Chapter 16 Initiatives

Chapter 16
Water Quality Initiatives

16.1 The Importance of Local Initiatives

As the Basinwide Planning Program completes its third cycle of plan development, there are
many efforts being undertaken at the local level to improve water quality. Information about
local efforts particular to a watershed or subbasin is included in Chapters 1-7. DWQ encourages
local agencies and organizations to learn about and become active in their watersheds.

In an effort to provide water quality information and gain public input, DWQ held public
workshops in Asheville, Hendersonville, Burnsville and Waynesville during November 2003.
The purpose of the workshops was to inform people of the 2005 update plan and to seek input
prior to finalizing the plan. Participants provided comments on specific waters in the French
Broad River basin and generalized issues related to urbanization and land use changes, water
supply quantity and protection, enforcement, permitting, monitoring, and funding sources. Refer
to Appendix IX for specific comments received during the public workshops.

An important benefit of local initiatives is that local people make decisions that affect change in
their own communities. There are a variety of limitations local initiatives can overcome
including: state government budgets, staff resources, lack of regulations for nonpoint sources,
the rule-making process, and many others.

These local organizations and agencies are able to combine professional expertise in a watershed.
This allows groups to holistically understand the challenges and opportunities of different water
quality efforts. Involving a wide array of people in water quality projects also brings together a
range of knowledge and interests, and encourages others to become involved and invested in
these projects. By working in coordination across jurisdictions and agency lines, more funding
opportunities are available, and it is easier to generate necessary matching or leveraging funds.
This will potentially allow local entities to do more work and be involved in more activities
because their funding sources are diversified. The most important aspect of these local
endeavors is that the more localized the project, the better the chances for success.

The collaboration of these local efforts is key to water quality improvements. There are good
examples of local agencies and groups using these cooperative strategies throughout the state.
The following local organizations and agencies (Table 27) are highlighted to share their efforts
towards water quality improvement. Specific projects are described in the subbasin chapters
(Chapters 1–7).

DWQ applauds the foresight and proactive response to potential water quality problems acted
upon by these local efforts. Federal and state government agencies are interested in assisting
local governments and citizen groups in developing their water quality management programs.
The distribution of several grantors is discussed in the following sections.

Chapter 16 – Water Quality Initiatives 140

Table 27 Local Water Quality Initiatives

Land-of-Sky Regional Council of Governments
Office Location: Asheville, North Carolina

A multi-county, local government planning and development organization, LOS is one of 18 such organizations in
the state and serves Region B (Buncombe, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania counties). The mission of LOS
is to work with local, state and federal agencies, regional leaders, and the community to foster desirable economic,
social and ecological conditions in the region. For more information, contact:

Bill Eaker
Director, Environmental Programs
Phone: [phone] x118
Email: [e-mail]

http://www.landofsky.org/
Current and Continuing Projects:

Haywood Waterways Association (HWA)
Office Location: Waynesville, North Carolina

A nonprofit association dedicated to maintaining and improving the water quality of the Pigeon River, HWA
focuses on reducing nonpoint pollution in the Pigeon River watershed. HWA works through a variety of voluntary
initiatives including educational programs, greenways, information and work sessions, erosion control workshops,
and obtaining grants and other resources to address nonpoint pollution. HWA is funded by contributions from
members, grants and donations. HWA is guided by a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) with representatives
from federal, state and local agencies as well as many volunteers from a variety of backgrounds and expertise.
HWA and its partner organizations (the SWCD, NRCS, and the Southwestern RC&D) have collaborated on 35
successful grant applications, providing almost $2.4 million for water quality projects in Haywood County. For
more information, contact:

