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IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS
WORKING LANDS
Building New Partnerships - A work group is being formed to explore how state and county staff with the state divisions of Forest Resources and Soil and Water Conservation can work more closely with one another. With staff and board members in all 100 counties, a cooperative network can effectively provide technical assistance, cost share and planning support to improve environmental quality and preserve working land. The N.C. Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts is taking the lead, and Jeff Harris, Martin Soil and Water Conservation District supervisor, is organizing the work group.
Voluntary Agriculture Districts - The statewide count on Voluntary Agriculture Districts (VAD) ordinances has risen to 54. North Carolina’s VAD Strategy Group is comprised of N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, American Farmland Trust, Farm Bureau, N.C. State University and Office of Conservation and Community Affairs. This work group gauges and encourages county adoption of enhanced and voluntary agriculture district ordinances, as well as county agriculture protection plans.
County Agriculture Protection Plan - Durham County is once again taking on the role of being a working lands pioneer. The county is starting to develop a county agriculture protection plan (CAP), as authorized by N.C. General Statute 106-744. Having a CAP in place will mean that agriculture and forestlands will have a plan similar to the ones for land use and flooding. In addition, a CAP will enable the county more leverage as it attempts to qualify for state farmland preservation funds. Five other counties in the state are also working on adopting a CAP.
Expansion of Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) - Pending approval by U.S. Department of Agriculture, North Carolina is anticipating the expansion of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Programinto additional river basins, hopefully in early 2008. CREP is currently being implemented in the Neuse, Tar-Pamlico, and Chowan River basins and the Jordan Lake Watershed. The 2007 state budget provided $275,000 to expand the CREP into the Roanoke and Pasquotank river basins. The Division of Soil and Water Conservation has submitted a proposal to USDA requesting to expand CREP into six additional river basins, the Cape Fear, Lumber, Roanoke, Pasquotank, White Oak and the Yadkin-PeeDee, which would be phased in over several years.
CREP is a state initiative established as part of the highly successful Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. CREP expands CRP’s effectiveness by allowing USDA to work in partnership with state and local interests to meet specific conservation objectives. CREP utilizes Federal and State resources to achieve long-term voluntary protection of environmentally sensitive cropland and marginal pastureland. These voluntary protection measures are accomplished through 10-, 15-, or 30-year permanent agreements with landowners to plant grassed filter strips, forested riparian buffers, hardwood trees and restore wetlands. For more information, e-mail Natalie.Jones@ncmail.net.
Nation’s First Soil and Water Conservation District Celebrates 70 Years - The N.C. Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts held a week-long celebration to recognize the 70th Anniversary of the Brown Creek Soil and Water Conservation District. The district, located in Anson County, N.C., was the first conservation district in the nation. Fifty conservation leaders from across the state, including NACD Southeast Region Representative Phylis Vandevere, participated in a four-day bus tour showcasing community conservation projects and environmental and resource challenges and successes.
The weeklong event concluded with a birthday celebration at the Hugh Hammond Bennett home site. National Association of Conservation Districts President Olin Sims was the keynote speaker at the event, addressing a crowd of more than 1,000 people. Sims’ remarks celebrated the progress of districts during the past 70 years and outlined his vision for the future of conservation. NACD CEO Krysta Harden was on hand for the birthday celebration, as well as Natural Resources Conservation Service Regional Assistant Chief-East Richard Coombes, N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary William G. Ross, N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Steve Troxler, N.C. Division of Soil and Water Conservation Director Manly Wilder and N.C. NRCS State Conservationist Mary Combs.
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WORKING ON THE WATER
Coastal Habitat Protection Plan Implementation for the Next 2 Years - The implementation of North Carolina’s Coastal Habitat Protection Plan (CHPP) continues to be a significant part of the decision-making process of DENR divisions and regulatory commissions. This summer, members of the Marine Fisheries Commission, the Environmental Management Commission and the Coastal Resources Commission endorsed their respective divisions’ plans for the next two years of CHPP implementation actions. The actions are ambitious and progressive and will be significant as we work together to conserve, protect and restore those habitats critical to our fisheries and the other living organisms that use them.
Included in the action items adopted by the Coastal Resources Commission are:
- Activities within their Clean Marina Program and Clean Vessel Act, which will emphasize threats to fish habitats and the benefits of using best management practices in marina facilities.
- Collaboration with the Division of Water Resources to develop a comprehensive Beach and Inlet Management Plan.
- Review of the general permit for shoreline stabilization.
- Revision of Division of Coastal Management’s dock and pier rules.
Action items endorsed by the Environmental Management Commission include:
- Seeking funding for additional Division of Water Quality compliance positions.
- Conducting outreach/education on the Neuse/Tar-Pam buffer rules.
- Studying the feasibility of a Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Restoration Program.
- Evaluating the impact of deep ocean stormwater outfalls.
- Revising the Coastal Stormwater Rules in the 20 coastal counties of North Carolina.
The Marine Fisheries Commission endorsed a number of action items as well, including:
- Working with Division of Water Quality and N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services on the effects of aquaculture operations in coastal waters.
- Conducting research on the effects of dock-siting practices on submerged aquatic vegetation and shellfish habitats.
- Implementing Strategic Habitat Area identification and designation process, beginning in the Albemarle Sound area and the White Oak River Basin.
