Sec C Ch 1 Current Init

Section C - Chapter 1
Current Water Quality Initiatives
⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆⊆

1.1 Workshop Summaries

In September 2003, there were three workshops held by DWQ in the Catawba River basin in the
towns of Dallas, Hickory and Newton. There were 112 people in attendance representing a
variety of interests. Figure C-1 gives an estimation of groups/interests represented based on
information recorded on attendance sheets.
Natural Resource
Agencies
Agricultural
Interests
Education
Media
Industry/
Consulting
Environmental
Organizations
Local/Regional
Governments

Figure C-1 Total Attendance by Various Interests at DWQ Water Quality Workshops in the
Catawba River Basin (2002)

DWQ staff gave presentations about general water quality in the Catawba River basin, basinwide
planning and the Wetlands Restoration Program (since reorganized as Ecosystem Enhancement
Program, or EEP). Participants at each workshop also gave brief presentations about local water
quality initiatives. Workshop attendees were asked to discuss the following questions in small
groups:

1. What are the main threats to water quality in the Catawba River basin?
2. Where are the problem areas or waters?
3. What recommendations do you have for addressing these problems/waters?
4. What local agencies or organizations should be involved in addressing the problems?

A detailed outline of each small group’s discussion of these questions is available upon request.
Good discussion was generated at each workshop, and all of the information was considered and,
in some cases, incorporated into this draft plan. The most frequently cited threats to water
quality identified by workshop participants are discussed below.
Section C: Chapter1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives 190

Important Issues Basinwide

The most important issues identified by workshop participants were related to development and
nonpoint sources of pollution. Increasing urbanization was a concern identified throughout the
basin. Losses of forestland and wetlands, increases in nutrient loading from many sources, and
stormwater runoff were identified as threats to water quality at the workshops. Issues related to
enforcement of existing rules and monitoring, lack of BMP maintenance, mercury
contamination, and better drought planning were also of concern. Refer to Appendix V for
summary tables from the workshops.

1.2 Federal Initiatives

1.2.1 Clean Water Act – Section 319 Program
Section 319 of the Clean Water Act provides grant money for nonpoint source demonstration
projects. USEPA, the granting agency, allocates approximately $4.6 million for Section 319 in
North Carolina; three quarters of which the state designates to competitively selected projects.
Project proposals are reviewed and selected by the North Carolina Nonpoint Source Workgroup,
made up of state and federal agencies involved in regulation or research associated with nonpoint
source pollution. Information on the North Carolina Section 319 Grant Program, including
application deadlines and requests for proposals, is available online at http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/nps/.

From 1992-2004, approximately $1,427,000 was allocated by the Section 319 Program to initiate
or complete projects in the Catawba River basin. These projects include land acquisition, stream
restoration and education. The projects vary greatly in scope and scale, many having basinwide
applications. Descriptions of the projects listed below and other Section 319 Program
information are available at http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/nps/319.htm.

Table C-1 Projects Funded Through Clean Water Act Section 319

FY Project
Name Agency Project
Area
Total Amount
Funded
1992 Long Creek Monitoring Gaston County Agriculture 190,000
1994 Long Creek-Agriculture BMP Evaluation NCSU Agriculture 157,500
1995 Catawba River Land Acquisition City of Morganton Watershed Protection 250,000
1995 Long Creek Watershed Project NCCES Agriculture 354,298
1997 Catawba River Basin Buffers NCSU-NRLI General 25,282
1998 South Fork Catawba River NCSU Urban Stormwater 88,392
1998 Caldwell County Rain Garden and
Streambank Stabilization NCSU CES, BAE Urban Stormwater 10,800
2000 Stream Restoration Project in Gaston
County (New Hope Branch)
Gaston County
NRCD
Wetlands and Hydrologic
Modification 68,137
2000
Demonstration of Low Impact
Development (LID) Strategies for NPS
Pollution Prevention and Stream
Restoration in the Catawba River Basin
UNC-Charlotte Urban Stormwater 180,000
2001 Mountain Island Reservoir (MIR) BMPs
Education State Forest DFR Forestry 103,108
Section C: Chapter 1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives 191

1.2.2 USDA EQIP

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) was reauthorized in the Farm Security
and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill) to provide a voluntary conservation program for
farmers and ranchers that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as
compatible national goals. EQIP offers financial and technical help to assist eligible participants
to install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land.

EQIP offers contracts with a minimum term that ends one year after the implementation of the
last scheduled practices to a maximum term of ten years. These contracts provide incentive
payments and cost shares to implement conservation practices. Persons who are engaged in
livestock or agricultural production on eligible land may participate in the EQIP program. EQIP
activities are carried out according to an environmental quality incentives program plan of
operations developed in conjunction with the producer that identifies the appropriate
conservation practice or practices to address the resource concerns. The practices are subject to
NRCS technical standards adapted for local conditions. The local conservation district approves
the plan.

EQIP may cost share up to 75 percent of the costs of certain conservation practices. Incentive
payments may be provided for up to three years to encourage producers to carry out management
practices they may not otherwise use without the incentive. However, limited resource
producers and beginning farmers and ranchers may be eligible for cost shares up to 90 percent.
Farmers and ranchers may elect to use a certified third-party provider for technical assistance.
For application information, refer to any county extension office or visit the website at
http://www.nc.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/EQIP/.

1.3 State Initiatives

1.3.1 NC Agriculture Cost Share Program

The North Carolina Agriculture Cost Share Program was established in 1984 to help reduce the
sources of agricultural nonpoint source pollution to the state’s waters. The program helps
owners and renters of established agricultural operations improve their on-farm management by
using Best Management Practices (BMPs). These BMPs include vegetative, structural or
management systems that can improve the efficiency of farming operations while reducing the
potential for surface and groundwater pollution. The Agriculture Cost Share Program is a
voluntary program that reimburses farmers up to 75 percent of the cost of installing an approved
BMP. The Division of Soil and Water Conservation (DSWC) implements the program. The
cost share funds are paid to the farmer once the planned control measures and technical
specifications are completed. The annual statewide budget for BMP cost sharing is
approximately 6.9 million.

Soil and Water Conservation District contacts for the Catawba River basin are included in
Appendix VI or visit the website at http://www.enr.state.nc.us/DSWC/pages/agcostshareprogram.html for
more information.

Section C: Chapter 1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives 192

1.3.2 Ecosystem Enhancement Program (Formerly Wetlands Restoration Program)

In July 2003, the NC Wetlands Restoration Program (WRP) was officially merged with
compensatory mitigation resources of the NCDOT to become the Ecosystem Enhancement
Program (EEP). EEP is administered as a new program area within NCDENR and has
essentially replaced the WRP. EEP’s central mission includes the same goals of the former
WRP. The Memorandum of Agreement of July 2003 between NCDENR, NCDOT and the
Army Corps of Engineers further stipulates that EEP mitigation projects will be: 1) provided in
advance of the permitted NCDOT impacts; 2) designed to address functional replacement of
stream, buffer and wetlands impacts; and 3) identified and implemented within the context of a
watershed approach based on multiple scales of planning.

The EEP planning approach will continue to include the development of Watershed Restoration
Plans on a basinwide scale, GIS-based screening analyses of 8-digit cataloguing units (CUs), and
local watershed planning (LWP) initiatives applied at the scale of 14-digit hydrologic units
(HUs) and component subwatersheds. A new Planning Guide will be prepared in 2004 to
describe the updated EEP approach to watershed restoration planning at these various scales,
including the selection of Targeted Local Watersheds, which will continue to play a key role in
our program’s watershed restoration strategies.

EEP is a nonregulatory program responsible for implementing wetland and stream restoration
projects throughout the state. The focus of the program is to improve watershed functions in the
17 river basins across the state by restoring wetlands, streams and riparian buffers within
selected local watersheds. These vital watershed functions include water quality protection,
floodwater retention, fisheries and wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities. The EEP is
not a grant program. Instead, the program funds local restoration projects directly through the
Wetlands Restoration Fund.

Restoration sites are targeted through the development and use of Watershed Restoration Plans
(formerly called "Basinwide Wetland and Riparian Restoration Plans"). The restoration plans
are developed, in part, using information compiled in DWQ's Basinwide Water Quality Plans
and Basinwide Assessment Reports. The EEP Plans evaluate resource data and existing water
quality initiatives within local watersheds in order to select "Targeted Local Watersheds".
Targeted Local Watersheds are areas with the greatest need and opportunity for stream and
wetlands restoration efforts, and where EEP resources can be most efficiently focused for
maximum restoration benefit. The EEP Watershed Restoration Plans are updated every five
years on the same timeline as DWQ's Basinwide Water Quality Plans.

