Chapter 20

Chapter 20
Water Quality Initiatives

20.1 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 1-10. DWQ
encourages local agencies and organizations to learn about and become active in their
watersheds.

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 21) are highlighted to share their efforts
towards water quality improvement. Specific projects are described in the subbasin chapters
(Chapters 1–10).

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 20 - Water Quality Initiatives 185
Table 21 - Local Water Quality Initiatives
Roanoke River Basin Association
Office Location: Henderson, North Carolina

A non government organization consisting of private citizens, other non government environmental organizations
and citizens groups that have a specific interest in the ecological, social and economic well being and integrity of
the entire Roanoke River Basin. The mission of RRBA 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. RRBA is
especially concerned about issues relating to the inter-basin transfer of water between watersheds. For more
information, contact:
Harrel B. Johnson
Executive Director
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

http://www.rrba.org/
Current and Continuing Projects:
ƒ Participation in the Virginia Roanoke River Basin Advisory Committee.
ƒ Participation in the USACOE Kerr 216 study.
ƒ Participating in the current American Electric Power relicensing study at Smith Mountain Lake in Va.
ƒ Participating in The Stakeholders Board for the control of nuisance aquatic plants in Lake Gaston.
ƒ Supporter of the Citizens opposed to the Off site landing field in Washington Co. NC

The Nature Conservancy
Office Locations: Arlington, Virginia (Home Office); Durham, North Carolina (NC Chapter Office); Roanoke
Rapids, NC (Roanoke River Project Office)
The Nature Conservancy is a leading international, nonprofit organization dedicated to the following mission: to
preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the
lands and waters they need to survive. Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy works in all 50 United States
and 27 countries, and working with public and private partners, has protected more than 117 million acres of land
and 5,000 miles of river around the world. The Nature Conservancy has about 1 million members and supporters,
including more than 1,500 dedicated volunteers. The Nature Conservancy has 3,200 employees, 720 of whom are
scientists. The Nature Conservancy has had a Lower Roanoke River Conservation Project since 1981.
The Nature Conservancy envisions that the Lower Roanoke River will be managed so that conservation of natural
resources and native ecosystems, recreation, flood control, economic development, and hydropower production are
balanced in ecologically and economically sustainable ways.
For more information on the Roanoke River project of The Nature Conservancy, contact:
Sam Pearsall Phone: [phone] http://nature.org
Roanoke River Project Director
and NC Science Director
Email: [e-mail]
Current and continuing projects on the Roanoke River:

• Comprehensive conservation planning for the entire river valley below Roanoke Rapids Dam.
• Land protection and conservation – working closely with US Fish and Wildlife Service, NC Wildlife
Resources Commission, and many other partners, by late 2005 we have helped to protect about 61,000
acres in the floodplain.
• Participation in the development of the settlement and final license for Dominion Resources at Lake
Gaston and Roanoke Rapids and continuing active participation in the Cooperative Management Team for
adaptive management of river flows.
• Active participation in the USACE Section 216 Study, with the goal of establishing modified flows to
better support downstream ecosystems while stabilizing lake levels upstream.
• Support for the development of the Roanoke River paddle trail and other support for the development of
ecotourism in the project area.
186 Chapter 20 - Water Quality Initiatives

Piedmont Land Conservancy
Office Location: Greensboro, North Carolina

Piedmont Land Conservancy is a non-profit, grassroots land trust in nine North Carolina Counties: Alamance,
Caswell, Forsyth, Guilford, Randolph, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, and Yadkin. Their mission is to protect natural
and scenic lands, farms, and open space in piedmont North Carolina to enrich the quality of life for our
communities and for future generations. PLC serves as the only local land trust serving the Piedmont Triad region
of North Carolina. PLC has protected more than 11,000 acres of land including farmland, parks, forestland,
wetlands, rivers, gardens, greenways, and historical areas that provide multiple benefits such as wildlife habitat,
water quality protection, recreational areas, and outdoor education to the current generation as well as future
generations.