Ron Moser
HWA Director
Office Phone: [phone]
Home Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

www.haywoodwaterways.org

Current and Continuing Projects:
ƒ Participation and supporting member of the French Broad Voluntary Buffer Partnership, the Mills River
Partnership, the Mud Creek Restoration Project, and the Ross Creek Urban Restoration Project.
ƒ Using EPA Section 205(j) grant money, published a guide to stormwater management for local officials and
contractors.
ƒ Participating in Phase II Stormwater Management planning, education, and training.
ƒ Water quality and sediment monitoring, publications and BMP projects along Hyatt Creek, Fines Creek and
Richland Creek (subbasin 04-03-05). Grant money provided by EPA Section 319 and CWMTF.
ƒ Educational activities related to soil erosion. Printed brochure entitled "It’s Not Just Dirt" using funding
provided by the Pigeon River Fund. Also publishing a brochure entitled “Stewardship Begins in Our Own
Backyards: A Landowner’s Guide to Protecting Land and Streams” using EPA Section 319 and CWMTF
grant monies.
ƒ Continually publish and distribute newspaper inserts related to the Pigeon River watershed and water quality
issues throughout the watershed.
ƒ Sponsors of several local activities including Kids-in-the-Creek, VWIN, the Haywood Environmental
Initiative, and Summer Camps.
ƒ Assisting municipalities in the implementation of their Phase II Storm Water Management Programs.
Chapter 16 – Water Quality Initiatives 141

RiverLink, Inc.
Office Location: Asheville, North Carolina

A regional, nonprofit organization, RiverLink focuses on the economic and environmental revitalization of the
French Broad River and its tributaries as a place to live, work and play. RiverLink’s activities are governed by a
Board of Directors recruited from Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania and Madison counties, and it is continually
seeking grant opportunities to fund various water quality initiatives along the French Broad River and its
tributaries. For more information, contact:

RiverLink, Inc. Phone: [phone] www.riverlink.org
Current and Continuing Projects:

Pigeon River Fund
Office Location: Asheville, North Carolina

The Pigeon River Fund exists to improve the streams and rivers of Haywood, Buncombe and Madison counties.
The fund supports activities that improve surface water quality, enhance fish and wildlife management areas,
expand public access, and increase citizen awareness of their roles in protecting water resources. Since 1996, the
fund has awarded $1.7 million, which has leveraged more than $6 million in additional state and federal grants to
help the citizens of the regions of Western North Carolina. For more information and grant guidelines, contact:

Bob Wagner
Pigeon River Fund
Phone: [phone] www.pigeonriverfund.org

Volunteer Water Information Network Program (VWIN)
Participants: Environmental Quality Institute (EQI) of University of North Carolina at Asheville (UNCA), HWA,
RiverLink, ECO, Brevard College (Transylvania County), Haywood Community College, Madison SWCD
Funding: Pigeon River Fund, Henderson County, Metropolitan Sewerage District, Dornick Foundation,
Volunteers

VWIN is a water quality monitoring program where trained volunteers collect water from 224 sites throughout
Buncombe, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania counties; 139 of these sites are in the French Broad River basin.
Samples are analyzed in a state certified lab at UNCA for parameters such as turbidity, suspended solids, pH,
alkalinity, conductivity and heavy metals such as zinc, copper and lead. For more information, contact:

Marilyn Westphal
VWIN Program Coordinator
Phone: [phone] http://www.unca.edu/eqi/vwin.htm
ƒ Supports greenway development throughout the basin and encourages private development along the
riverfront based on open space design guidelines. Where allowed, these areas will be used for educational
and demonstration purposes.
ƒ Continually looking for opportunities to partner with private landowners to restore and conserve "degraded"
mountain wetland sites within Buncombe and Henderson counties.
ƒ Publishes a bimonthly newsletter about water quality issues throughout the French Broad River basin.
ƒ Serves a supporting member and partner with the French Broad River Voluntary Buffer Partnership and raises
funds for the UNCA VWIN program.
ƒ Providing information, education and training to local developers (Clean Water Contractors). Geared toward
businesses engaged in earth moving and construction activities, the program has provided information on
erosion and sediment control.
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
Chapter 16 – Water Quality Initiatives 142

Environmental and Conservation Organization (ECO)
Office Location: Hendersonville, North Carolina

ECO is a nonprofit organization devoted to conserving and preserving the natural heritage of the mountain region.
Seeking to think globally and act locally, ECO works to preserve and protect streams and wetlands, wildlife and
natural habitats. ECO addresses environmental community concerns through educational program development,
recreational programs, environmental service projects for the community, and encourages civic responsibility in
economic and democratic processes. For more information, contact:

Mary Jo Padgett
Executive Director

Phone: [phone]
[e-mail]

www.main.nc.us/eco/about.html
Current and Continuing Projects:
Quality Forward
Office Location: Asheville, North Carolina

Quality Forward is a volunteer-based organization working to enhance the environment and quality of life for the
citizens of Asheville and Buncombe County through awareness building, community activities and partnership.
Planting over 5,000 trees in Buncombe County. Quality Forward coordinated the Swannanoa River Riparian
Greenway Project (Biltmore Village) and is also involved in many river improvement projects. For more
information, contact:

Quality Forward Phone: [phone]
[e-mail]

www.qualityforward.org/

Current and Continuing Projects:
French Broad River Voluntary Buffer Partnership
Participants: LOS, Land Trusts, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Local Governments, Landowners,
State/Federal Resource Management Agencies including NCDENR
Funding: CWMTF, NCDENR, TVA

Under grants from the CWMTF and TVA, LOS initiated the Voluntary Buffer Partnership to develop a
comprehensive plan for protecting and restoring riparian buffers along the mainstem of the French Broad River in
four counties. The partnership has developed a "toolbox" of possible buffer protection/restoration options and is
continually working with landowners to stabilize streambanks and preserve buffers using conservation easements.
For more information, contact:

Bill Eaker
Land-of-Sky Regional
Council of Governments
Phone: [phone]
[e-mail]

http://www.landofsky.org/
ƒ Coordinates the Henderson County VWIN stream monitoring program and participates by bio-monitoring 28
VWIN sites semi-annually.
ƒ Participates in the Mud Creek Watershed Restoration Council, Mills River Partnership, and the French Broad
River Voluntary Buffer Partnership.
ƒ Coordinates the Big Sweep and Adopt-A-Stream programs in Henderson County.
ƒ Programs include adopt-a-stream, the annual Big Sweep river cleanup and Clean Streams Days in Buncombe
County.
ƒ Environmental education programs that teach school and youth groups about water quality monitoring and
benthic macroinvertebrate sampling.
ƒ Newsletters and publications about the natural heritage and beauty of Buncombe County and the surrounding
areas.
Chapter 16 – Water Quality Initiatives 143

Current and Continuing Projects:
Mills River Partnership
Participants: Henderson County SWCD, NRCS, LOS, USDA Forest Service, Regional Water Authority, City of
Hendersonville, Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, UNCA VWIN, City of Asheville, Town of Mills River,
ECO
Funding: CWMTF, USDA Forest Service, Regional Water Authority, City of Hendersonville, Cross Creek
Foundation, EPA, Trout Unlimited, Mountain Valley RC&D Council, City of Asheville

The Mills River Partnership is comprised of various stakeholders who have partnered to improve water quality in
the lower Mills River and Wash Creek while maintaining the outstanding quality of the other streams in the
watershed. The Partnership is a nonregulatory organization devoted to working with landowners in the watershed.
Each project is designed with the individual needs of the landowner in mind. All projects are voluntary and are
paid for through grants awarded to the Mills River Project. For more information, contact:

Shaun Moore
Henderson County Soil and
Water Conservation District
(SWCD)
Phone: [phone]
[e-mail]

http://www.henderson.lib.nc.us/county/soil
/millsriverweb1.html
Participants: LOS, DWQ, EEP, TVA, City of Hendersonville, Henderson County Cooperative Extension, VWIN,
Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy
Funding: CWMTF and DENR

The Mud Creek Watershed Restoration Council was established in 2000 to provide a forum for local stakeholder
participation in the development of the Watershed Protection Plan for Mud Creek. The council’s mission is to
improve and protect water quality throughout the Mud Creek watershed. To do this, the council has developed a
restoration plan and implementation strategy to improve water quality, increase public awareness and appreciation
of the watershed, promote farmland conservation and the restoration of wetlands, and set water quality priorities.
For more information on the Restoration Council and the Mud Creek Project, contact:

Diane Silver
NC Cooperative Extension Service
Henderson County Center

Phone: [phone]
[e-mail]

www.ces.ncsu.edu/henderson/mudcreek

ƒ Distributes water quality issues and project newsletters to over 800 landowners along the river.
ƒ Conducting an assessment of the buffer conditions in Buncombe and Madison counties. Seventy-five sites
have already been identified in Transylvania and Henderson counties as being affected by active streambank
erosion.
Mud Creek Watershed Restoration Council

