Soil & Water Impaired and Impacted Streams Initiative
The Impaired and Impacted Streams Initiative is the new version of the Agricultural Sediment Initiative and was adopted by the North Carolina Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts in 2006.
The Impaired and Impacted Streams Initiative aims to assess streams that are impaired or impacted by any form of nonpoint source pollution. The Initiative also strives to assist Soil and Water Conservation Districts (districts) in evaluating the watershed of the impaired or impacted stream segment and to identify the status of ongoing conservation as well as the need for additional Best Management Practices (BMPs).
In December 2006, each district will receive an Impaired and Impacted Survey form to fill out and submit to the Division, on a voluntary basis. Where the surveys reveal the need for additional funding for landowner outreach and implementation of BMPs, the Division will work with the district to obtain funding through the EPA Section 319 grant program, the Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF), the Ecosystem Enhancement Program and other sources.
The Soil and Water Conservation Commission (SWCC) held back an Impaired and Impacted Stream Initiative cost share earmark and by completing this survey, a district would be eligible to request a portion of this supplemental fund. The cost share earmark allocations will be presented to the SWCC at the March 2007 Commission meeting.