Piedmont_CaseStudy

Regional Water Resources Planning
Regional Water Resources Planning helps identify and
implement water management solutions that achieve social,
environmental, and economic objectives and reduce regional
conflict. This approach delivers high value for investment by
working across jurisdictional boundaries to broaden
stakeholder input and utilize all available resources. The
region may be defined by a number of factors, including
watershed boundaries, climate, land use, or socioeconomic
conditions, depending on the water resources concern at
hand. In North Carolina, regional initiatives to address water
quality concerns have included (1) an integrated water
resources plan to address nutrient pollution in the Jordan
Lake watershed (2) a community education initiative about
water quality issues in the Roanoke River watershed and (3) a
GIS-based watershed assessment for the Upper Cape Fear
River Basin to reduce water pollution.
Regional Water Resources Planning
Case Study: Piedmont Climate Resiliency

NC
205(j)
Grant
Climate Resiliency Tool Kit Overview
In 2016, the Piedmont Triad Regional Council
(PTRC) received an EPA Clean Water Act Section
205(j) Grant to develop the Piedmont Triad
Climate Resiliency Tool Kit. Building off of the 2014 Piedmont Together Climate
Adaptability Report, PTRC worked to engage stakeholders in long-term water
resource management planning to address the impacts of climate change in the
region. The 100-page report summarizes existing climate data, discusses the likely
local and regional impacts, and provides resources and recommendations to assist
local communities in addressing these challenges. The tool kit specifically
addresses climate change impacts on agriculture, stormwater, water supply,
flooding, and drought in member governments’ jurisdictions. It further
recommends strategies that communities can employ to
better navigate these changes, highlighting collaboration
opportunities among stakeholder groups.

River Basins: Roanoke,
Cape Fear, Yadkin-Pee Dee
205(j) Funding: $20,000
Total Project Cost: $30,864
Diversifying Stakeholder Input
To gain diverse stakeholder perspective,
the PTRC conducted a survey and held a
Climate Summit. The Regional Climate
Resiliency survey polled 59 people
representing 12 different stakeholder
perspectives to evaluate how prepared
the Triad is to handle climate change
(see chart). The two-day Piedmont Triad
Climate Summit in May, 2018 provided
an interactive workshop for diverse
stakeholders to discuss the region’s
preparedness for climate change.
Topics included agriculture and natural
resources, stormwater and flooding,
water supply, wastewater, and drought.
The SOAR planning tool was used to
identify Strengths, Opportunities,
Aspirations, and Results within the
topics discussed. With both the summit
and survey, the PRTC was able to
produce an in-depth Climate Resiliency
Tool Kit supported by the various voices
of the Piedmont Triad.
205(j) Grant Administrator: Kelsey Rowland
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]

Concerned Citizen
12%
Environmental
Educator
2%
Farmer
5%
A diverse group of stakeholders participated in the Regional
Climate Resiliency survey. Image from the Climate Summit.
Read the Report
Here!
Public Works/
Water Resources
Professional
15%
Similar Regional Planning Projects:
• Jordan Lake One Water Planning (2019)
205(j) funds: $65,300 | Total cost: $68,700
• Roanoke River Mid & Lower Basin-wide
Watershed Initiative: “Partnership &
Knowledge into Action” (2015)
205(j) funds: $8,490 | Total cost: $11,890
• Upper Cape Fear River Basin Restoration and
Conservation Analysis and Strategy to
Improve Water Quality (2011)
205(j) funds: $40,316 | Total cost: $54,906
General 205(j) Grant Requirements:
• Water quality management planning projects
• Council of Government sponsor/partner
• No more than 18 months
• No match requirement
Learn more about the 205(j) grant on the North Carolina
Department of Environmental Quality website.