The selection of Targeted Local Watersheds (at the scale of NRCS 14-digit Hydrologic Units, or
HUs) does not necessarily restrict the location of EEP restoration project sites. However, these
targeted HUs are given higher priority than nontargeted HUs in considering the selection of EEP
candidate restoration project sites. Targeted Local Watersheds are simply local watersheds
where stream, wetland and riparian buffer restoration projects will make the most sense in the
context of overall watershed and wetlands protection.

The EEP can perform restoration projects cooperatively with other state or federal programs or
environmental groups. For example, the EEP’s efforts can complement projects funded through
the Section 319 Program. Integrating wetlands or riparian area restoration components with
Section C: Chapter 1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives 193

Section 319-funded or proposed projects will often improve the overall water quality and habitat
benefits of the project. The EEP actively seeks landowners within the Catawba River basin that
have restorable wetland, riparian and stream sites.

Table C-3 below lists the EEP’s Targeted Local Watersheds [stream names and 14-digit HU
codes] in the Catawba River basin. This table also indicates the pertinent factors that led to the
selection of each Targeted Local Watershed. The Targeted Local Watersheds are selected on the
basis of available data indicating the need and opportunity for local stream and wetlands
restoration projects. Factors such as water quality problems, degraded aquatic habitat, cleared
riparian buffers, significant natural areas or species, and increasing development pressures in the
watershed are weighted heavily in determining these priority watersheds. Also, the presence of
existing or planned water quality or habitat restoration projects in the same local watershed can
be a significant factor in the choice of these watersheds. In some cases, EEP has used the water
quality information alone (e.g., use impairment, potential increases in nonpoint source pollution)
to support the selection of a specific Targeted Local Watershed. Targeted local watersheds are
presented in Figure C-2.

The EEP is also working to develop comprehensive Local Watershed Plans within certain
Targeted Local Watersheds identified in the Watershed Restoration Plans. These locally-based
plans develop comprehensive watershed assessments to identify causes and sources of nonpoint
source impairment. They also identify and prioritize wetland areas, stream reaches, riparian
buffer areas, and best management practices that will provide significant water quality and
habitat improvements and other environmental benefits to local watersheds. The EEP will
coordinate with local community groups, local governments and others to develop and
implement these plans.

Selection of a watershed as a Targeted Local Watershed does not mean that a Local Watershed
Plan will be initiated in that area. Local Watershed Plans are developed in areas that have
extensive future mitigation needs, while Targeted Local Watersheds are selected as part of the
EEP planning process for the Basinwide Watershed Restoration Plans.

The plans also identify and prioritize wetland areas, stream reaches, riparian buffer areas, and
best management practices that will provide significant water quality improvement and other
environmental benefits to the local watershed. There are currently two local watershed planning
efforts underway in the Catawba River basin and each are described below.

For more information about the EEP and its Watershed Restoration Plans, please call (919) 715-
0476 or visit the EEP website at http://www.nceep.net/.

Catawba Local Watershed Plans

Charlotte Area Local Watershed Plan
In 2002, the EEP initiated the Charlotte Area Local Watershed Plan in conjunction with
Charlotte Storm Water Services, Mecklenburg Storm Water Services, Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Utilities Department, and Mecklenburg Department of Environmental Protection. The 251-
square mile planning area included Little Sugar, Long, McDowell, Irwin, Sugar and McAlpine
Creeks, all listed on North Carolina’s 2002 303(d) Impaired stream list. The primary purpose of
this study was to identify stream and wetland restoration opportunities as well as potential
Section C: Chapter 1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives 194

stormwater and nonpoint source pollution Best Management Practices that could be implemented
in the study area to address water quality problems and habitat degradation. The EEP contracted
with CH2MHill to conduct a detailed watershed assessment that involved compiling existing
water quality, habitat and land use data and using this information to assess the health of 318
individual catchments (<1 square mile) across the study area. CH2MHill also developed a
calibrated water quality model for the study area to predict total suspended solids, phosphorus
and zinc concentrations and loadings under alternative management scenarios.

Based on the assessment data, the stakeholders selected five small focus areas or grouping of
catchments (0.5 to 7 square miles) for detailed field assessment. The focus areas represented
various land use patterns found across the study area from urban built-out areas to suburban
areas under development. The field assessments evaluated restoration project opportunities
including stream and wetland restoration as well as stormwater and water quality BMPs. The
Local Watershed Plan provides detailed information about the recommended projects including
cost and pollutant removal at the project and watershed scale. The plan was completed in
August 2003. The EEP is currently focusing project implementation in the McDowell Creek and
Long Creek watersheds. For more information about this project, contact Kristin Cozza at (704)
572-0955 or to view the technical reports and watershed plan, visit the website at
h2o.enr.state.nc.us/wrp/plans/charlotte.htm.

Lower Creek Local Watershed Plan
In 2003, the EEP initiated a Local Watershed Plan for the Lower Creek Watershed in Burke and
Caldwell counties. The Lower Creek watershed (90 square miles) drains the municipalities of
Lenoir and Gamewell and includes Zacks Fork, Spainhour Creek, Bristol Creek and Greasy
Creek, all on North Carolina’s 2002 303(d) list of Impaired streams. The EEP will use the plan
to identify and prioritize wetland and stream restoration projects, as well as best management
practices to provide water quality and aquatic habitat improvements to the watershed. The
watershed characterization, or compilation of existing data about watershed conditions, was
completed in December 2003. The detailed watershed assessment, including water quality
monitoring and field assessment and restoration plan, is scheduled for completion by June 2005.
The EEP will coordinate with local community groups, local governments and others to develop
and implement the restoration plan. For more information about the Lower Creek Local
Watershed Plan, contact Kristin Cozza at [phone].

Targeted Local Watersheds

Table C-2 below lists the EEP’s Targeted Local Watersheds [stream names and 14-digit HU
codes] in the Catawba River basin. This table also indicates the pertinent factors that led to the
selection of each Targeted Local Watershed. The Targeted Local Watersheds are selected on the
basis of available data indicating the need and opportunity for local stream and wetlands
restoration projects. Factors such as water quality problems, degraded aquatic habitat, cleared
riparian buffers, significant natural areas or species, and increasing development pressures in the
watershed are weighted heavily in determining these priority watersheds. Also, the presence of
existing or planned water quality or habitat restoration projects in the same local watershed can
be a significant factor in the choice of these watersheds. In some cases, EEP has used the water
quality information alone (e.g., use impairment, potential increases in nonpoint source pollution)
to support the selection of a specific Targeted Local Watershed. Targeted local watersheds are
presented in Figure C-2.
Section C: Chapter 1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives 195

Table C-2 Ecosystem Enhancement Program Targeted Local Watersheds (2003)

Subbasin Local Watershed
Name and HU code
Impaired
Stream(s)1
Downward
Trend in
Water Quality2
Public
Water
Supply3
ORW or
HQW4
Aquatic
NHP
Elements5
Existing,
Planned
Projects6
Municipality(ies);
Phase I or II7
Local Resource
Professional
Recommendation8
03-08-30 West Fork Catawba
03050101010010 No No No Yes Yes
03-08-30 Upper Linville River
03050101030010 No No Yes No Yes Yes
03-08-30 Paddy Creek
03050101030030 No No Yes No No
03-08-30 North Muddy Creek
03050101040010 Yes Yes No No Yes SWCD Marion
Phase II Yes
03-08-30 South Muddy Creek
03050101040020 No No No No No SWCD Yes
03-08-31 Silver Creek
03050101050050 No No Yes Yes No Morganton
Phase II
03-08-31 Lower Johns River
03050101070040 No No 1997
Data Yes Yes Yes Yes
03-08-31 Warrior Fork
03050101060020 No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
03-08-31 Upper Lower Creek
03050101080010 Yes No Yes No No LWP Lenoir
Phase II
03-08-31 Lower Lower Creek
03050101080020 Yes No Yes No Yes LWP Gamewell
Phase II
03-08-31 Irish Creek
03050101060030 Yes Yes Yes No No
03-08-31 Hunting Creek
03050101060050 Yes No 1997
Data Yes No Yes Morganton
Phase II
03-08-31 Brown Branch
03050101070020 No Yes No Data No Yes EEP
03-08-31 McGalliard Creek
03050101090010 Yes Yes Yes No No Valdese
Phase II
03-08-32 Muddy Fork Creek
03050101120030 No No Yes Yes No
Section C: Chapter1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives 196

Table C-2 Ecosystem Enhancement Program Targeted Local Watersheds (2003)

