.
• Promote and support recognition programs, such as the Community Rating System.
• Promote improvement of storm drainage systems.
• Promote full funding of NC Flood Mapping Program to complete new Flood Insurance Studies for
the entire state.
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• Produce future volumes of NC measuring success publications documenting losses avoided
quantitatively and qualitatively.
• Work with the NCDEQ Division of Coastal Management in developing the hazard mitigation portion
of the revised planning guidelines under the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA).
• Continued strategic growth of the NC ECONet, with new stations installed in areas that lack
adequate climate and weather data.
• Meet annually with NC Housing Finance Agency to identify available funding that could be used for
mitigation and discuss opportunities to collaborate.
• Directly integrate mitigation actions from the state hazard mitigation plan into the Risk MAP
program to ensure progress is tracked and recognized.
• Improve Coordination/Education/Outreach to identify better and assist underserved communities
as identified in the FEMA Strategic Plan 2022-26.
2.1.3 North Carolina Department of Transportation Resiliency Strategy
Report (2021)
(2021: https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/Transportation/transportation-
resilience/Documents/ncdot-resilience-report.pdf)
(2022: https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/Transportation/transportation-
resilience/Documents/ncdot-resilience-report.pdf)
2.1.3.1 Background
The first North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Resilience Strategy Report published
in 2021 aligns agency goals and objectives. It serves as the guiding document for agency activities,
policy and practice improvements, and decision-making moving forward.
2.1.3.2 Summary of Efforts
The NCDOT Strategy includes a review of completed and ongoing agency activities, studies, plans, and
state and national tools for use in contextualizing the recommended strategies. A peer review of three
other state departments of transportation (DOTs) has found relevant practices that help to inform
NCDOT as it pursues future resilience-related actions, such as vulnerability assessments or pilot
studies. The NCDOT 2022 Resilience Strategy Report supplies a status update and progress report on
agency actions.
2.1.3.3 Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the NCDOT Resiliency
Strategy Report
Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the NCDOT Resiliency Strategy Report include:
• Application for Site-Specific Information Storage and Tracking (ASSIST).
• Address gaps in ferry planning and standards - Assess the vulnerability of all the Ferry Division’s
infrastructure assets, including waterway channels, with respect to natural hazards.
• Continue to pilot and assess risk and vulnerability studies: Future I-87 corridor in eastern NC and I-
40 and I-26 in the west.
• Incorporate resilience planning into the Statewide Multimodal Freight Plan.
• Continue incorporating risk and resilience considerations into the Transportation Asset
Management Plan. Continue building and improving storm operation tools (Flood Inundation
Mapping and Alert Network -Transportation [FIMAN-T], FIMAN-T Surge, and Bridge Watch).
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• Incorporate resilience assessments in long range plans.
• I-95/I-40 Flood Resilience Study complete.
• Statewide Roadway Inundation Analysis complete. Upload to the NCDOT geographic information
system (GIS) platform early 2022.
• Rail Strategic Transportation Corridors inundation analysis complete. Uploaded to NCDOT GIS
platform early 2022.
• Coastal Roadway Inundation Tool complete.
• US-70 vulnerability assessment pilot from Raleigh to Morehead scoped and started. Anticipated
completion summer 2022.
• US-74 vulnerability assessment pilot from Charlotte to Wilmington scoped and started. Anticipated
completion spring 2022.
• Future Precipitation for Resilient Design Applied Research – Future rainfall distributions for
modeling.
2.1.4 North Carolina Department of Administration Climate Strategy Report
(2022)
(2022: https://www.deq.nc.gov/climate/ncdoa-climate-strategy-report-fy22/download?attachment)
2.1.4.1 Background
The Climate Strategy Report released in October 2022 by the North Carolina Department of
Administration (NCDOA) establishes a framework to the vulnerabilities to climate change. This
document provides approaches for the NCDOA to implement improvements and use for decision-
making.
2.1.4.2 Summary of Efforts
The NCDOA advocates for many programs that have the goals to support populations that have been
underserved. The report aligns with these objections through multi-pronged approach of
participating in updating the NC uniform floodplain management policy for state construction, and
invest in historically underserved communities as well as, reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
2.1.4.3 Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the NCDOA Climate Strategy
Report
Recommendations for the Flood Resiliency Identified in the NCDOA Climate Strategy Report include:
• Integrate climate change adaptation practices and resiliency planning into cabinet agencies’
policies and operations.
Other resiliency efforts are mentioned although the report does not provide actionable item s to
mitigate the climate change vulnerabilities.
2.1.5 North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service
Climate Strategy Report (2022)
(2022: https://www.deq.nc.gov/climate/ncdacs-climate-strategy-report-
fy22pdf/download?attachment)
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2.1.5.1 Background
In 2022, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services published a report
about the Departments Climate Strategies. The intent of this document is to identify the latest climate
vulnerabilities and provide actionable efforts that make the divisions with the North Carolina
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service (NCDA&CS) prepared.
2.1.5.2 Summary of Efforts
The NCDA&CS Report includes review of completed and ongoing agency strategies to promote the
purpose of this document. The latest climate vulnerabilities are identified by divisions within
NCDA&CS, as well as an overview of the Department’s response and preparedness efforts. The
NCDA&CS 2022 Climate Strategy Report supplies a status update and progress report on agency
actions.
2.1.5.3 Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the NCDA&CS Climate
Strategy Report
Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the NCDA&CS Climate Strategy Report include:
• Preserving upriver farms to reduce flooding in North Carolina.
• Provides education and implementation of cover crop, conservation tillage, and cropland
conversion programs for stormwater management leading to increased rainfall infiltration and
decreased soil erosion and runoff.
• Educational resources and examples are provided to farmers to use Noninsured Crop Disaster
Assistance Program (NAP) Insurance programs, along with resources for cost share and disaster
assistance programs to prepare and recover following weather disaster events.
• The Plant Conservation Program has secured funding to address existing culvert and road wash-
out concerns at coastal plain preserves.
2.1.6 North Carolina Department of Commerce Climate Strategy Report
(2022)
(2022: https://www.deq.nc.gov/climate/ncdoc-climate-strategy -report-
fy22pdf/download?attachment)
2.1.6.1 No flood resiliency strategies identified.
2.1.7 North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Climate Strategy
Report (2022)
(2022:https://www.deq.nc.gov/climate/ncdeq-climate-strategy-report-
fy22pdf/download?attachment)
2.1.7.1 Background
The NCDEQ is an agency that supports the North Carolina ecosystem and is a steward of the
environment. The agency and the 2022 Climate Strategy Report provides the framework for the 2022
through 2024 Strategic Plan which works towards the vision of the NCDEQ being a leader in using
collaborative, inclusive processes to solve pressing environmental issues.
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2.1.7.2 Summary of Efforts
The mission of NCDEQ is to provide science-based environmental stewardship which is provided by
the seven key goals outlined in the 2022-2024 Strategic Plan. The goals set aim to promote, create,
streamline, protect, and strengthen the communities and infrastructure within North Carolina. To
track the progress on goals, objects, and key results of the strategic plan the NCDEQ has assembled
implementation teams to address any obstacles. To help formalize the Climate Risk Assessment Plan,
a cross-divisional team within NCDEQ was created and tasked with incorporating resiliency planning
into agency programming and decision-making. Above approaches should assist the NCDEQ goals of
progress being easier to track internally.
2.1.7.3 Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the NCDEQ Climate Strategy
Report
Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the NCDEQ Climate Strategy Report include:
• Environmental justice was included in the scope of work for the Statewide Flood Resiliency
Blueprint and in the priority rating system for the Water Resources 319 grant.
• In addition, environmental justice was incorporated into NCDEQ’s formal recommendations for
updates to the Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Plan.
• Evaluate air monitoring site locations located in low drainage and flood -prone areas.
• Conduct hydrologic and hydraulic capacity study of dams in the Neuse and Lumber River Basins.
• Complete dam breach modeling.
• Implement strategies for enhanced waste management storm preparedness.
• Execute Scuppernong River Study.
• Add to the NC Flood Inundation Mapping and Alert Network.
• Recalculate flow statistic methods.
• Secure Funding for Natural Infrastructure Flood Mitigation Program.
• Increase resiliency of dams during storms.
• Continue coastal habitat restoration at Cedar Island.
• Coordinate water resources rules revisions that support EO 80.
• Include climate change impacts in basin watershed action plans.
• Rachel Carson National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) Habitat Resilience Plan that identifies
and priorities areas for resilience projects based on known vulnerabilities and hazards.
• Develop Statewide Flood Resiliency Blueprint .
• Create resilience tools and resources for local governments.
• Implement Phase 2 of Tribal Coastal Resilience Connection Project.
• Implement Phases 3 and 4 of Resilient Coastal Communities Program.
• Implement Phases 1 and 2 of Resilient Coastal Communities Round 2.
• Deliver Coastal Training Program to coastal decision-makers on nature-based strategies to reduce
coastal hazards, barrier island development, and low-impact development basics for water quality
protection.
• Launch Technical Assistance Grant for Stormwater Infrastructure.
2.1.8 North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Climate
Strategy Report (2022)
(2022: https://www.deq.nc.gov/climate/ncdhhs-climate-strategy-report-
fy22pdf/download?attachment)
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2.1.8.1 Background
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) published a unique Climate
Strategy Report in 2022 that highlights the Department’s strengths and vulnerabilities when
discussing climate change. The vision for the NCDHHS is to foster innovative solutions to build
resilience, improve health, and promote well-being for all residents of North Carolina.
2.1.8.2 Summary of Efforts
There are 33 divisions of NCDHHS that fall within one of the six categories- Health, Opportunity and
Well-Being, Medicaid, Operational Excellence, Policy and Communications, and Health Equity. These
categories underwent a peer review to find applicable practices that help inform NCDHHS as it
pursues future resilience-related actions, such as risk assessments, evaluations, plans, and other state
tools that respond to the NCDHHS goals and objectives. For clear progress report on agency act ions,
the NCDHHS 2022 Climate Strategy provides status update.
2.1.8.3 Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the NCDHHS Climate
Strategy Report
Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the NCDHHS Climate Strategy Report include:
• Complete a flood survey assessment and develop adaptation strategies to promote environmental
justice and equity by including input from community leaders who can advocate for the needs of
their community and mitigate the risk of isolation during flooding after a hurricane.
• Continue Black River Flooding Forecast Initiative that address the public health impacts of climate
change by alerting residents that are most vulnerable to flood risks so they can make actionable
steps.
2.1.9 North Carolina Department of Information Technology Climate
Strategy Report (2022)
(2022: https://www.deq.nc.gov/climate/ncdhhs-climate-strategy-report-
fy22pdf/download?attachment)
2.1.9.1 Background
The environmental justice lead at North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) has
committed to work towards the Climate Strategy Report that was published in 2022. This document
gives an overview of what that framework is for the department along with progress, and actionable
steps being made that align with the NCDIT mission statement. This document provides approaches
for the NCDIT to implement improvements and use for decision-making.
2.1.9.2 Summary of Efforts
The NCDIT acknowledges that information technology (IT) systems are vulnerable to climate changes
and in the 2022 Climate Strategy Report, the Department reviews completed and ongoing agency
activities, studies and plans that are recommended wit hin the document. To perform a climate risk
assessment and resilience plan the NCDIT has taken a two-pronged approach. The first is the
Department has internally set to improve and modernize information technology and data center
services to increase resiliency against severe weather events as they grow stronger. The second
approach is to externally promote climate risk and resilience information to other state, county, and
local government agencies. As the NCDIT continues to develop resilient policies, exp and outreach,
North Carolina Flood Resiliency Blueprint
Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 11
and budget to include strategies for improving climate change, the 2022 Climate Strategy Report
provides a status update and progress report.
2.1.9.3 Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the NCDIT Climate Strategy
Report
Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the NCDIT Climate Strategy Report include:
Send teams to meet with county, city, and town IT leaders to brainstorm ideas for improving and
adapting resiliency planning ideas Continue Black River Flooding Forecast Initiative that address the
public health impacts of climate change by alerting residents that are most vulnerable to flood risks
so they can take actionable steps.
2.1.10 North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Climate
Strategy Report (2022)
(2022: https://www.deq.nc.gov/climate/ncdmva-climate-strategy-report-
fy22pdf/download?attachment)
2.1.10.1 Background
The North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (NCDMVA) is committed to ensuring
that all those who served, and their loved ones, are made aware of and maximize all the benefits and
resources available. NCDMVA manages the state veterans’ homes and state veterans’ cemeteries.
2.1.10.2 Summary of Efforts
North Carolina is a geographically and climatically diverse state with a climate already defined by
extreme and changeable weather. As natural and climate disasters increase in frequency, magnitude,
and duration, the NCDMVA has identified the following vulnerabilities and risks to its services: a.
Hurricanes and other severe weather events may impact personnel transportation to and from the
place of business for the primary workforce. NCVMVA structures are primarily leased, and our
workforce, other than cemetery staff, is office-based with little outdoor or off-site requirements. b.
Extreme heat and extreme cold damages the state veterans’ cemeteries, both facilities and the burial
sites. Primarily these conditions generate additional personnel requirements to manage additional
watering of lawns and repair and replace grave markers. Extreme weather may damage existing
Department facilities, such as state veterans’ homes, more frequently. Power outages may become
more frequent, affecting communications systems and facility operations. Some events may generate
major repair and renovation requirements at the homes. Flooding may be a concern at some
locations.
2.1.10.3 Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the NCDMVA Climate
Strategy Report
Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the NCDMVA Climate Strategy Report include:
• Evaluate the impacts of climate change on cabinet agencies’ programs and operations.
• Understand and address the effect of climate change on state veterans’ cemeteries. Completion
date: summer 2022. The maintenance and landscaping of the state veterans’ cemeteries has
become increasingly more complex with the temperature and rainfall changes during the seasons.
Maintaining a lush, attractive plot of land requires innovation and skill to coordinate fertilization,
North Carolina Flood Resiliency Blueprint
Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 12
installation, mowing, and mulching in the peak growing seasons. This will minimize the wasted
efforts during non-optimal growing seasons.
• Coordinate with facility owners of leased property supporting Veteran Service Centers to ensure
the facilities are prepared for natural disasters. Planned expected completion date: To be
determined (TBD). NCDMVA plans to review contracts for all leased facilities to ensure they includ e
owner’s responsibility reference care for facility in the case of a natural disaster.
• Protect the state veterans’ homes from flooding. Propose evaluation of any additional protective
measures that should be taken if a flooding incident takes place near the facility.
• Integrate climate change adaptation practices and resiliency planning into cabinet agencies’
policies and operations.
• Adopt best practices for the state veterans’ cemeteries. Proposed expected completion date: June
30, 2030. The department will integrate any appropriate climate change adaptation practices and
resiliency planning into the policies and operations of the state veterans’ cemeteries as required
and as identified by the NCDEQ.
• Develop and distribute a contacts list to keep necessary services up and running before, during,
and after a disaster. Planned expected completion date: TBD. The NCDMVA plans to develop and
internally distribute a local, state, and federal contacts list to facilitate disaster preparedness and
response.
2.1.11 North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Climate
Strategy Report (2022)
(2022: https://www.deq.nc.gov/climate/ncdncr-climate-strategy-report-
fy22pdf/download?attachment)
2.1.11.1 Background
The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) considers how it
manages specific assets under its stewardship, like public lands and facilities, state historic sites, and
public records, accounting for the growing impacts of climate change. The department uses its
educational and regulatory programs to encourage broader adoption of best practices for addressing
climate change and implementing resilience strategies among its partners and the public. These
programs range from inventories of natural and cultural resources, to administering grant funding t o
protect important resources, to educational programs aimed at specific constituents (local planners,
public records administrators, etc.) and the public at large through activities at NCDNCR’s many
facilities.
2.1.11.2 Summary of Efforts
Two such examples are new climate change education signs at 80 NCDNCR sites and the expansion of
a citizen science project using Chronology photographic technology to collect data and document
ecosystem change, spearheaded by NC State Parks in partnership with NC State University . Another
approach to fulfilling the strategies in the Climate Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan is the creation
and fulfillment of a sustainability coordinator position.
2.1.11.3 Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the NCDNCR Climate
Strategy Report
Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the NCDNCR Climate Strategy Report include:
North Carolina Flood Resiliency Blueprint
Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 13
• Increase statewide resilience to the impacts of climate change.
• NCDNCR Strategic Plan is underway and expected completion date: June 2023. Floodplain and
wetland acquisition and restoration.
• Conduct environmental reviews and help constituents for disaster recovery, response, and
mitigation for future events. During the next twelve months, NCDNCR will continue to provide
support for planning and resiliency initiatives underway, and initiate planning, resiliency, and
construction repair projects for historic resources. This work will take place under the Emergency
Supplemental Historic Preservation Fund (ESHPF) Disaster Assistance grant projects for Hurricanes
Florence and Michael recovery. In addition, the Environmental Review branch of the State Historic
Preservation Office continues to work expeditiously to review all disaster-related and resiliency-
oriented projects within a 30-day turnaround schedule. Finally, five members of the State Historic
Preservation Office staff have completed or will complete Floodplain Management training
sponsored by the NC Department of Public Safety by the end of calendar year 2022.
• NC Museum of Art: Complete bridge, culvert, path repairs and replacement and stream restoration.
• Evaluate off site storage solutions for collections at risk from the triple threats of flooding, heavy
precipitation, and sea level rise climate risks across the department.
• Consider climate-related hazards when developing master plans for natural areas, parks, and
nature preserves. Expected completion date: June 2023. The Division of Parks and Recreation
(DPR) will begin to develop a protocol for resiliency and climate related mitigation methods to
implement into both the General Management Plan development and future Master Plans.
• Assessment of the Imperilment of plants and animal species is underway. Expected completion
date: December 2022. The Natural Heritage Program is working to update the statewide lists of rare
plant and animal species of North Carolina. These reports, which are updated every two years,
provide a list of all the plant and animal species that are listed as Endangered, Threatened, or of
Special Concern as well as all Significantly Rare species that are not formally protected but are
imperiled enough to warrant tracking and monitoring to prevent extirpation. Habitat information
and counties of occurrence are also included. The Natural Heritage Program is currently
coordinating with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and NC Plant Conservation Program to
add state Threatened, Endangered, and Special Concern plant species to the State Wildlife Action
Plan Species of Greatest Conservation Need. The proposal has been submitted to the United States
(US) Fish and Wildlife Service and a decision is expected before the end of 2022. In late 2021, the
Natural Heritage Program launched range-wide status surveys of Carolina Hemlock and Mountain
Purple Pitcher Plant, assessing threats from all sources including climate change, habitat
fragmentation, and invasive species.
• Inventorying and monitoring of state nature preserves is ongoing. Expected completion date: N/A.
Field biologists monitor rare species as they conduct biological inventories of lands under
consideration for protection as state nature preserves. Special attention is paid to species and
habitats that are most vulnerable to a changing climate and natural disasters such as hurricanes,
floods, and landslides. During the field season of 2022, Natural Heritage Program staff worked
closely with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS) to survey natural areas at
prisons and propose new state nature preserves on state-owned land. During the upcoming year,
the Natural Heritage Program plans to survey lands along the Waccamaw River (Columbus
County), Pond Mountain (Ashe County), and Chowan River (Bertie County), as well as many
additional sites.