16.2 Federal Initiatives

16.2.1 Clean Water Act – Section 319 Program

Section 319 of the Clean Water Act provides grant money for nonpoint source demonstration and
restoration projects. Approximately $1 million is available annually through base funding for
demonstration and education projects across the state. An additional $2 million is available
annually through incremental funding for restoration projects. All projects must provide non-
federal matching funds of at least 40 percent of the project’s total costs. 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.
Chapter 16 – Water Quality Initiatives 144

Information on the North Carolina Section 319 Grant Program application process is available
online at http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/nps/application_process.htm.

There are 12 projects in the French Broad River basin that have been funded through the Section
319 Program between 1997 and 2002, many of which have basinwide applications (Table 28).
Many are demonstration projects and educational programs that allow for the dissemination of
information to the public through established programs at NC State University and the NC
Cooperative Extension Service. Other projects fund stream restoration activities that improve
water quality.

Descriptions of projects and general Section 319 Program information are available at
http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/nps/Section_319_Grant_Program.htm.

Table 28 Projects Funded Through Clean Water Act Section 319

FY Project
Name Agency Description
1999 Mountain Nurseries Transylvania CES Innovative BMP Demonstration
1999 Nature Trail Revitalization Transylvania County Educational
1999 Upper French Broad BMPs NCSU Water Quality
Group (WQG) BMP Implementation
1999 Newfound Creek Buncombe SWCD BMP Implementation
1999 Minimizing Water Quality Impacts
of Mountain Construction Projects NCSU Soil Science BMP Demonstration
2000 French Broad River Watershed
Education Training Center
NCSU WQG,
Transylvania CES Education and BMP installation
2000
BMP Implementation of Impaired
Streams of the Swannanoa River
Watershed
RiverLink Education and BMP installation
2000
Haywood County NPS Pollution
Inventory / Watershed Improvement
Project
Southwestern RC&D
Council Education and BMP installation
2001 Mills River Watershed Protection Henderson County –
Mills River Partnership Whole watershed protection project
2002 Clyde and Junaluska Elementary
Outdoor Classroom Haywood SWCD Educational
2002 Stormwater Wetlands in Asheville NCSU WQG Innovative BMP Demonstration
2002
Bent Creek Stream Restoration and
Stormwater Best Management
Practices
NCSU WQG Stream Restoration

Chapter 16 – Water Quality Initiatives 145

16.3 State Initiatives

16.3.1 North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program

The North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program (NCEEP) (formerly the North Carolina
Wetlands Restoration Program) is a non-regulatory 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 NCEEP is not a grant program. Instead, the program funds local restoration
projects directly through a combination of NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and non-
NCDOT in-lieu fee programs.

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 NCEEP Plans evaluate resource data and existing
water quality initiatives within local watersheds in order to select "Targeted Local Watersheds".
Targeted Local Watersheds (TLWs) are areas with the greatest need and opportunity for stream
and wetland restoration efforts, and where NCEEP resources can be most efficiently focused for
maximum restoration benefit. The NCEEP Watershed Restoration Plans are updated every five
years on the same timeline as DWQ's Basinwide Water Quality Plans.

The selection of TLWs (at the scale of NRCS 14-digit Hydrologic Units, or HUs) does not
necessarily restrict the location of NCEEP restoration project sites. However, these targeted
HUs are given higher priority than nontargeted HUs in considering the selection of NCEEP
candidate restoration project sites. TLWs 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 NCEEP can perform restoration projects cooperatively with other state or federal programs
or environmental groups. For example, the NCEEP’s efforts can complement projects funded
through the Section 319 Program. Integrating wetlands or riparian area restoration components
with Section 319-funded or proposed projects will often improve the overall water quality and
habitat benefits of the project. The NCEEP actively seeks landowners within the French Broad
River basin that have restorable wetland, riparian and stream sites.
For more information about the NCEEP and its Watershed Restoration Plans, contact Hal Bryson
at [phone] or visit the NCEEP website at http://www.nceep.net/.