Subbasin Local Watershed
Name and HU code
Impaired
Stream(s)1
Downward
Trend in
Water Quality2
Public
Water
Supply3 4
Aquatic
NHP
Elements5
Existing,
Planned
Projects6
Municipality(ies);
Phase I or II7
Local Resource
Professional
Recommendation8
03-08-32 Elk Shoal Creek
03050101130010 No No Yes No No
03-08-32 Horseford Creek
03050101090020 No No Data No No No Hickory
Phase II
03-08-32 Jumping Run Creek 03050101120040 No No Data Yes No No EEP
03-08-32 Lyle Creek
03050101140010 No Yes No Yes No Data EEP
03-08-33 McDowell Creek 03050101170010 Yes Yes Yes No No LWP Huntersville
Phase II Yes
03-08-34 Long Creek
03050101170020 Yes No Yes No Yes LWP Charlotte
Phase I Yes
03-08-34 Irwin & Sugar Creeks
03050103020020 Yes Yes No No No
LWP
Charlotte
Phase I Yes
03-08-34 Little Sugar Creek
03050103020030 Yes Yes No No No
LWP
Charlotte
Phase I Yes
03-08-34 McMullen Creek
03050103020040 No No No No No
LWP
Charlotte
Phase I Yes
03-08-34 McAlpine Creek
03050103020050 Yes No No No No LWP DWQ
TMDL
Charlotte
Phase I Yes
03-08-35 Clark Creek
03050102030010 Yes DWQ WARP
Study Yes No No Yes Hickory
Phase II
03-08-35 Clark Creek
03050102030020 Yes Yes Yes No No
03-08-35 Maiden Creek
03050102030030 Yes No Data Yes No Yes Maiden
Phase II
03-08-35 Indian Creek
03050102050010 Yes Yes Yes Yes No
03-08-36 Long Creek
03050102070020 No No Yes No Yes Gastonia
Phase II
ORW or
HQW
Section C: Chapter1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives 197

Table C-2 Ecosystem Enhancement Program Targeted Local Watersheds (2003)

Subbasin Local Watershed
Name and HU code
Impaired
Stream(s)1
Downward
Trend in
Water Quality2
Public
Water
Supply3
ORW or
HQW4
Aquatic
NHP
Elements5
Existing,
Planned
Projects6
Municipality(ies);
Phase I or II7
Local Resource
Professional
Recommendation8
03-08-37 Crowders Creek
03050101180010 Yes No No No No Gastonia
Phase II
03-08-38 Sixmile Creek
03050101030010 Yes No No No Yes Charlotte
Phase I
03-08-38 Twelvemile Creek
03050101030020 No Yes No No Yes
1 Stream segments (or entire streams) that do not support their designated uses and are, therefore, considered impaired based on declining biological ratings [e.g., due to degraded
aquatic habitat] and/or failure to meet NCDWQ water quality standards. As identified in the 2003 Draft Basinwide Water Quality Plan (DWQ, 2003).
2 Downward Trend in Water Quality as indicated in the 2003 Draft Basinwide Assessment Report (DWQ, 2003).
3 Water Supply (WS) = waters used as water supply sources for drinking, culinary or food processing purposes.
4 ORW = outstanding resource waters. HQW = high-quality waters, which include critical habitat areas or primary nursery areas.
5 Aquatic Natural Heritage elements are special species, habitats or community types identified by the NC Natural Heritage Program and that occur, or spend some portion of
their life cycle, in wetlands, streams, riparian areas or estuarine waters.
6 Existing or planned projects in the following programs: EEP = Ecosystem Enhancement Program; LWP = EEP Local Watershed Plan; CWMTF = Clean Water Management
Trust Fund; CES = North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service; 319 = North Carolina Division of Water Quality Section 319 Program; WARP = North Carolina Division of
Water Quality Watershed Assessment and Restoration Program.
7 Associated towns or cities and applicability of NPDES Phase II stormwater rules, or that are otherwise likely to have significant current or future urban stormwater
management issues.
Local Resource Profes8 sional Recommendation, as determined during the outreach process of updating the NCWRP Watershed Restoration Plan.
Section C: Chapter1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives 198

1.3.3 Clean Water Management Trust Fund

North Carolina’s Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) was established by the
General Assembly in 1996 (Article 13A; Chapter 113 of the North Carolina General Statutes).
At the end of each fiscal year, 6.5 percent of the unreserved credit balance in North Carolina’s
General Fund (or a minimum of $30 million) goes into the CWMTF. Revenues from the
CWMTF are then allocated in the form of grants to local governments, state agencies and
conservation nonprofit organizations to help finance projects that specifically address water
pollution problems. The 18-member, independent, CWMTF Board of Trustees has full
responsibility over the allocation of monies from the fund.

The CWMTF provides funding for projects that: 1) enhance or restore degraded waters; 2)
protect unpolluted waters; and/or 3) contribute toward a network of riparian buffers and
greenways for environmental, educational and recreational benefits. In the Catawba River basin,
61 projects were funded between 1997 and 2003, totaling $30,511,123. Table C-3 lists the
individual grants. For more information on the CWMTF or these grants, call [phone] or
visit the website at http://www.cwmtf.net/.

Table C-3 Projects in the Catawba River Basin Funded by the Clean Water Management
Trust Fund (as of 12/02)
Project Description

FY Application
Name
Proposed Amount
Funded Subbasin
2000
Bessemer City –
Decommission WWTP
and Reroute Waste
Decommission Bessemer City WWTP and rescind permit of 1.5
MGD. Route effluent to Gastonia’s nearby regional WWTP.
Upgrade Ninth Street Pump Station. Construct new sewer force
mains and gravity sewer lines.
$2,000,000.00 03-08-37
2001
Blowing Rock –
China Creek / Johns River
Land Acquisition
Acquire through fee simple purchase 192 acres of the headwaters
of China Creek. CWMTF funds to purchase 80 riparian acres. $201,000.00 03-08-31
2001 Burke County –
Planning / Lake James
Conduct a planning project for the Catawba River WS-IV using
spatial growth management decisions. $62,000.00 03-08-30
1999 Caldwell County –
Wilson Creek Acquisition Acquire through fee simple purchase 4 acres along Wilson Creek. $51,000.00 03-08-31
2001
Catawba Lands & Foothills
Conservancy – Acquisition /
Johnston Creek
Provide funds to cover transactional costs on two riparian
conservation easements (385 acres). Overall project would
protect 525 acres through donated and purchased easements in
Mountain Island Lake Watershed along Johnson Creek.
$116,000.00 03-08-33
2001
Catawba Lands Cons –
Buck & Smith Tract /
South Crowders Creek Acq
Acquire through fee simple purchase and permanent conservation
easements 107 acres along South Crowders Creek. CWMTF
funds to purchase 27.1 acres and establish a CE on 11.3 acres.
Landowner to donate CE on 68.4 acres.
$166,000.00 03-08-37
1998
Catawba Lands Cons –
Acq / Ryne Preserve /
South Fork Catawba
Acquire through fee simple purchase and permanent conservation
easements 245 acres along the South Fork Catawba River and two
unnamed tributaries. Acreage includes a donated conservation
easement of 185 acres.
$310,000.00 03-08-35
2002
Catawba Lands Cons –
Acq / Ramsey Tract,
South Fork Catawba River
Acquire 16.4 acres through fee simple purchase along the South
Fork Catawba River. An additional 3.5 acres will be donated. A
total of 19.9 acres will be protected.
$77,000.00 03-08-35
Section C: Chapter1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives 200