• Participation in the Recovery Support Functions of the State Disaster Recovery Task Force is
ongoing. Expected completion date: N/A. NC Natural Heritage Program and NC Land and Water
North Carolina Flood Resiliency Blueprint
Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 14
Fund staff participate in the Environmental Recovery Support Function of the State Disaster
Recovery Task Force, as does the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in the Cultural
Resources Recovery Support Function, contributing map data and recommendations for the
upcoming Disaster Recovery Framework update. The SHPO will participate in all update work as
invited by the Emergency Management divisions of the NCDPS.
• Participation in the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) South Atlantic Coastal Study At-Risk
Cultural Resources Analysis is underway. Expected completion date: Unknown. For this project, the
Office of State Archaeology and NC SHPO are consulting with USACE to identify cultural resources
(historic and archaeological sites, historic districts, and other historic resources) vulnerable to
coastal storm damage and sea level rise. This analysis is part of a multi-state effort throughout the
southeastern US and Caribbean. GIS and archaeological and architectural survey data along with
staff expertise are all proving crucial to informing this effort. Many of the places identified are
federal and state historic assets open to the public. Both the North Carolina Office of State
Archaeology as well as NC SHPO will continue to work with the USACE as the progress proceeds per
USACE timelines.
• Complete the NC Shorescape Archaeological Survey . Expected completion date: Unknown. In fiscal
year (FY) 2022-2023, the Office of State Archaeology (OSA) will undertake a North Carolina
Shorescape Survey to identify and document archeological resources associated with coastal
communities that are most at risk of being damaged by storm events. The focus is on identifying
and documenting sites within 200 feet (60 meters) of the shoreline. The focus is on identifying and
documenting sites within 200 feet (60 meters) of the shoreline, including into the submerged lands.
Survey projects will go out for proposal and fieldwork will be completed over the next 12 months.
These surveys will allow OSA to determine the location and extent of shoreline archaeological
resources, the conditions of these sites and their associated shorelines, the historical significance
of these resources, and management strategies to preserve these shoreline archaeological
resources.
• Monitoring of wildlife and plants for Climate Change Impacts is ongoing. Expected completion
date: N/A. The NCDNCR is identifying potential impacts of climate change on plants and animals in
North Carolina. Over time, scientists will be able to correlate data with changes in weather patterns
and sea levels. The NCDNCR is monitoring the following species and animal groups: Sand tiger
sharks, Sea turtles (all species), Crystal skipper butt erfly, Gopher frogs – two populations at Pine
Knoll Shores, least tern colony at Pine Knoll Shores, stranded marine mammals (all species) along
the northern NC coastline, and lionfish on offshore shipwrecks.
• Conduct Teddy Roosevelt Natural Area Biodiversity Surveys. NC Aquariums conducted two
biodiversity surveys in the Teddy Roosevelt Natural Area, adjacent to the Pine Knoll Shores
Aquarium, 40 years apart. This long-term monitoring data could be tied to climate change. This
project has been completed.
• Integrate climate change adaptation practices and resiliency planning into cabinet agencies’
policies and operations.
• Hire a Sustainability Coordinator in the NCDNCR. Completion date: September 2022. The NCDNCR
developed a new sustainability coordinator position and hired the successful candidate in
September 2022. This position supports the development and implementation of actions, policy,
and program decisions to ensure the NCDNCR is a leader among state agencies in addressing
environmental sustainability, including but not limited to: assistance to divisions in the
development of resilience and adaptation strategies for the effects of a changing climate; the
creation of departmental strategies, goals, and benchmarks for mitigating carbon emissions in
North Carolina Flood Resiliency Blueprint
Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 15
response to objectives and priorities set by the Governor and Secretary; and the development and
implementation of educational materials and programs that capitalize on the potential of the
NCDNCR’s public-facing sites and programs to raise awareness among North Carolinians about
environmental sustainability and science.
• Help libraries contribute to community disaster preparedness. Expected completion date:
December 2023. For this project, the State Library will collaborate with the NC Public Library
Directors Association to recognize and support the role that libraries play in disaster preparedness
and recovery efforts more formally. Planning will begin the winter/spring of 2022-23 by forming a
committee and creating an action plan for 2023. The project team will assess the types of support
the State Library can offer libraries for this role.
• Manage state parks with prescribed fire as method to increase ecosystem resilience is ongoing.
Expected completion date: N/A. The NCDNCR runs an active prescribed fire program to maintain
natural communities in an ecologically healthy condition. A healthy habitat is one better suited to
adapting to whatever climatic condition it faces. State Parks has performed 70 separate prescribed
fires on 15 of its properties in the past year totaling 5,708 acres. The Divisions of Parks and
Recreation and Land and Water Stewardship are jointly working with NC Forest Service to share
information about nature preserves with sensitive natural areas that should be given special
consideration during fire suppression and management activities. The Prescribed Fire Branch of
the Natural Resources Program aims to consistently conduct 50 to 70 prescribed fires on a yearly
basis statewide. This is accomplished through internal efforts and the collaborations established
with assisting partners. The recent historic accomplishments of between 6,000 and 7,000 acres is
profound within the agency yet continues to fall short of the need of 15,0000 to 20,000 acres
annually. The NC General Assembly has provided funding to the NCDNCR through the FY 2022- FY
2023 budget for two regional “Burn Bosses” to coordinate prescribed fires throughout the state
park system. Funds have also been provided for firefighting equipment and personal protective
equipment. Staffing expansions aim to increase the recent successes, though none of this is
accomplished without partner assistance due to the complex nature of an ever-increasing wildland
urban interface in North Carolina.
• Management of land restoration is ongoing. Expected completion date: N/A. The DPR is actively
restoring lands and waters that have been damaged from past land activities. Actions on lands
include conversion of pine plantations and abandoned agricultural fields to a more natural
condition. Streams and wetlands are being restored by re-creating natural channels and removing
artificial structures such as dams and culverts. Examples of DPR’s restoration work include:
o Phase 2 of the pine plantation conversion at the Deep River-Justice restoration project area
continues with the treatment of invasive species, the reintroduction of prescribed fire, and the
enhancement and monitoring of groundcover species appropriate to the site.
o Dam removal at the Deep River Justice tract is scheduled to begin by the end of 2022.
o Invasive species treatments continue at the Lake James State Park 126 restoration area, a prior
eastern white pine plantation. A successful prescribed fire in spring 2022 was conducted jointly
between DPR, North Carolina Forest Service, US Forest Service, and The Nature Conservancy
staff members. This fire has facilitated the augmentation planting of shortleaf pine, Table
Mountain pine, pitch pine, and additional fire appropriate white and red oak species.
o DPR Natural Resources and Operation staffs are working collaboratively with Coastal
Federation on the shoreline resiliency projects at Carolina Beach State Park, Hammocks Beach
State Park, Theodore Roosevelt State Natural Area, Fort Macon State Park, and Jockey’s Ridge
State Park.
North Carolina Flood Resiliency Blueprint
Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 16
o The pine plantation conversion project at Carvers Creek State Park will begin in FY23 (Phase 1).
o Phase 3 prescribed fires and monitoring are planned for the Goose Creek restoration area in
FY23. Groundcover and longleaf pine reintroductions, as well as initial prescribed fires have
been completed to date.
o DPR continues to work with the Eno River Hydrilla Task Force to control this aquatic invasive
species within the upper Neuse River basin. New, though patchy, populations of hydrilla were
detected by DPR staff in August 2023.
o Groundcover augmentation, mid-story control work, and prescribed fires are scheduled for
FY23 at Weymouth Woods State Natural Area at the Boyd Tract, home to the oldest known
longleaf pine in the US. This is to correct historic negative impacts.
o Natural Resource staff are collaborating with University of North Carolina (UNC)-Wilmington on
a dendrochronological study at Weymouth Woods State Natural Area, Carvers Creek State
Park, and Cliffs of the Neuse State Park to provide historical fire regime insight and inform
future decisions.
o Natural Resources staff are collaborating with the Southern Appalachian Spruce Restoration
Initiative and the NC Natural Heritage Program to augment red spruce and Frasier fir
populations on Mount Mitchell and Grandfather Mountain State Parks, which have been
historically impacted by past land-use, wildfires, invasive species, and now changing climatic
conditions that effect the microhabitats and associated species. In collaboration with the Bog
Learning Network, Natural Resource Program staff are continuing shrub control and invasive
species management work at Pineola, Sugar Mountain, and Beech Creek bogs to protect
several federal and state significant species.
2.1.12 North Carolina Department of Public Safety Climate Strategy Report
(2022)
(https://www.deq.nc.gov/climate/ncdps-climate-strategy-report-fy22pdf/download?attachment)
2.1.12.1 Background
The NCDPS is the primary state agency affected by and responsible for addressing climate-related
impacts to the public safety sector. NCDPS serves as the state’s chief protector and defender of the
public and is the statewide public safety and homeland security agency.
2.1.12.2 Summary of Efforts
The NCDPS focuses citizen and legislative attention on law enforcement and public safety issues, such
as the supervision of offenders in prison or under Community Corrections supervision, justice
reinvestment, reentry planning, highway safety, crime prevention, victim services, and homeland
security. Through its Emergency Management Division and Office of Recovery and Resiliency, NCDPS
is also responsible for preparation for, response to, and recovery from natural and man-made
disasters, as well as coordinating and providing the public face of North Carolina’s resiliency efforts.
2.1.12.3 Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the NCDPS Climate Strategy
Report
Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the NCDPS Climate Strategy Report include:
• Increase statewide resilience to the impacts of climate change.
• Evaluate the impact of climate change on cabinet agencies’ programs and operations.
North Carolina Flood Resiliency Blueprint
Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 17
• Conduct a vulnerability assessment of facilities within the Division of Adult Corrections. Expected
completion date: December 2024. Funding in the amount of $3 million was approved to begin
Phase I of a Comprehensive Facility Strategy for our Prison Facilities. The funding is an initial step
of a $25 million effort to develop an operational strategy and model for the prison system. It will
include a vulnerability review NC DPS 12 as part of a Facility Condition Index for all prison
locations. The Condition Index will be coupled with operational data to determine the most
efficient usage of all resources for the custody management of inmates.
• Conduct a vulnerability assessment of National Guard facilities and relocate buildings as needed.
Expected completion date: January 2040. The NC National Guard is shifting to a “Hub and Spoke”
model of a few large Regional Readiness Centers with a network of smaller Readiness Centers
surrounding them strategically. The Guard’s Construction and Facility Maintenance Office is
applying data on sea level rise and other resilience information to determine which current
facilities are not sustainable given current climate projections. With that information, the Guard
will prioritize new construction projects and decide what properties can be retired. This process is
expected to be ongoing over a period of decades as Congress makes more funds available to re-
envision how the National Guard operates from a structural standpoint. Climate resilience will
always be a critical element of decision making.
• Integrate climate change adaptation practices and resiliency planning into cabinet agencies’
policies and operations.
• Coordinate state agencies’ annual Climate Strategy Reports. Expected completion date: Annually:
October 2022. In 2022, the Governor’s Office issued a memo requesting that all state agencies
annually report their progress on implementing the actions in the 2020 Climate Risk Assessment
and Resilience Plan, EO 80, and EO 246 in one report – the Climate Strategy Report, due each
October. Previously state agencies reported progress on the Resilience Plan and Executive Order
80 in separate documents; this is the first time state agencies will report on EO 246, announced in
January 2022. The North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resilience (NCORR), in partnership with
NCDEQ, developed a template and created a process for each agency to submit their
accomplishments to the Governor’s Office, the NC Climate Change Interagency Council, and the
public. NCORR will continue coordinating and advising state agencies on this reporting process in
2023.Facilitate a stream management and flooding reduction working group. Expected completion
date: N/A. NCORR has established an intergovernmental working group comprising representatives
from the NCDEQ, Transportation, Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Natural and Cultural
Resources, among others and is conducting outreach to other stakeholders outside of state
government to recruit for membership. NCORR has submitted two reports to the Joint Legislative
Commission on Governmental Operations and NCDPS and the Fiscal Research Division regarding
the findings and recommendations of the working group. Thus far, the working group has
identified several issues for further discussion and recommendation, including (among others):
o The need for restricting development in the floodplain and expanding the requirements for
floodproofing.
o The need for land conservation along the coast and within floodplains, and the need to
reinstate NC’s land conservation tax credit to incentivize keeping people and development out
of areas vulnerable to flooding. The need for ongoing outreach and education regarding what
can be accomplished through various flood reduction methods to improve public and private
decision making. The working group will further refine and develop these and other
recommendations for the legislature. In the short term, the working group intends to focus its
North Carolina Flood Resiliency Blueprint
Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 18
efforts on analyzing the 2021 Flood Resilience Study by the UNC Policy Collaboratory, which
was submitted to the state legislature.
• Facilitate interagency communication on resilience topics projects. Expected completion date:
N/A. NCORR facilitates the Interagency Resilience Team (IRT), as called for in Chapter 7 of the 2020
Climate Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan, to provide a structure for state staff to coordinate
resilience projects and to support the development of annual Climate Strategy Reports. The IRT
includes at least one resilience lead from each state cabinet agency, as well as t he Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Affairs and the Wildlife Resources Commission. This team meets
monthly.
• Facilitate the State Disaster Recovery Task Force to coordinate efforts and advise state
government as needed on recovery and resilience is ongoing. Expected completion date: N/A.
NCORR manages the SDRTF, which supports and advises state agencies as they address long-term
recovery and undertake resilience-building initiatives statewide. The SDRTF is made up of 12
committees called Recovery Support Functions (RSFs). Since the start of this year, the
Environmental Preservation RSF has held several meetings to update members on ongoing
resilience efforts across state agencies, including rainfall modeling and data gathering, local
capacity building, and nature-based flood reduction planning efforts for which NCDEQ has
received funding through NCORR’s Community Development Block Grant -Mitigation (CDBG-MIT)
program. The Nonprofit and Volunteerism RSF worked on its first set of recommendations on
improving diversity, equity, and inclusivity in disaster recovery and resilience. Two overarching
themes of the recommendation document are to strengthen relationships between NCEM and
nonprofits with strong ties to Black and Latino populations, and to allocate disaster resources in a
way that reduces equity gaps. The Housing RSF discussed NCDPS and how the American Rescue
Plan Act programs can work together to support North Carolina residents to obtain and stay in
safe, secure, and affordable housing across income spectrums. Housing instability and housing
cost burden are strong drivers of household-level vulnerability to climate change. NCORR has
made significant strides toward implementing the recommendation of the Housing RSF to increase
production of affordable, accessible housing by leveraging Community Development Block Grant-
Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds.
• Support the development of an update to the NC Uniform Floodplain Management Policy for State
Construction. Expected completion date: December 2023. NCORR, in partnership with NCEM and
the NCDOA, worked with the Governor’s Office to develop Executive Order 266, which Governor
Cooper signed. The EO directs NCDOA to update the state’s requirements for construction on state
land subject to flooding. A direct outgrowth of NCORR’s work with the IRT, the EO will result in
increased resilience for state assets by both updating the requirements for such construction
(which requirements had last been updated in 1990) and by expanding the scope of projects
subject to such requirements by implementing a flood risk management process beyond
application of the previous 100-year floodplain standard. NCORR will assist NCDOA with
developing the new requirements and flood risk management standard. EO 266 provides an 18 -
month deadline for NCDOA’s adoption of the new policy.
• Conduct building vulnerability assessments and identify mitigation strategies for areas impacted
by riverine flooding from Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. Completion date: fall 2022. In 2020,
NCEM began a building level risk assessment and mitigation strategy development process for
approximately 12,000 square miles of unstudied streams heavily impacted by riverine flooding
from Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. Flood risk analyses and building level flood damages and
mitigation alternatives assessments were completed in the Summer of 2022 and NCEM recently
North Carolina Flood Resiliency Blueprint
Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 19
launched the NCEM Advisory Flood Data viewer (https://flood.nc.gov/advisoryflood/) to
disseminate study reports, flood analyses boundaries and building-level risk assessment data to
local communities, state agencies, and the public.
• Conduct flood mitigation studies. Expected completion date: Fall 2022. In 2020, NCEM initiated
new flood mitigation studies for the Northeast Cape Fear River, Cape Fear River, Little River, and
Cashier River Basins. NCEM completed flood and mitigation alternatives analyses in the summer of
2022 in in the process of completing final reports for the project. Final reports will be complete and
loaded to the Rebuild NC website (https://www.rebuild.nc.gov/resiliency/river -basin-studies) to
share with the public in the fall of 2022.
• Begin administering the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program.
Expected completion date: N/A. In 2020, the federal government released its pre-disaster
mitigation program, NCEM launched BRIC, which aims to shift the focus away from reactive
disaster spending and toward research-supported, proactive investment in community resilience.
In the 2020 BRIC application, 32 projects were submitted for the competitive evaluation by FEMA
and five were selected for award worth approximately $30M. The state is currently waiting for these
projects to receive an award letter and begin work. In the 2021 BRIC application, 49 projects
totaling approximately $167M were submitted for the competitive evaluation by FEMA. FEMA
review of all submitted projects is ongoing with expected notification date of selection in July 21.
• Develop an online resilience resource center for local governments and community leaders
Underway Expected Completion Date: December 2023 NCORR, in partnership with the NCDEQ and
several North Carolina environmental nonprofits and universities, has hired a consultant to begin
the initial stages of developing an online climate resilience clearinghouse for local governments
and community leaders. The tool is called for in the 2020 North Carolina Climate Risk Assessment
and Resilience Plan (2020 Plan) and in the North Carolina Natural and Working Lands Action Plan.
The resource will “point users to relevant climate data and best practices for building resilience in
an equitable way” (p. 7-15, 2020 Plan). The project is supported by funding from the US Climate
Alliance.
• Purchase homes in the floodplain. Expected completion date: April 2026. NCORR administers the
ReBuild NC Strategic Buyout Program, which is a voluntary program that purchases properties that
are at-risk for flooding and turns them into deed-restricted greenspace. The Strategic Buyout
Program engages closely with local governments and communities to identify contiguous areas
that are good fits for the program, and the program offers generous financial incentives to
encourage applicants to move to places that are less at risk for flooding. The program has received
230 applications since the program opened in January 2020 and has received 23 applications since
March 2022. The program has undergone significant streamlining efforts in the last several months,
which has resulted in a 937% increase in movement toward project completion. The program
made its first three offers to applicants in July 2022. The program expects to onboard state staff to
facilitate applicant progression, begin purchasing homes, and expand to additional areas. NCORR
intends to continue to identify areas in which the program can be simplified .
• Repair and elevate storm-damaged homes is ongoing. Expected completion date: N/A. NCORR
administers the ReBuild NC Homeowner Recovery Program, North Carolina’s long-term disaster
recovery program, to repair and elevate storm-damaged homes. Between March and August 2022,
NCORR completed 35 repair and elevation projects despite facing challenges from the nationwide
material delays, labor shortages and a significant increase in material pricing. Those 35 projects
consist of manufactured housing replacements, reconstruction of single-family residences and
rehabilitation of single-family residences. Since March 2022, NCORR has made a series of
North Carolina Flood Resiliency Blueprint
Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 20
enhancements to the Rebuild program. NCORR transitioned from a construction management
vendor to a state-run residential construction management program. In addition to the overhaul of
construction management, NCORR has begun to post procurements to the state’s Interactive
Purchasing System. Due to these changes, NCORR expects to complete over 200 manufactured
home replacements and reconstruction, rehabilitation, and elevation projects by t he end of
December 2022. ReBuild NC is made possible through US Department of Housing and Urban
Development Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery and Community
Development Block Grant – Mitigation funding.