Table 29 lists the NCEEP’s TLWs (stream names and 14-digit HU codes) in the French Broad
River basin. This table also indicates the pertinent factors that led to the selection of each TLW.
The TLWs 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
Chapter 16 – Water Quality Initiatives 146

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, NCEEP has used the water quality information alone (e.g., use impairment,
potential increases in nonpoint source pollution) to support the selection of a specific TLW.
Targeted local watersheds are mapped in Figure 17.

The NCEEP is also working to develop comprehensive Local Watershed 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 BMPs that will provide significant water quality and habitat
improvements and other environmental benefits to local watersheds. The NCEEP will
coordinate with local community groups, local governments and others to develop and
implement these plans.

Selection of a watershed as a TLW 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 TLWs are selected as part of the NCEEP planning process for the Basinwide
Watershed Restoration Plans. There are currently three local watershed-planning efforts
underway in the French Broad River Basin and they are described below (NCDENR-NCEEP,
April 2005).

French Broad Local Watershed Plans
Local watershed planning was initiated in the Mud Creek watershed to identify watershed
functional deficits and assets with an emphasis on water quality, aquatic and terrestrial habitat,
and hydrology. The local watershed plan (LWP) was finished in 2003 and is included in the
work plan and management strategies of the Mud Creek Watershed Restoration Council.
NCEEP is scheduled to construct two wetlands and restore 2,000 linear feet of streambank in
2005. For more information about the Mud Creek watershed, refer to Section 2.3.1.

Two other watersheds targeted for LWP development are South Hominy Creek and Bald Creek.
Preliminary watershed characterization studies (Phase I assessments) have been completed for
both watersheds and are moving into Phase II of the planning effort. The end result will yield
wetland, stream and riparian buffer enhancement and restoration projects, BMP projects, as well
as policy and protection recommendations. The technical assessment for these efforts will be
completed in 2005. See Sections 2.3.10 and 7.5.1, respectively, for more information on either
of these watersheds.

16.3.2 Clean Water Management Trust Fund

The CWMTF offers approximately $40 million annually in grants for projects within the broadly
focused areas of restoring and protecting state surface waters and establishing a network of
riparian buffers and greenways. In the French Broad River basin, 38 projects have been funded
for a total of $44,679,794 (Table 30). For more information on the CWMTF or these grants, call
[phone] or visit the website at www.cwmtf.net.

Chapter 16 – Water Quality Initiatives 147

Table 29 NCEEP Targeted Local Watersheds (2004)

Subbasin Local Watershed
Name and HU code
Impaired
Stream(s)
Downward
Trend in
W. Quality
Public
Water
Supply
ORW
or
HQW
Aquatic
NHP
Elements
Planned
Projects
Muncipality(ies)
Phase I or II
Resource Professional
Comments
04-03-01 French Broad, Kings Creek
06010105010050 Yes Yes No No No EEP
DWQ WARP Brevard DWQ Biological Assessment
Narrow riparian zones
East Fork French Broad
River
06010105010040
No No No Yes Yes SWCD No
DWQ Biological Assessment
Increasing development along
Highway 276 corridor, poor
quality riparian zone
04-03-02 Lower Mud Creek
06010105030030 Yes No No No No EEP
LWP
Hendersonville
Phase II
04-03-02 Clear Creek
06010105030040 Yes Yes No No No EEP
LWP
Hendersonville
Phase II
04-03-02 Upper Mud Creek
06010105030020 Yes No No No Yes EEP
LWP
Hendersonville
Phase II
DWQ Biological Assessment
Bat Fork (Mud Creek tributary)
has 45% of streams channelized
and only 15% have adequate
buffer on both sides of the stream.
04-03-02
Avery Creek
County Line Creek
06010105050010
No No No No Yes EEP Biltmore Forest
Phase II

04-03-02 South Hominy, Beaverdam
06010105060020 No No No No No EEP
LWP No
04-03-02 Hominy Creek
06010105060030 Yes No No No No DWQ TMDL Asheville
Phase II
DWQ Biological Assessment
Narrow riparian zone
04-03-02 Newfound Creek
06010105090020 Yes No Yes No No SWCD
TVA-IPSI No
DWQ Biological Assessment
Severe bank erosion, poor
riparian buffer
04-03-02 Ross Creek
06010105070040 Yes No No No No
Pigeon River
Grant Funds
TVA-IPSI
Asheville
Phase II
Cane Creek
06010105040010 Yes Yes No No Yes No
04-03-02 Upper Swannanoa
06010105070020 Yes Yes No No Yes Black Mountain
Phase II
Existing,
04-03-01
04-03-02
Chapter 16 – Water Quality Initiatives 148

