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Phase I The goal of the CPAT program is to provide training for agents to enable them to carry out a land use and community design education programming. Training will focus on both process and content. In Phase I, training that will be addressed in the first year are: To deliver this material, we will: 1. Teach four two-day workshops. The seminars will be taught by specialists on the CPAT, other NCSU faculty, faculty at UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Urban and Regional Planning, and other experts. 2. Conduct two field trips to towns in North Carolina and neighboring states and other situations for case studies. 3. Convene two expert panel discussions on priority topics such as ÝÝ farmland preservation, property rights, and growth management. 4. Complete and distribute School of Design fact sheet series and begin development of legal and policy fact sheet series. 5. Develop and distribute team newspaper. 6. Complete and distribute and use planning and community resource ÝÝ locator. Phase II In Phase II, participants from Phase I will continue with additional training and the team will be expanded if necessary. Phase II training will begin in the second year of the program, and continue on an as-needed basis. Program implementation will be expanded to other counties at the request and direction of the county directors. Also, as part of Phase II, CPAT members will receive regular support documents and periodicals. Proposed Phase II Training Curriculum Starting in the second year of the program, we propose to carry out the following tasks: 1. Teach four two-day workshops. The workshops will be taught by specialists on the CPAT, other NCSU faculty, faculty at UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Urban and Regional Planning, and other experts. 2. Convene two expert panel discussions on priority topics. 3. Develop a supporting web site.* 4. Continue with development of a fact sheet series. 5. Distribute a regular periodical. 6. Develop and distribute a resource book on land use planning and community design.* Ý *Completed as part of Phase I. Ý |
Project Justification: General Description of the Pee Dee River environment: The Yadkin-Pee Dee River basin is the second largest river basin in North Carolina, covering 7,213 square miles. It includes eighty-three municipalities and all or part of twenty-four counties. The basin originates on the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Caldwell, Wilkes and Surry Counties with a small portion of the Yadkin River headwaters originating in Virginia. It flows northeasterly for about 100 miles, then flows to the southeast until it joins the Uwharrie River to form the Pee Dee River. The Pee Dee River continues flowing southeasterly through South Carolina to the Atlantic Ocean. The North Carolina portion of the basin contains approximately 5,991 miles of freshwater streams and rivers. Forest land, covers approximately 49 percent of the basin. Agriculture (including cultivated and uncultivated cropland and pastureland) covers approximately 30 percent of the land area. The urban and built-up category comprises roughly 11 percent and exhibited the most dramatic change between 1982 and 1992 (38 percent increase). Other categories that showed substantial changes during this period were pasturelands (19 percent increase) and the "Other" category, which includes rural transportation (26 percent increase). Both cultivated and uncultivated cropland decreased by a total of 46 percent in the basin between 1982 and 1992. It is likely that some of this cropland was converted to pastureland and to urban and built-up areas. Major land use activities in the basin include agriculture (crops and swine, poultry and cattle operations) and construction activities related to growth. There are a number of High Quality and Outstanding Resource Waters in the basin and many state and federally listed threatened and endangered species. The Yadkin-Pee Dee River basin contains a high number of lakes, including a series of "chain" lakes on the mainstem of the river, which attract many tourists to the area. Based on 1990 census data, the population of the basin was 1.2 million people. The most populated areas are in and near Winston-Salem and Charlotte. The overall population density is 163 persons per square mile versus a statewide average of 123 persons per square mile. While much of the basin contains rural areas surrounding small towns, many of the small to large cities have high density areas. The percent population growth over the ten year period between 1980 to 1990 was 10 percent. This effort will be focused on the Lower Pee Dee which is primarily small towns, forestry, and agriculture draining southward from Montgomery and Stanley Counties into South Carolina. In South Carolina, the Pee Dee watershed # 03040201-050 (incorporating 03040201-019, -029, -033, and -041) is located in Marlboro, Chesterfield, Darlington, and Florence Counties. The watershed occupies 278,286 acres of the Sand Hills and Upper and Lower Coastal Plain regions of South Carolina. The predominant soil types consist of an association of the Chastain-Tawcaw-Lakeland-Pelion-Norfolk series. The erodibility of the soil (K) averages 0.20; the slope of the terrain averages 7%, with a range of 0-45%. Land use/land cover in the watershed includes: 1.39% urban