• Support nine regions in the eastern half of the state to complete climate vulnerability assessments
and develop implementation pathways for 5-10 priority projects. Expected Completion Date:
December 2022. Since the program’s launch in fall 2021, NCORR, in partnership with NC Rural
Center, has continued working with consultants and local stakeholders to develop a vulnerability
assessment and a portfolio of five to 10 regional resilience projects in each of the nine multi-county
regions. As of September 2022, all nine vulnerability assessment s have received public comments
and are in the final stages of completion. In addition, all nine regions have developed a draft list of
projects that are under review by local stakeholders. Over the next three months, NCORR will work
with project partners to develop an implementation pathway for each resilience project, to include
a project lead, potential funding opportunities, implementation steps, and more. By December
2022, both documents– the vulnerability assessment and the portfolio of projects – in each region
will be finalized and released the public. In early 2023, NCORR will work with each region to submit
one project to the Duke Energy Foundation for full or partial funding. The Duke Energy Foundation
has committed $600,000 total to aid the implementation of the Regions Innovating for Strong
Economies and Environment (RISE) Regional Resilience Portfolios. The project is part of the RISE
program, which aims to address the need for local capacity building around long-term disaster
recovery and resilience planning and implementation. RISE is part of the North Carolina Resilienc e
Communities program, run in partnership with the NCDEQ. Funding from the Economic
Development Administration and US Department of Housing and Urban Development supports
this project.
• Work with local governments impacted by Hurricane Matthew to restore damaged critical
infrastructure. Expected completion date: August 2024. NCORR’s Infrastructure Program is
currently developing community infrastructure projects in Bladen, Duplin, Hyde, and Robeson
Counties, the City of Lumberton, and in the towns of St. Paul and Princeville. These projects
include a range of critical infrastructure and technical assistance for subrecipient projects as varied
as drainage studies, stormwater drainage, development of potable water sources, sewer
improvements, demolition of dangerous building ruins, and rehabilitation of buildings to be used
for critical community services. In addition, the Infrastructure Program is lending assistance in the
construction of infrastructure to build flood-safe communities, most notably in the Town of
Princeville, and is currently monitoring the development and construction of a homeless-services
building in the City of Fayetteville, which is forecasted to be completed in the early summer of
2023. During the past year, the program has assisted subrecipients in completing the construction
of stormwater infrastructure in Nash County and the ongoing, aforementioned facility in
Fayetteville, assisted subrecipients with procurement of nine architectural-engineering firms for
design of infrastructure improvements, and closely followed the completion of a countywide
stormwater drainage study that includes hydrological and hydraulic calculations that will inform
the county as they develop feasible and cost-effective designs to address extensive stormwater
drainage problem throughout the county. The program’s subrecipients plan to construct
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Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 21
approximately 15 projects. The program is closely monitoring contracted scoping tasks and
accompanying timelines for design, and is proactively advising subrecipients on next steps, leading
toward construction and successful completion.
• Develop a climate resilience planning guide for local leaders. Expected completion date: December
2022. NCORR is working with a consultant to develop a resilient community planning guide for
North Carolina’s local governments. The guide will empower local and regional leaders to
understand their climate vulnerabilities and develop shared priorities for action. The guide will
have two components: A playbook and an idea book. The playbook will guide users through the
process of building a team, analyzing vulnerabilities and assets, brainstorming, prioritizing actions,
and identifying implementation steps. The idea book will prov ide examples of projects, programs,
and policies that improve resilience across social, economic, and environmental domains. The
planning guide is supported by funding from the Economic Development Administration. It is being
developed as a component of RISE in conjunction with the North Carolina Resilience Communities
program, run in partnership with NCDEQ. Both components of the guide should be released in
2022.
• Account for climate change in the State Hazard Mitigation Plan. Expected completion date: Fall
2022. Ensure the Enhanced State Hazard Mitigation Plan includes an emphasis on addressing the
projected impacts of climate change and on protecting, communicating with, and serving
marginalized populations NCEM has integrated climate change and the North Carolina Climate
Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan into the Enhanced State Hazard Mitigation Plan update to the
extent feasible. New FEMA guidance comes into play in April of 2023 that includes specific
considerations for climate change in the risk analysis as well as an expansion of outreach to
underserved populations. Current update is expected to be completed and approved before the
new guidance comes into play, but NCEM did, at the suggestion of the Resilience Plan, begin to
address some specific impacts of climate change in the hazard analysis, specifically regarding heat
and flooding, addressing anticipated changes in frequency/intensity of drought and flood
conditions and the impacts of same on wildfire and landslide hazards. NCEM put the draft up for
public comment from September 22 to October 14, 2022.
• Conduct a dam breach analysis on intermediate and high hazard dams. Expected completion date:
Spring 2023 In 2020, NCEM began conducting dam breach analyses on the remaining 859
intermediate and high hazard dams in NC that currently do not have dam failure inundation
boundaries or building and road risk information. The agency is developing rainfall runoff
hydrological modeling for 287 dams, installing gauges to monitor for dam failure at 130 critical
state and locally owned dams, and integrating all data into a secure monitoring, alert, and warning
system. NCEM has completed analysis of all intermediate and high hazard dams and this
information was loaded into the State Emergency Response Application (SERA) and the dam
warning and alert application. NCEM has also completed rainfall runoff modeling for 287 dam and
has loaded this data into the dam alert and monitoring software. Finally, NCDEQ Dam Safety has
secured long-term funding for annual software fees to continue the dam alert and warning
application. NCEM has recently awarded a contract to install 34 remaining ultrasonic water level
sensors and anticipates having these installed by early 2023. Also, NCEM plans to award a contract
to install 29 remaining pressure transducer water level gauges at dams and install those by early
spring 2023. These water level gauges will be integrated into the dam alert and warning application
once installation is complete.
• Improve data collection at sites where flooding is common. Completion date: fall 2022. To improve
the data collection capabilities of the State Emergency Response Team purchased and is installing
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Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 22
river gauges at 71 additional sites statewide and updated flood inundation libraries and risk
assessments for these additional sites beginning in 2020. NCEM completed installing these 71 new
radar gauges in May of 2022 and all data was loaded to and is being shared through the Flood
Inundation Mapping and Alert Network (FIMAN) application (https://fiman.nc.gov/)
• Pilot a flood insurance program. Expected completion date: TBD. The North Carolina Office of
Recovery and Resiliency and North Carolina Emergency Management are working towards piloting
a flood insurance program. The initiative is in the process of being integrated into the existing
ReBuild NC Homeowner Recovery Program supporting communities significantly impacted by
Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. Currently, NCORR continues to refine program policies,
procedures, and system of record business requirements. NCORR has discussed flood insurance
purchase requirements with FEMA and NFIP generally and as it relates to newly constructed
structures. Flood insurance policies cannot be transferred from building-to-building, but rather are
transferred from owner-to-owner. Hence, an eligible applicant’s existing flood insurance policy on
the old structure would need to be cancelled and a new flood insurance policy would need to be
purchased for the new replacement structure. NCORR was informed by FEMA that 2-year flood
insurance policies may not be pre-purchased, and it takes 30-days for a flood insurance policy to
be in effect. NCORR is developing procedures with all of FEMA’s requirements in mind to ensure
there are no lapses in flood insurance for eligible applicants. NCORR is also reviewing FEMA’s risk
rating for NC as those impacts flood insurance premiums. The NFIP State Coordinator (NCEM)
facilitated a meeting on June 14, 2022, between NCORR and FEMA Region IV Flood Insurance
Liaison to discuss providing NCORR with direct access to NFIP Insurance Data.
• Support the update and modeling of NC climate impacts, local capacity building, and planning for
nature-based solutions to flooding impacts. Expected completion date: N/A. Through its
administration of the CDBG - MIT program, NCORR is funding several planning efforts by other
state agencies that increase statewide resilience to climate change impacts. These projects update
the state’s data and modeling of climate impacts including rainfall and drought, build local
capacity to design solutions to climate vulnerabilities, and develop a natural infrastructure flood
mitigation program. Thus far, NCORR has entered into four funding agreements with NCDEQ and
one with NCDOT to support these important efforts:
o NC Resilient Coastal Communities Program. NCDEQ, Division of Coastal Management. $500,000
CDBG-MIT.
o Statewide Probable Maximum Precipitation Study. NCDEQ, Division of Energy, Mineral, and
Land Resources. $500,000 CDBG-MIT.
o Low Flow Statistics Re-Evaluation and Public Water Supply Boundary Area Assessment.
NCDEQ, Division of Water Resources. $740,700 CDBG-MIT.
o Development of the Natural Infrastructure Flood Mitigation Program and Modeling of Nature-
Based Solutions for Flooding. NCDEQ, Division of Mitigation Services. $340,800 CDBG-MIT.
o Updating the Precipitation Frequency Estimates for North Carolina, the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Atlas 14, NCDOT, $237,120 CDBG-MIT Over the next year,
NCORR will continue to partner with NCDEQ and NCDOT to monitor progress on these efforts.
NCORR is also in the process of entering into a similar agreement with the State Climate Office,
NC State University, to fund a project to incorporate climate data into the state’s precipitation
statistics and create a publicly available, user-friendly interface for this information.
• Create an affordable housing strategy in partnership with the UNC Development Finance Initiative.
Expected completion date: October 2022. NCORR has leveraged the experience of the UNC
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Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 23
Development Finance Initiative to build a strategy for the development and preservation of rental
housing in the 23 counties most impacted and distressed by Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. The
planning study has identified the types of affordable and resilient housing, including multi-family
dwellings, single family homes, and other housing types most needed by those counties. Further,
the study evaluates the availability of suitable properties, the development community’s capacity,
and the financial feasibility of the housing types needed. The plan is intended to inform the
allocation of recovery funds through NCORR’s affordable housing development fund to create new
affordable housing that is safer, more resilient, and better matched with the needs of each
impacted area. The bulk of the analysis, completed in June 2022, includes final strategic
recommendations and tools. The final written report is ex pected in October 2022. In addition,
NCORR will use the planning data to produce county -specific analysis and reporting for each of the
23 counties by March 2023.
2.1.13 North Carolina Department of Revenue Climate Strategy Report (2022)
(2022: https://www.deq.nc.gov/climate/ncdor-climate-strategy-report-
fy22pdf/download?attachment)
2.1.13.1 No flood resiliency strategies identified.
2.1.14 Action Plan for Nature-Based Stormwater Strategies (2021)
(https://www.nccoast.org/2021/08/progress-with-the-nature-based-stormwater-action-plan/)
2.1.14.1 Background
Across North Carolina, leaders are using nature-based stormwater strategies to take on the persistent
challenges of stormwater flooding. To combat this, the North Carolina Coastal Federation (NCCF)
released the Action Plan for Nature-Based Stormwater Strategies on March 3rd, 2021. This roadmap,
developed alongside The Pew Charitable Trusts, provides a guide for incorporating nature-based
strategies into mainstream stormwater management. The goal of this plan is to increase the state’s
resiliency by using nature-based solutions to decrease flood risks and contamination from polluted
water runoff. While the historical approach to stormwater management largely ignored natural
processes, this approach embraces them. Development of the plan was informed by participation of
numerous private and public sector stakeholders engaged professionally in stormwater management
that served on four stakeholder work groups: New Development, Stormwater Retrofits, Roadways and
Working Lands.
2.1.14.2 Summary of Efforts
When the Action Plan was released, the goal was to implement it statewide. The Full Work Group
Meeting showed that this goal can be realized. Nature-based stormwater strategies are being
supported and discussed in the General Assembly. “Cities are finding success with the guidance of the
plan. Agencies and researchers are discovering how useful and effective mimicking nature can be.
Through these and other efforts, nature-based stormwater strategies are positively contributing to
resilience. The NCCF will continue to work with partners to implement the plan. The hope is to make
these techniques mainstream and implemented where feasible on all fronts.”
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Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 24
2.1.14.3 Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the Nature Based
Stormwater Action Plan
Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the Nature Based Stormwater Action Plan
include:
• State and local governments need to lead by example by encouraging the use of nature-based
stormwater strategies and implementing them widely.
• Increase education, outreach and professional training for nature-based stormwater and
watershed management strategies.
• Create a Nature-Based Stormwater Steering Committee to ensure continued stakeholder
engagement and leadership in support of long-term, meaningful progress.
• Expedite permit applications that are designed to achieve runoff volume matching specifications in
the state’s stormwater design manual.
• Secure additional funding to support technical specialist(s) in NCDEQ, associated with NCORR’s
Resilient Communities Program or within other agencies and organizations, including universities
and non-government organizations (NGOs), and through private-public partnerships who can meet
with project designers and developers in early stages of the design phase to evalu ate, advise and
provide technical assistance on site suitability for nature-based stormwater strategies. Specialists
should also assist local permitting authorities.
• Develop detailed informational maps to assist with watershed management plan development
and guide where and what types of nature-based stormwater strategies are most practical and
economical for potential new development sites, including land acquisition strategies, stormwater
mitigation banks, etc. Obtain site characteristics necessary for these maps by relying upon existing
GIS databases.
• Train industry and trade professionals, government staff and decision-makers so that they
understand the benefits and limitations of nature-based stormwater strategies. Elements of this
training need to include continuing education credits for training courses that review permitting
procedures; design criteria for individual measures and practices; operation and maintenance
requirements, including lifecycle costs compared to conventional treatment systems; be nefits of
nature-based systems; and legal instruments used to ensure permit compliance with permittees. ii
Workforce training: Promote skills training on construction and maintenance of low-impact
development to employees of landscape and maintenance firms. iii Peer-to-peer forums and trade
shows: Create and facilitate regular opportunities for practitioners, including private business
sector as well as public entities, to share experiences, collaborate and inspire each other to expand
the use of nature-based stormwater strategies. This initiative includes biannual trade show with
conference and training workshops; list-serve that convenes the community of practice online; and
periodic luncheons, gatherings, and webinars that provide formal and informal opportunities to
discuss experiences and ideas.
• Facilitate local government review of development codes and ordinances for potential inclusion of
nature-based solutions. State agencies, nonprofits and academic partners should work together to
assist local officials in an organized and consistent approach, including community outreach and
technical assistance, to highlight nature-based strategies as a priority resilience measure.
• The NC General Assembly requests a study to determine the degree to which promoting nature-
based solutions saves the state money in addressing flooding and water quality concerns, and an
economic impact analysis of jobs created, improved property values and other benefits because of
applying nature-based solutions. Evaluate how these cost savings and economic benefits, if found,
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Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 25
can be used to provide, and inform financial incentives such as tax breaks, design/planning
assistance, to promote the use of nature-based stormwater strategies. This study should include
state-funded institutions of higher learning.
• Establish a standardized life-cycle cost analysis for disclosure, as is currently being documented in
research at NC State University and include these costs for operating and maintaining permitted
stormwater systems as an update to the state’s stormwater design manual. Update periodically to
ensure accuracy of cost estimates.
• Ensure that maintenance plans prepared as a requirement of state and locally issued stormwater
permits include an estimated budget of lifecycle costs for operating and maintaining the
authorized stormwater system. This critical information will disclose these costs to current and
future permit holders so that they can budget each year to fulfill their long-term financial
responsibilities. In many places, systems that use nature-based stormwater strategies will be more
cost-effective to operate and maintain.
• Create a state-sponsored awards program administered by NCDEQ and/or NCORR that recognizes
notable low-impact development projects and communities leading in applying nature-based
stormwater strategies each year. These awards may highlight creative approaches to coordinating,
funding, and designing nature-based stormwater strategies, and could highlight the successes of
the NC Resilient Communities Program and other state technical assistance offerings.
• Issue appropriate executive orders and policies that promote the use of nature -based stormwater
strategies by the governor’s cabinet agencies to the extent allowed by existing laws and rules. For
certain defined projects, nature-based stormwater strategies should be the default and must be
demonstrated to be impracticable before using conventional methods.
• Request that the NC. General Assembly evaluate if it should encourage the use of nature-based
stormwater strategies by enacting a state law that includes provisions like those in the Federal
Energy Independence and Security Act Section 438. This federal law requires large construction
projects financed by the federal government to “maintain or restore, to the maximum extent
technically feasible, the predevelopment hydrology of the property regarding the temperature,
rate, volume, and duration of flow.
• Develop model policies, incentives, and ordinances that local governments can adopt that
promote the use of nature-based stormwater strategies for local government construction
projects.
• The steering committee will organize local stakeholders to approach local governments to seek
adoption of model incentives, policies and/ or ordinances. State agency technical spe cialists will
support communities in developing and implementing these changes.
• Use nature-based stormwater strategies to bring failing stormwater systems into regulatory
compliance. Devise a streamlined process for modifications of existing state and local permit
requirements so that nature-based stormwater strategies can be used to obtain regulatory
compliance.
• Add a new chapter to the NCDEQ Stormwater Design Manual to provide guidance on the
appropriate uses of nature-based strategies to address compliance issues with its existing permits.
This promotes practices that mimic “hydrologic matching” as already defined in the manual. This
guidance should be written with the intention to simplify the review process.
• Add a new chapter to the NCDEQ Stormwater Design Manual to include guidance on how best to
use nature-based stormwater strategies to retrofit existing land uses that may or may not have
existing stormwater permits. The chapter needs to explain how these measures can be adapted so
North Carolina Flood Resiliency Blueprint
Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 26
that they are cost-effective to use even when site limitations constrain the ability to meet all
optimal design specifications.
• Enact new state legislation to resolve out of compliance stormwater permits that no longer have
an identifiable party responsible for maintaining t heir compliance. The law needs to outline
procedures and provide funding opportunities or incentives to fix these compliance issues and
should explicitly encourage the use of cost-effective nature-based stormwater strategies to fix and
upgrade failing systems. Local governments should establish a program or mechanism to absorb
financial risk and use collective funds to fix noncompliant systems.
• Consider nature-based approaches first when upgrading, updating, or redeveloping existing
government facilities.
• Educate the public about nature-based stormwater strategies by incorporating these practices into
facilities that are frequently visited by the public, such as government office buildings, parks, boat
ramps, schools, and beach access areas. Include educational signage and exhibits in these retrofit
projects to spread public awareness and use of these strategies.
• Develop and identify significant new sources of federal, state, and local funding to support retrofit
projects that reduce flooding, improve water quality, and reduce economic disruptions by
achieving “hydrologic matching.”
• Direct federal and state disaster mitigation funding to plan, design and install nature -based
stormwater strategies as part of recovery programs.
• Adopt policies within all state-administered financial assistance grant and loan programs used to
acquire and retrofit public lands and infrastructure that promote the use of nature-based
stormwater strategies.
• Develop a guidance manual for transportation planners that illustrates effect ive incorporation of
nature-based stormwater strategies into transportation planning and project development
decision making processes. Action Plan for Nature-based Stormwater Strategies: Promoting
Natural Designs that Reduce Flooding and Improve Water Quality 18
• Develop a list of nature-based environmental impact avoidance and minimization actions which
can be evaluated as agencies comply with federal and state environmental review (NEPA/SEPA)
processes.
• Develop roadway typical sections that illustrate nature-based stormwater solutions in the design
context to guide comprehensive transportation planning, project planning and project design.
• Develop technical guidance tailored for roadside operations personnel on techniques for
optimizing the infiltration and evapotranspiration capacity of the roadside environment.