For more information contact:

Charles Brummitt Phone: [phone]
Executive Directior email: [e-mail]
http:// www.piedmontland.org

Dan River Basin Association (DRBA)
Office Location: Madison, North Carolina and Martinsville, Virginia

A nonprofit association dedicated to maintaining and improving the water quality of the Dan River and its
watershed in both North Carolina and Virginia. DRBA focuses on river access, citizen watershed awareness and
river recreation. DRBA conducts a variety of voluntary initiatives including educational programs, riparian
greenways, river history, StreamWatch monitoring, river clean-up work sessions, and guided outings. DRBA is
funded by contributions from members, grants and donations. DRBA is guided by a Board of directors with
representatives from across the watershed, local agencies as well as many volunteers from a variety of backgrounds
and expertise. DRBA and its partner organizations have collaborated on several successful grant applications,
providing funding for programs, a museum exhibit, a working recreation of an 18th century river bateau and for
watershed projects in the fifteen counties of the Dan River Basin. DRBA has just received a major grant to hire a
Program Director for activities in Virginia. We hope to be hiring staff to work on the North Carolina portion of the
watershed soon. For more information, contact:

Ken Bridle
DRBA Stewardship Chair
Office Phone: [phone]
Cell Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
www.danriver.org

Current and Continuing Projects:
ƒ Our core belief is that citizens will protect the water resources what they understand and value. To foster
this understanding we organize an outing on or around the river the first Saturday of each month. These
activities are free and available to all interested.
ƒ Educational activities related to watershed awareness and water quality. We regularly have a display and
information at several local festivals and participated in the establishment of a River Festival in Eden, NC.
ƒ We publish a monthly newsletter and distribute newspaper inserts and press releases related to the Dan
River watershed and water quality issues throughout the watershed.
ƒ We are actively working to integrate the parts of the watershed that occur across state lines. This boundary
is an important regulatory, administrative and psychological barrier that divides the basin.
ƒ We work with partner organizations to conserve riparian land, develop river walks, a historical river
exhibit and canoe access sites.
ƒ We were instrumental in the establishment of the new Mayo River State Park and conducted the land use
study that guides the acquisition of land for this new park.
ƒ DRBA is the designated StreamWatch coordinator for the basin and is actively recruiting and training
StreamWatch volunteers to monitor their local waters.

Chapter 20 - Water Quality Initiatives 187
20.2 Federal Initiatives

20.2.1 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 on impaired waters. 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. 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 is one current project in the Roanoke River basin that has been funded through the Section
319 Program between 1999 and 2004. The project, ‘Watershed Quality Improvement and
Restoration Demonstration’, is located in Warren County. This project was funded in fiscal year
1999 to the NC Division of Soil and Water Conservation for funding BMPs that will reduce
sediment delivery to impaired waters. The BMPs are also designed to improve stream bank
stability and prevent the off-site movement of pesticides, phosphorus, nitrogen, and fecal
coliform.

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

20.2.2 National Estuary Program

Congress established the National Estuary Program and the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds as an
“Estuary of National Significance” in 1987. Section 320 of the Clean Water Act directs EPA to
develop plans for attaining or maintaining water quality in the estuaries of national importance.
This includes protection of public water supplies and the protection and propagation of a
balanced, indigenous population of shellfish, fish, and wildlife, and allows recreational activities,
in and on water, requires that control of point and nonpoint sources of pollution to supplement
existing controls of pollution.

Today, Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Program (APNEP) is implementing a
Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) that was developed by numerous
stakeholders to meet the goals of Section 320. The CCMP was ratified by the NC Governor and
accepted by the US EPA in 1994. Additional information is available online at
http://www.apnep.org

20.2.3 National Wildlife Refuge System

The Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) is one of more than 540 National
Wildlife Refuges found in the United States and its territories. The Refuge was established
August 10, 1989 to protect and enhance wooded wetlands consisting of bottomland hardwoods
and swamps with high waterfowl value along the Roanoke River. Administered by the U.S. Fish
188 Chapter 20 - Water Quality Initiatives

and Wildlife Service, management emphasis is placed on federal trust species such as migratory
birds, migratory fish and federally listed endangered and threatened species and their habitats.
Presently, the Refuge consists of 20,978 acres. Refuge lands are located in Bertie County and
begin in the vicinity of Hamilton, NC and extend to the mouth of the river in five separate tracts
of land.