Subbasin Local Watershed
Name and HU code
Impaired
Stream(s)
Downward
Trend in
W. Quality
Public
Water
Supply
ORW
or
HQW
Aquatic
NHP
Elements
Existing,
Planned
Projects
Muncipality(ies)
Phase I or II
Resource Professional
Comments
04-03-02 Swannanoa River
06010105070030 Yes No No
319 funds
Yes No CWMTF
TVA-IPSI
Asheville
Phase II
04-03-03 Mills River 06010105020020 Yes Yes Yes No Yes DWQ TMDL
319 funds No
04-03-04

Little Ivy Creek
06010105110020 Yes No No Yes Yes Yes DWQ TMDL,
TVA-IPSI
DWQ Biological Assessment
Minimal riparian buffers
04-03-05 East Fork Pigeon River
06010106010010 No Yes No Yes No No
Public Interest in restoration
projects due to 2004
hurricane/flood damage
04-03-05 Crabtree Creek
06010106020010 No No No No No No
Pigeon River
Trust Fund
(Ag BMPs)
DWQ Biological Assessment
Degraded riparian zones
04-03-05 Fines Creek
06010106020040 Yes No No No No
Haywood
Waterways
Association
(Ag BMPs)
No
DWQ Biological Assessment
Fish community shows evidence
of chronic impairment
04-03-05 Upper Richland Creek
06010105030010 Yes No Yes Yes Yes
CWMTF
(watershed
acquisition)
Waynesville
Phase II

04-03-05
Richland Creek
Plott Creek, Hyatt Creek
06010106030010
Yes Yes No No No CWMTF
(restoration)
Waynesville
Phase II
DWQ Biological Assessment
Habitat degradation
04-03-05 Jonathan Creek
06010106020030 No No No Yes No Yes
DWQ Biological Assessment
Cattle access.
Poor riparian buffers
Cane Creek
06010108040010 Yes Yes No No Yes No
04-03-06 Jacks Creek
06010108050010 Yes
DWQ Biological Assessment
No No No No No Open canopy, poor riparian
buffers
04-03-06 Upper North Toe River
06010108010010 No No No No No No Equinox Env. Consultants
Poor riparian buffers
04-03-06
Chapter 16 – Water Quality Initiatives 149

Subbasin Local Watershed
Name and HU code
Impaired
Stream(s)
Downward
Trend in
W. Quality
Public
Water
Supply
ORW
or
HQW
NHP
Elements
Existing,
Planned
Projects
Resource Professional
Comments
04-03-06 Middle North Toe River
06010108010020 No No Yes No Yes No Equinox Env. Consultants
Poor riparian buffers
04-03-06 North Toe River
06010108010030 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
04-03-06 Big Rock Creek
06010108060010 No DWQ Biological Assessment No No No Yes NCWRC No Narrow riparian buffers
04-03-07 Price Creek
06010108080010 No Yes No No No No
04-03-07 Bald Mountain Creek
06010108080020 No No No No Yes LWP No
Aquatic Muncipality(ies)
Phase I or II

Chapter 16 – Water Quality Initiatives 150

Table 30 Projects in the French Broad River Basin Funded by the Clean Water
Management Trust Fund (December 2003)