2002
Catawba Lands Cons –
Acq / Anderholt Tract
South Fork Catawba River
Acquire through fee simple purchase 75 riparian acres along the
South Fork Catawba River. $343,000.00 03-08-35
Colt Thornburg Tract /
South Fork Catawba River
and Coley Creek
Minigrant to pay for transactional costs for a donated easement on
70 acres along the South Fork Catawba River and Coley Creek. 03-08-35
2003
Catawba Lands Cons –
Donated Minigrant, Friday
Farm Tract / Hoyle Creek
$16,000.00Minigrant to pay for transactional costs for a donated easement on
170 acres along the South Fork Catawba River and tributaries. 03-08-35
2003
Catawba Lands Cons –
Donated Minigrant,
Oakwood Farm Tract /
South Fork Catawba River
Minigrant to pay for transactional costs for a donated easement on
63 acres along the South Fork Catawba River and tributaries. $25,000.00 03-08-35
1997
Catawba Lands Cons –
South Fork Catawba
Acquisition Plan
Identify and prioritize riparian buffer protection objectives, meet
with landowners to negotiate easements or acquisitions, find
funding for acquisitions, and track progress of acquisition through
monitoring of water quality and buffer management goals.
$50,000.00 03-08-35
1999 Catawba Lands Cons –
South Fork Acquisition
Acquire through fee simple purchase and permanent conservation
easements 207 acres along the South Fork Catawba River and
tributaries.
$905,000.00 03-08-36
1999
Catawba Lands Cons –
South Fork Catawba
Acquisition
Acquire through fee simple purchase and permanent conservation
easement 284 acres along the South Fork Catawba River.
CWMTF funds to purchase a 219-acre tract and landowner to
donate permanent conservation easement on another 65 acres.
$811,000.00
South Fork Catawba River
Acquire through fee simple purchase 13 acres along the South
Fork Catawba River. $60,000.00 03-08-35
2001 Catawba Lands Cons –
Acquisition Minigrant
Provide funds to cover preacquisition costs for 214 acres that
border Long and Little Long Creeks. $25,000.00 03-08-36
2001
Catawba Lands Cons –
Acquisition / 03-08-35
South Fork Catawba River
Purchase riparian areas and to cover monitoring and transactional
costs for two tracts. Total protected acreage (fee simple
acquisition) will be 75.6 acres along South Fork Catawba River.
$217,000.00
Catawba Lands Cons –
South Fork Catawba Land
Acquisition
$420,373.00 03-08-35
Catawba Lands Cons –
Acquisition /
Rollins & Banker Tracts,
South Fork River
Acquire through fee simple purchase and a permanent
conservation easement 115 acres along the South Fork Catawba
River. CWMTF to purchase 75 riparian acres and landowner to
donate an additional 40 acres. Ties in with already protected
stream corridor.
03-08-35
2000 Centralina COG – Acq /
Mountain Island Lake
Acquire through fee simple purchase 1,231 acres along Mountain
Island Lake on the Catawba River. $6,560,000.00 03-08-33
Charlotte –
Stormwater Demonstration
(School Grounds)
Design and construct a wetland system at an elementary school,
capable of treating water from 15-acre urban watershed. Maintain
wetland system as stormwater treatment works and demonstration
site for a minimum of 15 years. Monitor results.
$200,000.00 03-08-34
1997
Charlotte, City of – Acq /
Mountain Island Lake,
Gar Creek
Acquire through fee simple purchase 13 acres along Gar Creek
Cove of Mountain Island Lake. CWMTF funds to purchase 1/2 of
the riparian acres.
$250,000.00 03-08-33
2001 Claremont – Acquisition
Coulters Branch
Acquire through fee simple purchase 7 acres along Coulters
Branch. $56,000.00 03-08-32
2003
Catawba Lands Cons –
Donated Minigrant,
$10,000.00
03-08-35
2000
Catawba Lands Cons –
Acquisition /
2003
Acquire through fee simple purchase and permanent conservation
easements 252 acres along the South Fork Catawba River.
CWMTF funds to purchase 130 acres and landowner to donate a
conservation easement on an additional 122 acres.
1997 $286,000.00
2002
Section C: Chapter1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives 201

2001
Conover –
Sewer Overflow
Warning System
Implement sewer collection system overflow prevention and
management demo project to expand city’s current warning
system and install sewer overflow communicators at manholes
that have historically overflowed. Remote and trouble spots
targeted.
$43,000.00 03-08-32
2001
Cons Trust for NC –
Duggers Creek /
Upper Linville Gorge Acq
Acquire through fee simple purchase 314 acres along Gulf Branch
and Duggers Creek. $366,000.00 03-08-30
2001
Foothills Conservancy –
Acq / Adams Tract,
Left Prong Catawba River
Acquire through fee simple purchase 771 acres along the Left
Prong Catawba River. CWMTF funds will be used to acquire 320
riparian acres.
$821,000.00 03-08-30
2000
Foothills Conservancy of
NC – Acquisition /
Phillips Creek
Acquire conservation easements on 80 acres along Phillips Creek.
A donated easement on an upland 34 acres will be included. $131,000.00
Foothills Conservancy of
NC – Caldwell County
Acquisition Minigrant
Provide funds to cover preacquisition costs for land in Caldwell
County. $25,000.00
03-08-31
& 03-08-
32
Foothills Conservancy of
NC – Acquisition
Blue Ridge Parkway,
Linville River
Acquire through fee simple purchase 41 acres along the Linville
River. CWMTF funds to purchase 30 riparian acres and
landowner to donate an additional 10 acres. Tract is adjacent to
the Blue Ridge Parkway and is upstream of Linville Falls.
$328,000.00 03-08-30
1999
Foothills Conservancy of
NC Minigrant –
Catawba River
Minigrant to pay for transactional costs for fee simple purchase of
the 360-acre Watermill Tract on the Catawba River in Burke
County.
$25,000.00 03-08-30
2002
Gaston County SWCD –
Restoration & Stormwater /
Duharts Creek Tributary
Construct four wetland areas to treat runoff from school and other
developed areas adjacent to the creek. Monitor results. $36,000.00 03-08-36
1999 Gastonia – Acquisition and
Greenway / Catawba Creek
Acquire through fee simple purchase 77 acres along Catawba and
Anthony Creeks. $347,000.00 03-08-37
2000
Gastonia – Water’s Edge
Tract Acquisition /
Mountain Island Lake
Acquire through permanent conservation easements 425 acres
(Water’s Edge Tract) along Mountain Island Lake. $1,000,000.00 03-08-33
1997 Gastonia – Catawba Creek
Tributary Restoration
Design and construct natural design stream restoration project
along 2,000 feet of stream. Revegetate stream buffer. Place
restored area under open space conservation easement.
$219,250.00 03-08-37
1998
Gastonia – Decommission
Catawba Creek WWTP
and Reroute Waste
Decommission failing Catawba Creek WWTP and convert plant
to a 7.5 MGD pumping station. Construct force main (8,400 LF)
to take wastewater to Long Creek plant, a "state-of the art" system
and a preferred discharge location. Includes backup generator.
$1,000,000.00 03-08-37
1998
Granite Falls –
Sewer Rehabilitation /
Gunpowder Creek
Replacement of Granite Fall’s existing sewer line (15,400 LF)
along Bill Branch in order to eliminate discharge of raw sewage
into surface waters and to reduce groundwater and rainwater
inflow and infiltration into the sanitary sewer system.
$1,228,000.00 03-08-32
2002
Granite Falls, Town of –
Acquisition /
Lake Rhodhiss
Acquire through fee simple purchase 166 acres along the Lake
Rhodhiss and tributaries. CWMTF funds will be used to acquire
80 riparian acres.
$890,000.00 03-08-31
1997
Hildebran – Wastewater
Collection System /
Drowning Creek
Construct wastewater collection system in the Drowning Creek
watershed to eliminate 29 failing residential septic systems. $136,000.00 03-08-32
1997 Lenoir – Acquisition and
Greenway / Zacks Fork Acquire through fee simple purchase 5 acres along Zacks Fork. $50,000.00 03-08-31
1997 Maiden – Acquisition /
Maiden and Allen Creeks
Acquire a permanent conservation easement on 18 acres along
Maiden Creek. $360,000.00 03-08-35
03-08-31
2003
2003
Section C: Chapter1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives 202