land, 17.55% agricultural land, 22.35% scrub/shrub land, 0.15% barren land, 33.65% forested land, 21.05% forested wetland, 0.01% nonforested wetland, and 3.85% water. Within South Carolina, this upper reach of the Pee Dee River accepts drainage from Marks Creek, Whites Creek (Wallace Pond, Everett Millpond), Westfield Creek (Little Westfield Creek, Goodmans Creek), Hicks Creek, Husbands Creek, Huckleberry Branch (Wilson Branch), and the Thompson Creek Watershed near the Town of Cheraw. Phils Creek (Wolf Creek, Andersons Millpond, Grants Millpond) enters the river next, followed by Beaverdam Creek, Tarkiln Creek, Naked Creek (Bullards Millpond, McLaurins Millpond, Davids Millpond, Herndon Branch), the Crooked Creek Watershed, Hugh Creek, Reedys Branch, and the Cedar Creek Watershed. Further downstream, near the Town of Society Hill, the river accepts drainage from Buckholtz Creek (Lake Darpo or Spring Lake), Muddy Creek (Machine Branch, Riggins Branch, Henegan Lake, Lake Creek), Flat Creek, and the Three Creeks Watershed. Another Flat Creek enters the system downstream of Three Creeks, followed by Rogers Creek (Mosey Bay), Hurricane Branch, and Back Swamp (Fountain Branch, Alligator Creek). There are numerous lakes and ponds (10-150 acres) used for recreation, irrigation, water supply, and wildlife management in this watershed and a total of 922.2 stream miles, all classified FW. Institutional Justification: Both North and South Carolina have active and vital basinwide planning programs. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC or the Department) initiated its first watershed planning activities as a result of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) grant in June of 1972. These activities were soon extended by 303(e), "Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972", U.S. Public Law 92-500. In 1975, the SCDHEC published basin planning reports for the four major basins in South Carolina. The next major planning activity resulted from 208 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, which required states to prepare planning documents on an areawide basis. Areawide plans were completed in the late 1970's for the five designated areas of the State and for the nondesignated remainder of the State. To date, these plans or their updated versions have served as information sources and guides for water quality management. During the past decade, special water quality initiatives and Congressional mandates have diverted attention and resources from comprehensive water quality assessment and protection. The Bureau of Water now emphasizes watershed planning to better coordinate river basin planning and water quality management. Watershed-based management allows the Department to address Congressional and Legislative mandates in a coordinated manner and to better utilize current resources. The watershed approach also improves communication between the Department, the regulated community, and the public on existing and future water quality issues (SCDHEC 1991a). The South Carolina program supports and actively participates in the creation of partnerships between various federal and state agencies, local governments, and community groups to identify sources of impairment in threatened streams to generate recommendations to correct the problems. Educational campaigns are an important component of this effort. North Carolina shares this philosophy and an important facet of the basinwide program is public education. These activities provide an opportunity for the public to learn about their river basin and participate in the planning process. In addition, DWQ uses this approach as a means to better identify water quality problems, develop appropriate management strategies, maintain and protect water quality and aquatic habitat, assure equitable distribution of waste assimilative capacity for dischargers, and improve public awareness and involvement in the management of the state's surface waters. The timing for this work is particularly pertinent as the North Carolina Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basinwide Water Quality Management Plan will be updated in 2002. In South Carolina, all NPDES permits, as part of the programs basinwide program review, will all be reissued together in 2001. Community and Environmental Justification: In April, 2000 a meeting including Cooperative Extension Service (NCCES) specialists from NC State, Anson County CES Director, Anson County manager, Anson County Commissioners, CP&L officials, and a representation from the NC House was held to discuss the interrelated issues of Pee Dee River water quality, land use change, economics and urbanization. With the increased population pressures from Charlotte, upcoming road improvements, proposed industrial developments, as well as a public desire for increased economic development changes are anticipated to occur in the area. Anson County will be hiring a county land use planner, but concern was expressed regarding the need to 1) increase public understanding of the issues, 2) generate public involvement in the planning process, as well as 3) find ways to coordinate regionally especially with downstream communities. These concerns were expressed to Cooperative Extension Service Water Quality Coordinators from Clemson and NCSU, Dr. Barbara Speziale and Dr. Greg Jennings, respectively who wholeheartedly supported