• Include more information and technical guidance on nature-based stormwater strategies that are
appropriate for the transportation system in the NCDOT best management practices toolbox and
share that information with municipal transportation agencies.
• Based on this review, recommend changes to existing laws, rules, ordinances, policies, funding
sources and procedures that facilitate the use of nature-based stormwater strategies.
• Revise NCDOT’s qualification standards for designers, engineers, contractors, and other
professional consultants to include demonstrated training and experience in nature -based
stormwater strategies.
• In addition, NCDOT should ensure contract awardees are trained in nature-based design strategies
and are committed to receiving continuing education on these design options annually. NCDOT
may consider making this a new prequalification code or an amended one, and these trainings may
be developed in partnership with the education programs proposed in the “New Development”
recommendations.
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Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 27
• Provide agency leadership with briefings and supportive materials necessary to secure their
support and guidance on how best to promote the use of these strategies as part of their decision-
making.
• Formalize policies and internal guidance as needed to institutionalize agency leadership support
for prioritizing the use of nature-based stormwater strategies.
• Engage transportation agencies, who are among the largest landowners in the state, as major
partners in the proposed watershed planning effort. Seek to incorporate stormwater strategies for
roadways into overall watershed management strategies recommended in the plans. Explore
opportunities that exist beyond the established right-of-way for cost-effective use of nature-based
stormwater strategies.
• Coordinate agreements between transportation agencies and disaster recovery programs that
expand opportunities to rely on nature-based stormwater strategies to promote the agency
missions of all parties. Seek to direct hazard mitigation investments so that stormwater needs of
transportation agencies are achieved whenever possible.
• Promote the use of forest and agricultural products grown in NC to maintain and expand these
markets so that landowners have strong economic returns from their working lands. Develop a
partnership between trade organizations, conservation interests and academic institutions to help
with this outreach effort. Work with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
standard to enable forest products from smaller forest landowners to be used in LEED certified
buildings, further promoting the use of these products.
• Increase economic incentives from local, state, and federal sources to landowners, including
industrial owners, to preserve wetlands within forest lands, and to preserve forested and
agricultural floodplains. Support ongoing efforts to identify forest lands that are a high priority to
maintain and determine financial assistance or economic incentives needed to keep these lands
working.
• Integrate efforts to maintain working lands into a state watershed management program. Secure
additional funds to support technical, legal, and financial assistance to integrate efforts to
maintain working lands through watershed management strategies designed to reduce flooding
and improve water quality.
• Mount a coordinated campaign that works with state leaders, the NC Congressional delegation and
engaged stakeholders to pursue substantially increased financial resources from the federal Farm
Bill and other programs for conservation. Financial parity with other states could finance wetland
restoration, conservation easements and large-scale hydrologic restoration projects in North
Carolina.
• Direct more federal funds, including disaster mitigation program funding, to support consistent
staffing capacity at the state, regional and local levels to help identify, plan, design, fund, and
construct projects that protect, restore, or replicate natural hydrology. Partner with the Natural
Resources Conservation Service to increase the staffing capacity of federal, state, local and
nonprofit organizations to plan and execute nature-based stormwater strategies on working lands.
• Work with NCORR, N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and other agencies that
administer disaster mitigation funding that is available to enhance staffing levels and consulting
services to aid in the developing and administering hydrology-related projects.
• Continue and expand watershed level initiatives to identify and maximize strategic opportunities
that provide water quality and flood reduction benefits to local and downstream communities.
Seek to incorporate watershed initiatives with other ongoing landscape level programs that have
different but compatible benefits including:
North Carolina Flood Resiliency Blueprint
Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 28
o Coordinate with a new landscape initiative work group comprised of private and public
stakeholders with funding from US Fish and Wildlife Service to identify locations in coastal NC
where private and public funds can be focused on large-scale hydrologic restoration projects.
o Work with military stakeholders to identify target properties that are essential for military
training where hydrologic restoration projects are also feasible. The operations of the
Department of Defense collectively constitute NC’s second largest industry. Preserving working
lands is critical to the military’s ability to function, and the Sentinel Landscapes Partnership is
an important vehicle to facilitate preservation of working lands. It should become an active
partner in implementing this work group’s strategy.
o Implement the Lake Mattamuskeet Watershed Management Plan working with private
landowners, US Fish and Wildlife Service, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, Hyde County,
and N.C. Coastal Federation. Identify existing and emerging regional conservation partnership
opportunities outside the coastal counties that provide opportunities for hydrologic
restoration and management.
• Create opportunities to hold more water on working lands to provide downstream benefits while
compensating for potential crop loss due to the additional water being held on these lands.
• Using the most up-to-date projections available, determine where production zones for working
lands may change due to climate change to inform agricultural management, land use and
conservation decisions.
• Obtain commitments to move forward with comprehensive watershed management framework.
State leaders will devise and fund a multi-year planning framework that encourages watershed
management to reduce flooding and enhance water quality concurrently. This will be supported
and informed by relevant stakeholders drawing on the work group attendees.
• Economic study on costs and benefits of nature-based stormwater strategies. The NC General
Assembly will be encouraged to request a study to prepare an economic analysis that details the
cost savings associated with using nature-based stormwater strategies to mitigate flooding. This
research may be carried out by a private consultant in partnership with NC experts such as those at
(universities, stakeholders, and other interests).
• Promote demonstration projects. Identify and implement projects (new development, retrofits,
roadways and working lands) that demonstrate the value of nature-based stormwater strategies
with real world projects.
• Provide accurate information on maintenance cost for nature-based stormwater strategies. The
steering committee will work with state officials and stakeholders to amend the stormwater design
manual to include this data so that users are able to budget for life-cycle costs of these measures
and learn about the savings regular maintenance can provide over time.
• Streamline modifications to existing stormwater permits to encourage use of nature-based
stormwater strategies. Secure a commitment from NCDEQ to evaluate processes and work with
stakeholders to devise standard operating procedures that provide a streamlined process for
modifications of existing permit requirements so that nature-based stormwater strategies can be
used to achieve regulatory compliance.
• Advance state and local policies promoting nature-based stormwater strategies. The steering
committee and its various stakeholders will engage with key state and local leadership to promote
recommendations in this plan and seek adoption of formal policies that enable the government to
lead by example.
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Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 29
• Form the Action Plan Steering Committee. This leadership group of dedicated individuals from
various stakeholder interests should spearhead implementation of recommendations in the plan.
The group will meet periodically to set priorities and oversee accomplishments.
• Establish a consistent mechanism for continuing education and outreach. A work group will be
organized to coordinate future planning for education and outreach. The group will seek the
necessary financial resources support regularly scheduled, targeted programming and provide the
necessary training and awareness building to advance action plan priorities.
• Organize DOT work group. The steering committee will work to assist DOT leadership and staff in
putting together a work group to tackle DOT’s highest priority recommendations including
updating its toolbox to include nature-based stormwater strategies and reviewing regulatory
constraints that discourage the use of these measures more fully.
• Congressional education on working land opportunities: Form a work group of stakeholders to
develop components of a coordinated campaign that works with state leaders, the US
Congressional delegation and engaged stakeholders to substantially increase the number of
financial resources for conservation coming from the federal Farm Bill and other federal programs.
2.1.15 North Carolina Natural and Working Lands Action Plan (2020)
(https://files.nc.gov/ncdeq/climate-change/natural-working-lands/NWL-Action-Plan-FINAL---
Copy.pdf)
2.1.15.1 Background
The North Carolina Natural and Working Lands Action Plan (NWL Action Plan) released in June 2020
with the help of partners such as the Carolina Wetlands Association for working on all the
subcommittees, providing much-needed cohesion for the plan, and assisting on writing and editing
the document. In addition, we thank the Environmental Policy S olutions - Ecosystem Services
Program for developing much of the data used in the plan and the Story Maps. as well as the US
Climate Alliance and its partners for providing a peer review of the draft plan.
The NWL Action Plan is integrated into other key state level plans as a summary section in the 2020
Climate Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan and included in its entirety as a part of the North
Carolina Resilience Strategy. It is listed as a standalone source for this literature review.
2.1.15.2 Summary of Efforts
The purpose of the North Carolina NWL Action Plan is to find and create opportunities and outline
specific projects for North Carolina’s NWLs that sequester carbon, build ecosystem and community
resilience, provide ecosystem benefits, and enhance our economy. The plan is intended for various
stakeholders including public and private landowners; universities; NGOs (non-government
organizations); federal, state, and local planners; and policymakers to collectively work towards the
presented goals. The NWL Action Plan addresses the following issues:
• Define the stakeholders’ shared goals developed for the NWL Action Plan.
• Present the current state of our NWL.
• Quantify the potential impact of various actions.
• Recommend specific actions that help to meet shared goals.
• Identify implementation pathways, partners, and funding to facilitate action.
• Discuss roadblocks currently preventing the use of certain action pathways.
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Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 30
• Encourage working on broad policy initiatives that would greatly enhance meeting the goals
outlined in the NWL Action Plan.
The NWL Action Plan includes some long-term, high-impact and short-term and cost-effective actions.
The recommendations presented are clustered in the following areas: Transformative
Recommendations, Recommendations for Forest Lands, Floodplains and Wetlands, Pocosins, Coastal
Habitats, Urban Lands, and Agriculture. It is intended to be a living document with periodic changes
and status updates.
2.1.15.3 Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in Natural and Working Lands
Action Plan
Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in Natural and Working Lands Action Plan include:
• Protect and restore forests and wetlands within flood prone areas.
• Integrate climate adaptation and resiliency strategies into comprehensive local plans.
• Coordinate the state’s floodplain buyout and restoration program to increase resilience.
• Implement targeted interventions to protect peatlands from sea level rise and saltwater intrusion
guided by scenario-based modeling.
• Supply incentives to stakeholders for coastal habitat protection.
• Facilitate the migration of coastal habitats through the protection of migration corridors.
• Prioritize climate change and sea level rise in coastal habitat restoration planning.
2.1.16 North Carolina Coastal Habitat Protection Plan: Amendment (2021)
(https://deq.nc.gov/media/26810/open)
2.1.16.1 Background
The need for a coastwide habitat plan(s) originated in the 1990s when fish populations, habitat, and
water quality concerns were becoming increasingly clear. Development of Coastal Habitat Protection
Plans (CHPPs) were required in the Fisheries Reform Act of 1997(FRA; G.S. 143B-279.8). Development
and implementation of the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan is a NCDEQ effort. The legislative goal of
the CHPP is the long-term enhancement of coastal fisheries associated with coastal habitats. The law
specifies that the CHPP finds threats and recommends management actions to protect and restore
coastal habitats critical to NC’s coastal fishery resources.
2.1.16.2 Summary of Efforts
The CHPP has four fundamental goals to protect coastal habitats in North Carolina: (1) Improve
effectiveness of existing rules and programs protecting coastal habitats, (2) Identify and delineate
strategic coastal habitats, (3) Enhance coastal habitat and protect it from physical impacts, (4)
Enhance and protect water quality. The CHPP was previously updated in 2016. To simplify the CHPP
process in 2021, the CHPP Steering Committee chose to develop an amendment to the 2016 CHPP
Source Document and selected five priority issues to pursue:
1. Submerged aquatic vegetation protection and restoration through water quality improvements
2. Wetland protection and restoration through nature-based solutions
3. Environmental rule compliance to protect coastal habitats
4. Wastewater infrastructure solutions for water quality improvement
5. Coastal habitat mapping and monitoring to assess status and trends
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For each priority issue area, the CHPP supplies background information, proposed strategies, and
details recommended actions. The CHPP also outlines implementation progress on the earlier priority
habitat issues found in the 2016 CHPP: Oyster Reef Habitat Restoration, Encourage Use of Living
Shorelines, Sedimentation in Estuarine Creeks, and Generating Metrics on Management Success and
Habitat Trends, along with progress on other coastal habitat protection plan recommendations.
2.1.16.3 Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the Coastal Habitat
Protection Plan: Amendment 2021
Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan: Amendment
2021 include:
• By 2022, NCDEQ will form an interagency workgroup with non-government organizations and local
governments to inform and guide development of watershed restoration plans to protect, restore,
or replicate natural habitats (i.e., submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), water quality, coastal
habitats) and hydrology through natural and nature-based solutions.
• By 2023, NCDEQ will develop and implement a full-scale assessment program to conduct
coastwide SAV mapping and monitoring at regular intervals (≤ 5 years).
• By 2023, Division of Water Resources (DWR) will evaluate and prioritize the incorporation of
shallow water sites (< 1m mean lower low water) that currently or historically have SAV into the
statewide Ambient Monitoring System.
• By 2023, NCDEQ will obtain state matching funds for the NOAA Coastal Change Analysis Program
(CCAP) program to map NC’s Coastal Plain at 1m resolution and added funding to expand wetland
monitoring conducted by DWR and other state agencies.
• By 2024, NCDEQ will pursue the use of emerging technologies such as data fusion or deep learning
neural networks, that rely on a combination of satellite imagery, drone imagery, and field
verification for Coastal Plain wetland mapping and change analyses.
• By 2022, NCDEQ will form an interagency workgroup to develop a Coastal Plain wetland mapping
and monitoring plan, including a minimum set of standardized metrics and a potential centralized
location to store relevant reports and information.
• By 2026, NCDEQ will find the status and trends of Coastal Plain wetland acreage, condition, and
function, based on the added mapping and monitoring data obtained.
• By 2022, the NC Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) will decide potential mechanisms to prevent
harvesting from living shorelines constructed with oysters.
• By 2025, NCDEQ will decide if living shoreline projects can be built in a manner that qualifies for
salt marsh or nutrient mitigation credits.
• By 2025, the Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources (DEMLR) and other divisions should
increase education, outreach, and training to consultants, local government, and landowners for
nature-based stormwater and watershed management strategies.
• By 2022, DEMLR will start and continue outreach to stormwater permit holders on rules and
required maintenance of stormwater control measures and structures.
2.2 Technical Reports
2.2.1 North Carolina Climate Science Report (2020)
(https://ncics.org/wp-
content/uploads/2020/06/NC_Climate_Science_Report_FullReport_Final_revised_May2020.pdf)
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Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 32
2.2.1.1 Background
The 2020 North Carolina Climate Science Report (NCCSR) supplies a rigorous, comprehensive, pe er
reviewed assessment of the weather and climate future of North Carolina. The NCCSR was developed
by North Carolina-based climate experts with review by an expert climate advisory panel from state
and federal research and science positions along with a rigorous peer review process. The report
underwent several rounds of review and revision, including an anonymous peer review organized by
NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information. The report is available via ncics.org/NCCSR.
It is informed by the latest climate science produced at the federal and international level, including
the United States Fourth National Climate Assessment, the Fifth Assessment Report of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and details included in the North Carol ina State
Summary. The 2020 North Carolina Climate Science Report summary and findings are included within
the 2020 Climate Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan (page 4) and is considered a part of the North
Carolina Resilience Strategy.
2.2.1.2 Summary of Efforts
The NCCSR presents key findings of observed changes in North Carolina’s climate and projected
changes and associated likelihood for the states’ climate future through the end of the century.
Analyses included are informed by vetted, well-established observational and modeling datasets,
climate assessments at the nationwide and global scale, and peer-reviewed scientific literature. Key
findings for observed and projected changes are presented for: temperature, precipitation, sea level,
hurricanes, storms, floods, droughts, and wildfire; other compound events; and engineering design
standards. The NCCSR offers findings for the state and region - specific findings for the Western
Mountains, the Piedmont, and the Coastal Plain. An overview of the findings can be found in the
NCCSR Report Findings and Executive Summary.
2.2.1.3 Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in Climate Science Report
The 2020 North Carolina Climate Science Report summary and findings are included within the 2020
Climate Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan (page 10).
• Integrate climate change adaptation practices and resiliency planning into cabinet agencies’
policies and operations.
• Coordinate state agencies’ annual Climate Strategy Reports.
• Facilitate stream management and flooding reduction working group.
• Facilitate interagency communication on resilience topics projects.
• Facilitate the State Disaster Recovery Task Force SDRTF to coordinate efforts and advise state
government as needed on recovery and resilience.
• Support the development of an update to the NC Uniform Floodplain Management Policy for State
Construction.
• Conduct building vulnerability assessments and identify mitigation strategies for areas impacted
by riverine flooding from Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. https://flood.nc.gov/advisoryflood/)
• Conduct flood mitigation studies (https://www.rebuild.nc.gov/resiliency/river-basin-studies).
• Begin administering the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Program.
• Develop an online resilience resource center for local governments and community leaders.
• Purchase homes in the floodplain.
• Repair and elevate storm-damaged homes.
• Support nine regions in the eastern half of the state to complete climate vulnerability assessments
and develop implementation pathways for 5-10 priority projects.
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• Work with local governments affected by Hurricane Matthew to restore damaged critical
infrastructure.
• Develop a climate resilience planning guide for local leaders.
• Account for climate change in the State Hazard Mitigation Plan Conduct a dam breach analysis on
intermediate and high hazard dams.
• Improve data collection at sites where flooding is common. https://fiman.nc.gov/)
• Pilot a flood insurance program.
• Support the update and modeling of NC climate impacts, local capacity building, and planning for
nature-based solutions to flooding impacts.
2.3 Studies
2.3.1 Collaboratory Flood Resiliency Study (2021)
(https://collaboratory.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/476/2021/06/flood-resiliency-report.pdf)
2.3.1.1 Background
In September 2019, the North Carolina General Assembly passed Senate Bill 429, the “Disaster
Recovery Act,” (Session Law 2019- 224) into law. Among its many provisions, the bill appropriated
$2,000,000 to the North Carolina Policy Collaboratory to conduct research related to flood resiliency in
eastern North Carolina. The legislation called for submittal of the final report by December of 2020.
2.3.1.2 Summary of Efforts
A research team formed of experts in a wide range of fields was developed to evaluate flood resiliency
from a comprehensive perspective. The flood resiliency study focused on five specific topics:
• Floodplain Buyouts
• Financial Risk
• Natural Systems
• Infrastructure
• Public Health
The study was a collaboration of many projects and researchers from the University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University . Using research designed by leading experts, the
study’s goal was to generate the latest information to inform decisions around flooding and storms.
The various lenses through which inland flood resiliency was analyzed on the shared goals of keeping
North Carolinians healthy and safe, and improving the state’s planning for, and response to, flood and
storm events. Identified information users included governments, non-governmental organizations,
private organizations, and individuals.
2.3.1.3 Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the Collaboratory Flood
Resiliency Study
Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the Collaboratory Flood Resiliency Study include:
• Accuracy Assessment for IoT (Internet of Things) Stream Gauges Data: The project aimed to
evaluate the accuracy/precision of low-cost stream gauges in different environmental conditions
during a one-year period. This is to ensure that the gauges used for the expansion of FIMAN
coverage provide exact and precise information.
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Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 34
• Flood Resilience: Data Collection and Data Analytic in support of Flood Management. The project
aimed to expand gauge testing by including low-cost radar sensors and rain gauges and
developing water gauge reading method.
• The State of North Carolina should explore a wide variety of funding mechanisms that could
smooth and speed up buyout processes, including municipal/green bonds, revolving loan funds,
local option sales taxes, and stormwater utility fees. Special attention should be paid to the
inclusive and equitable use of these funding mechanisms on the state and local scale.
• The transaction costs associated with buyouts vary widely across the state and around the United
States, but they can be substantial. These costs are likely absorbed by municipalities and
landowners under current buyout processes. The NCORR could help limit these costs, along with
efforts to prioritize and plan for future buyouts across the state.