1998
McDowell County –
Wastewater Collection
System / Corpening Creek
Design and construct wastewater collection system to serve the
Stumptown community and to tie on and treat waste from the
Stumptown community.
$1,500,000.00 03-08-30
1997
McDowell County –
Stream Restoration /
Catawba River Park
Stabilize streambanks (2 reaches) of Youngs Fork Creek in
McDowell County Catawba River Park using natural channel
design methods. Also develop riparian buffer and greenway plan
along Catawba River.
$189,000.00 03-08-30
2001
McDowell Co – Restoration
/ Upper Catawba River /
Catawba River Park
Stabilize 2,000 feet of riverbank along the mainstem of the Upper
Catawba River in the county’s Catawba River Park. $200,000.00 03-08-30
1997
Mecklenburg County EPD –
Stormwater Demonstration /
Edwards Branch
Construct and monitor BMPs in a "built out" 640-acre watershed
to demonstrate their effectiveness. Evaluate parking area BMPs,
riparian area restoration, wet detention ponds, and structural
BMPs (like sand filters, oil and water separators).
$750,000.00 03-08-34
1998
Mecklenburg County
Parks and Recreation –
Wetland Restoration /
McAlpine Creek
Restore pollutant removal of buffers in McAlpine Creek through a
20-acre demonstration site by rerouting direct drainage from
adjacent development through the wetland, so that short circuiting
in the wetland is minimized.
$209,000.00 03-08-34
2000
Mecklenburg County –
Stormwater /
Little Sugar Creek,
Belmont Branch
Construct stormwater wetland and retention basin for a highly
urban 400-acre drainage area on Belmont Branch, which is a
tributary to Little Sugar Creek. Includes plantings along buffer
and rerouting sanitary and stormwater sewers.
$1,200,000.00 03-08-34
2001
Mecklenburg County –
Restoration / Little Sugar
Creek Greenway Trail
Fund a stormwater management, stream restoration, and greenway
construction project along 5,000 linear feet of Little Sugar Creek. $400,000.00 03-08-34
2003
Mecklenburg County EPD –
Stormwater /
Little Sugar Creek
Design and construct a wetland and basin to treat stormwater from
1200 acres of residential neighborhoods, re-route existing
stormwater systems to treatment basins and re-vegetate riparian
buffers. Monitor results.
$940,000.00 03-08-34
2003
Mecklenburg County-
Haymarket Tract /
Mountain Island Lake
Easement
Acquire through a permanent conservation easement 100 acres
along Mountain Island Lake. CWMTF funds to purchase CE on
36 acres of riparian land. County to reinvest $1 grant to acquire
other riparian buffers and lands to protect Mountain Island Lake.
$1,000,000.00 03-08-33
1997
Mecklenburg County Storm
Water – Restoration and
Stormwater Wetlands /
Sugar Creek /
Hidden Valley Site
Expand existing grant for construction of 13-acre stormwater
treatment system and stream restoration. CWMTF funds to
relocate 1,500 feet of sewer line, disconnect storm drains, create
stormwater wetlands and ponds, vegetate buffers, and water
quality monitoring.
$1,300,000.00 03-08-34
2000
Mecklenburg County –
Storm / Mountain Island
Lake, McDowell Creek
Design and permit stormwater BMPs in the McDowell Creek
watershed to treat runoff from 918 acres. BMPs would include
four stormwater wetlands and a rain garden.
$200,000.00 03-08-33
2000
Mecklenburg Soil and
Water Conservation
District – Storm /
Briar Creek
Create an Urban Cost Share Program in the Briar Creek
watershed. Landowners would contribute 25 percent of the cost
for rain gardens, rain barrels, pet waste receptacles, riparian
buffers, impervious surface replacement and other BMPs.
$30,000.00 03-08-34
1998
Morganton –
Acquisition and Stormwater
/ Catawba River
Acquire 2-4 acre buffer. Land was leased by the NC Forest
Service until 2002. As part of match, city was to install wet
detention basins for site drainage and develop planned greenway
facilities.
$550,000.00 03-08-31
1998
NC Division Forest
Resources – Educational
Forest Restoration /
Mountain Island Lake
Stabilize eroding roads and close unnecessary roads and vegetate
and restore bare riparian buffers in the Mountain Island
Educational Forest.
$100,000.00 03-08-33
Section C: Chapter1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives 203

2003
NC Wildlife Resources
Commission –
Muddy Creek Restoration
Design and construct natural channel design stream restoration
project along 3,500 feet of stream (2,000 feet using CWMTF
funds). Conduct watershed assessment. Monitor the stream for
changes in sediment and biological aquatic community.
$169,000.00 03-08-30
2001
NC Wildlife Resources
Commission –
Restoration / Muddy Creek
Restore 2,400 feet of streambank at 10 worst sites. Also will
establish vegetated buffers of at least 50 feet (30 feet of trees and
shrubs adjacent to the stream) along the targeted 2,400 feet of
stream. Fencing will also be installed where needed.
$156,500.00 03-08-30
1997
Pilot View RC&D, Inc. –
Restoration /
Upper Linville River
Design, permit and prepare easements for natural channel stream
restoration on unstable stream reaches downstream of several
impoundments in the Upper Linville River watershed.
$257,000.00 03-08-30
2001
Southern Appalachian
Highlands Conservancy –
Acquisition /
Hemphill Tract /
Catawba River Headwaters
Protect 318 acres through the purchase of a permanent
conservation easement (181 acres) and donated easement (137
acres) in the headwaters of the Catawba River.
$444,000.00 03-08-30
1997
Western Piedmont COG –
Revolving Fund /
Failing Septic Systems
Capitalize a revolving fund for low-interest loans to low-income
families for the repair of failed or illegal on-site wastewater
discharges in a four county area. Initially funds should repair 100
units over two years.
$450,000.00 03-08-32

1.3.4 NC Construction Grants and Loans Program

The NC Construction Grants and Loans Section provides grants and loans to local government
agencies for the construction, upgrade and expansion of wastewater collection and treatment
systems. As a financial resource, the section administers two major programs that assist local
governments, the federally funded Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) Program, and the
NC Clean Water Revolving Loan and Grant Program. These programs can provide both low
interest loan and grant funds for wastewater treatment projects (Table C-4).

As a technical resource, the Construction Grants and Loans Section, in conjunction with the
Environmental Protection Agency, has initiated the Municipal Compliance Initiatives Program.
It is a free technical assistance program to identify wastewater treatment facilities that are
declining but not yet out of compliance. A team of engineers, operations experts and managers
from the section work with local officials to analyze the facility’s design and operation.

For more information, visit the website at http://www.nccgl.net/. You may also call [phone]
or email [e-mail].

Section C: Chapter1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives 204

Table C-4 Projects in the Catawba River Basin Funded by the NC Construction Grants and
Loans Section

Funded Grant (Clean Water Bond or SRG) Projects
Applicant Grant Offered Project
Winton $2,600,000 Sewer Rehab
Troutman $3,000,000 Sewer Rehab
High Shoals $2,104,681 Sewer Rehab, WWTP upgrades
Burke County $1,533,600 Tie in
Burke County $1,466,400 New Collection lines
Catawba County $215,653 Tie in
Catawba County $1,200,000 Tie in
Old Fort $2,968,579 New Collection System
McDowell County $3,000,000 New collection lines
Funded Grant State Revolving Loan (SRL) Projects
Applicant Loan Offered Project
Conover $4,000,000 WWTP Expansion
Belmont $2,681,700 Various upgrades to WWTP
Claremont $2,749,350 New 0.3 MGD McLin WWTP
Hickory $14,200,000 Expand Henry Fork WWTP,
Connect Longview and East Burke County
Long View $3,925,000 Connect Hildebran and Longview to Henry Fork WWTP
Gastonia $7,500,000 Expand Long Creek WWTP from 8 to 16 MGD,
Outfall relocation and nitrogen upgrades
Stanley $1,508,400 Dechlorination and Standby Power
Lenoir $3,863,970 Lower Creek WWTP upgrade and expansion from
4 MGD to 6 MGD
Valdese $3,032,454 WWTP improvements, I/I repair
Troutman $1,892,881 Connection to Statesville’s Third Creek WWTP
Lincolnton $10,000,000 Upgrade to 6 MGD and addition of tertiary treatment

1.3.5 North Carolina Stream Watch

The realization that local residents are best suited to keep an eye on their nearby waterways is
what prompted North Carolina to begin project Stream Watch. With Stream Watch, citizens’
groups "adopt" a waterway, or a portion of one, and act on its behalf. Stream Watchers become
the adoptive parents of a stream and, as such, become its primary caretakers.

Section C: Chapter1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives 205

With the help of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Division of Water
Resources, Stream Watchers become informed stewards, learning how to react to the changing
stream conditions. Local efforts combined with state support allow North Carolina’s 37,000
miles of waterways to be monitored by those with the best view—local residents. For more
information on Stream Watch, call [phone] or visit the website at
http://www.ncwater.org/Education_and_Technical_Assistance/Stream_Watch/.

1.3.6 South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
In 1991, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC)
Bureau implemented the Watershed Water Quality Management Strategy in order to more
efficiently protect and improve the quality of South Carolina’s surface water resources. This
management strategy recognizes the interdependence of water quality and all the activities that
occur in the associated drainage basin. Under the watershed management approach, monitoring,
assessment, problem identification and prioritization, water quality modeling, planning,
permitting and other SCDHEC initiatives are coordinated by basin. A watershed water quality
assessment document is produced for each basin on a five-year rotating schedule. The first
Watershed Water Quality Assessment for the Catawba River basin was published in 1999 and
will be updated on a five-year rotational basis.
To obtain a copy of the Watershed Water Quality Assessment or for further information about
water quality in the Catawba River basin in South Carolina, contact Mark A. Giffin at (803) 898-
4022 or by email [e-mail] or visit the website at http://www.scdhec.net/water.

1.3.7 Bi-State Catawba River Commission

In an attempt to ensure that North and South Carolina cooperate on the management of the entire
Catawba River, legislators in both states approved bills to create the Bi-State Catawba River
Commission. Both bills call for a 14-member commission composed of legislators and
representatives of Duke Power, the Bi-State Catawba River Task Force, the economic
development agency Carolinas Partnership, the basin’s three marine commissions, a NC land
trust and a SC water-sewer utility. Although the bills were passed, no funding was allocated to
support the initiative. Until appropriate funding is provided, progress on this initiative is not
likely.