the concept of a regional water quality education project focused on the Lower Pee Dee River. Furthermore, the NC Division of Water Quality held two workshops for the lower Yadkin-Pee Dee River basin in Albemarle, NC on August 22, 1996. The workshops were conducted to provide an overview of the basin schedule and information specific to the lower portion of the basin. After presentations, the group broke out into small discussion groups. Each group was asked to respond to three questions: 1) What are the priority water quality related issues in the basin?; 2) Are there any specific waterbodies in the basin that are experiencing water quality problems?; 3) What efforts have been undertaken to improve water quality? Lower Yadkin-Pee Dee River basin workshop participants identified the following categories as the primary areas of concern to the basin (Table 1). |
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The primary water quality issues discussed in this basin plan relate to concerns presented to DWQ as priority issues, or those that have been identified as causing water quality impacts or impairment. Discussion on these categories follows, but a notable component is the repeated need for local involvement. Growth Management - Proactive planning efforts at the local level are needed to assure that development is done in a manner that maintains the good water quality that is presently attracting people to the area. These planning efforts will need to find a balance between water quality protection, natural resource management and economic growth. Growth management requires planning for the needs of future population increases as well as developing a strong tourism base. These actions are critical to water quality management and the quality of life for the residents of the basin. Urban Stormwater - Surface waters can be significantly impacted by urban stormwater runoff. Recommended management strategies relating to controlling potential water quality problems related to urban stormwater runoff need to be implemented. Sedimentation - Erosion, and the resulting sedimentation, are prevalent throughout the basin. Workshop participants (Section 6.2.2) and Nonpoint Source Team members have expressed the view that the priority issue for the basin is sedimentation. Many waters in the basin are thought to be impacted or impaired, at least in part, by sedimentation. Fecal Coliform Bacteria - Ambient monitoring stations throughout the basin have identified waterbodies with elevated fecal coliform bacteria . Fecal coliform bacteria sources and general management strategies to address nonpoint sources of fecal coliform bacteria need to be addressed. Oxygen Consuming Wastes - Many streams within the Yadkin-Pee Dee River basin are low or zero flow streams. Regulations currently exist for streams with 7Q10 and/or 30Q2 equal to zero cubic feet per second (cfs). These regulations were developed to prohibit new or expanded discharges of oxygen-consuming wastes to zero flow streams. Existing facilities were evaluated for alternatives to discharge. Many facilities found alternatives and some chose to build new tertiary treatment facilities (which are allowed to discharge under the regulations). Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution - Agriculture can contribute to degraded water quality through contributions of excess nutrients, fecal coliform bacteria, toxic chemicals and erosion problems from runoff. Management strategies to reduce the negative impacts of agricultural activities on water quality need to be implemented. Further networking impetus for a water quality education in the Pee Dee is to support the comprehensive Basinwide Restoration Plan which is being developed. In conjunction with the Basinwide Water Quality Management Plans, GIS-based mapping methodologies will be used to assess the status of existing wetlands and riparian area resources within each basin and to identify degraded wetlands and riparian areas. Potential restoration sites will be prioritized based on the ability of the restored sites to address problems that have been identified in the Basinwide Water Quality Management Plans. Citizen participation in these issues can facilitate cooperative agreements with landowners. SOUTH CAROLINA INITIATIVES AND ISSUES?????????? Local communities and governments can play an important role in watershed management. However, there are logistical complications when applying this concept on a watershed basis. The Pee Dee encompasses more than 14 counties in two states; so without facilitation it is difficult to find mechanisms to support unified and coordinated programs. This project seeks to assist the citizens of these communities in finding pathways for collaboration. Experiences of other projects substantiate that educational programs such as these fosters new programs directed at areas needing restoration. For example, the Watershed Education for Communities and Local Officials (WECO) was one of the first water quality education projects in the White Oak River watershed. The WECO citizens board has continued to meet since 1996, and there is more nearly 1 million in grants directed towards water quality restoration in the area. These experiences helped to develop the following program guidelines. 