• More work needs to explore the legal hurdles to implementing alternative buyout processes and
evaluate how those processes would ensure stronger equitable and environmental outcomes.
• As part of exploring alternative buyout processes, the state should find improved methods of
calculating avoided loss that include aggregate risk (beyond project itself, e.g., downstream
impacts) to decide whether buyouts lower flooding risk and damage elsewhere nearby.
• The state should incentivize communities that receive federal or state grants for buyouts to restrict
future residential development in flood hazard areas. The state should take measures to improve
its hazard mitigation data collection, management, and dissemination infrastructure. This will 1)
help evaluations of mitigation outcomes, 2) improve targeting of public investments to areas of
greatest need, and 3) increase transparency and reduce demands on staff time. Researchers at
UNC can help the state create database tools to accomplish this function.
• The state should prioritize and fund establishment of FAIR data standards – ensuring data is
Findable, Accessible, Inter-operable, and Reusable – for all buyout- and hazard mitigation-related
data, creating policies and data use agreements to standardize and curate metadata, streaml ine
researcher and community group access, and enhance accessibility to the public. As part of this,
buyouts- and hazard-related data should be stored in a publicly accessible data repository (e.g.,
UNC Dataverse) that facilitates good user experiences, and easy and effective data dissemination.
Ultimately, these actions will save staff time and dramatically lower costs in response to data
requests.
• Adopt policies that prevent future development and redevelopment within the 100 -year floodplain
and that severely restrict development in the 500-year floodplain. It should be noted that all
encroachment into the floodplain (i.e., elevated structures) reduces the water storage capacity of
the floodplain during extreme events.
• Continue to pursue buyout and elevation of structures and infrastructure found within the 100-
year floodplain to avoid inevitable repeat loss of these structures.
• Invest in improving resilience of all critical infrastructure that is vulnerable to flooding (roads,
bridges, stormwater systems, reservoirs, water and wastewater treatment facilities and networks,
energy supply) to minimize loss of life, emergency rescue, loss of use and negative impacts to
commerce and economic impacts during future extreme storm events.
• Develop a pilot flood mitigation program for a targeted sub watershed with documented flooding
issues. The program would allow the ecological restoration industry to implement flood mitigation
projects.
• Flood storage benefits could be estimated by comparing model results of the p eak flow reduction,
peak flow delay and volume of water stored for existing and proposed condition during the several
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Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 35
return intervals storms (e.g., 50-, 100-year storm). Track the economic and employment impacts of
this program.
• Invest in research to develop and monitor a pilot water farming project. The research should focus
on evaluating water management systems, storage, and peak flow reductions, impacts to soils and
crops and other agricultural management processes and associated economic factors.
• Sponsor research to examine similar flood mitigation potential on other watersheds, and with
other measures, and estimate flood and damage reduction impacts at the farm to local to
community scales.
• Economic impact analyses – including investigations of the extent to which NC is producing a
“home grown” ecological restoration industry – should be conducted as part of the evaluation of
State Natural Infrastructure programs, including those currently administered by NC Division of
Mitigation Services.
• Investigate other conservation-based flood mitigation programs (e.g., Iowa, Minnesota) to find and
evaluate program scope, authority, funding, management, intergovernmental agreements,
streamlined permitting processes, and implementation options.
• Assemble a team of scientists/engineers and stakeholders to develop a state-run implementation
program. The program must include a process for involving landowners early in the program
design stage, supplying multiple ways to give input and feedback to the program design an d
implementation.
• Increase funds for the NC Forest Service’s Forest Development Program to convert lower
productivity and other open lands to forests in target flood -prone river basins, and their most often
flooded areas.
• The state should target communities at risk to encourage insurance uptake through both
education and provision of incentives, such as funding to help property owners in paying NFIP
premiums to cover future damages. The analysis described in this work can inform which counties,
neighborhoods, or even individual properties should be targeted to affect the area's most at risk,
allowing for a more effective use of state funds.
• The state should start renewed efforts to develop pre-disaster mitigation plans via a “portfolio”
approach that includes multiple strategies, including infrastructure (e.g., flood control, property
elevation), buyouts of at-risk properties, zoning policy and financial instruments (e.g., flood
insurance, disaster-based reinsurance). This planning process will benefit significantly from more
highly resolved estimates of flood-related financial risk, including who bears the risk and where
they are located.
• A rigorous and detailed assessment of neighborhoods at highest risk of flood -related mortgage
default should be conducted to show which areas and lenders are most threated, and to inform
actions designed to mitigate this risk (e.g., property buyouts, lines of credit to vulnerable banks).
• Planning efforts that reduce development in areas most at risk of flooding (e.g., flood plains) that
decrease the financial risk of these events should be pursued at the local, county, and state level.
• The state should increase efforts to find areas and parties at greatest risk from flooding and sets up
systems to collect and rapidly give post-flood damage information to inform targeted resiliency
efforts.
• Maintaining existing protections for wetlands and streams is a critical first step to enhancing
natural systems for flood mitigation, particularly as North Carolina lawmakers seek cost effective
strategies to improve the state’s resilience to major storms. NCDEQ’s proposed temporary
permitting rule would achieve that goal in the near term.
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Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 36
• Supply Funding for Flood Storage Capacity Projects Authorized in the 2020 Water/Wastewater
Public Enterprise Reform Act (House Bill 1087).
• Expand opportunities for landowners and local governments to protect natural systems that
contribute to flood mitigation.
• Provide local governments with capacity building and coordination support.
• Coastal flood hazard estimates should consider the interactions between storm surge and rainfall-
runoff. There are not fully coupled inland and coastal models that can capture both inland and
coastal flood processes, and questions remain as to how to represent compound flood events
using existing models efficiently and accurately. More research is needed to investigate the
influence of the model boundary location and connection on the propagation of surge and
streamflow. In addition, we recommend using gauge data and basin and river network
characteristics to decide the watershed response (e.g., time-lag between rainfall and peak
streamflow) to understand the frequency at which the models should pass information to each
other.
• Continued effort should be pursued to use coastal flood models (ADCIRC) and hydrological models
(LISFLOOD-FP) to model compound flood hazards throughout eastern North Carolina.
• There is no integrated database that contains information on channel properties and surrounding
floodplain topography that can be used to configure coastal and hydrological flood hazard models,
particularly for smaller tributaries and channel reaches in the North Carolina coastal plain. Future
work should leverage existing statewide datasets of surveyed channel data and high-resolution
LiDAR to create a single, integrated geospatial database that can be used to incorporate channels
and their associated floodplains into flood hazard models. Gaps in the existing datasets,
particularly where cross-sectional surveys may be outdated or lack resolution, should be identified
and filled.
• The state should identify coastal communities where compound flooding is likely to result in
hazards different from those shown on FEMA floodplain maps.
• Use improved coastal hazard estimates to support cost-benefit analyses of both structural and
nonstructural flood mitigation alternatives at household and community scales over the short - and
long-term.
• To foster resilience, it is recommended that (1) every jurisdiction employs an active inspection and
maintenance program and (2) a process is established by jurisdictions to educate owners of
stormwater control measures (SCMs) every time the property (and therefore SCM) is sold or
conveyed.
• The state should convene a small working group or task force to:
o find the communities and sections of the grid in eastern NC most at risk of prolonged electric
outages due to flooding
o prioritize the need for protective intervention based on likelihood of occurrence and potential
for negative consequences
o gain knowledge about grid operators’ contingency plans before and during severe, localized
flooding events.
• The state should use the research team’s model of the NC power grid to evaluate flooding and
other resiliency impacts on the grid in connection with natural disasters such as hurricanes.
• The state should consider water holistically, thinking about the connectedness of water resources
when making legislative changes related to flood resilience.
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Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 37
• The state should work to improve workforce development within the water and wastewater sector,
especially as the current workforce ages and the new workforce dwindles in size.
• The state should consider launching a bridge funding/financing program that allows utilities to
borrow money to repair/replace critical infrastructure while waiting for FEMA money.
• The state should work to operationalize “resilience” planning for water and wastewater utilities,
supplying a clear definition and actionable steps for utilities to become more resilient.
• Recommend a stratified random sampling approach to characterize floodwaters and non-flood
affected waters with priority devoted to assessing the relative impact of sewage and hog fecal
material on relevant systems.
• Engagement with relevant stakeholders, including municipal wastewater utilities, hog and
livestock farming operations, and county health departments will allow a further assessment of the
risks posed by floodwaters.
2.4 Programs
2.4.1 Regions Innovating for Strong Economies and Environment Program
(2020)
(RISE and Environment Program | ReBuild NC)
2.4.1.1 Background
The RISE Program was developed by a partnership between NCORR and the NC Rural Center. RISE
aims to support resilience primarily in the storm-impacted regions of North Carolina. RISE is
promoting statewide resiliency by supplying support and tools to regional partners. RISE supports
resilience efforts in eastern North Carolina regions that have been affected by recent storms.
2.4.1.2 Summary of Efforts
RISE is a multi-phase effort that includes a forward-looking vulnerability assessment, the
identification of 5-10 high-priority projects and a list of the actions needed to implement each
proposed project for participating regions. A diverse stakeholder partnership is guiding the project to
ensure that the scope of work reflects local priorities. The RISE Program aims to support resilience
primarily in the storm-impacted regions of eastern North Carolina using three key methods:
1. RISE will be supplying coaching and technical assistance to regional partners to support
community vulnerability assessments, find priority actions to reduce risk and enhance resilience
in their region, and develop paths to implementation.
2. Developing the North Carolina Resilient Communities Guide, as a statewide resource that supplies
tools, guidance, and opportunities for building community resiliency.
3. Hosting regional leadership training workshops that emphasize resilience as a tool for community
economic development.
2.4.1.2.1 PHASE 1: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT and RISK/VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT
The first phase of the project includes performing risk and vulnerability assessment s, developing
community action teams, and engaging with the public. These analyses bring together science and
local knowledge to paint a picture of hazards in the regions and how they may change in the future.
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2.4.1.2.2 PHASE 2: PLANNING, PROJECT IDENTIFICATION, and PRIORITIZATION
Phase 2 of the program involves a community- and data-driven process to find priority actions that
can be taken to adapt to short- and long-term hazards. This phase of the project includes the
development of a portfolio of several projects that have regional benefits for resilience. Proposed
projects include construction projects, nature-based solutions, outreach, and capacity building
activities, or planning and policy developments. The regional benefit s come in many forms, such as
reducing downstream flooding, offering a resource to multiple local governments, or crafting a pilot
project that may be replicated in other places. A critical part of developing the portfolios is finding
achievable paths to implementation, including funding sources and capacity considerations. Regions
have the opportunity to select a project for seed funding from the Duke Energy Foundation RISE
Accelerator Grant Program.
2.4.1.2.3 PHASE 3: ENGINEERING and DESIGN
Phase 3 is the engineering, design, and permitting of the prioritized projects. A critical part of
developing the portfolios is finding achievable paths to implementation, including funding sources
and capacity considerations. Grants will be available for communities who successfully completed
Phases 1 and 2 to develop projects that are shovel ready.
2.4.1.2.4 PHASE 4: PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
Phase 4 grants will be available for communities who successfully completed Phases 1, 2, and 3 for
implementation of a shovel-ready project(s) and must include a natural or nature-based part.
There will be two final products for each region: a vulnerability assessment that stands alone but is
also right for integration into regional and local plans, grant applications, public presentations, and
other planning tools; and the regional resilience portfolio, which will include goals, a summary of the
vulnerability assessment, selected priority projects, and the implementation plans for the priority
projects.
RISE is building a foundation for a more resilient future in North Carolina. At t he end of the program,
200 emergent leaders in eastern North Carolina will have the tools to incorporate resilience in
community and economic development. Communities statewide will be able to use the North
Carolina Resilient Communities Guide to enhance their resilience, and storm-impacted regions will be
prepared to implement priority resilience activities. These activities will support existing efforts such
as regional hazard mitigation planning and strategizing for comprehensive economic development.
Over time, and as ability increases with staff and funding, the NC Resilient Communities Program
expects to supply opportunities across North Carolina.
The Duke Energy Foundation has committed $600,000 in grant funding to support the RISE Regional
Resilience Portfolio Program through accelerator grants. The grants are being made available to
support the implementation of priority projects found in each RISE region's portfolio. The grant
program will allow each region to kick-start all or part of a project. The project and applicant eligibility
will be evaluated by a committee of representatives from the Duke Energy Foundation and NCORR .
The goal is to fund at least one project in each RISE region, but funding isn't guaranteed in each
region. The state is helping to fund the RISE program. RISE is funded by a $1.1 million US Economic
Development Administration grant, with support from both NCORR and the NC Rural Center.
2.4.1.3 Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the RISE Program
Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the RISE Program include:
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Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 39
• RISE will be supplying coaching and technical assistance to regional partners to support
community vulnerability assessments, find priority actions to reduce risk and enhance resilience in
their region, and develop paths to implementation.
• Developing the North Carolina Resilient Communities Guide, as a statewide resource that supplies
tools, guidance, and opportunities for building community resiliency.
• Hosting regional leadership training workshops that emphasize resilience as a tool for community
economic development.
2.4.2 North Carolina Resilient Coastal Communities Program (2020)
(NC Resilient Coastal Communities Program | NC DEQ)
2.4.2.1 Background
The NC Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP) under the NC Division of Coastal Management
supplies financial grants and technical assistance to support a proactive, locally driven, and equitable
approach to coastal resilience planning and project implementation.
2.4.2.2 Summary of Efforts
The NC Resilient Coastal Communities Program aims to facilitate a community-driven process for
setting coastal resilience goals, assessing existing and needed local capacity, and identifying and
prioritizing projects to enhance community resilience to coastal hazards. Participating communities
will walk through a framework leading to the development of “shovel-ready” projects. Local
governments throughout the 20 coastal counties will be eligible to apply for direct technical help to
complete a community engagement process, risk, and vulnerability assessment, and develop a
resilience project portfolio.
The four phases of the program include:
• Phase 1: Community Engagement and Risk and Vulnerability Assessment
• Phase 2: Planning, Project Selection, and Prioritization
• Phase 3: Engineering and Design
• Phase 4: Implementation
This initiative, funded through the NC State Legislature and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation,
will supply funding to local governments to help overcome barriers in coastal resilience and
adaptation planning, boost local government ability, and support a proactive, sustainable, and
equitable approach to coastal resilience planning and project implementation.
2.4.2.3 Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the Resilient Coastal
Communities Program
Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the Resilient Coastal Communities Program
Include:
• The primary objective of Phase 3 of the RCCP is to provide funding to assist communities with the
engineering and design of a prioritized project identified in their RCCP Resilience Strate gy or other
existing plans that meet the RCCP’s Phases 1 and 2 planning criteria.
• Some communities will also receive funds to develop or amend ordinances that improve their
resilience to flooding and other coastal hazards or to otherwise take steps to manage stormwater
and flooding.
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Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 40
• Most of the engineering and design projects feature natural and nature-based elements such as
wetland restoration and living shoreline design.
2.4.3 North Carolina Resilient Coastal Communities Program (2020)
(https://www.rebuild.nc.gov/resiliency/resilient-communities)
2.4.3.1 Background
The RCCP supplies financial grants and technical assistance to support a proactive, locally driven, and
equitable approach to coastal resilience planning and project implementation.
2.4.3.2 Summary of Efforts
Communities across North Carolina are on the frontlines of flooding, extreme storms, record
temperatures and landslides. A resilient North Carolina depends on our communities, economies and
ecosystems being able to rebound, positively adapt to, and thrive amid changing conditions and
challenges. Community leaders and residents agree that improving local resilience requires access to
ability, technical support for analysis and planning, and funding to implement measures that advance
long-term resilience. The NC Resilient Coastal Communities Program responds to these needs through
two distinct agency-led programs: RISE, led by the NCORR, and the Resilient Coastal Communities
Program, led by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal
Management.
2.4.3.3 Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the Resilient Communities
Program
Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the Resilient Communities Program Include:
The Funding Forum held in February 2023, aimed to address the obstacle of funding resiliency
projects by introducing community leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders to federal, state,
and nonprofit funding opportunities for resilience-related projects. The free, one-day event allowed
attendees to engage with potential funders, who supplied presentations and answered project -
specific questions during break-out sessions. Attendees also had the opportunity to take part in a
grant writing session to take their project one step closer to reality.
2.4.4 Flood Risk Reduction Grant Program (2022)
(https://nclwf.nc.gov/grants/apply-grant/flood-risk-reduction-grant-program)
2.4.4.1 Background
The North Carolina Land and Water Fund was appropriated $15 million in the FY 2021 -22 state budget
for projects that protect and restore floodplains and wetlands for the purpose of storing water,
reducing flooding, improving water quality, providing wildlife and aquatic habitat, and providing
recreational opportunities.
2.4.4.2 Summary of Efforts
The primary purpose of the program is to reduce flood risks through the design, implementation, and
preservation of nature-based infrastructure. Additional consideration will be given to projects that
also deliver other ecosystem services or public benefits, demonstrate readiness to begin
implementation, and benefit economically distressed communities.
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2.4.4.3 Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the Flood Risk Reduction
Grant Program
Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the Flood Risk Reduction Grant Program Include:
• Acquiring land, or an interest in land, for purposes including:
o Enhancing or restoring the flood attenuation capacity of floodplains, wetlands, and areas of
the natural landscape that contribute to their function.
o Storing flood waters through long-term land management agreements, such as water farming.
o Participating in floodplain buyout programs as a first step in enhancing ecosystem services.
• Restoring, enhancing, constructing, or repairing floodplains, shorelines, or wetlands including:
o Design and construction of nature-based infrastructure to retain and/or detain flood waters.
o Design and construction of projects to reconnect streams to the full extent of their original
floodplains.
o Restoration of previously converted or developed land back to a natural land cover.
o Redevelopment of developed floodplains into waterfront parks or open spaces that are
compatible with flooding and flood water storage, and that provide opportunities for
community engagement, recreation and/or river access.
2.4.5 North Carolina Division of Water Infrastructure Stormwater Funding
Program (2022)
https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-infrastructure/stormwater-funding-program
2.4.5.1 Background
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (NCDEQ’s) Division of Water Infrastructure
(DWI) will award approximately $82 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for stormwater
projects through its competitive funding process from the newly created Local Assistance for
Stormwater Infrastructure Investments program. Funds are available for cities, counties, regional
councils of government and nonprofit partners for construction and planning projects that will
improve or create infrastructure for controlling stormwater quantity and quality.
2.4.5.2 Summary of Efforts
NCDEQ-DWI will administer approximately $100.5 million for stormwater projects in the Local
Assistance for Stormwater Infrastructure Investments fund, which excludes three percent of the
appropriated amounts that may be used for administrative costs. The fund amounts, following
statutory and budgetary requirements, are shown in the table listed on page 1 of the North Carolina
Division of Water Infrastructure Stormwater Funding Program plan. In addition, federal requirements
for the use of American Rescue Plan Act appropriations will apply. All funds must be expended by
December 31, 2026.
2.4.5.3 Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the Stormwater Funding
Program
No flood resiliency strategies identified.