The Refuge staff has been involved with projects and activities designed to protect, conserve and
restore the integrity of the plant, fish and wildlife communities found within the coastal plain
reach of the Roanoke River Basin. Some of the studies and monitoring activities being carried
out on refuge lands include: annual avian point surveys, monitoring wood duck productivity via
wood duck boxes, wood duck banding, water quality monitoring, forest regeneration studies,
forest health studies, Swainson’s warbler productivity study and when warranted anadromous
fish surveys.

A fifteen year Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement has been
completed for the Refuge and can be found online at:
http://www.fws.gov/southeast/planning/FinalDocs.htm. The plan outlines management
programs and activities for the Refuge for the next fifteen years.

20.3 State Initiatives

20.3.1 Coastal Habitat Protection Plan

Recognizing the need to both protect habitat and prevent over fishing, the North Carolina
General Assembly passed the Fisheries Reform Act in 1997. The law contains the directive to
protect and enhance habitats supporting coastal fisheries. The law requires cooperation among
three rule-making commissions: Environmental Management Commission (EMC), Coastal
Resources Commission (CRC), and Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC). Because the
commissions must work together to develop, adopt, and implement plans to protect and restore
fisheries habitats, the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan (CHPP) was developed by the Division of
Marine Fisheries and adopted in early 2005. The Coastal Habitat Protection Plan was developed
to:
1. document the ecological role and function of aquatic habitats for coastal fisheries;
2. provide status and trends information on the quality and quantity of coastal fish habitat.
3. describe and document threats to coastal fish habitat, including threats from both human
activities and natural events;
4. describe the current rules concerning each habitat;
5. identify management needs; and
6. develop options for management action using the above information.

For more information regarding the CHPPs document visit:
http://www.ncfisheries.net/habitat/index.html

20.3.2 North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program

The North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program (NCEEP) is a nonregulatory program
responsible for implementing wetland and stream restoration projects as part of a statewide effort
Chapter 20 - Water Quality Initiatives 189
to provide more ecologically effective compensatory mitigation. The focus of the program is to
restore, enhance and protect key watershed functions in the 17 river basins across the state
through the implementation of wetlands, streams and riparian buffer projects within selected
local watersheds in advance of permitted impacts. These vital watershed functions include water
quality protection, floodwater conveyance & storage, fisheries & wildlife habitat, and
recreational opportunities. The NCEEP is not a grant program. Instead, the program funds local
mitigation projects directly through its various in-lieu fee receipts.

Through the development of River Basin Restoration Priorities (formerly called Watershed
Restoration Plans), the NCEEP identifies local watersheds (14-digit Hydrologic Units) with the
greatest need & opportunity for watershed mitigation projects. The RBRPs are developed, in
part, using information compiled in DWQ's Basinwide Water Quality Plans and Basinwide
Assessment Reports. Additional local resource data and locations of existing or planned
watershed projects are considered in the selection of "Targeted Local Watersheds", which are
identified and mapped within the RBRPs. Targeted Local Watersheds represent those areas
within a given river basin where NCEEP resources can be most efficiently focused for maximum
benefit to local watershed functions. The NCEEP River Basin Restoration Priorities are
periodically updated and presented on the NCEEP website: http://www.nceep.net.

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,
hydrologic and habitat benefits of the project.

