Item:
Title
Letter of Support for Application for Clean Water Act Section 319(h) Grant
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: May 12, 2025
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to authorize the Chair to sign a letter of support for application to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources (DWR) for funding under the Clean Water Act Section 319(h) Nonpoint Source Grant Funding Program. The funding will support the construction of a bioretention pond and education and outreach associated with the Whispering Pines Mobile Home Park Stream Restoration Project. Through Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides states with funding to reduce nonpoint source pollution. North Carolina typically receives around $1 million for competitive funding of watershed restoration projects. Funds may be used to conduct watershed restoration projects such as stormwater and agricultural best management practices and restoration of impaired streams. Section 319 grant projects must be used to help restore waterbodies currently impaired by nonpoint source pollution in areas with approved watershed restoration plans.
The Whispering Pines Mobile Home Park Stream Restoration Project was identified in the County Stormwater Nutrient Management Strategy as a potential project for compliance with the Falls Lake Nutrient Management Rules. The project consists of approximately 1,500 linear feet of stream restoration and a bioretention pond to treat stormwater on the property. The stream restoration project will remove sources of nitrogen and phosphorous from streambank erosion - helping the County meet the nutrient requirements of the Falls Lake Rules - while also reducing flooding impacts to residents of Whispering Pines Mobile Home Park.
The total estimated project cost is $2.1 million. The County previously applied for and received a $400,000 Local Assistance for Stormwater Infrastructure Investments (LASII) grant from the North Carolina Division of Water Infrastructure to cover the planning efforts for the Whispering Pines project. The County also received $500,000 from the Division of Soil and Water’s Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program (StRAP). The County continues to seek additional grant funding for the project, an important part of meeting the County Stormwater Program’s Guiding Principle of “Efficiency with Stormwater Utility Fee revenues.” The County is applying for an additional $600,000 in funding from the Water Resources Development Grant Program. The County is seeking $240,000 from the 319(h) Grant Program.
Applications are due May 30, 2025.
Alignment with Strategic Plan: This item supports County goals for Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment by improving and protecting water quality.
Resource Persons: Taylor Blauser, Grant Administrator for Engineering and Environmental Services; Ryan D. Eaves, PE, Stormwater and Erosion Control Division Manager; H. Jay Gibson, PE, Director of Engineering and Environmental Services
County Manager’s Recommendation: The County Manager recommends that the Board authorize the Chair to sign the letter of support.
Signature
County Manager: ____________________________