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2.5 Data Tools
2.5.1 North Carolina Resilience Clearinghouse (202 2)
(Climate Resilience Toolkit & Clearinghouse User Research (usmangroup.com))
2.5.1.1 Background
In the wake of 2018’s devastating Hurricane Florence, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper set up the
NCORR to lead the state’s efforts in rebuilding smarter and stronger. At that time, many eastern North
Carolina counties had yet to recover from two storms in two years, which brought flooding and
extensive damage to many of the same communities. NCORR, in partnership with the Department of
Environmental Quality and several North Carolina environmental nonprofits and universities, has
begun a project to develop an online climate resilience clearinghouse for local gove rnments and
community leaders. The Clearinghouse will include:
• A comprehensive final report including process, complete transcripts and summaries of
stakeholder interviews, and content recommendations.
• More than a dozen wireframes to help client envision the structure, content organization and user
experience of the Clearinghouse website.
• A comprehensive, detailed Request for Proposal to solicit appropriate web vendors following
NCORR’s template and preferred language / terminology.
2.5.1.2 Summary of Efforts
To develop an online resilience resource center for local governments and community leaders. NCORR
plans to launch an online Climate Resilience Clearinghouse to address climate -related risks in all
communities across the state—especially those that are most vulnerable—as well as provide local
governments and community leaders with solutions that mitigate and safeguard against the
hazardous effects of climate change.
2.5.1.3 Potential Recommendations in the Resilience Clearinghouse
Potential Recommendations in the Resilience Clearinghouse include:
• Leveraging simple, geospatial climate-change resilience maps specific to North Carolina that live
on the Clearinghouse site rather than third-party platforms could help curate hyperlocal data
specific to North Carolina.
• When completed, the Clearinghouse will supply key information to inform equitable resilience
building.
2.5.2 Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool (2020)
(https://www.fema.gov/node/resilience-analysis-and-planning-tool-rapt)
2.5.2.1 Background
Developed by FEMA, the Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool (RAPT) is a free GIS web map that
allows federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial emergency managers and other community leaders
to examine the interplay of census data, infrastructure locations, and hazards, including real -time
weather forecasts, historic disasters and estimated annualized frequency of hazard risk.
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2.5.2.2 Summary of Efforts
RAPT is a combination of over 20 community resilience indicators with correlation analysis. Users can
combine layers for analysis and use RAPT to inform decision making.
2.5.2.3 Potential Recommendations in the Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool
Potential Recommendations in the Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool include:
• Data included in RAPT, and the RAPT user experience may inform NC Flood Resiliency Blueprint
development.
• RAPT and the incorporation of DSS-WISETM are examples of decision support tools.
• RAPT incorporates layers related to equity, including NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program)
policy penetration rates and broadband description.

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3 Recommendations with Applicability to Blueprint
The purpose of this Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations Review is to
document identified specific recommendations from existing statewide planning efforts that
correspond with flood resilience strategies, and to supply a basis of understanding for completed and
ongoing statewide efforts related to watershed and resiliency planning. This will enable all those
involved to build upon awareness of existing efforts to meet the intent of the NC Flood Resiliency
Blueprint. The sources included in the Review met the resource inclusion criteria and were reviewed
and considered against key assessment parameters to focus efforts on resources of highest
applicability, relevance, ease of use, and foundational nature to NC Flood Resiliency Blueprint.
However, there are many other resources that may be valuable for awareness and reference. A
summary of the recommendations from each resource is provide below.
3.1 Climate and Risk Assessment Plan
• Facilitate interagency communication on resilience topics projects.
• Conduct building vulnerability assessments and find mitigation strategies for areas affected by
riverine flooding from Hurricanes Matthew and Florence.
• Conduct flood mitigation studies.
• Begin administering the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program.
• Develop an online resilience resource center for local governments and community leaders.
• Support nine regions in the eastern half of the state to complete climate vulnerability assessments
and develop implementation pathways for 5 to 10 priority projects.
• Work with governments affected by Hurricane Matthew to restore critical infrastructure.
• Develop a climate resilience planning guide for local leaders.
• Conduct a dam breach analysis on intermediate and high hazard dams.
• Improve data collection at sites where flooding is common.
• Support the update and modeling of NC climate impacts, local capacity building, and planning for
nature-based solutions to flooding impacts.
3.2 State Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Plan
• Develop a robust network of tools and systems throughout the state to help local and state officials
better prepare for and respond to flooding events. This would include increasing the number of
stream-flow gauges and dam impoundment water level gauges statewide and collecting stream
gauge data, rainfall data, and high-water mark data regularly.
• Supply information to communities on real time flood inundation.
• Acquire or elevate properties that are in areas vulnerable to flooding.
• Analyze building stock to find potential structures that could be mitigated.
• Supply funds for purchase of conservation easements or land within flood hazard areas.
• Promote benefits of adopting higher standards in local Flood Damage Prevention Ordinances.
• Promote river basin wide planning of flood hazard.
• Promote consideration of future build-out conditions when setting up land use and floodplain
management regulations.
• Promote and support recognition programs, such as the Community Rating System.
• Promote improvement of storm drainage systems.
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• Promote full funding of NC Flood Mapping Program to complete new Flood Insurance Studies for
entire state.
• Produce future volumes of NC measuring success publications documenting losses avoided
quantitatively and qualitatively.
• Work with the NCDEQ Division of Coastal Management in developing the hazard mitigation part of
the revised planning guidelines under the CAMA.
• Continued strategic growth of the NC ECONet, with new stations installed in areas that are lacking
adequate climate and weather data.
• Directly integrate mitigation actions from state hazard mitigation plan into Risk MAP program to
ensure progress is being tracked and recognized.
• Improve Coordination/Education/Outreach to better find and help underserved communities as
identified in the FEMA Strategic Plan 2022-26.
3.3 NCDOT Resiliency Strategy
• Incorporate resilience assessments in long range plans.
• Production of Coastal Roadway Inundation Tool.
• Future Precipitation for Resilient Design Applied Research – Future rainfall distributions for
modeling.
3.4 North Carolina Department of Administration Climate Strategy
Report (2022)
• Preserving upriver farms to reduce flooding in North Carolina.
• Provides education and implementation of cover crop, conservation tillage, and cropland
conversion programs for stormwater management leading to increased rainfall infiltration and
decreased soil erosion and runoff.
• Educational resources and examples are provided to farmers to utilize NAP Insurance p rograms,
along with resources for cost share and disaster assistance programs to prepare and recover
following weather disaster events.
• The Plant Conservation Program has secured funding to address existing culvert and road wash-
out concerns at coastal plain preserves.
3.5 North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Climate
Strategy Report (2022)
• Environmental justice was included in the scope of work for the Statewide Flood Resiliency
Blueprint and in the priority rating system for the Water Resources 319 grant.
• In addition, environmental justice was incorporated into NCDEQ’s formal recommendations for
updates to the Enhanced Hazard Mitigation plan.
• Evaluate air monitoring site locations located in low drainage and flood -prone areas.
• Conduct hydrologic and hydraulic capacity study of dams in the Neuse and Lumber River Basins.
• Complete dam breach modeling.
• Implement strategies for enhanced waste management storm preparedness.
• Execute Scuppernong River Study.
• Add to the NC Flood Inundation Mapping and Alert Network.
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• Recalculate flow statistic methods.
• Secure Funding for Natural Infrastructure Flood Mitigation Program.
• Increase resiliency of dams during storms.
• Continue coastal habitat restoration at Cedar Island.
• Coordinate water resources rules revisions that support EO 80.
• Include climate change impacts in basin watershed action plans.
• Rachel Carson National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) Habitat Resilience Plan that identifies
and priorities areas for resilience projects based on known vulnerabilities and hazards.
• Develop Statewide Flood Resiliency Blueprint.
• Create resilience tools and resources for local governments.
• Implement Phase 2 of Tribal Coastal Resilience Connection Project.
• Implement Phase 3 and 4 of Resilient Coastal Communities Program.
• Implement Phase 1 and 2 of Resilient Coastal Communities Round 2.
• Deliver Coastal Training Program to coastal decision-makers on nature-based strategies to reduce
coastal hazards, barrier island development, and low-impact development basics for water quality
protection.
• Launch Technical Assistance Grant for Stormwater Infrastructure.
3.6 North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Climate Strategy Report (2022)
• Complete a flood survey assessment and develop adaptation strategies to pro mote environmental
justice and equity by including input from community leaders who can advocate for the needs of
their community and mitigate the risk of isolation during flooding after a hurricane.
• Continue Black River Flooding Forecast Initiative that addresses the public health impacts of
climate change by alerting residents that are most vulnerable to flood risks so they can make
actionable steps.
3.7 North Carolina Department of Information Technology Climate
Strategy Report (2022)
• Send teams to meet with county, city, and town IT leaders to brainstorm ideas for improving and
adapting resiliency planning ideas Continue Black River Flooding Forecast Initiative that address
the public health impacts of climate change by alerting residents that are most vulnerable to flood
risks so they can make actionable steps.
3.8 North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Climate Strategy Report (2022)
• Protect the state veterans’ homes from flooding. Propose evaluation of any additional protective
measures that should be taken if a flooding incident takes place near the facility.
• Integrate climate change adaptation practices and resiliency planning into cabinet agencies’
policies and operations.
• Adopt best practices for the state veterans’ cemeteries. Proposed expected completion date: June
30, 2030. The department will integrate any appropriate climate change adaptation practices and
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resiliency planning into the policies and operations of the state veterans’ cemeteries as required
and as identified by NCDEQ.
3.9 North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
Climate Strategy Report (2022)
• The NCDNCR Strategic Plan is underway and expected completion date: June 2023. Floodplain and
wetland acquisition and restoration.
• Conduct environmental reviews and help constituents for disaster recovery, response, and
mitigation for future events. The NCDNCR will provide support for planning and resiliency
initiatives and initiate planning, resiliency, and construction repair projects for historic resources.
This work will take place under the ESHPF Disaster Assistance grant projects for Hurricane Florence
and Michael recovery. In addition, the Environmental Review branch of the SHPO continues to
work expeditiously to review all disaster-related and resiliency-oriented projects within a 30-day
turnaround schedule. Finally, five members of the SHPO staff have completed or will complete
Floodplain Management training sponsored by the NCDPS by the end of calendar year 2022.
• NC Museum of Art: Complete bridge, culvert, path repairs and replacement and stream restoration
• Evaluate off site storage solutions for collections at risk from the triple threats of flooding, heavy
precipitation, and sea level rise climate risks across the department.
• Consider climate-related hazards when developing master plans for natural areas, parks, and
nature preserves. Expected completion date: June 2023. DPR will begin to develop a protocol for
resiliency and climate related mitigation methods to implement into both the General
Management Plan development and future Master Plans.
• Inventory and Monitor State Nature Preserves is ongoing. Expected completion date: N/A. Field
biologists monitor rare species as they conduct biological inventories of lands under consideration
for protection as state nature preserves. Special attention is paid to species and habitats that are
most vulnerable to a changing climate and natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and
landslides. During the field season of 2022, Natural Heritage Program staff worked closely with
NCDPS to survey natural areas at prisons and propose new state nature preserves on state-owned
land. During the upcoming year, the Natural Heritage Program plans to survey lands along the
Waccamaw River (Columbus County), Pond Mountain (Ashe County), and Chowan River (Bertie
County), as well as many additional sites.
• Participate in the USACE South Atlantic Coastal Study At -Risk Cultural Resources Analysis is
underway. Expected completion date: Unknown. For this project, the OSA and NC SHPO are
consulting with USACE to identify cultural resources (historic and archaeological sites, historic
districts, and other historic resources) vulnerable to coastal storm damage and sea level rise. This
analysis is part of a multi-state effort throughout the southeastern United States and Caribbean.
GIS and archaeological and architectural survey data along with staff expertise are all proving
crucial to informing this effort. Many of the places identified are federal and state historic assets
open to the public. Both the OSA as well as SHPO will continue to work with the USACE as the
progress proceeds per USACE timelines.
• Complete the NC Shorescape Archaeological Survey . Expected completion date: Unknown. In
FY2022-2023, the OSA will undertake a NC Shorescape Survey to identify and document
archeological resources associated with coastal communities that are most at risk of being
damaged by storm events. The focus is on identifying and documenting sites within 200 feet (60
meters) of the shoreline. The focus is on identifying and documenting sites within 200 feet (60
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meters) of the shoreline, including into the submerged lands. Survey projects will go out for
proposal and fieldwork will be completed over the next twelve months. These surveys will allow
OSA to determine the location and extent of shoreline archaeological resources, the conditions of
these sites and their associated shorelines, the historical significance of these resources, and
management strategies to preserve these shoreline archaeological resources.
• Integrate climate change adaptation practices and resiliency planning into cabinet agencies’
policies and operations.
• Hire a Sustainability Coordinator in the NCDNCR. Completion date: September 2022. The NCDNCR
developed a new sustainability coordinator position and hired the successful candidate in
September 2022. This position supports the development and implementation of actions, policy,
and program decisions to ensure the NCDNCR is a leader among state agencies in addressing
environmental sustainability, including but not limited to: assistance to divisions in the
development of resilience and adaptation strategies for the effects of a changing climate; the
creation of departmental strategies, goals, and benchmarks for mitigating carbon emissions in
response to objectives and priorities set by the Governor and Secretary; and the development and
implementation of educational materials and programs that capitalize on the potential of the
NCDNCR’s public-facing sites and programs to raise awareness among North Carolinians about
environmental sustainability and science.
3.10 North Carolina Department of Public Safety Climate Strategy
Report (2022)
• Evaluate the impacts of climate change on cabinet agencies’ programs and operations.
• Conduct a vulnerability assessment of National Guard facilities and relocate buildings as needed.
Expected completion date: January 2040. The NC National Guard is shifting to a “Hub and Spoke”
model of a few large Regional Readiness Centers with a network of smaller Readiness Centers
surrounding them strategically. The Guard’s Construction and Facility Maintenance Office is
applying data on sea level rise and other resilience information to determine which current
facilities are not sustainable given current climate projections. With that information, the Guard
will prioritize new construction projects and decide what properties can be retired. This process is
expected to be ongoing over a period of decades as Congress makes more funds available to re-
envision how the National Guard operates from a structural standpoint. Climate resilience will
always be a critical element of decision making.
• Integrate climate change adaptation practices and resiliency planning into cabinet agencies’
policies and operations.
• Coordinate state agencies’ annual Climate Strategy Reports. Expected completion date: Annually:
October 2022. In 2022, the Governor’s Office issued a memo requesting that all state agencies
annually report their progress on implementing the actions in the 2020 Climate Risk Assessment
and Resilience Plan, EO 80, and EO 246 in one report – the Climate Strategy Report, due each
October. Previously state agencies reported progress on the Resilience Plan and EO 80 in separate
documents; this is the first time state agencies will report on EO 246, announced in January 2022.
NCORR, in partnership with NCDEQ, developed a template and created a process for each agency
to submit their accomplishments to the Governor’s Office, the NC Climate Change Interagency
Council, and the public. NCORR will continue coordinating and advising state agencies on this
reporting process in 2023.Facilitate a stream management and flooding reduction working group.
Expected completion date: N/A. NCORR has established an intergovernmental working group
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Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 49
comprising representatives from the NCDEQ, Transportation, Agriculture and Consumer Services,
and Natural and Cultural Resources, among others and is conducting outreach to other
stakeholders outside of state government to recruit for membership. NCORR has submitted two
reports to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and NCDPS and the
Fiscal Research Division regarding the findings and recommendations of the working group. Thus
far, the working group has identified several issues for further discussion and recommendation,
including (among others):
o The need for restricting development in the floodplain and expanding the req uirements for
floodproofing.
o The need for land conservation along the coast and within floodplains, and the need to
reinstate NC’s land conservation tax credit to incentivize keeping people and development out
of areas vulnerable to flooding.
o The need for ongoing outreach and education regarding what can be accomplished through
various flood reduction methods to improve public and private decision making. Over the
course of the next 12 months, the working group will further refine and develop these and
other recommendations for the legislature. In the short term, the working group intends to
focus its efforts on analyzing the 2021 Flood Resilience Study by the UNC Policy Collaboratory,
which was submitted to the state legislature.
• Facilitate interagency communication on resilience topics projects. Expected completion date:
N/A. NCORR facilitates the IRT, as called for in Chapter 7 of the 2020 Climate Risk Assessment and
Resilience Plan, to provide a structure for state staff to coordinate resilience projects and to
support the development of annual Climate Strategy Reports. The IRT includes at least one
resilience lead from each state cabinet agency, as well as the Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Affairs and the Wildlife Resources Commission. This team meets monthly.
• Facilitate the State Disaster Recovery Task Force to coordinate efforts and advise state
government as needed on recovery and resilience is ongoing. Expected completion date: N/A.
NCORR manages the SDRTF, which supports and advises state agencies as they address long-term
recovery and undertake resilience-building initiatives statewide. The SDRTF is made up of 12
committees called Recovery Support Functions (RSFs). Since the start of this year, the
Environmental Preservation RSF has held several meetings to update members on ongoing
resilience efforts across state agencies, including rainfall modeling and data gathering, local
capacity building, and nature-based flood reduction planning efforts for which NCDEQ has
received funding through NCORR’s CDBG-MIT program. The Nonprofit and Volunteerism RSF
worked on its first set of recommendations on improving diversity, equity, and inclusivity in
disaster recovery and resilience. Two overarching themes of the recommendation document are to
strengthen relationships between NCEM and nonprofits with strong ties to Black and Latino
populations, and to allocate disaster resources in a way that reduces equity gaps. The Housing RSF
discussed NCDPS and how the American Rescue Plan Act programs can work together to support
North Carolina residents to obtain and stay in safe, secure, and affordable housing across income
spectrums. Housing instability and housing cost burden are strong drivers of household-level
vulnerability to climate change. NCORR has made significant strides toward implementing the
recommendation of the Housing RSF to increase production of affordable, accessible housing by
leveraging CDBG-DR funds.
• Support the development of an update to the NC Uniform Floodplain Management Policy for State
Construction. Expected completion date: December 2023. NCORR, in partnership with NCEM and
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the NCDOA, worked with the Governor’s Office to develop EO 266, which Governor Cooper signed.
The EO directs NCDOA to update the state’s requirements for construction on state land subject to
flooding. A direct outgrowth of NCORR’s work with the IRT, the EO will result in increased resilience
for state assets by both updating the requirements for such construction (which requirements had
last been updated in 1990) and by expanding the scope of projects subject to such requirements by
implementing a flood risk management process beyond application of the previous 100 -year
floodplain standard. NCORR will assist NCDOA with developing the new requirements and flood
risk management standard. EO 266 provides an 18-month deadline for NCDOA’s adoption of the
new policy.
• Conduct building vulnerability assessments and identify mitigation strategies for areas impacted
by riverine flooding from Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. Completion date: fall 2022. In 2020,
NCEM began a building level risk assessment and mitigation strategy development process for
approximately 12,000 square miles of unstudied streams heavily impacted by riverine flooding
from Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. Flood risk analyses and building level flood damages and
mitigation alternatives assessments were completed in the summer of 2022 and NCEM recently
launched the NCEM Advisory Flood Data viewer (https://flood.nc.gov/advisoryflood/) to
disseminate study reports, flood analyses boundaries and building-level risk assessment data to
local communities, state agencies and the public.