The NCEEP is also working to develop comprehensive Local Watershed Plans, often within
Targeted Local Watersheds identified in the River Basin Restoration Priorities. Through the
Local Watershed Planning process, EEP conducts comprehensive watershed assessments to
identify causes and sources of major functional problems in local watersheds, and then
coordinates with local resource professionals and local governments to identify & implement
watershed projects and management strategies designed to address these problems. NCEEP
Local Watershed Plans identify and prioritize wetland areas, stream reaches, riparian buffer areas
and best management practices that will provide water quality improvement, habitat protection
and other environmental benefits to the local watershed. There are currently no active local
watershed planning efforts in the Roanoke River basin.

EEP has also acquired several preservation tracts and is in the process implementing four
restoration projects in the Roanoke basin. A substantial amount of wetland and stream
preservation was obtained through EEP’s High Quality Preservation initiative that took place
during the program’s transition period.

For more information about the NCEEP and its Watershed Restoration Plans, visit the NCEEP
website at http://www.nceep.net/.

190 Chapter 20 - Water Quality Initiatives

20.3.3 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 Roanoke River basin, 22 projects have been funded for a
total of $13,553,100 (Table 22) for 1997A-2005A. For more information on the CWMTF or
these grants, call [phone] or visit the website at www.cwmtf.net.

Table 22 - Projects in the Roanoke River Basin Funded by the Clean Water Management Trust
Fund (as of August 2005)
Project
Number Application Name Proposed Project Description Amount
Funded CWMTF Region Subbasin
1997B-515
Stovall- Wastewater
Collection System
and Land Application
Construct wastewater collection &
treatment system, will consist of
pressure sewer collection system
with spray irrigation treatment
plant. $800,000
Eastern
Piedmont/Central
Coastal Plain 03-02-06
1998A-501
Stoneville- WWTP
Elimination and
Regionalization/May
o River
Install pumping station to reroute
wastewater from Town of
Stoneville's WWTP to Town of
Mayodan's facility. Decommission
Stoneville WWTP. $643,000 Western Piedmont 03-02-02
1998B-009
Piedmont Land
Conservancy- Acq/
Dan River Bends
Acquire through fee simple 393 ac
along Dan River; includes
additional permanent easements
along 1.8 miles of the Dan River. $642,000 Western Piedmont 03-02-01
1998B-704
Plymouth-
Constructed
Wetlands/ Roanoke
River
Construct 2 stormwater wetlands
to treat runoff from 57 ac of
heavily developed land. Develop
urban greenway and berm/buffer
system along 1200 ft on the Water
Front Alley which would vary
from 50 to 100 ft. Berm to route
runoff to wetlands. $835,000
Eastern
Piedmont/Central
Coastal Plain 03-02-09
2000A-011
NC Wildlife
Resources
Commission -
Pollocks Ferry Acq/
Roanoke R
Acquire through fee simple 2,588
ac along the Roanoke River and
Conocannara Swamp; acquire
1136 acres of riparian buffers. $1,650,000
Eastern
Piedmont/Central
Coastal Plain 03-02-08
2000B-016
Piedmont Land
Conservancy- Dan
River Acq
Acquire 18.8 ac tract under
conservation easement and
reforest. $75,100 Western Piedmont 03-02-01
2000B-409
Roanoke Rs-
Restoration Design &
Restoration/Roanoke
River Tributary
Design/construct natural channel
stream restoration project along
1,400 feet of Lions Watch Ck. $617,000
Eastern
Piedmont/Central
Coastal Plain 03-02-08
Chapter 20 - Water Quality Initiatives 191
2000B-601
Askewville- Sewage
Collection System
Construction
Design/construct sewer collection
system for 120 units (failing septic
systems of straight pipes).
Convey collected wastewater to
Windsor's permitted WWTP. $705,000
Eastern
Piedmont/Central
Coastal Plain 03-02-10
2000M-002
Piedmont Land
Conservancy- Moretz
Acq Minigrant
Minigrant for preacquisition costs
for 18.8 acres. $25,000 Western Piedmont 03-02-01
2001A-512
Roxboro- Infiltration
and Inflow & Sewer
Line Upgrade
Replace 6,700 LF of gravity sewer
to eliminate infiltration/ inflow
along Marlowe Creek and
develop/adopt ordinance(s) to
nonpoint source pollution, and
buffer protection. $708,000
Eastern
Piedmont/Central
Coastal Plain 03-02-05
2001B-037
NC Wildlife
Resources
Commission -
Acquisition/ Johnson
Tract/ Caswell
Gamelands/ South
Country Line Creek
Acquire through fee simple 71
acres along South Country Creek. $57,000
Eastern
Piedmont/Central
Coastal Plain 03-02-04
2001B-703
Gaston - Stormwater
Design/ Lee Creek
Provide funds to design settling
ponds and covered drain culverts
to reduce erosion and stormwater
runoff into Lee Creek. $20,000
Eastern
Piedmont/Central
Coastal Plain 03-02-08
2002A-801
Concerned Citizens
of Tillery -
Landowner Outreach/
Roanoke R.
Conduct a planning project to
identify appropriate lands for
protection along Conconnara
Swamp. $42,000
Eastern
Piedmont/Central
Coastal Plain 03-02-08
2002B-803
Piedmont Land
Conservancy-
Planning/Upper Dan
R.
Establish sediment monitoring
stations on 30 sites in portions of
the Dan River drainage; protect
285 riparian areas along tribs
through donated easements.
Develop a watershed plan. $160,000 Western Piedmont 03-02-01
2003A-604
NCSU - Septic
Tanks/ Sertoma 4-H
Center, Vade Mecum
Creek
Design, permit and construct on-
site wastewater treatment and
disposal system to replace failing
system. Includes donated
easement on 142 riparian acres. $232,000 Western Piedmont 03-02-01
2003M-003
Piedmont Land
Conservancy-
Minigrant - Len's
Knob
Minigrant to pay for transactional
costs for fee simple of 2240 acres
in Surry County on the Upper
Mitchell River. $25,000 Western Piedmont 03-02-01
2004B-042
NC Widlife
Resources
Commission-Acq/
Cashie River Tracts
Protect through fee simple 1,475
floodplain acres along the Cashie
River. $440,000
Eastern
Piedmont/Central
Coastal Plain 03-02-10
192 Chapter 20 - Water Quality Initiatives