Project
Number
Application
Name
Proposed
Project Description
Amount
Funded
1997A-012 Waynesville - Acquisition /
Allens Creek
Acquire 379 acres of land in a water supply
watershed (Allens Ck in French Broad River basin) $500,000
1997A-030
Buncombe Co SWCD
Nonpoint Source Plan /
Newfound Creek
Fund a Resource Coordinator position in the
Newfound Creek watershed to inventory nonpoint
sources of pollution and coordinate implementation
of best management practices.
Riverlink –
Acq and Greenway /
French Broad River
Acquire through fee simple purchase 30 acres along
the French Broad River and develop a riparian
greenway along it.
$250,000
1997A-138
Land of Sky COG –
Acq Planning /
French Broad River
$110,000
Establish a riparian corridor protection team for the
French Broad River. Team will assess current
conditions along the river corridor, develop a plan
for preserving and managing the corridor, and lay
the groundwork for future riparian acquisitions.
1997B-404 NC Council of Trout Unlimited –
S Fk Mills River Trail Restoration $25,000Eliminate runoff and chronic sedimentation from
about 20 miles of South Fork Mills River Trail.
Village of Flat Rock – Construct sewer collection system (184,000 GPD) to
eliminate over 400 failing septic systems and 4
private wastewater treatment plants. Waste will be
pumped to the City of Hendersonville's WWTP.
$551,695
Madison County –
Revolving Fund /
Failing Septic Systems
$903,000
1998A-201 Conservation Fund - Crawford
Creek Conservation Easements
Acquire through permanent conservation easements
885 acres along Crawford Creek. $1,148,000
1998A-416
NCSU – Stream Restoration /
Upper French Broad River and
tribs
Restore streams and install stormwater control at
four sites along HWQ and ORW waters of French
Broad River.
Toe R. Health District –
Failing Septic Systems
$791,500
1998B-007
NC Wildlife Resources
Commission –
Acq / Lake Logan
Acquire through fee simple purchase 4,374 acres
around Lake Logan and its tributaries. CWMTF
funds would be used to purchase 500-foot buffers
(2,158 acres) along the tributaries to Lake Logan.
$3,800,000
1998B-302
Madison Co DSWC –
Beef Cattle BMPs /
Little Ivy River
Install livestock watering systems, stabilize
streambanks, and construct feed and waste
management structures.
$400,000
$118,866
1997A-045
1997B-604 Wastewater Collection System /
King Creek
1997B-613
Funds a revolving loan and grant fund for the repair
of failing septic tanks and straight piping throughout
the county. Anticipates repair or replacement of 150
systems for low-moderate income families in
proximity to surface waters.
$300,000
1998A-605 Revolving Fund /
Capitalize a revolving loan fund to repair failing
septic tanks and straight piping, within 500 feet of
relatively high quality waters in three economically
distressed counties (Avery, Yancey and Mitchell).
Initial goal of fixing 150 systems.
Chapter 16 – Water Quality Initiatives 152

1998B-303
Reg Water Auth Asheville and
Carolina Mtn Land Conserv -
Acq/Restor / NPS Mgmt –
Mills River
Acquire 50 acres of buffer, replace streamside
pesticide mixing stations with state-of-art pesticide
handling facilities outside the floodplain, and
revegetate over 7 miles of buffer in Mills River
watershed.
$730,000
1998B-701
Elisha Mitchell Audubon Soc -
Wetland Restor /
Beaverdam Creek
Remove stormwater culvert and construct wetlands
to treat parking lot drainage (12+ acres). Also
restore existing wetlands and ecotones.
$139,700
1999A-005
NC Div Forest Resources -
Dupont Forest Acq /
Little River
Acquire through fee simple purchase 2,223 acres in
the DuPont State Forest along the Little River and its
tributaries.
$24,600,000
1999A-408
Land of Sky COG - Acq /
Planning / Restoration Design /
French Broad
Acquire 53 acre Gordan Tract. Stabilize 1,500 feet
of streambank. Funds to prepare streambank
stabilization designs for additional sites.
$388,025
1999B-502
Hendersonville –
WWTP Upgrade /
Collection Sys Construction
Design and construct expanded 4.8-MGD WWTP.
Provide tie-on to 14 or more permitted WWTPs and
rescind permits. Tie on at least 400 currently
operated septic tanks. Relocate and improve city's
main pump station at Berkeley Rd.
$627,000
2000A-401
Madison County –
Bank Stabilization /
Barnard Park
Harden and stabilize 320 linear feet of eroding
streambank using bio-engineering methods.
Establish or enhance vegetation along 600 feet of the
French Board River.
$50,000
2000A-402
Marshall -
Bank Stabilization /
French Broad River
Stabilize 1,400 feet of riverbank on the downstream
half of Blannahassett Island in the French Broad
River.
$338,598
2000A-604 Henderson County –
Wastewater Collection System
Extend sewer service (3.2 miles) to unsewered areas
of the Mills River watershed by collecting
wastewater from 5 small WWTPs and providing
sewer service to an area with high septic failure rate.
$500,000
2000B-017
Riverlink –
Greenway Feasibility Study /
French Broad River
Conduct planning and preacquisition activities on 10
contiguous tracts along the French Broad River.
Section options and/or appraisal on northern-most
tracts.
$25,000
2000B-018
Southern Appalachian Highlands
Conservancy –
Fall Branch / Roaring Creek Acq
Acquire through fee simple purchase 184 acres along
Fall Branch and Roaring Creek. $333,280
2000B-402
Southwestern NC RC&D –
Stream Rest and Storm /
Lake Junaluska
Restore 11,500 feet of stream (natural channel
design). Construct stormwater demonstration
project, eliminate 5 animal access points to streams,
and monitor sediment in Richland Creek.
$677,555
2000B-411 Univ Botan Gardens at Asheville –
Restoration / Stormwater
Design and construct natural channel design stream
restoration project along 2,300 feet of stream.
Design and construct water detention structure to
filter UNCA campus runoff.
$100,000
Transylvania Co SWCD -
Watershed Assessment /
Little River
Conduct an inventory along 4.9 miles of the Little
River that specifies stream restoration and best
management practice (BMP) needs. Prioritize
stream restoration and BMP opportunities.
$25,0002000B-803
Chapter 16 – Water Quality Initiatives 153

