Swansboro’s local watersheds are experiencing a decline in the quality of local shellfishing and swimming waters, mainly due to stormwater pollution. To reverse this trend, the North Carolina Coastal Federation is working with the town, stakeholders and partners to develop a watershed restoration plan that sets a framework for restoring water quality in Foster, Halls, Hammocks, Historic and Ward/Hawkins Creeks. The plan will quantify the volume of stormwater runoff that will need to be reduced to decrease pollutant loads in the watersheds. It will include potential best management practices (BMPs) to reduce stormwater runoff and help Swansboro meet its water quality goals. The town held its first public meeting on the plan on Monday, Jan. 30. Mariko Polk, the federation’s GIS specialist working on the project, presented on the draft plan and process for developing the plan. Meeting participants shared concerns, views and potential solutions during round-table discussions.
Read more about the meeting in Tideland News.