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Historical Highlights
- The Estuaries and Clean Waters Act of 2000 was passed by Congress and signed by the President. The legislation sets a national goal of restoring one million acres of estuarine habitat by the year 2010 and authorizes $275 million of federal matching funds over five years for estuary restoration. Six years ago NCCF helped form a national coalition of estuary groups called Restore America's Estuaries (RAE) that developed the proposed Act, and then worked (using non-foundation funds) for its adoption.
- NCCF planned and conducted a public dedication celebrating the acquisition of Huggins Island and its incorporation into Hammocks Beach State Park on May 12. The 110- acre island, purchased through a grant from the CWMTF that was co-written by NCCF, is now permanently protected as a state park saving more than two miles of shoreline from development and preserving one of the state's most pristine and endangered maritime forests.
- NCCF, NC Environmental Defense and Pamlico-Tar River Foundation successfully settled the lawsuit against the State regarding the environmental review and permitting of the Nucor Steel Plant on the Chowan River. The settlement resulted in significant changes in the way the State does business with industry. In the future, environmental permits and plans will be held in abeyance until the environmental review process has been completed.
- The Wetlands Restoration Fund agreed to provide funding and work with NCCF to remove a portion of a causeway to Permuda Island, restoring tidal wetlands in the area and increase flushing in Stump Sound – one of NC's most productive oyster areas.
- NC Sea Grant and NCCF received a Major CAMA permit to install 30 shoreline stabilization projects to demonstrate more natural alternatives to building vertical bulkheads on the estuarine shoreline.
- Hammocks Beach State Park is serving as one of our most visible shoreline stabilization demonstration projects. A massive 200 foot bulkhead was removed from near the park's ferry dock and replaced with a low-water rock sill, and more than 2,000 spartina plants planted by volunteers. It is estimated that 150,000 visitors will see the project annually.
- Another model shoreline project was completed on July 13 when volunteers planted 240 feet of shoreline along Bogue Sound in Emerald Isle. An alternative erosion control technique using four stone groins to hold and trap sand thereby encouraging marsh and habitat was demonstrated.
- The water quality management plan for the NC Maritime Museum's Gallants Channel expansion site was completed.
- The 25-acre wetland construction has been completed at Open Grounds Farm near the Neuse River. The project was designed by scientists from the UNC Chapel Hill, NC State University and Duke University Marine Lab. While analysis will continue over the next few years, early testing indicates that significant levels of nutrients are being removed by the wetland. NCCF is documenting and promoting the project.
- NCCF worked with NC Environmental Defense to organize a forum for the Habitat and Water Quality Committee of the NC Marine Fisheries Commission to discuss water quality protection needs for oysters and clams. The two groups proposed a set of recommendations which will be included in the Fishery Management Plans for shellfish.
- Staff began work with Restore America's Estuaries to draft a national strategy for coastal restoration. NCCF is developing the restoration blueprint for the southeastern US including NC, SC, GA, FLA, PR, and the US Virgin Islands. The project is underwritten by NOAA with a $300,000 grant to RAE. When completed, it will serve to provide the blueprint for implementing the new Estuaries and Clean Waters Act of 2000.
- NCCF worked with the developer of The Village of Woodsong to design an environmentally friendly housing cluster with intensive stormwater management. Construction is underway now and scheduled for completion in 2002.
- The national Water Keeper Alliance granted NCCF approval to license three Coastkeepers.
These full time professionals will serve as public advocates for coastal waters within their regions all along the NC coast. NCCF is the only organization in the nation to be granted coast-wide licensing. - The Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) unanimously approved a 30-foot buffer between development and all coastal waters. The rule took effect August 1. NCCF worked for more than four years to promote the new development standard.
- The Environmental Management Commission (EMC) approved permanent rules to protect the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico River basins, including adopting a rule to maintain 50-foot riparian forested buffers.
- An assessment of the status of pending state and federal enforcement cases resulting from the wetland ditching activities during 1998-1999 (Tulloch ditching) was completed.
- NCCF board and staff served on four state-appointed stakeholder committees including: The CRC subcommittee to evaluate the CAMA shoreline stabilization rules and make recommendations for improvement; the Land Use Plan Technical Review Team to make recommendations for improving the current process for land use planning in the 20 coastal counties; Statewide Stormwater Initiative Stakeholder Group, charged with addressing state's stormwater management problem and prepare recommendations for the EMC; and the Central Coastal Plain Capacity Use Area Stakeholder Committee, created to draft rules for permits and monitoring.
- NCCF took a leading role in North Carolina in pressing for aggressive enforcement of Phase II NPDES stormwater requirements of the Clean Water Act. New EPA rules adopted in December 1999 mandate NPDES permits be issued to local governments for stormwater program capable of protecting water quality standards. In addition, all construction sites larger than one acre must receive an NPDES stormwater permit as well.
- NCCF offered first student summer camp, the Student ShoreKeeper Institute for middle school students from around the state.
- Staff produced and distributed a new free publication, Erosion Control: Non-structural Alternatives.
- A total of 5,038 individuals participated in environmental education programs, including canoe field trips, teacher workshops, classroom curriculum activities, student-directed action/restoration projects, Coastal Adventures and nature hikes.
- After the Perfect Storm: A Coastal Stormwater Management Workshop conducted by Tom Schueler, Executive Director of Center of Watershed Protection was held at UNC-Wilmington on Oct 25. This workshop was part of our effort to alert citizens and government officials to the legal mandates of the EPA Phase II NPDES Stormwater Program.
- NCCF helped to organize and staff the Coastal Caucus – a working group representing 14 local environmental groups along the coast. Quarterly strategy meetings are designed to address specific shared issues, delegate actions, eliminate redundancy, and offer a powerful public consensus on coastal issues.
- The 20-page State of the Coast Report was released at NCCF's Annual Summit on October 6 in Morehead City. The publication was distributed to130,000 households.
- Todd Miller was presented with the Southern Environmental Law Centers' 2000 Southern Environmental Leadership Award.
- NCCF purchased 1,981 acres of land next to the North River in Carteret County with a $1,071,000 grant from the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund. The property will be the site of one of the largest restoration projects in the nation.
- Two Student ShoreKeeper groups constructed salt marsh nurseries which will provide wetland grasses for shoreline and habitat restoration projects.
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12-03-08: Trucks Using Ports May Reduce Emissions
