More than $96,000 awarded in clean water projects
RALEIGH -- More than $96,000 in federal grants have been awarded to
implement four new clean water planning projects in North Carolina.
Recipients of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grants are the
Centralina Council of Governments in Charlotte, Land-of-Sky Regional Council in Asheville, Piedmont Triad Council of Governments and Triangle Council of Governments in Greensboro, and Western Piedmont Council of Governments in Hickory.
"Protecting and restoring North Carolinaís water quality is a critical
need for environmental protection," said Gov. Jim Hunt, who announced the grants today. "These grants will help protect and restore our stateís valuable water resources and I applaud the award recipients for their commitment to our environment."
The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources selected the
recipients from proposals submitted by lead regional councils of government across the state. DENR's Division of Water Quality will administer the grants.
The Centralina Council of Governments was awarded $24,000 to develop a
public education project focused on reducing urban non-point source pollution. Workshops will be held to focus on the importance of identifying and reducing non-point pollution. In a collaborative effort with the Catawba Riverkeeper, an educational program will be designed to outline the key issues and resources available to remedy the problems.
The Land-of-Sky Regional Council was awarded $27,222 to develop a
comprehensive watershed restoration and management plan for Mud Creek. A tributary to the French Broad River in Henderson County, the creek is classified as an impaired Class "C" stream. The Mud Creek Watershed Council will seek assistance to develop the most reasonable and cost-effective strategy for addressing water quality in the watershed. Additionally, Land-of-Sky staff and the watershed council will prepare a water quality assessment to identify threats to the health of the watershed.
The Piedmont Triad Council of Governments and Triangle J Council were
jointly awarded $31,119 to fund three objectives. First, a general water quality impact assessment will be performed for adopted and proposed comprehensive land use plans for a portion of the Upper Cape Fear River Basin. Informational materials will be developed for government officials and planners on the relationship between regional water quality and land use activities. Finally, one priority surface water area will be identified to receive assistance with the development of a water quality improvement strategy.
The Western Piedmont Council of Governments was awarded $15,851 to
develop educational documents and brochures which summarize information contained in DWQ basinwide management plans. A summary document and brochure will be developed for the Catawba River basin and two other river basins as identified through a collaborative effort between the DWQ and the council. These publications are directed at increasing public awareness of basinwide planning and management strategies.
For more information about these grant programs, contact Gloria Putnam,
Planning Branch, Division of Water Quality, at (919) 733-5083, extension 567.
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Date Posted: 02/05/99
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