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HomeMy WebLinkAboutChapter 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: (252) 257-3050 Email: hjohnson@rrba.org 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: (919) 403-8558 http://nature.org Roanoke River Project Director and NC Science Director Email: sampearsall@tnc.org 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: (336) 691-0088 Executive Directior email: info@piedmontland.org 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: (336) 591-5882 Cell Phone: (336) 207-5348 Email: bridle@mindspring.com 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 (252) 830-3222 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 $29,478,672 in grants and loans from these programs (Table 23). Chapter 20 - Water Quality Initiatives 193 As a technical resource, the Construction Grants and Loan Section, in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency, has initiated the Municipal Compliance Initiative Program. It is a free technical assistance program to identify wastewater treatment facilities that are declining but not yet out of compliance. A team of engineers, operations experts and managers from the section work with local officials to analyze the facility’s design and operation. For more information, visit the website at http://www.nccgl.net/. You may also call (919)-715-6212 or email Bobby.Blowe@ncmail.net. Table 23 - NC Construction Grants and Loans Programs disseminated within the Roanoke River Basin Program Applicant Project # Offer Date Project Description Loan/Grant Offered ($) 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