- Enhancement of oyster sanctuaries in Pamlico Sound, by expanding existing sites and establishing new ones as well as expanding the Oyster Shell Recycling Program.
- Implementation of the River Herring Fishery Management Plan.
North Carolina ’s Coastal Habitat Protection Plan continues to be vital in shaping the conservation efforts of eastern North Carolina.
$20 Million for Waterfront Access - The N.C. General Assembly created the Waterfront Access and Marine Industry Fund in its 2007 budget and authorized borrowing $20 million for it. It directed the Louis Daniel, director of the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, to establish a program through which the money will be spent. The Joint Legislative Commission on Seafood and Aquaculture must approve all expenditures.
Daniel has developed a draft strategic plan that adopts many of the needs and definitions identified in the final Waterfront Access Study Committee report. His goal is to work with other agencies with funding capabilities – such as N.C. Sea Grant, the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and the N.C. Division of Coastal Management – to leverage the money for various access uses consistent with the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Strategic Conservation Plan.
An advisory committee of representatives from the commercial fishing industry, the recreational fishing industry and others with expertise about the public access needs and available funding sources will help decide what types of projects to consider. Daniel envisions improving and expanding existing public water access points, such as boat ramps, to include more ramps, fishing piers and landing docks that can be accessed by trucks, and used by recreational and commercial boaters. Efforts will focus on traditional fishing communities and providing access points that accommodate commercial fishermen who have lost traditional access to the water.
Nutrient Offset Program - Legislation passed this year in the N.C. General Assembly set new rates for voluntary participation in a program to facilitate nutrient reductions in the Neuse and Tar river basins and their estuarine systems. The Nutrient Offset Program, administered by the Ecosystem Enhancement Program, uses program fees paid by developers to construct nutrient-reduction projects such as buffer improvements and stormwater best management practices. The program was established to counteract nutrient loading in the waterways from wastewater discharges and stormwater runoff that has led to fish kills and other environmental damage. For more information, see http://www.nceep.net/services/stratplan/Nutrient_Offset_Program.htm
No Merger for the Ecosystem Enhancement Program and Clean Water Management Trust Fund - A legislative study delivered this year to the Environmental Review Commission and the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee recommended no merger of the Ecosystem Enhancement Program and the Clean Water Management Trust Fund. The study did suggest other ways that EEP and CWMTF might collaborate in the future. No legislative action on the report’s recommendations was taken during the 2007 session. http://www.nceep.net/pages/DYE_2007_EEP_CWMTF_Study_Final_Report.pdf
Nature Trail Dedicated in Northampton County - A nature trail in northeastern North Carolina was recently constructed, thanks to a $20,000 grant from the Albemarle Pamlico National Estuary Program, the hard work of staff with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources and a host of local monetary and in-kind donations. Northampton County officials unveiled the nature trail to the general public at a dedication ceremony. The land features a wide nature trail where people can exercise, hike across a wetland filled with beavers and fish, observe one of the area’s most abundant bird sanctuaries and identify dozens of upland tree species.
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FOREVER NATURAL
How do mussels survive during drought conditions? More mobile species, including fish, can move up and downstream to take refuge in areas where water levels are deeper and there is more dissolved oxygen available. Less mobile species like mussels must adapt to dry conditions by using their muscular foot to dig deeper into the mud. To avoid drying out, they can clamp their shells together, surviving for as long as 20 days without flowing water. Eating and reproducing are not on mussels’ minds during drought. They need flowing water to removes wastes, provide oxygen for survival and moderate water temperature. When the water stops flowing for too long, aquatic species may die as a result of high water temperature and concentrated pollutants.
Conservation Design - Earlier this summer, Burke County and the Western Piedmont Council of Governments hosted a conservation design workshop for planners and surveyors. Judy Francis conducted a tour of the 90-plus acre Wright family site, located on the Henry Fork River within view of South Mountains State Park. The group discussed conservation options and then developed several concept plans using a “green infrastructure” approach. The Wright family is committed to preserving the unique natural features of the property and has welcomed this unique form of technical assistance. Such vision and dedication to resource protection from private property owners will contribute tremendously to our state’s water quality and scenic integrity.
More State Parks - Legislative action this year added new properties, including Chimney Rock State Park. Two state natural areas have been re-designated as Elk Knob State Park and Dismal Swamp State Park. The Deep River State Trail was also added to the state parks system, starting as a canoe/paddle trail with a series of public access sites. This trail eventually will be a network of conservation lands and recreation amenities stretching along the river corridor from its headwaters in Guilford County through Randolph, Chatham and Moore counties to the confluence of the Deep and Haw rivers in Lee County.
N.C. Birding Trail Opens - The grand opening of the N.C. Birding Trail took place recently at the Hammocks Beach State Park, one of many state parks on the trail. With birding as the fastest growing outdoor activity, the development of this statewide network will support ecotourism and resource protection. Resulting from a partnership between the Audubon Society, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, N.C. Sea Grant and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the eastern portion is the first of three segments of the birding trail. Maps are available at www.ncbirdingtrail.org.
Stewardship Program - Eric Galamb has recently joined DENR’s Natural Resources Planning and Conservation team to manage the stewardship program. He will work with land trusts, state agencies, and soil and water conservation districts to develop stewardship procedures and guidelines for state-owned conservation easements. He also will work closely with the Natural Heritage Trust Fund and the One N.C. Naturally initiative.
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