1.3.8 Catawba River Corridor Project

The SCDNR in cooperation with the SC Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism and the
Catawba Regional Planning Council initiated the Catawba River Corridor Planning process in
1992. The goal of this planning process was to create a vision for the Catawba River and its
adjacent lands, to manage future growth in a manner that will protect the natural beauty,
unspoiled character, and significant features that shape the Catawba River today. This planning
process was citizen-based, to ensure that the resulting plan was wholly produced by members of
the community in which it will be implemented.

The Catawba River Task Force was assembled, composed of people with the resources, expertise
and interest to provide a comprehensive overview of the river and the commitment to implement
a final corridor plan developed by community members. Task force members include local
Section C: Chapter1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives 206

government officials, landowners and representatives of conservation organizations, industries,
other local groups, and state agencies. Committees were formed for each of 15 critical issues
facing the river corridor, as identified by the task force. Each committee developed a set of
policy recommendations and presented them to the task force for discussion and approval. For
more information, visit the website at http://www.dnr.state.sc.us/water/envaff/river/catawbaplan.htm.

1.4 Local Initiatives

1.4.1 Mecklenburg County S.W.I.M. Program

On October 15, 1996, the Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners (Board) took a
stand in support of clean, usable surface waters through the adoption of the community’s first
"Creek Use Policy" calling for all Mecklenburg County surface waters to be "...suitable for
prolonged human contact and recreational opportunities and supportive of varied species of
aquatic life." At the direction of the Board, a panel of stakeholders was convened in February
1997, including representatives from development and environmental interest groups. This panel
worked with staff toward the development of a comprehensive strategy aimed at fulfilling the
Board’s policy statement. In January 1998, the panel reported back to the Board with a three (3)
phased approach for achieving its "Creek Use Policy". The Board approved the approach and
the implementation of Phase I began in FY 1998-1999. The approach, entitled Surface Water
Improvement and Management or S.W.I.M, prioritized creek basins and tasks using the intent to:

¾ Prevent further degradation
¾ Preserve the best waters
¾ Improve the good waters
¾ Remediate the worst waters
The following principles are used to guide S.W.I.M. efforts:
¾ Holistic approach to address the community’s water quality, quantity and green space
issues
¾ Use proven, scientifically sound watershed management techniques
S.W.I.M. Phase I is aimed at the implementation of measures to address the county’s worst
pollutants and prevent further water quality degradation. The program has been a tremendous
success resulting in significant improvements to water quality conditions in Mecklenburg County
including:
1. Enhancement of efforts to enforce erosion control ordinances and educate the development
community resulting in a reduction in sediment levels in some streams by as much as 79
percent.

¾ Basin level community involvement and support
¾ Basin specific analysis using modeling and stream assessment

2. Enhancement of measures to protect drinking water supply reservoirs by working in close
cooperation with developers to improve land development techniques and protect water
quality.
3. Establishment of vegetative stream buffers county wide through the adoption of ordinances.
These buffers serve to filter stormwater pollutants and protect water quality.
Section C: Chapter1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives 207

4. Enhancement of efforts to address elevated bacteria levels in surface waters resulting in
reductions in bacteria counts by as much as 76 percent in several urban streams.
5. Implementation of water quality modeling techniques for the development of watershed
based management plans aimed at maintaining and restoring water quality conditions.
6. Development of automated water quality monitoring techniques that provide water quality
data 24 hours a day, 7 days a week significantly enhancing capabilities for identifying and
eliminating pollution problems. This technique was employed in cooperation with NCDOT
to ensure the protection of Long Creek from sediment discharges from I-485 construction
activities and is being expanded to other locations around the county.
7. Improved coordination between city and county staff involved in stream related activities
through the development of the Creek Coordination Committee (CCC), which meets monthly
to coordinate stream improvement activities.
8. Implementation of stream inventory and assessment activities to better characterize current
stream conditions and identify threats to water quality.
9. Increased public education and involvement resulting in a 75 percent increase in volunteer
participation in several water quality restoration initiatives including "Adopt-A-Stream" and
"Storm Drain Marking".

S.W.I.M. Phase II was implemented beginning in fiscal year 2002-2003, starting a four-year
process aimed at maintaining and/or restoring water quality conditions in identified special
interest watersheds to fulfill Mecklenburg County’s goal of "swimmable/fishable" waters.
During its first year of implementation, S.W.I.M. Phase II made significant progress toward
achieving this goal. In general, S.W.I.M. Phase II utilizes the tools developed in S.W.I.M. Phase
I, such as water quality monitoring and modeling, to develop a comprehensive watershed based
management strategy focusing on the elimination of specific point and nonpoint source pollution
problems in special interest watersheds. During FY02-03, these special interest watersheds
included McDowell, Gar, Goose, Duck and Stevens Creeks in Mecklenburg County. One of the
most progressive water quality ordinances in the southeast was adopted for McDowell and Gar
Creeks upstream of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg drinking water intake in Mountain Island Lake as
well as those creeks draining to the Rocky River within the jurisdiction of the Town of
Huntersville in Mecklenburg County. The objective of this ordinance is to prevent further water
quality degradation from continued land development activities utilizing low impact
development (LID) techniques and water quality modeling capabilities. In addition,
Mecklenburg County is in the process of designing retrofitted structural best management
practices (BMPs) to reduce existing pollutant loads in McDowell Creek. For Goose, Duck and
Stevens Creeks, which are located within the Town of Mint Hill in Mecklenburg County, a post-
construction ordinance utilizing LID and modeling techniques is currently under development
with implementation planned for the spring of 2004.

S.W.I.M. Phase III is planned for implementation in 2006 for the purpose of applying the
techniques perfected in Phases I and II to the remaining waters county wide with the ultimate
goal of achieving the Board’s "swimmable/fishable" goal by 2015.

The S.W.I.M. Program is being used to fulfill the Phase II Stormwater Permit requirements for
Mecklenburg County and the six towns in the county including Cornelius, Davidson,
Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill and Pineville. Under the S.W.I.M. Program, a Stormwater
Management Program Plan was developed and a joint permit application submitted to the state in
February 2003. Implementation of the plan began on July 1, 2003.
Section C: Chapter1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives 208

1.4.2 The Lake James Task Force

The purpose of The Lake James Task Force is to mobilize public support to protect the existing
Burke County Lake James Land Use Ordinance and to educate the public about the issues
involved so that Lake James is protected for future generations. The task force participates in
legal actions to protect the watershed from development and has created a legal defense fund
from which to operate. For more information, visit the website at
http://www.savelakejames.org/index.html.

1.4.3 Catawba County

Catawba County, being surrounded by Lakes Hickory, Lookout Shoals and Norman, has taken
several proactive approaches to address water quality within the county. In an effort to
supplement the state’s water quality sampling program, Catawba County has conducted semi-
annual water sampling of seven tributaries to Lake Norman for over ten years. These samples
are analyzed for several different water quality parameters, such as dissolved oxygen, BOD,
nitrogen, phosphorus and fecal coliform. Any infractions found are reported to the NCDENR for
follow-up inspection.
In the area of land development ordinances, the county adopted a cluster/open space option for
residential subdivisions. This option requires a minimum of 30 percent of the proposed
development to be preserved in permanent open space. Priority areas to be preserved are
designated floodplains, buffers along streams and ponds, steep slopes and environmentally
sensitive areas where development may threaten water quality. Several developers have used the
cluster option to preserve approximately 50 percent of the land within their developments.

In an effort to educate its citizenry on the importance of being environmental stewards, Catawba
County sponsors a biannual Household Hazardous Waste Day. Citizens are encouraged to bring
their household hazardous waste, such as paints and household cleaners, to the collection site for
proper disposal (in lieu of disposing in the garbage or pouring down storm drains or in road
ditches). The county also operates used motor oil disposal sites at all five of its convenience
centers.

1.4.4 Caldwell County

Caldwell County, in cooperation with the municipalities of Granite Falls, Hudson, Cajah
Mountain, Sawmills and Gamewell, has begun development of an NPDES Phase II compliant
stormwater management program. Caldwell County has hired a professional engineer to oversee
the program and has formed the Stormwater Advisory Group (SWAG) to structure the emerging
program and tailor it to the community's needs. Caldwell County has begun a Public Education
program that targets elected officials and civic leaders, the development community, and
realtors. Caldwell County has also begun an inventory of its facilities and operations that could
potentially have a detrimental impact on water quality. Caldwell County's Environmental
Engineer will be developing Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) for priority
facilities over the next 12 months.

