Innovative Stormwater Treatment Practices in the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico Basins: A Partnership between the North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program and the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department at North Carolina State University

Urbanization within North Carolina's watersheds and the need for proactive mitigation led to the establishment of the North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP) in July 2003. The EEP is responsible for the majority of mitigation efforts throughout the state. These efforts include the restoration, enhancement, and preservation of streams and wetlands, as well as the creation of stormwater best management practices (BMPs) for the purpose of maintaining and improving water quality and riparian habitats across the state. This project involves a partnership between EEP and the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department (BAE) at North Carolina State University for the purpose of locating, designing, and monitoring stormwater BMPs. In addition, local governments and the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service assist in project site selection and development. Two large river basins in North Carolina, Neuse and Tar-Pamlico, have historic, significant degradation to water quality partially due to urbanization and agricultural practices. Primary pollutants within these basins include nitrogen and phosphorous. To change the trend of degradation, the State of North Carolina enacted regulations for nitrogen and phosphorous removal specifically for these basins. These regulations provided for the funding of the EEP Nutrient Reduction Program by authorizing impact fees.