1. The project must be locally-empowered and stakeholder-based; 2. The project must use sustainable, collaborative, community-based problem solving; 3. The project should partner with other state and local agencies to foster watershed - based solutions; 4. The project must develop methods for the synthesis, integration, delivery and application of multi-disciplinary scientific and technical information to support policymaking; and 5. The project should examine sustainability of policy alternatives by estimating economic costs and benefits. Plan of Work: The overall objective of this project is to improve water quality in the Pee Dee River through education of citizens and government officials who live and work in the watershed. This involved three overarching objectives: 1) delivery of technical information and educational material on water quality, management strategies, and policy options that support watershed - based planning; 2) empowerment of local citizens by facilitating collaborative, policymaking partnerships at the watershed level between communities, local officials and state agencies; and 3) facilitation of local stakeholder development of policy recommendations for the entire watershed to improve water quality. To support these objectives this project shall do the following: a) Develop and maintain participatory, collaborative working relationships on the project with the following agencies; b) Develop and maintain a stakeholder group representative of the local government entities and interests in Lower Pee Dee River watershed. This included persons who will represent, but not limited to the following; c) With the stakeholder group, issues will be identified with regards to the water quality issue of concern, which is three fold; d) To address these issues, the stakeholder group will interview water quality and land use planning experts from the following agencies: These activities will generate the following project goals for this project year (01-04). 1) Review water quality data and determine the issues and facts with regards to water quality problems in the Lower Pee Dee River watershed. 2) Identify water quality goals and determine whether additional research is needed. 3) Develop recommended mitigation and management strategies. 4) Develop educational materials to facilitate the fostering of new programs and activities to protect water quality in the Pee Dee. GOAL #1: Review water quality data findings and determine what is known and not know regarding cause, effects, and mitigation possibilities. |
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GOAL #2: Develop management and mitigation recommendations and review and rank policy options to reduce water quality degradation. |
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GOAL #3: With local government officials, facilitate the development of local, watershed-based educational and restoration initiatives. |
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Partnerships, Coordination and Collaboration: The advisory board represents stakeholders of the different land use activities in the basin. This group has fostered collaborative partnerships and cooperation with the following interest areas--mining, forestry, crop agriculture, livestock agriculture, urban development, tourism, residential and commercial development, sport and commercial fishing, as well as environmental and civic interests. The work of this group will be facilitated by SC and NC Cooperative Extension Service of NC State University and Clemson University as well as and NC and SC County Extension offices of ????????. University personnel will include, but not be limited to, Extension Specialists from the Departments of Agriculture and Resource Economics, School of Design, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, and NCSU Water Quality Group. County personnel will include, but not be limited to, County Directors and assistant agents, District Director, and Regional Education agent. Project partners will participate in Board and other program activities, as well as provide technical, programming, and administrative expertise, help develop technological and educational programs. Project collaborators will include NC Division of Water Quality, and the NC Division of Coastal Management. Regional and National Significance: This project will provide a unique opportunity for citizens as well as state and local agencies to participate in issue identification and solution develop across not only county lines but state lines. Because water quality issues being addressed nationally need a watershed-based solutions, the goals and objectives of this project have state, regional and national significance for the Cooperative Extension Service. This project does the following; 1) broadens the role of the NC Cooperative Extension Service for providing educational opportunities to teach facilitative, collaborative leadership skills to citizens and local officials; 2) formalizes a methodology for implementing multi-jurisdictional, watershed - based, locally-supported, water-quality programs which can be applied to other watersheds; 3) provides methodological techniques for linking technical scientific information with policy development to resolve issues; and 4) demonstrates that Extension can achieve success in policymaking on controversial issues by implementing an educational role featuring citizen and stakeholder involvement and empowerment. |
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