A preliminary draft of a Stormwater Quality Management and Discharge Control Ordinance has
been prepared and will be reviewed by the SWAG in February and March 2004. That draft
Section C: Chapter1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives 209

ordinance envisions post-construction controls that are more effective than the minimum
requirements in the state's proposed permanent NPDES Phase II rules (15A NCAC 2H .0126 and
15A NCAC 2H .1014). It also includes provision for two-zone, 50-foot wide riparian buffers
along perennial streams and 30-foot wide buffers along intermittent streams. Finally, Caldwell
County staff will give a formal presentation to the Caldwell County Commissioners during 2004,
seeking approval for local delegation of the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Program. Local
delegation of that program, combined with the remainder of Caldwell County's stormwater
management efforts, will ensure more effective review and enforcement, while potentially
reducing both the time and expense currently required of Caldwell County's development
community.

1.4.5 City of Newton

The City of Newton has conducted a local soil erosion sedimentation control program since
October 2001. The program is under the direction of the Planning Director/Assistant City
Manager and is administered by the current planner. The local program has fit in well with the
city’s code enforcement and development liaison approach by having one point of contact
throughout the development process. The current planner coordinates the development review
process for the city and also reviews all site plans and issues zoning permits and soil erosion
permits for projects that require them.

The city uses the standard one-acre disturbed benchmark for plan submittal and permitting, but
also requires permits for any project disturbing a half-acre or more up to the one-acre standard
that triggers plan submittal. By having the plan reviewer/coordinator as the point of contact, the
process works very well in terms of communication and compliance. It is felt that having a local
program is more responsive to the concerns for water quality and safety of the community and
ensures a higher level of water quality and development. The program has permitted 13 sites
since the program began.

1.4.6 Gaston County Projects

The Gaston County Natural Resources Department is responsible for planning and establishing
the county's natural resources' conservation programs and implementing county, state and federal
natural resource statues. Department staff help landowners, citizens, municipal and county
governments, and industry to control erosion and sedimentation for improved water quality,
obtain grants for stream and wetland restorations for stormwater management, assist
municipalities with bio-solids waste management, assist animal facility operators with animal
waste management, assist governments with watershed management issues to ensure quality
drinking water supplies, and present environmental conservation education programs to students,
groups, organizations, clubs and citizenry. GCNR has several water quality projects in progress,
all of which may be viewed at http://www.co.gaston.nc.us/NaturalResources/index.htm.

The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service helps citizens understand things they can do
to maintain and protect environmental quality. Extension offers conferences, courses, on-site
demonstrations and one-on-one consultations concerning water quality best management
practices (BMPs). The Quality of Natural Resources Commission (QNRC) advises county
commissioners on environmental issues and guides the development of county policies with
Section C: Chapter1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives 210

environmental impacts. Extension serves as staff to the QNRC. More information about the
work of the Gaston County Center can be found at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/gaston/.

1.4.7 Morganton Greenway

The City of Morganton Comprehensive Long-Term Land Management Plan identifies a six-mile
greenway corridor along the Catawba River. An aggressive acquisition and development
program began in 1992. The city identified riparian parcels and has initiated negotiations for fee
simple acquisition or development of conservation easements. Prioritization of properties was
made based upon location, greenway values, and water quality benefit. The greenway is
currently a one-mile paved walkway that provides picnic areas, playground, canoe launch,
fishing pier, overlooks, and access to shopping and restaurants. It will expand to protect more
riparian habitat as funds becomes available.

1.4.8 Burke County

Burke County has several water quality programs underway. In addition to the county’s zoning
and subdivision ordinances that protect riparian habitat on Lake James, Lake Rhodhiss, Lake
Hickory and the mainstem Catawba River, a planning process is currently underway in
cooperation with local landowners, the National Park Service Overmountain Victory Trail, and
the US Forest Service to plan and establish multi-use trails throughout the Lake James area and
along the mainstem of the Catawba River to the Morganton Greenway. Finally, a planning
process, funded by the CWMTF, is underway to develop a water supply watershed model that
will result in specific recommendations for land use ordinance revisions. The jurisdictions of
Morganton and Glen Alpine are also involved in this project.

1.5 Regional Initiatives

1.5.1 Voices and Choices of the Central Carolinas

Voices and Choices of the Central Carolinas (V&C) is dedicated to ensuring a high quality of life
for our region's residents by promoting economic and environmental sustainability throughout
the 14-county Central Carolinas region. The organization believes that issues affecting quality of
life - such as economic prosperity, clean air and water, open pace, and transportation - are best
addressed at the regional level, with a diverse coalition of stakeholders involved. Since 1995,
V&C has sought to engage individual citizens, corporations, nonprofit organizations and elected
officials from city, county and state governments to cooperate on these issues that are so critical
to the future of our region.
To update and expand upon previous regional reports, V&C is preparing a publication entitled
The 2003 State of the Region Report. The report focuses on indicators that reveal favorable and
unfavorable growth-related trends in the areas of transportation, land use, environment (air,
water, solid waste) and economics. The 2003 State of the Region Report will be the first in what
will become an annual V&C publication. By highlighting issues affecting quality of life in the
four subject areas, V&C hopes to convert discussion into action. For more information, visit the
website at http://www.voicesandchoices.org/index.cfm.

Section C: Chapter1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives 211

1.5.2 Sustainable Environment for Quality of Life

Centralina Council of Governments in cooperation with Catawba Regional Council of
Governments actively promotes regional solutions for regional issues. One of Centralina’s major
new programs is designed to address issues of environmental quality. Centralina COG has been
awarded a $275,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to implement and expand
regional efforts to protect the quality of life in the bi-state metro Charlotte region. The program
is called Sustainable Environment for Quality of Life (SEQL).

The greater Charlotte/Gastonia/Rock Hill region encompasses 15 counties with over 75 political
jurisdictions and a population base of 2.1 million people. It is a highly desirable area to live in
but faces many challenges: sprawl, air quality problems, and concerns about being the "next
Atlanta". SEQL will address these challenges by:

¾ Allowing local governments the opportunity to work across jurisdictional lines in
regional cooperation and collaboration, setting a standard for the nation.
¾ Providing implementation assistance to local governments on environmental
"commitment action items" developed under the Charlotte/Mecklenburg
Sustainability Demonstration Project.
¾ Analyzing multiple air quality issues simultaneously, including ozone, particulate
matter and air toxics while also addressing transportation, water, land use, energy use
and economic development.

This project will support the region’s efforts to develop integrated, long-range plans to ensure
economic development and a positive quality of life for its future. The project is structured so
that it will be a cooperative undertaking with the Catawba Regional Council of Governments.
Centralina and Catawba Regional COGs will work to bring the metro area together.

SEQL will provide an integrated strategy that other local governments across the country could
use to address similar quality of life and environmental issues. This initial process began in the
fall of 2000, under the leadership of Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory and past Mecklenburg
County Board Chairman Parks Helms. The city received a $100,000 EPA grant for a
Sustainability Demonstration Project to bring together 26 of the region’s chief elected officials to
learn about air quality, water resource and land use issues. The group developed and
recommended "toolbox commitment action items" relating to air, water and land use measures
for implementation across the region. In spring 2002, EPA approached Charlotte regional and
local governments about expanding this partnership to develop a more integrated strategy and
refined tools to address air quality, water quality, transportation, land use planning, energy and
economic development. A summary of the SEQL project is as follows:

¾ Implementation of Sustainability Demonstration Project "commitment action items".
¾ Design of a regional database for improved decision-making.
¾ Government/public/stakeholder orientation to the concept of integrated cross-sectoral
planning and development of methods to implement it.
¾ Institutionalization of consideration of integrated environmental impacts in local and
regional planning and decision-making.
¾ Build bridges among elected officials, local government planners, environmental
advocates and business/development interests.
Section C: Chapter1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives 212

1.5.3 Catawba Lands Conservancy

Catawba Lands Conservancy is a nonprofit land trust which acquires and permanently protects
land and conservation easements in the lower Catawba River Basin and Southern Piedmont of
North Carolina, including all or portions of Catawba, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg and
Union counties. The conservancy’s projects include significant natural areas, stream and river
corridors, fields and forests, working farms, and other open and green spaces. The
conservancy’s land stewardship and community outreach programs also allow residents to learn
about land protection and how they can directly impact conservation and quality of life in the
region. The conservancy has protected more than 5,400 acres since 1991. For more information,
visit the website at http://www.catawbalands.org.

1.5.4 Foothills Conservancy

The Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, a regional land trust, is dedicated to working
cooperatively with landowners and public and private conservation partners to preserve and
protect important natural areas and open spaces of the Blue Ridge Foothills region, including
watersheds, environmentally significant habitats, forests and farmland, for this and future
generations. The conservancy, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit, serves eight counties; Alexander, Burke,
Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Lincoln, McDowell and Rutherford; and has succeeded in
protecting over 18,0000 acres in the Catawba River basin. For more information, visit the
website at http://www.foothillsconservancy.org/index.htm.