• Conduct flood mitigation studies. Expected completion date: Fall 2022. In 2020, NCEM initiated
new flood mitigation studies for the Northeast Cape Fear River, Cape Fear River, Little River, and
Cashier River Basins. NCEM completed flood and mitigation alternatives analyses in the Summer of
2022 in in the process of completing final reports for the project. Final reports will be complete and
loaded to the Rebuild NC website (https://www.rebuild.nc.gov/resiliency/river-basin-studies) to
share with the public in the fall of 2022.
• Begin administering the BRIC program. Expected completion date: N/A. In 2020, the federal
government released its pre-disaster mitigation program, NCEM launched BRIC, which aims to shift
the focus away from reactive disaster spending and toward research-supported, proactive
investment in community resilience. In the 2020 BRIC application, 32 projects were submitted for
the competitive evaluation by FEMA and five were selected for award worth approximately $30M.
The state is currently waiting for these projects to receive an award letter and begin work. In the
2021 BRIC application, 49 projects totaling approximately $167M were submitted for the
competitive evaluation by FEMA. FEMA reviewed of all submitted projects is ongoing with expected
notification date of selection in July 2021.
• Develop an online resilience resource center for local governments and community leaders
Underway Expected Completion Date: December 2023 NCORR, in partnership with the NCDEQ and
several North Carolina environmental nonprofits and universities, has hired a consultant to begin
the initial stages of developing an online climate resilience clearinghouse for local governments
and community leaders. The tool is called for in the 2020 North Carolina Climate Risk Assessment
and Resilience Plan (2020 Plan) and in the North Carolina Natural and Working Lands Action Plan.
The resource will “point users to relevant climate data and best practices for building resilience in
an equitable way” (p. 7-15, 2020 Plan). The project is supported by funding from the US Climate
Alliance.
• Purchase homes in the floodplain. Expected completion date: April 2026. NCORR administers the
ReBuild NC Strategic Buyout Program, which is a voluntary program that purchases properties that
are at-risk for flooding and turns them into deed-restricted greenspace. The Strategic Buyout
Program engages closely with local governments and communities to identify contiguous areas
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that are good fits for the program, and the program offers generous financial incentives to
encourage applicants to move to places that are less at risk for flooding. The program has received
230 applications since the program opened in January 2020 and has received 23 applications since
March 2022. The program has undergone significant streamlining efforts in the last several months,
which has resulted in a 937% increase in movement toward project completion. The program
made its first three offers to applicants in July 2022. For the next 12 months, the program expects
to onboard state staff to facilitate applicant progression, begin purchasing homes, and expand to
additional areas. NCORR intends to continue to identify areas in which the program can be
simplified and will be making additional changes throughout the next year.
• Repair and elevate storm-damaged homes is ongoing. Expected completion date: N/A. NCORR
administers the ReBuild NC Homeowner Recovery Program, North Carolina’s long-term disaster
recovery program, to repair and elevate storm-damaged homes. Between March and August 2022,
NCORR completed 35 repair and elevation projects despite facing chall enges from the nationwide
material delays, labor shortages and a significant increase in material pricing. Those 35 projects
consist of manufactured housing replacements, reconstruction of single-family residences and
rehabilitation of single-family residences. Since March 2022, NCORR has made a series of
enhancements to the ReBuild program. NCORR transitioned from a construction management
vendor to a state-run residential construction management program. In addition to the overhaul of
construction management, NCORR has begun to post procurements to the state’s Interactive
Purchasing System. Due to these changes, NCORR expects to complete over 200 manufactured
home replacements and reconstruction, rehabilitation, and elevation projects by the end of
December 2022. ReBuild NC is made possible through US Department of Housing and Urban
Development Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery and Community
Development Block Grant – Mitigation funding.
• Support nine regions in the eastern half of the state to complete climate vulnerability assessments
and develop implementation pathways for 5-10 priority projects. Expected completion date:
December 2022 Since the program’s launch in fall 2021, NCORR, in partnership with NC Rural
Center, has continued working with consultants and local stakeholders to develop a vulnerability
assessment and a portfolio of five to 10 regional resilience projects in each of the nine multi-county
regions. As of September 2022, all nine vulnerability assessments have received pu blic comments
and are in the final stages of completion. In addition, all nine regions have developed a draft list of
projects that are under review by local stakeholders. Over the next three months, NCORR will work
with project partners to develop an implementation pathway for each resilience project, to include
a project lead, potential funding opportunities, implementation steps, and more. By December
2022, both documents– the vulnerability assessment and the portfolio of projects – in each region
will be finalized and released the public. In early 2023, NCORR will work with each region to submit
one project to the Duke Energy Foundation for full or partial funding. The Duke Energy Foundation
has committed $600,000 total to aid the implementation of the RISE Regional Resilience Portfolios.
The project is part of the RISE program, which aims to address the need for local capacity building
around long-term disaster recovery and resilience planning and implementation. RISE is part of the
North Carolina Resilience Communities program, run in partnership with the NCDEQ. Funding from
the Economic Development Administration and US Department of Housing and Urban
Development supports this project.
• Work with local governments impacted by Hurricane Matthew to restore damaged critical
infrastructure. Expected completion date: August 2024. NCORR’s Infrastructure Program is
currently developing community infrastructure projects in Bladen, Duplin, Hyde, and Robeson
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Counties, the City of Lumberton, and in the Towns of St. Paul’s and Princeville. These projects
include a range of critical infrastructure and technical assistance for subrecipient projects as varied
as drainage studies, stormwater drainage, development of potable water sources, sewer
improvements, demolition of dangerous building ruins, and rehabilitation of buildings to be used
for critical community services. In addition, the Infrastructure Program is lending assistance in the
construction of infrastructure to build flood-safe communities, most notably in the Town of
Princeville, and is currently monitoring the development and construction of a homeless-services
building in the City of Fayetteville, which is forecasted to be completed in the early summer of
2023. During the past year, the program has assisted subrecipients in completing the construction
of stormwater infrastructure in Nash County and the ongoing, aforementioned facility in
Fayetteville, assisted subrecipients with procurement of nine architectural -engineering firms for
design of infrastructure improvements, and closely followed the completion of a countywide
stormwater drainage study that includes hydrological and hydraulic calculations that will inform
the county as they develop feasible and cost-effective designs to address extensive stormwater
drainage problem throughout the county. Over the next 12 months, the program’s subrecipients
plan to construct approximately 15 projects. The program is closely monitoring contracted scoping
tasks and accompanying timelines for design, and is proactively advising subrecipients on next
steps, leading toward construction and successful completion.
• Develop a climate resilience planning guide for local leaders. Expected completion date: December
2022 NCORR is working with a consultant to develop a resilient community planning guide for
North Carolina’s local governments. The guide will empower local and regional leaders to
understand their climate vulnerabilities and develop shared priorities for action. The guide will
have two components: A playbook and an idea book. The playbook will guide users through the
process of building a team, analyzing vulnerabilities and assets, brainstorming, prioritizing actions,
and identifying implementation steps. The idea book will provide examples of projects, programs,
and policies that improve resilience across social, economic, and environmental domains. The
planning guide is supported by funding from the Economic Development Administration. It is being
developed as a component of RISE in conjunction with the North Carolina Resilience Communities
program, run in partnership with NCDEQ. Both components of the guide should be released in
2022.
• Account for climate change in the State Hazard Mitigation Plan. Expected completion date: Fall
2022. Ensure the Enhanced State Hazard Mitigation Plan includes an emphasis on addressing the
projected impacts of climate change and on protecting, communicating with, and serving
marginalized populations NCEM has integrated climate change and the North Carolina Climate
Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan into the Enhanced State Hazard Mitigation Plan update to the
extent feasible. New FEMA guidance comes into play in April of 2023 that includes specific
considerations for climate change in the risk analysis as well as an expansion of outreach to
underserved populations. Current update is expected to be completed and approved before the
new guidance comes into play, but NCEM did, at the suggestion of the Resilience Plan, begin to
address some specific impacts of climate change in the hazard analysis, specifically regarding heat
and flooding, addressing anticipated changes in frequency/intensity of drought and flood
conditions and the impacts of same on wildfire and landslide hazards. NCEM put the draft up for
public comment from September 22 to October 14, 2022.
• Conduct a dam breach analysis on intermediate and high hazard dams. Expected completion date:
Spring 2023. In 2020, NCEM began conducting dam breach analyses on the remaining 859
intermediate and high hazard dams in NC that currently do not have dam failure inundation
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boundaries or building and road risk information. The agency is developing rainfall runoff
hydrological modeling for 287 dams, installing gauges to monitor for dam failure at 130 critical
state and locally owned dams, and integrating all data into a secure monitoring, alert, and warning
system. NCEM has completed analysis of all intermediate and high hazard dams and this
information was loaded into the SERA and the dam warning and alert application. NCEM has also
completed rainfall runoff modeling for 287 dam and has loaded this data into the dam alert and
monitoring software. Finally, NCDEQ Dam Safety has secured long-term funding for annual
software fees to continue the dam alert and warning application. NCEM has recent ly awarded a
contract to install 34 remaining ultrasonic water level sensors and anticipates having these
installed by early 2023. Also, NCEM plans to award a contract to install 29 remaining pressure
transducer water level gauges at dams and install those by early spring 2023. These water level
gauges will be integrated into the dam alert and warning application once installation is complete.
• Improve data collection at sites where flooding is common. Completion date: Fall 2022. To improve
the data collection capabilities of the State Emergency Response Team purchased and is installing
river gauges at 71 additional sites statewide and updated flood inundation libraries and risk
assessments for these additional sites beginning in 2020. NCEM completed install ing these 71 new
radar gauges in May of 2022 and all data was loaded to and is being shared through the FIMAN
application (https://fiman.nc.gov/)
• Pilot a flood insurance program. Expected completion date: TBD. The North Carolina Office of
Recovery and Resiliency and North Carolina Emergency Management are working towards piloting
a flood insurance program. The initiative is in the process of being integrated into the existing
ReBuild NC Homeowner Recovery Program supporting communities significantly impacted by
Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. Currently, NCORR continues to refine program policies,
procedures, and system of record business requirements. NCORR has discussed flood insurance
purchase requirements with FEMA and NFIP generally and as it relates to newly constructed
structures. Flood insurance policies cannot be transferred from building-to-building, but rather are
transferred from owner-to-owner. Hence, an eligible applicant’s existing flood insurance policy on
the old structure would need to be cancelled and a new flood insurance policy would need to be
purchased for the new replacement structure. NCORR was informed by FEMA that two -year flood
insurance policies may not be pre-purchased, and it takes 30-days for a flood insurance policy to
be in effect. NCORR is developing procedures with all of FEMA’s requirements in mind to ensure
there are no lapses in flood insurance for eligible applicants. NCORR is also reviewing FEMA’s risk
rating for NC as those impacts flood insurance premiums. The NFIP State Coordinator (NCEM)
facilitated a meeting on June 14, 2022, between NCORR and FEMA Region IV Flood Insurance
Liaison to discuss providing NCORR with direct access to NFIP Insurance Data.
• Support the update and modeling of NC climate impacts, local capacity building, and planning for
nature-based solutions to flooding impacts. Expected completion date: N/A. Through its
administration of the Community Development Block Grant - Mitigation program, NCORR is
funding several planning efforts by other state agencies that increase statewide resilience to
climate change impacts. These projects update the state’s data and modeling of climate impacts
including rainfall and drought, build local capacity to design solutions to climate vulnerabilities,
and develop a natural infrastructure flood mitigation program. Thus far, NCORR has entered into
four funding agreements with NCDEQ and one with NCDOT to support these important efforts:
o NC Resilient Coastal Communities Program. NCDEQ, Division of Coastal Management. $500,000
CDBG-MIT.
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o Statewide Probable Maximum Precipitation Study. NCDEQ, Division of Energy, Mineral, and
Land Resources. $500,000 CDBG-MIT.
o Low Flow Statistics Re-Evaluation and Public Water Supply Boundary Area Assessment.
NCDEQ, Division of Water Resources. $740,700 CDBG-MIT.
o Development of the Natural Infrastructure Flood Mitigation Program and Modeling of Nature-
Based Solutions for Flooding. NCDEQ, Division of Mitigation Services. $340,800 CDBG-MIT.
o Updating the Precipitation Frequency Estimates for North Carolina, NOAA Atlas 14, NCDOT,
$237,120 CDBG-MIT Over the next year, NCORR will continue to partner with NCDEQ and
NCDOT to monitor progress on these efforts. NCORR is also in the process of entering into a
similar agreement with the State Climate Office, NC State University, to fund a project to
incorporate climate data into the state’s precipitation statistics and create a publicly available,
user-friendly interface for this information.
3.11 Action Plan for Nature-Based Stormwater Strategies (2021)
• Create a Nature-Based Stormwater Steering Committee to ensure continued stakeholder
engagement and leadership in support of long-term, meaningful progress.
• Expedite permit applications that are designed to achieve runoff volume matching as specified in
the state’s stormwater design manual.
• Secure additional funding to support technical specialist(s) in NCDEQ, associated with NCORR’s
Resilient Communities Program or within other agencies and organizations, including universities
and NGOs, and through private-public partnerships who can meet with project designers and
developers in early stages of the design phase to evaluate, advise and provide technical assistance
on site suitability for nature-based stormwater strategies. Specialists should also assist local
permitting authorities.
• Develop detailed informational maps to assist with watershed management plan development
and guide where and what types of nature-based stormwater strategies are most practical and
economical for potential new development sites, including land acquisition strategies, stormwater
mitigation banks, etc. Obtain site characteristics necessary for these maps by relying upon existing
geographic information system databases.
• Train industry and trade professionals, government staff and decision-makers so that they
understand the benefits and limitations of nature-based stormwater strategies. Elements of this
training need to include:
o Continuing education credits for training courses that review: permitting procedures; design
criteria for individual measures and practices; operation and maintenance requirements,
including lifecycle costs compared to conventional treatment systems; benefits of nature-
based systems; and legal instruments used to ensure permit compliance with permittees.
o Workforce training: Promote skills training on construction and maintenance of low-impact
development to employees of landscape and maintenance firms.
o Peer-to-peer forums and trade shows: Create and facilitate regular opportunities for
practitioners, including private business sector as well as public entities, to share experiences,
collaborate and inspire each other to expand the use of nature-based stormwater strategies.
This initiative includes biannual trade show with conference and training workshops; list -serve
that convenes the community of practice online; and periodic luncheons, gatherings, and
webinars that provide formal and informal opportunities to discuss experiences and ideas.
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• Facilitate local government review of development codes and ordinances for potential inclusion of
nature-based solutions. State agencies, nonprofits and academic partners should work together to
assist local officials in an organized and consistent approach, including community outreach and
technical assistance, to highlight nature-based strategies as a priority resilience measure.
• The NC General Assembly requests a study to determine the degree to which promoting nature-
based solutions saves the state money in addressing flooding and water quality concerns, and an
economic impact analysis of jobs created, improved property values and other benefits because of
applying nature-based solutions. Evaluate how these cost savings and economic benefits, if found,
can be used to provide, and inform financial incentives such as tax breaks, design/planning
assistance, to promote the use of nature-based stormwater strategies. This study should include
state-funded institutions of higher learning.
• Establish a standardized life-cycle cost analysis for disclosure, as is currently being documented in
research at NC State University and include these costs for operating and maintaining permitted
stormwater systems as an update to the state’s stormwater design manual. Update periodically to
ensure accuracy of cost estimates.
• Ensure that maintenance plans prepared as a requirement of state and locally issued stormwater
permits include an estimated budget of lifecycle costs for operating and maintaining the
authorized stormwater system. This critical information will disclose these costs to current and
future permit holders so that they can budget each year to fulfill their long-term financial
responsibilities. In many places, systems that use nature-based stormwater strategies will be more
cost-effective to operate and maintain.
• Create a state-sponsored awards program administered by NCDEQ and/or NCORR that recognizes
notable low-impact development projects and communities leading in applying nature -based
stormwater strategies each year. These awards may highlight creative approaches to coordinating,
funding, and designing nature-based stormwater strategies, and could highlight the successes of
the NC Resilient Communities Program and other state technical assistance offerings.
• Issue appropriate executive orders and policies that promote the use of nature -based stormwater
strategies by the governor’s cabinet agencies to the extent allowed by existing laws and rules. For
certain defined projects, nature-based stormwater strategies should be the default and must be
demonstrated to be impracticable before using conventional methods.
• Request that the NC General Assembly evaluate if it should encourage the use of nature-based
stormwater strategies by enacting a state law that includes provisions like those in the Federal
Energy Independence and Security Act Section 438. This federal law requires l arge construction
projects financed by the federal government to “maintain or restore, to the maximum extent
technically feasible, the predevelopment hydrology of the property regarding the temperature,
rate, volume, and duration of flow
• Develop model policies, incentives, and ordinances that local governments can adopt that
promote the use of nature-based stormwater strategies for local government construction
projects.
• The steering committee will organize local stakeholders to approach local governments to seek
adoption of model incentives, policies and/ or ordinances. State agency technical specialists will
support communities in developing and implementing these changes.
• Use nature-based stormwater strategies to bring failing stormwater systems into regulatory
compliance. Devise a streamlined process for modifications of existing state and local permit
requirements so that nature-based stormwater strategies can be used to obtain regulatory
compliance.
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• Add a new chapter to the NCDEQ Stormwater Design Manual to provide guidance on the
appropriate uses of nature-based strategies to address compliance issues with its existing permits.
This promotes practices that mimic “hydrologic matching” as already defined in the manual. This
guidance should be written with the intention to simplify the review process.
• Add a new chapter to the NCDEQ Stormwater Design Manual to include guidance on how best to
use nature-based stormwater strategies to retrofit existing land uses that may or may not have
existing stormwater permits. The chapter needs to explain how these measures can be adapted so
that they are cost-effective to use even when site limitations constrain the ability to meet all
optimal design specifications.
• Enact new state legislation to resolve out of compliance stormwater permits that no longer have
an identifiable party responsible for maintaining their compliance. The law needs to outline
procedures and provide funding opportunities or incentives to fix these compliance issues and
should explicitly encourage the use of cost-effective nature-based stormwater strategies to fix and
upgrade failing systems. Local governments should establish a program or mechanism to absorb
financial risk and use collective funds to fix noncompliant systems.
• Consider nature-based approaches first when upgrading, updating, or redeveloping existing
government facilities.
• Educate the public about nature-based stormwater strategies by incorporating these practices into
facilities that are frequently visited by the public, such as gov ernment office buildings, parks, boat
ramps, schools, and beach access areas. Include educational signage and exhibits in these retrofit
projects to spread public awareness and use of these strategies.
• Develop and identify significant new sources of federal, state, and local funding to support retrofit
projects that reduce flooding, improve water quality, and reduce economic disruptions by
achieving “hydrologic matching.”
• Direct federal and state disaster mitigation funding to plan, design and install natur e-based
stormwater strategies as part of recovery programs.
• Adopt policies within all state-administered financial assistance grant and loan programs used to
acquire and retrofit public lands and infrastructure that promote the use of nature-based
stormwater strategies.
• Develop a guidance manual for transportation planners that illustrates effective incorporation of
nature-based stormwater strategies into transportation planning and project development
decision making processes. Action Plan for Nature-based Stormwater Strategies: Promoting
Natural Designs that Reduce Flooding and Improve Water Quality .
• Develop roadway typical sections that illustrate nature-based stormwater solutions in the design
context to guide comprehensive transportation planning, project planning and project design.
• Develop technical guidance tailored for roadside operations personnel on techniques for
optimizing the infiltration and evapotranspiration capacity of the roadside environment.
