RIVER BASIN RESTORATION PRIORITIES UPDATE

In June 2008, new federal rules governing compensatory mitigation became effective and required all in-lieu fee (ILF) programs in the United States to develop instruments (legal documents) that must be approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A fundamental part of the instrument requirements for ILFs was the development and approval of a Compensation Planning Framework (CPF) by which ILFs develop watershed plans and identify watershed restoration projects for implementation. As a result, EEP, like all other ILFs in the country, cannot implement projects that are not developed under the CPF without approval from the Interagency Review Team. In July 2010, USACE and the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources signed EEP’s In-Lieu Fee Instrument for the operation and use of EEP’s ILF programs for stream and wetland mitigation.

In an effort to ensure that EEP’s watershed-planning processes comply with state and federal requirements for a watershed approach, EEP recently re-evaluated its watershed planning guidelines and procedures. As part of this process, EEP updated its methodology for developing River Basin Restoration Priorities (RBRPs). In support of EEP’s goal of greater understanding of the program and Gov. Perdue’s call for increased transparency in government operations, EEP is publishing these processes on its website and circulating information to subscribers of its distribution list. 

RBRPs are developed for each of the 17 river basins by conducting a detailed screening for each eight-digit catalog unit within a river basin and identifying priority 14-digit hydrologic unit (20-100 mi2) watersheds that exhibit a need for restoration and protection. These Targeted Local Watersheds receive priority for EEP planning and restoration project funds. The designation may also benefit stakeholders applying for grants by giving added weight to proposals.  Detailed information on EEP's prioritization process is available at the links below:

RBRPs are updated on an as-needed basis, but every five years at a minimum. All RBRPs are considered draft until the documented review and approval process is complete. Once approved, the final RBRP is posted on EEP’s website and GIS files and databases are updated. The most current RBRP information is available on EEP’s website, listed in drop-down menus by county and river basin. Questions related to watershed plan requirements should be directed to the watershed planner assigned to the region of interest, or by contacting Nancy Daly, EEP Statewide Project Coordinator, at 919-715-7452 or nancy.daly@ncdenr.gov.