1.5.5 Catawba River Foundation

The Catawba River Foundation (CRF) is an environmental advocacy organization dedicated to
promoting the obligation to preserve, protect and restore the fragile ecosystem of our Catawba
River basin’s rivers, lakes and creeks. Through education, enforcement and coordinated efforts,
they are committed to halt present abuse, to restore past beauty, and to assure a watchful balance
of community and environmental needs for generations to come.

The primary objective of the CRF is the Catawba RIVERKEEPER© Program, which has grown
substantially since its inception in 1998. Their initial work has focused on water quality
monitoring, responding to reports of pollution events, and forming a solid corps of trained
volunteers. They achieve their goals by using a multi-pronged approach including: 1) a
volunteer network; 2) public education and collaborative efforts; and 3) legal initiatives and
enforcement actions. For more information, visit the website at http://www.catawbariverkeeper.org/.

1.5.6 Trout Unlimited

Trout Unlimited’s (TU) mission is to conserve, protect and restore North America's trout and
salmon fisheries and their watersheds. They accomplish this mission on local, state and national
levels with an extensive and dedicated volunteer network. The national office, based just outside
of Washington, DC, employs professionals who testify before Congress, publish TU's quarterly
magazine, intervene in federal legal proceedings, and work with TU's grassroots volunteers to
keep them active and involved in conservation issues. At the state level, TU works closely with
state agencies, conservation organizations, corporations, local volunteers and TU members to
organize stream clean-ups, public awareness activities and field trips to local streams.
Section C: Chapter1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives 213

In the Catawba River basin, TU currently has two large restoration/protection projects underway
on Steels Creek in Burke County and Muddy Creek in Burke and McDowell counties. The
Steel’s Creek Watershed Improvement Project is intended to prevent vehicular stream crossings
where they occur and to restrict vehicles to designated parking areas nearest the road in order to
reduce existing traffic and disturbance in the floodplain. New designated parking areas will be
established using wood timbers and gravel. Areas where vehicles are accessing the camping
areas will be blocked with large boulders. Storm drainage and erosion issues will be addressed
with sediment traps and log ditch checks. Streambank erosion caused by continuous access will
be addressed by the creation of designated paths and stone or wood steps. In addition to the
watershed improvement activities, there will be removal of hazard trees and trees that fall within
the designated parking areas.

TU’s Muddy Creek Restoration Project is discussed in detail in Section B, Chapter 1, Part 1.4.4.
More information on TU’s activities in the basin can be found by visiting the website at
http://www.nctu.org/.

1.5.7 American Rivers

American Rivers is a national nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to protecting and
restoring healthy natural rivers and the variety of life they sustain for people, fish and wildlife.
In 2001, American Rivers rated the Catawba River the 13th most endangered river in America.
The associated report stated that explosive urban growth along the Catawba River in North and
South Carolina threatens to overwhelm the river's capacity to provide drinking water, assimilate
sewage, support wildlife, and serve the recreational needs of Charlotte and growing communities
throughout the basin. For the entire report and its recommendations, refer to the website at
http://www.amrivers.org/ and enter “Catawba” in the search box.

1.5.8 Catawba-Wateree Relicensing Coalition

The Catawba-Wateree Relicensing Coalition (CWRC) has been working for over three years to
facilitate a process to protect, enhance and restore the natural, cultural, recreational and
economic resources of the Catawba-Wateree River Basin during the relicensing of Duke Power’s
13 hydroelectric facilities and 11 dams. CWRC is dedicated to developing stakeholder
consensus on key issues related to this relicensing. The coalition works to achieve full benefit
from modern laws and standards that affects two million people, 14 counties, 30 municipalities,
two states (NC and SC), 300 miles of river, 1,500 miles of shoreline, and 5,000 square miles of
watershed. For more information, visit the website at http://www.cwrc.info/ or email
[e-mail].

The Catawba Bi-State Task Force’s mission is to preserve and enhance the quality of the
Catawba River from its headwaters in the mountains of North Carolina to Lake Wateree, South
Carolina as the primary drinking water source for citizens and businesses and as a unique
environment and recreational resource. It provides a forum for discussing issues among
stakeholders in the Catawba River basin. The Bi-State Task Force quarterly meetings are open
to the public. Meetings typically consist of experts addressing key topics and a "River
Roundtable" that allows anyone in the group to share concerns. The Task Force also sponsors an
1.5.9 Catawba Bi-State Task Force

Section C: Chapter1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives 214

annual public conference at UNCC on such issues as water allocation, ecosystem management
and water quality management.
1.6.0 NC Wildlife Federation

Island Adoption Program
Sponsored by the NCWF and Duke Power, the Island Habitat Adoption Program is being
modeled in the rapidly developing Catawba River basin for other areas throughout the state. The
goal of the Island Habitat Adoption Program is to provide partnerships that will help keep river
and lake islands clean of litter, serve as an educational tool for raising public awareness of the
proper disposal of litter on public waters and lands, and work toward protecting and enhancing
wildlife habitats. The program seeks fishing clubs, duck hunting groups, conservation
organizations, and other wildlife enthusiasts to "adopt" an island. Participating groups agree to
periodically clean up the litter from their island while providing data on wildlife species that
inhabit their island and note positive and negative habitat characteristics and changes. Adopting
groups receive wood duck or blue bird nesting boxes to erect on the island, as well as a
handsome sign that denotes their participation in the program. More information is available on
the website at http://www.ncwf.org.

1.6.1 Volunteer Water Information Network Program (VWIN) and Lake James
Environmental Association

The Volunteer Water Information Network (VWIN) is a partnership of groups and individuals
dedicated to preserving water quality in western North Carolina. Organizations such as
RiverLink Inc., the Environmental Conservation Organization of Henderson County (ECO), the
Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC), the Lake Lure Lakefront Owners Association, and the Lake
James Environmental Association provide administrative support. The UNC-Asheville
Environmental Quality Institute (EQI) provides technical assistance through laboratory analysis
of water samples, statistical analysis of water quality results, and written interpretation of the
data. Volunteers venture out once per month to collect water samples from designated sites
along streams and rivers in the region.

An accurate and on-going water quality database, as provided by VWIN, is essential for good
environmental planning. The data gathered by the volunteers provides an increasingly accurate
picture of water quality conditions and changes in these conditions over time. Communities can
use this data to identify streams of high water quality which need to be preserved, as well as
streams which cannot support further development without significant water quality degradation.
In addition, the information allows planners to assess the impacts of increased development and
the success of pollution control measures. Thus, this program provides the water quality data for
evaluation of current management efforts and can help guide decisions affecting future
management actions. The VWIN program also encourages involvement of citizens in the
awareness, ownership and protection of their water resources.

In May 2001, the Lake James Environmental Association began a VWIN program to monitor
five selected stream sites and six lake sites in order to assess water quality conditions in streams
flowing into Lake James and to provide continuous assessment of the health of the lake (see
Section B, Chapter 1, Part 1.4.1).

Section C: Chapter1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives 215

As problems were noticed immediately at the site on the North Fork of the Catawba River, two
new sites were quickly added to assess this problem. With sedimentation and potential
eutrophication of the lake a growing concern, many citizens realize the need for continuous
monitoring of the streams flowing into the lake as a means of trying to pinpoint sources of
problems. Continuous monitoring of the lake itself is vital to understanding the lake cycles and
trends as well as identifying problems as they arise. For more information on VWIN and the
Lake James Environmental Association visit the website at http://ljea.org/index.html.

1.6.2 The Trust for Public Land

Founded in 1972, the Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a nonprofit working exclusively to protect
land for human enjoyment and well-being. TPL helps conserve land for recreation and spiritual
nourishment and to improve the health and quality of life of American communities. In the
Catawba River Basin, TPL initiated Phase I of the Mountain Island Lake (MIL) Initiative in 1998
with its partners, The Catawba Lands Conservancy, The Foundation for the Carolinas, and the
Gaston Community Foundation. The MIL Initiative intends to 80 percent of the shoreline and 80
percent of the major tributaries to Mountain Island Lake. Phase I of the MIL Initiative protected
approximately 2,700 acres in the watershed, including the area now known as The Mountain
Island Lake State Education Forest, managed by the North Carolina Division of Forest
Resources. TPL is now seeking funding to proceed with Phase II of the MIL Initiative.
TPL has recently published a 50-page booklet, Protecting the Source – Land Conservation and
the Future of America’s Drinking Water, in conjunction with the American Water Works
Association. TPL is distributing the report to all elected officials in the Mountain Island Lake
watershed and key government officials to illustrate the need to protect drinking water supply
watersheds. The report can be downloaded at http://www.tpl.org/download_protect_src_report.cfm.

Section C: Chapter1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives 216