EEP

11.1
NC

D
W
Q

B
R
O
A
D

R
I
V
E
R

B
A
S
I
N

P
L
A
N
:

N
C

E
c
o
s
y
s
t
e
m

E
n
h
a
n
c
e
m
e
n
t

P
r
o
g
r
a
m

2
0
0
8

The North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program (NCEEP) is responsible for providing ecologically effective
compensatory mitigation in advance of permitted impacts associated with road projects and other development activities.
The fundamental mission of the program is to restore, enhance and protect key watershed functions in the 17 river basins
across the state. This is accomplished through the implementation of wetlands, streams and riparian buffer projects
within selected local watersheds. The vital watershed functions that NCEEP seeks to restore and protect include water
quality, floodwater conveyance and storage, fisheries and wildlife habitat.
The NCEEP is not a grant program but can implement its restoration projects cooperatively with other state or federal
programs such as the Section 319 Program. Combining NCEEP-funded restoration or preservation projects with 319 or
other local watershed initiatives (e.g., those funded through the Clean Water Management Trust Fund or local/regional
Land Trusts) increases the potential to improve the water quality, hydrologic and habitat functions within selected
watersheds.
The selection of optimal sites for NCEEP mitigation projects is founded on a basinwide and local watershed planning
approach which results, respectively, in the development of River Basin Restoration Priorities and Local Watershed
Plans.
In developing River Basin Restoration Priorities (RBRP) (formerly called Watershed Restoration Plans), the NCEEP identifies
local watersheds (14-digit hydrologic units) with the greatest need and opportunity for restoration, enhancement or
preservation projects. These high-priority watersheds are called “targeted local watersheds” (TLWs). Targeted local
watersheds are identified, in part, using information compiled by DWQs programmatic activities (e.g., Basinwide Assessment
Reports). Local factors considered in the selection of TLWs include: water quality impairment, habitat degradation, the
presence of critical habitat or significant natural heritage areas, the presence of water supply watersheds or other high-
quality waters, the status of riparian buffers, estimates of impervious cover, existing or planned transportation projects,
and the opportunity for local government partnerships. Recommendations from local resource agency professionals and
the presence of existing or planned watershed projects are given significant weight in the selection of TLWs. In essence,
targeted local watersheds represent those areas within a river basin where NCEEP resources can be focused for maximum
benefit to local watershed functions.
The 2003 RBRP for the Broad River Basin can be found on the NCEEP website (http://www.nceep.net/services/restplans/
watershedplans.html). A revised RBRP with updated selections for Targeted Local Watersheds will be posted to this
website by 2009.
The NCEEP also develops Local Watershed Plans (LWPs), usually within targeted local watersheds identified in the RBRPs.
Through the local watershed planning process, NCEEP conducts watershed characterization and field assessment tasks to
identify critical stressors in local watersheds. The NCEEP planners and their consultants coordinate with local resource
professionals and local governments to identify optimal watershed projects and management strategies to address the
major functional stressors identified. The LWPs prioritize restoration/enhancement projects, preservation sites, and
best management practices (BMP) projects that will provide water quality improvement, habitat protection and other
No r t h Ca r o l i N a EC o s y s t E m EN h a N C E m E N t
Pr o g r a m (NCEEP)
11.2
NC

D
W
Q

B
R
O
A
D

R
I
V
E
R

B
A
S
I
N

P
L
A
N
:

N
C

E
c
o
s
y
s
t
e
m

E
n
h
a
n
c
e
m
e
n
t

P
r
o
g
r
a
m

2
0
0
8

environmental benefits to the local watershed. In the Broad River Basin, NCEEP has led two local watershed planning
efforts.
From 2003 to 2005, NCEEP managed an intensive watershed assessment and planning effort in the Catheys Creek
watershed, a 45 square mile area in Rutherford County. NC State University’s Watershed Education for Communities and
Officials coordinated community input provided by a diverse group of local stakeholders, who met throughout the process
to identify community priorities and oversee the development of the watershed plan. Although only Catheys Creek and
Hollands Creek are on the 303(d) list, moderately degraded conditions were found in streams throughout the watershed.
Key stressors for streams in the watershed are excessive sedimentation, stormwater impacts, widespread fecal coliform
bacteria contamination, heavy metals below old gold mining operations and the town of Spindale, and illegal dumping
of solid waste in streams. The Catheys Creek Watershed Management Plan names strategies to address these problems,
including stream and wetland restoration, buffer planting, livestock best management practices, and stormwater best
management practices. The plan is available on the NCEEP website.
A fast-track local watershed planning effort was undertaken for the Cove Creek watershed from 2006 to 2007. This 80
square mile area is located in a primarily rural area of McDowell and Rutherford Counties. The objectives of this LWP were
to quickly assess the integrity of streams and identify stream and wetland restoration and enhancement opportunities.
Most headwater streams in this watershed are currently forested; below these steeper sloped areas, cattle, hay fields,
and residential development are common. Current stressors for streams in the watershed are stream incision, inadequate
forested buffer, sedimentation, streambank erosion, livestock access, and possible nutrient enrichment. The largest
threat to stream integrity, however, is development for retirement and second homes, which is occurring in the forested
headwater areas. The plan is available on the NCEEP website.
NCEEP PROJECTS IN THE BROAD RIVER BASIN
In the Broad River Basin, NCEEP has eight restoration projects in process or already constructed, which include
approximately 71,000 ft of stream restoration/enhancement, 9,000 ft of stream preservation, and 11 acres of wetland
restoration. They include Big Harris Creek, Blockhouse Creek, Cane Creek, Cleghorn Creek, Little White Oak Creek,
Morgan Creek, and Puzzle Creek.
NCEEP has acquired or is in the process of acquiring seven high quality preservation projects in the Broad River Basin.
NCEEPs high quality preservation program works in conjunction with other conservation interests to protect tracts of
land that have high natural resource value. The seven projects include Lone Mountain, Melrose Mountain, North Pacolet,
Skyuka Creek, and three tracts near the Green River. For more information on these high quality preservation projects,
see NCEEP website.
Restoration and high quality preservation projects mentioned above are in four counties of the Broad River basin,
provided in detail below.
ta b l E 11-1: Nu m b E r o f NCEEP Pr o j E C t s i N br o a d ri v E r ba s i N Co u N t i E s
Co u N t y hi g h q u a l i t y Pr E s E rvat i o N st r E a m /w E t l a N d r E s t o r at i o N
Cleveland --2
McDowell --1
Polk 6 2
Rutherford 1 3
NCEEP is actively pursuing additional projects and expects to implement both stream and wetland projects, focusing on
the Catheys Creek and Cove Creek LWP areas. For more information on NCEEP projects in the Broad River basin, contact
Mike McDonald, the western region supervisor, at [phone] or the main NCEEP office at [phone].
For additional information about NCEEPs Project Implementation efforts, follow this link. For additional information
about NCEEP in general, including its various program activities and products, visit the NCEEP website.