• Include more information and technical guidance on nature-based stormwater strategies that are
appropriate for the transportation system in the NCDOT best management practices toolbox and
share that information with municipal transportation agencies.
• Based on this review, recommend changes to existing laws, rules, ordinances, policies, funding
sources and procedures that facilitate the use of nature-based stormwater strategies.
• Revise NCDOT’s qualification standards for designers, engineers, contractors, and other
professional consultants to include demonstrated training and experience in nature-based
stormwater strategies.
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• In addition, NCDOT should ensure contract awardees are trained in nature-based design strategies
and are committed to receiving continuing education on these design options annually. NCDOT
may consider making this a new prequalification code or an amended one, and these trainings may
be developed in partnership with the education programs proposed in the “New Development”
recommendations.
• Provide agency leadership with briefings and supportive materials necessary to secure their
support and guidance on how best to promote the use of these strategies as part of their decision-
making.
• Formalize policies and internal guidance as needed to institutionalize agency leadership support
for prioritizing the use of nature-based stormwater strategies.
• Engage transportation agencies, who are among the largest landowners in the state, as major
partners in the proposed watershed planning effort. Seek to incorporate stormwater strategies for
roadways into overall watershed management strategies recommended in the plans. Explore
opportunities that exist beyond the established right -of-way for cost-effective use of nature-based
stormwater strategies.
• Coordinate agreements between transportation agencies and disaster recovery programs that
expand opportunities to rely on nature-based stormwater strategies to promote the agency
missions of all parties. Seek to direct hazard mitigation investments so that stormwater needs of
transportation agencies are achieved whenever possible.
• Increase economic incentives from local, state, and federal sources to landowners, including
industrial owners, to preserve wetlands within forest lands, and to preserve forested and
agricultural floodplains. Support ongoing efforts to identify forest lands that are a high priority to
maintain and determine financial assistance or economic incentives needed to keep these lands
working.
• Integrate efforts to maintain working lands into a state watershed management program. Secure
additional funds to support technical, legal, and financial assistance to integrate efforts to
maintain working lands through watershed management strategies designed to reduce flooding
and improve water quality.
• Mount a coordinated campaign that works with state leaders, the NC Congressional delegation and
engaged stakeholders to pursue substantially increased financial resources from the federal Farm
Bill and other programs for conservation. Financial parity with other states could finance wetland
restoration, conservation easements and large-scale hydrologic restoration projects in NC.
• Direct more federal funds, including disaster mitigation program funding, to support consistent
staffing capacity at the state, regional and local levels to help identify, plan, design, fund, and
construct projects that protect, restore, or replicate natural hydrology. Partner with the Natural
Resources Conservation Service to increase the staffing capacity of federal, state, local and
nonprofit organizations to plan and execute nature-based stormwater strategies on working lands.
• Work with NCORR, NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and other agencies that
administer disaster mitigation funding that is available to enhance staffing levels and consulting
services to aid in the developing and administering hydrology-related projects.
• Continue and expand watershed level initiatives to identify and maximize strategic opportunities
that provide water quality and flood reduction benefits to local and downstream communities.
Seek to incorporate watershed initiatives with other ongoing landscape level programs that have
different but compatible benefits including:
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o Coordinate with a new landscape initiative work group comprised of private and public
stakeholders with funding from US Fish and Wildlife Service to identify locations in coastal NC
where private and public funds can be focused on large-scale hydrologic restoration projects.
o Work with military stakeholders to identify target properties that are essential for military
training where hydrologic restoration projects are also feasible. The operations of the
Department of Defense (DoD) collectively constitute North Carolina’s second largest industry.
Preserving working lands is critical to the military’s ability to function, and the Sentinel
Landscapes Partnership is an important vehicle to facilitate preservation of working lands. It
should become an active partner in implementing this work group’s strategy.
o Implement the Lake Mattamuskeet Watershed Management Plan working with private
landowners, US Fish and Wildlife Service, NC Wildlife Resources Commission, Hyde County and
NC Coastal Federation.
o Identify existing and emerging regional conservation partnership opportunities outside the
coastal counties that provide opportunities for hydrologic restoration and management.
• Create opportunities to hold more water on working lands to provide downstream benefits while
compensating for potential crop loss due to the additional water being held on these lands.
• Using the most up-to-date projections available, determine where production zones for working
lands may change due to climate change to inform agricultural management, land use and
conservation decisions.
• Obtain commitments to move forward with comprehensive watershed management framework.
State leaders will devise and fund a multi-year planning framework that encourages watershed
management to reduce flooding and enhance water quality concurrently. This will be supported
and informed by relevant stakeholders drawing on the work group attendees.
• Economic study on costs and benefits of nature-based stormwater strategies. The NC General
Assembly will be encouraged to request a study to prepare an economic analysis that details the
cost savings associated with using nature-based stormwater strategies to mitigate flooding. This
research may be carried out by a private consultant in partnership with NC experts such as those at
(universities, stakeholders, and other interests).
• Promote demonstration projects. Identify and implement projects (new development, retrofits,
roadways and working lands) that demonstrate the value of nature-based stormwater strategies
with real world projects.
• Provide accurate information on maintenance cost for nature-based stormwater strategies. The
steering committee will work with state officials and stakeholders to amend the stormwater design
manual to include this data so that users are able to budget for life-cycle costs of these measures
and learn about the savings regular maintenance can provide over time.
• Streamline modifications to existing stormwater permits to encourage use of nature-based
stormwater strategies. Secure a commitment from NCDEQ to evaluate processes and work with
stakeholders to devise standard operating procedures that provide a streamlined process for
modifications of existing permit requirements so that nature-based stormwater strategies can be
used to achieve regulatory compliance.
• Advance state and local policies promoting nature-based stormwater strategies. The steering
committee and its various stakeholders will engage with key state and local leadership to promote
recommendations in this plan and seek adoption of formal policies that enable the government to
lead by example.
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• Form the Action Plan Steering Committee. This leadership group of dedicated individuals from
various stakeholder interests should spearhead implementation of recommendations in the plan.
The group will meet periodically to set priorities and oversee accomplishments.
• Establish a consistent mechanism for continuing education and outreach. A work group will be
organized to coordinate future planning for education and outreach. The group will seek the
necessary financial resources support regularly scheduled, targeted programming and provide the
necessary training and awareness building to advance action plan priorities.
• Organize DOT work group. The steering committee will work to assist DOT leadership and staff in
putting together a work group to tackle DOT’s highest priority recommendations including
updating its toolbox to include nature-based stormwater strategies and reviewing regulatory
constraints that discourage the use of these measures more fully.
3.12 Natural and Working Lands Assessment Plan
• Protect and restore forests and wetlands within flood prone areas.
• Integrate climate adaptation and resiliency strategies into comprehensive local plans.
• Coordinate the state’s floodplain buyout and restoration program to increase resilience.
• Implement targeted interventions to protect peatlands from sea level rise and saltwater intrusion
guided by scenario-based modeling.
• Supply incentives to stakeholders for coastal habitat protection.
• Facilitate migration of coastal habitats through protection of migration corridors.
• Prioritize climate change and sea level rise in coastal habitat restoration planning.
3.13 Coastal Habitat Protection Plan: Amendment 2021
• By 2022, NCDEQ will form an interagency workgroup with NGOs, and local governments to inform
and guide development of watershed restoration plans to protect, restore, or replicate natural
habitats (i.e., SAV, water quality, coastal habitats) and hydrology through natural and nature-
based solutions.
• By 2023, NCDEQ will develop and implement a full-scale assessment program to conduct
coastwide SAV mapping and monitoring at regular intervals (≤ 5 years).
• By 2023, NCDEQ will obtain state matching funds for the NOAA CCAP program to map NC’s Coastal
Plain at 1m resolution and added funding to expand wetland monitoring conducted by DWR and
other state agencies.
• By 2024, NCDEQ will pursue the use of emerging technologies such as data fusion or deep learning
neural networks, that rely on a combination of satellite imagery, drone imagery, and field
verification for Coastal Plain wetland mapping and change analyses.
• By 2026, NCDEQ will determine the status and trends of Coastal Plain wetland acreage, condition,
and function, based on the added mapping and monitoring data obtained
• By 2022, the NC DMF will decide potential mechanisms to prevent harvesting from living shorelines
constructed with oysters.
• By 2025, DEMLR and other divisions should increase education, outreach, and t raining to
consultants, local government, and landowners for nature-based stormwater and watershed
management strategies.
• By 2022, NCDEQ will form an interagency workgroup with NGOs, and local governments to inform
and guide development of watershed restoration plans to protect, restore, or replicate natural
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habitats (i.e., SAV, water quality, coastal habitats) and hydrology through natural and nature -
based solutions.
• By 2022, NCDEQ will form a workgroup with the DWR, DEMLR, Division of Soil and Water
Conservation, local governments, and other partners to increase BMPs related to water quality
within the SAV waterbody regions to the extent possible, consistent with current funding level, and
request increased state cost-share funding.
3.14 Collaboratory Flood Resiliency Study
• Flood Resilience: Data Collection and Data Analytic in support of Flood Management. The project
aimed to expand gauge testing by including low-cost radar sensors and rain gauges and
developing a water gauge reading method.
• The State of North Carolina should explore a wide variety of funding mechanisms that could
smooth and speed buyout processes, including municipal/green bonds, revolving loan funds, local
option sales taxes, and stormwater utility fees. Special attention should be paid to th e inclusive
and equitable use of these funding mechanisms on the state and local scale.
• As part of exploring alternative buyout processes, the state should identify improved methods of
calculating avoided loss that include aggregate risk (beyond project it self, e.g., downstream
impacts) to determine whether buyouts lower flooding risk and damage elsewhere nearby.
• The state should prioritize and fund establishment of FAIR data standards – ensuring data is
Findable, Accessible, Inter-operable, and Reusable – for all buyout- and hazard mitigation-related
data, creating policies and data use agreements to standardize and curate metadata, streamline
researcher and community group access, and enhance accessibility to the public. As part of this,
buyouts- and hazard -related data should be stored in a publicly accessible data repository (e.g.,
UNC Dataverse) that facilitates good user experiences, and easy and effective data dissemination.
Ultimately, these actions will save staff time and dramatically lower costs in response to data
requests.
• Adopt policies that prevent future development and redevelopment within the 100 -year floodplain
and that severely restricts development in the 500-year floodplain. It should be noted that all
encroachment into the floodplain (i.e., elevated structures) reduces the water storage capacity of
the floodplain during extreme events.
• Invest in improving resilience of all critical infrastructure that is vulnerable to flooding (roads,
bridges, stormwater systems, reservoirs, water and wastewater treatment facilities and networks,
energy supply) to minimize loss of life, emergency rescue, loss of use and negative impacts to
commerce and economic impacts during future extreme storm events.
• Invest in research to develop and monitor a pilot water farming project. The research should focus
on evaluating water management systems, storage, and peak flow reductions, impacts to soils and
crops and other agricultural management processes and associated economic factors.
• There is no integrated database that contains information on channel properties and surrounding
floodplain topography that can be used to configure coastal and hydrological flood hazard models,
particularly for smaller tributaries and channel reaches in the North Carolina coastal plain. Future
work should leverage existing statewide datasets of surveyed channel data and high-resolution
LiDAR to create a single, integrated geospatial database that can be used to incorporate channels
and their associated floodplains into flood hazard models. Gaps in the existing datasets,
particularly where cross-sectional surveys may be outdated or lack resolution, should be
identified, and filled.
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3.15 Recommendations for Flood Resiliency Identified in the RISE
Program
• Developing the North Carolina Resilient Communities Guide, as a statewide resource that supplies
tools, guidance, and opportunities for building community resiliency.
3.16 Resilient Coastal Communities Program
• The primary objective of Phase 3 of the RCCP is to provide funding to assist communities with the
engineering and design of a prioritized project identified in their RCCP Resilience Strategy or other
existing plans that meet the RCCP’s Phases 1 and 2 planning criteria.
• Most of the engineering and design projects feature natural and nature-based elements such as
wetland restoration and living shoreline design.
3.17 Resilient Communities Program
The Funding Forum held in February 2023, aimed to address the obstacle of funding resiliency
projects by introducing community leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders to federal, state,
and nonprofit funding opportunities for resilience-related projects. The free, one-day event allowed
attendees to engage with potential funders, who supplied presentations and answer ed project-
specific questions during break-out sessions. Attendees also had the opportunity to take part in a
grant writing session to take their project one step closer to reality .
3.18 Flood Risk Reduction Grant Program (2022)
• Acquiring land, or an interest in land, for purposes including:
o Enhancing or restoring the flood attenuation capacity of floodplains, wetlands, and areas of
the natural landscape that contribute to their function.
o Storing flood waters through long-term land management agreements, such as water farming.
o Participating in floodplain buyout programs as a first step in enhancing ecosystem services.
• Restoring, enhancing, constructing, or repairing floodplains, shorelines, or wetlands including:
o Design and construction of nature-based infrastructure to retain and/or detain flood waters.
o Design and construction of projects to reconnect streams to the full extent of their original
floodplains.
o Restoration of previously converted or developed land back to a natural land cover.
o Redevelopment of developed floodplains into waterfront parks or open spaces that are
compatible with flooding and flood water storage, and that provide opportunities for
community engagement, recreation, and/or river access.

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4 Concluding Remarks
The first draft of this Statewide Planning Efforts with Resilience Strategies report and inventory was
prepared in March 2023. This document may be updated as reports, plans, studies, and other relev ant
resources are published and with input from the Blueprint TAGs. An index with links to all resources
reviewed is included in the next section.

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5 Index
5.1 Parameter Assessment Overview
Assessment parameters described below along with included options.
• Applicability to NC Flood Resiliency Blueprint
o Low: Somewhat relevant sources but supplying foundational context.
o Medium: Highly relevant sources; often secondary (i.e., found within highly relevant
documents).
o High: Highly relevant documents; foundational in content or function.
• Ease of Use
o Low: Long and/or highly technical document.
o Medium: Possibly technical but well-organized and clear.
o High: Effectively summarized and easily understandable.
• Age and Update Cycle: Narrative form that includes the year it was published or released along
with any known information on the update cycle.

North Carolina Flood Resiliency Blueprint
Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 64
5.2 Index Summary Table
Resource Parameter Assessment
Title and Link
Year
Published Update Cycle
Applicability
to Blueprint Ease of Use
North Carolina Climate Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan
https://files.nc.gov/ncdeq/climate-change/resilience-plan/2020-
Climate-Risk-Assessment-and-Resilience-Plan.pdf
2020 State will support
and update
High Medium
State of North Carolina 2023 Hazard Mitigation Plan1
https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/emergency-
management/hazard-mitigation/enhanced-hazard-mitigation-
plan
2023 Every 5 years High Medium
NCDOT 2021 Resiliency Strategy Report
https://files.nc.gov/ncdeq/climate-change/resilience-plan/agency-
reports/Department-of-Transportation-2021-Resilient-Strategy-
Report.pdf
NCDOT 2022 Resiliency Strategy Report
https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-
policies/Transportation/transportation-
resilience/Documents/ncdot-resilience-report.pdf
2021;
2022
Annual High High
NCDOA Climate Strategy Report
https://www.deq.nc.gov/climate/ncdoa-climate-strategy-
report-fy22/download?attachment
2022 Annual High High

1 Component of the North Carolina Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan.
North Carolina Flood Resiliency Blueprint
Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 65
Resource Parameter Assessment
Title and Link
Year
Published Update Cycle
Applicability
to Blueprint Ease of Use
NCDA&CS Climate Strategy Report
https://www.deq.nc.gov/climate/ncdacs-climate-strategy-
report-fy22pdf/download?attachment
2022 Annual High High
NCDOC Climate Strategy Report
https://www.deq.nc.gov/climate/ncdoc-climate-strategy-
report-fy22pdf/download?attachment
2022 No flood resiliency strategies identified
NCDEQ Climate Strategy Report
https://www.deq.nc.gov/climate/ncdeq-climate-strategy-
report-fy22pdf/download?attachment
2022 Annual High High
NCDHHS Climate Strategy Report
https://www.deq.nc.gov/climate/ncdhhs-climate-strategy-
report-fy22pdf/download?attachment
2022 Annual High High
NCDIT Climate Strategy Report
https://www.deq.nc.gov/climate/ncdhhs-climate-strategy-
report-fy22pdf/download?attachment
2022 Annual High High
NCDMVA Climate Strategy Report
https://www.deq.nc.gov/climate/ncdmva-climate-strategy-
report-fy22pdf/download?attachment
2022 Annual High High
NCDNCR Climate Strategy Report
https://www.deq.nc.gov/climate/ncdncr-climate-strategy-
report-fy22pdf/download?attachment
2022 Annual High High
North Carolina Flood Resiliency Blueprint
Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 66
Resource Parameter Assessment
Title and Link
Year
Published Update Cycle
Applicability
to Blueprint Ease of Use
NCDPS Climate Strategy Report
download (nc.gov)
2022 Annual High High
NCDOR Climate Strategy Report
https://www.deq.nc.gov/climate/ncdor-climate-strategy-
report-fy22pdf/download?attachment
2022 No flood resiliency strategies identified
Action Plan for Nature-Based Stormwater Strategies
https://www.nccoast.org/2021/08/progress-with-the-nature-
based-stormwater-action-plan/
2021 Annual High High
North Carolina Natural and Working Lands Action Plan2
https://files.nc.gov/ncdeq/climate-change/natural-working-
lands/NWL-Action-Plan-FINAL---Copy.pdf
2020 A living document
with no prescribed
update schedule
High High
North Carolina Coastal Habitat Protection Plan: 2021 Amendment
https://deq.nc.gov/media/26810/open
2021 Every 5 years High High
North Carolina Climate Science Report 3
https://ncics.org/wp-
content/uploads/2020/10/NC_Climate_Science_Report_FullRepor
t_Final_revised_September2020.pdf
2020 Updated as needed
to incorporate new
decision-relevant
information
High Medium

2 Component of the North Carolina Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan.
3 Component of the North Carolina Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan.
North Carolina Flood Resiliency Blueprint
Subtask 1.7: Statewide Planning Efforts with Flood Resilience Recommendations | 67
Resource Parameter Assessment
Title and Link
Year
Published Update Cycle
Applicability
to Blueprint Ease of Use
Collaboratory Flood Resilience Study
https://collaboratory.unc.edu/wp-
content/uploads/sites/476/2021/06/flood-resiliency-report.pdf
2021 N/A High High
Regions Innovating for Strong Economies and Environment
Program
RISE and Environment Program | ReBuild NC
2021 N/A High
North Carolina Resilient Coastal Communities Program
NC Resilient Coastal Communities Program | NC DEQ
2020 N/A High Medium
North Carolina Resilient Communities Program
https://www.rebuild.nc.gov/resiliency/resilient-communities
2020 N/A High Medium
Flood Risk Reduction Grant Program
https://nclwf.nc.gov/grants/apply-grant/flood-risk-reduction-
grant-program
2022 N/A High Medium
Stormwater Funding Program
https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-
infrastructure/stormwater-funding-program
2022 N/A High Medium
North Carolina Resilience Clearinghouse
https://www.usmangroup.com/experience/north-carolina/
Not Listed Unknown High TBD
Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool (RAPT)
https://www.fema.gov/node/resilience-analysis-and-planning-
tool-rapt
2020 Not specified High Medium