Table 22 continued
2004B-044 NC Wildlife
Resources
Commission-Acq/
Hodges/Barker Tract,
Country Line Creek
Protect through fee simple 255
acres along Country Line Creek.
CWMTF funds to purchase the
riparian 95 acres. $193,000
Eastern
Piedmont/Central
Coastal Plain 03-02-04
2004B-507
Halifax, Town of -
WW/
Regionalization,
Collection
Rehabilitation,
Quankey Creek
Decommission Town's WWTP and
eliminate 50,000 gpd discharge to
Quankey Creek. Waste routed to
Town of Weldon's WWTP.
Project includes replacement or
repair of 18,609 LF of collection
lines and rehabilitation of a pump
station. $2,297,000
Eastern
Piedmont/Central
Coastal Plain 03-02-08
2004B-512
Littleton, Town of -
WW/ Collection
System and Pump
Station
Rehabilitation, Little
Stonehouse Creek
Rehabilitate Littleton's existing
wastewater collection system
(34,000 LF), replace 1,500 LF,
repair 118 manholes, and construct
2 new pump stations. Will reduce
contamination of Little Stone
House Creek, Lake Gaston,
Butterwood Br and Little Fishing
Ck. $2,738,000
Eastern
Piedmont/Central
Coastal Plain 03-02-07
2005A-004
Fishing Creek SWC
District - Acq/ Iles
Farm, Roanoke
Rapids Lake
Protect through working forest
easement a 183-acre dairy farm on
tributaries to Roanoke Rapids
Lake. CWMTF funds to purchase
easement on 71 riparian acres. The
USDA Farmland and Ranchland
Preservation Program to provide
matching funds. $208,000
Eastern
Piedmont/Central
Coastal Plain 03-02-07
2005A-027
Piedmont Land
Conservancy - Acq/
Berry Tract, Hyco
Lake
Protect 321 acres, including 168
riparian acres, along Hyco Lake
and tributaries through purchase of
a conservation easement. $441,000
Eastern
Piedmont/Central
Coastal Plain 03-02-05
Notes:
(1) The total funded amount excludes funded projects that were subsequently withdrawn by the applicant.
(2) Two regional and statewide projects were funded in areas that include the Roanoke Basin. These projects include riparian
corridor planning and implementation activities and a freshwater mussel relocation program..