2000M-001 Environmental and Conservation
Organization Minigrant
Provide funds to cover preacquisition costs for 75
acres that border Bat Fork. $19,600
2001B-046
Richard L. Hoffman Foundation –
Acquisition /
White Oak Creek
Acquire through fee simple purchase 197 acres along
the White Oak Creek. Includes greenway,
environmental educational park, and water quality
demonstration components.
$94,000
2001B-405
RiverLink –
Restoration /
Swannanoa River
Restore streambanks along 10,000 linear feet of the
Swannanoa River; establish 29 acres of riparian
buffers using permanent conservation easements;
and monitor water quality.
$1,508,000
2002A-028
Southern Appalachian Highlands
Conservancy –
Acq / Rough Creek
Acquire permanent conservation easement on 870
acres along Rough Creek. CWMTF funds would
purchase easement on 416 riparian acres.
$689,000
2002B-003
Blue Ridge Rural Land Trust –
Acq /
French Broad Tracts
Provide funds to cover transaction costs for donated
conservation easements on two tracts. A total of 290
acres will be put under permanent conservation
easments along the Isaacs Branch and the South Toe
River.
$100,000
2002B-401
Buncombe SWC District –
Restoration /
Newfound Creek
Fund a two-year effort to install best management
practices for agricultural and urban sources of
sediment and fecal coliform bacteria in the
Newfound Creek watershed.
$415,000
2002B-704
UNC Asheville –
Stormwater /
French Broad River
Construct a stormwater wetland on the UNC-
Asheville campus to treat drainage from 81 acres
that flows to the French Broad River. Monitor water
quality results.
$70,000
2003A-039
Southern Appalachians Highlands
Conservancy – Acq /
Flat Creek Watershed
Purchase a permanent conservation easement on
2,463 acres along Flat Creek, Slaty, Little Slaty Big
Piney and Little Piney Branches. Property has over
15 miles of HQW streams and is adjacent to the
Pisgah National Forest.
$3,928,000
2003A-405
Southwestern NC RC&D, Inc. –
Rest /
Pigeon River
Design, permit and prepare easements for natural
channel stream restoration on 3,870 linear feet of
Richlands Creek and the Pigeon River. Includes
design cost of a stormwater wetland.
$207,000
Total Funded $44,679,794
Notes:
(1) The total funded amount excludes funded projects that were subsequently withdrawn by the applicant.
(2) Several regional and statewide projects were funded in areas that include the French Broad River basin. The projects
include various riparian corridor planning projects, a straight pipe and septic system discharge elimination program and a
Watershed Assessment and Restoration Program.

Chapter 16 – Water Quality Initiatives 154