WANCHESE, N.C. – Whether you live or farm within the Lake Mattamuskeet watershed, or visit the lake because you love to fish, hunt, or enjoy viewing waterfowl and wildlife, you can learn and ask questions about the latest actions to restore the lake from the comfort of your home. 

A virtual public meeting will take place on Apr. 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and will focus on efforts to implement the Lake Mattamuskeet Watershed Restoration Plan. The meeting will cover the latest work underway to restore the lake’s water quality and reduce flooding throughout the watershed.

Staff from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will provide updates about ongoing monitoring within the lake, and review the details of a carp removal project. Engineers from Geosyntec Consultants and Coastal Protection Engineering will review the results of a watershed-scale model that was developed to better understand where and how much water currently moves through the watershed based on various rainfall amounts and changes in sea level. Additionally, the professional consultants will provide an overview of the engineering alternatives that are currently being evaluated. Undergraduate engineering students from East Carolina University will also present conceptual plans for three projects within the watershed that could potentially reduce flooding issues and improve water quality within the lake.

To register and to view the meeting agenda, please visit nccoast.org/LMWRPVirtualMeeting. The Apr. 15 virtual meeting can be viewed from any computer via Zoom by registering in advance. Those with limited internet access may make reservations to view the meeting at the Hyde County Government Complex by contacting Daniel Brinn at dbrinn@hydecountync.gov or 252- 926-7253. Capacity is limited due to social distancing requirements and will be provided to those who register in advance.

To view the approved watershed restoration plan and materials from past public meetings, visit: https://www.nccoast.org/lakemattamuskeet. Interested community members and stakeholders can also sign-up for future email updates and leave comments via this project webpage. Contact Michael Flynn with any questions at michaelf@nccoast.org or 252-473-1607.