20.3.4 NC Construction Grants and Loans Programs

The NC Construction Grants and Loans Section provides grants and loans to local government
agencies for the construction, upgrades and expansion of wastewater collection and treatment
systems. As a financial resource, the section administers five major programs that assist local
governments. Of these, two are federally funded programs administered by the state, the Clean
Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) Program and the State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG).
The STAG is a direct congressional appropriations for a specific “special needs” project within
NC. The High Unit Cost Grant (SRG) Program, the State Emergency Loan (SEL) Program and
the State Revolving Loan (SRL) Program are state funded programs, with the later two being
below market revolving loan money. In the Roanoke River basin, 9 applicants received a total of
$29,478,672 in grants and loans from these programs (Table 23).

Chapter 20 - Water Quality Initiatives 193
As a technical resource, the Construction Grants and Loan Section, in conjunction with the
Environmental Protection Agency, has initiated the Municipal Compliance Initiative 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 (919)-715-6212 or
email [e-mail].

Table 23 - NC Construction Grants and Loans Programs disseminated within the Roanoke River
Basin
Program Applicant Project # Offer
Date Project Description Loan/Grant
Offered ($)
SRF1 Henderson CS370410-04 6/19/92 WWTP improvements, including phosphorus
removal 2,500,000
SRF1 Williamston CS370435-04 8/5/99 Upgrade and expansion to 2.4 MGD 7,000,000
SRF1 Mayodan CS370466-04 11/19/02 Mayodan expansion 3.0 to 4.5 MGD,
Regional facility for Madison and Stoneville 5,500,000
SRF1 Plymouth CS370500-04 5/6/98 WWTP upgrades 1,968,500
SRF1 Rockingham
County CS370793-01 10/20/98 Construction of gravity sewer, force mains
and pumping stations 4,302,532
SRF1 Stokes County CS370813-01 8/3/94 New package WWTP and collection system 1,200,000

STAG 2 Henderson XP-97440302 5/18/04 Sewer extension to the Mills River area 2,884,700

SEL3 Roxboro E-SEL-T-00-0033 5/23/01 Sewer rehabilitation 400,000

SRL4 Rich Square E-SRL-T-95-0030 1/18/96 WWTP improvements 500,000

SRG5 Granville
County E-SRG-T-00-0103 3/6/02 New Sewer to Stovall 223,000
SRG5 Rich Square E-SRG-T-02-0126 4/14/04 Sewer rehabilitation and spray irrigation
system 2,999,940
1 - SRF – Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) Program
2 - STAG – State and Tribal Assistance Grants
3 - SEL – State Emergency Loan Program
4 - SRL – State Revolving Loan Program
5 - SRG – High Unit Cost Grant Program

20.3.5 Clean Water Bonds – NC Rural Center

Outdated wastewater collection systems, some more than 70 years old, allow millions of gallons
of untreated or partially treated wastewater to spill into the state’s rivers and streams. The NC
Rural Economic Development Center, Inc. (Rural Center) has taken the lead role in designing
public policy initiatives to assist rural communities in developing and expanding local water and
sewer infrastructure. The Rural Center is a private, nonprofit organization. The Rural Center’s
mission is to develop sound, economic strategies that improve the quality of life in North
Carolina, while focusing on people with low to moderate incomes and communities with limited
resources.

194 Chapter 20 - Water Quality Initiatives

To support local economic development and ensure a reliable supply of clean water, the Rural
Center administers three Water and Sewer Grant Programs to help rural communities develop
water and sewer systems. The Supplemental Grants Program allows local governments and
qualified nonprofit corporations to improve local water and sewer systems by addressing critical
needs for public health, environmental protection and/or economic development. The maximum
grant amount is $400,000 and must be used to match other project funds. The Capacity Building
Grants Program provides funding for local governments to undertake planning efforts to support
strategic investment in water and sewer facilities. Projects typically include preliminary
engineering reports, master water/sewer plans, capital improvement plans, feasibility studies, and
rate studies. The maximum grant amount is $400,000. The Unsewered Communities Grants
Program funds the planning and construction of new central, publicly owned sewer systems.
This grant is designed to cover 90 percent of the total cost of a project, not to exceed $3 million.
Qualifying communities for this program must not be served by an existing wastewater
collection or treatment system. For each grant program, priority is given to projects from
economically distressed counties of the state as determined by the NC Department of Commerce
(www.nccommerce.com).

The water and sewer grants listed above are made possible through appropriations from the NC
General Assembly and through proceeds from the Clean Water Bonds. In 1998, North Carolina
voters approved an $800 million clean water bond referendum that provided $330 million to state
grants to help local governments repair and improve water supply systems and wastewater
collection and treatment. The grants also address water conservation and water reuse projects.
Another $300 million was made available as clean water loans.

Since the program’s beginning, the Rural Center has awarded nearly 500 communities and
counties more than $64 million to plan, install, expand, and improve their water and sewer
systems. As a result, these communities have served new residential and business customers,
created and preserved thousands of jobs, and leveraged millions of dollars in other water and
sewer funds. Table 24 lists the grants that were awarded in the Roanoke River Basin between
1999 and 2005. For more information on the Water and Sewer Grants administered by the Rural
Center visit www.ncruralcenter.org/grants/water.htm.

20.3.6 Virginia Roanoke River Basin Advisory Committee (VRRBAC) and the Roanoke
River Basin Bi-State Commission

The Virginia Roanoke River Basin Advisory Committee (VRRBAC) was established in the
executive branch of state government as an advisory committee to the Virginia delegation to the
Roanoke River Basin Bi-State Commission. The Roanoke River Basin Bi-State Commission
was established and composed of members from the Commonwealth of Virginia and the State of
North Carolina. The purpose of the Commission in short is to safeguard the Roanoke River
Basin’s natural resources for the citizens of the Roanoke River Basin. This duty includes
providing guidance, making recommendations, identifying problems, disseminating information,
and promoting communication, coordination, and education among stakeholders. NC has passed
similar legislation. The advisory committees of both States assist the Roanoke River Basin Bi-
State Commission fulfilling its responsibility.

Chapter 20 - Water Quality Initiatives 195
Table 24 - Clean Water Bonds Awarded in the Roanoke River Basin

County Recipient Grant
Amount
Grant
Type
Year
Awarded
Halifax Roanoke Rapids Sanitary Dis. $40,000 Capacity August 2004
Rockingham City of Eden $40,000 Capacity February 2004
Bertie Town of Kelford $31,000 Capacity August 2002
Halifax Town of Halifax $40,000 Capacity August 2002
Rockingham City of Eden $40,000 Capacity August 2002
Martin Town of Williamston $40,000 Capacity March 2002
Rockingham City of Eden $40,000 Capacity March 2002
Bertie Town of Windsor $40,000 Capacity August 2001
Caswell Town of Yanceyville $21,000 Capacity August 2001
Rockingham Town of Stoneville $40,000 Capacity August 2001
Washington Town of Plymouth $40,000 Capacity February 2001
Bertie Town of Askewville $36,400 Capacity December 1999
Rockingham Town of Mayodan $20,000 Capacity December 1999
Bertie Town of Windsor $400,000 Supplemental February 2004
Halifax Town of Weldon $400,000 Supplemental February 2004
Granville Town of Stovall $400,000 Supplemental June 2003
Martin Town of Jamesville $200,000 Supplemental August 2001
Rockingham Town of Madison $400,000 Supplemental August 2001
Washington Town of Plymouth $400,000 Supplemental February 2001
Martin Hamilton $198,560 Supplemental August 2000
Halifax Roanoke Rapids $150,000 Supplemental April 2000
Caswell Yanceyville $200,000 Supplemental February 2000
Rockingham Mayodan $200,000 Supplemental February 2000
Bertie Town of Windsor $185,396 Supplemental December 1999
Halifax Town of Halifax $64,135 Supplemental December 1999
Bertie Askewville $2,739,500 Unsewered August 2000
Caswell Milton $1,307,000 Unsewered August 2000

A goal of VRRBAC is to open channels of communication. The Committee meets throughout
the Roanoke basin in an effort to be available to all basin constituents. It is important that
dialogue take place, which is representative of all areas of the basin. There must be rural and
urban cooperation on water issues. Speakers representing various groups, State Agencies, Local
Governments, different geographic areas, and interests have addressed VRRBAC. Localities and
State entities have provided meeting facilities for the meetings. Such participation demonstrates
that VRRBAC has strong partnerships in the region, which helps in carrying out the work of the
Committee. Broad public support of policy and regional consensus is the best way to bring
about positive change associated with environmental and related health issues. Better efficiency
of protection efforts will result as all partners, public, private, federal, state, and local officials,
can share and leverage resources. Such coordination and consensus building in the entire basin
196 Chapter 20 - Water Quality Initiatives

on watershed management issues is essential to sound watershed decision making and
management. Sub-committees have been given direction to promote such an effort using broad-
based input consolidated from as many interested parties as possible.

The sub-committees formed are Agriculture and Forestry, Lake Interests, Municipal Interests and
Permit Holders, River Interests, and Water. The sub-committees are to prepare position papers
on important issues and bring them back to the full Committee for adoption. An effort is being
made to bring the most knowledgeable people possible to the table, where the work must take
place. The objective is to obtain membership that will represent stakeholders throughout the
basin and maintain a geographical and urban/rural balance.

Since the inaugural meeting of VRRBAC certain characteristics and issues of the basin have
become evident. The importance of natural resources to the economic vitality of the Basin is
apparent. People reside in and come to the Roanoke River Basin area to pursue various interests
including vacation, lifestyle, esthetics, boating, fishing, etc. These activities and personal values
help drive the economic engine of the local and regional area. In addition, agriculture is vital to
the region’s lifestyle and economy. Clean water and ample flow and supply are recognized as
essential to existing beneficial uses and future economic development. There are
interrelationships within the basin involving flow, as events in one section of the basin can
impact other parts. Environmental, ecosystem, human health, power generation, aquatic life, and
economic needs of the basin must be balanced. The generally good water quality of the Roanoke
basin is valued and must be preserved. Issues and topics which are crucial to the well-being of
the basin people include 1.) inter-basin transfer of water, 2.) water withdrawals, 3.) regulation of
flow and storage, 4.) invasive species, 5.) recreation and fishing, 6.) water quality and 7.) lake
vitality.

VRRBAC has adopted several positions regarding the Basin’s natural resources. It supports the
implementation of BMPs and other strategies such as Low Impact Development (LID) and
Nutrient Management Plans to correct pollution problems. VRRBAC favored the development
of a Virginia State-wide Water Policy, but only one that mandated local stakeholder input and
was against the inter-basin transfer of water that is detrimental to the people of the basin.
VRRBAC is opposed to any new water withdrawal until such time that the real and potential
needs for the foreseeable future are determined. For more information please see the VRRBAC
website. http://www.deq.virginia.gov/vrrbac/
Chapter 20 - Water Quality Initiatives 197