Living Shorelines are innovative techniques that protect soundside shorelines from erosion, while simultaneously preserving natural ecosystems. During the Virtual Open House, local professionals and contractors were on hand to share information and answer questions on how you can build a living shoreline on your property.
The North Carolina Coastal Federation has acquired grant funding to help homeowners build living shorelines.
This stormwater activity sheet is quick and simple way to engage your child or student in the world of stormwater runoff and pollution. Through three colorful interactive mazes this resource illustrates the movement of stormwater and the ways in which rain gardens can reduce pollution in our waterways.
Low-impact development (LID) is an economical and effective strategy for protecting and restoring coastal water quality by preventing polluting stormwater runoff. We at the federation work to make it easy to use anywhere.
Strategic and innovative nature-based stormwater strategies are increasingly important as North Carolina faces the need to plan for climate adaption and resiliency. The Action Plan now positions North Carolina to better prepare for, and respond to, future stormwater flooding and water quality degradation.
Nature-based Stormwater Strategies are effective and economical approaches to reduce flooding and improve water quality.
Nature-based Stormwater Strategies are an effective and economical strategy to reduce flooding and improve water quality by mimicking natural water flow to vegetated stormwater infiltration spaces, reducing long-term maintenance costs of conventional stormwater systems.
Nature-based Stormwater Strategies such as permeable pavement, cisterns and rain gardens promote infiltration and rainwater reuse. These techniques reduce stormwater runoff even on high density development sites.
Nature-based Stormwater Strategies are an effective and economical strategy to reduce flooding and improve water quality by disconnecting impervious surfaces and promoting infiltration on site.
Replicating and restoring natural hydrology on farm and forest lands is an effective large scale solution to flooding and water quality.
This annual State of the Oyster Report, provides a brief overview and highlights the activities and accomplishments of the diverse partners involved in this work for the year 2018.
The North Carolina Coastal Federation and North Carolina Division of Coastal Management hosted the Coastal Resilience Summit to solicit ideas and potential strategies for inclusion in the North Carolina Resiliency Plan.
The North Carolina Coastal Federation, PFAST Network and UNC–Wilmington hosted Emerging Contaminants in the Cape Fear Region: University Collaborations on Environmental, Drinking Water Supply and Human Health Effects on Friday, May 31 in Wilmington.
The Shellfish Mariculture Plan includes an evaluation of best practices in other states and nations, analysis of siting strategies for shellfish mariculture operations and recommendations for improvements to legal protections for mariculture operations, cultch planting and strategies for control of shellfish pests
This assessment describes the problem and management of marine debris in North Carolina, including primary types of concern and associated impacts; gaps and challenges in debris management; and a summary of active stakeholders and their perceptions of and contribution to addressing marine debris. The intention of the assessment is to establish the groundwork for developing a strategy that will be implemented through the coordinated work of coastal marine debris stakeholders.
The Watershed Management Planning Guidebook provides detailed guidance on how a community can replicate natural surface water hydrology to improve water quality by determining the stormwater runoff volume of a watershed in various land use scenarios and utilizing Best Management Practices (BMPs) techniques, specifically Low Impact Development (LID), to reduce the total volume of runoff.
Our Strategies 2018Download
2017 State of the Oyster ReportDownload
With millions of acres of coastal waters, North Carolina recognizes the importance of shellfish to its economy, cultural heritage and environmental health. The state is on its way to becoming the Napa Valley of Oysters.
The North Carolina Marine Debris Action Plan includes several tangible steps that need to be taken over the next five years to both prevent and remove marine debris along the coast. The plan was developed by the North Carolina Coastal Federation, N.C. Coastal Reserve, N.C. Division of Coastal Management, N.C. Sea Grant, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, Coastal Carolina Riverwatch, and the N.C. Marine Debris Symposium.
The North Carolina Coastal Federation worked with partners and shellfish growers to produce voluntary best management practices for the prevention of marine debris from shellfish leases.
The Federation partnered with industry experts from NOAA, North Carolina Sea Grant, and commercial shellfish operations to develop best management practices (BMPs) for the prevention of marine debris from the shellfish mariculture industry. These BMPs provide a guide for new growers and lease applicants to follow to make their best effort in keeping gear on the farm during normal operations as well as in preparation for a storm.
The Lower Cape Fear River Blueprint is a collaborative planning effort, led by the North Carolina Coastal Federation, to protect, manage and restore the important estuarine and riverine natural resources of the lower Cape Fear River.
In 2006, partners began to talk about the decline in the quality of local shellfishing waters, mainly due to stormwater pollution. The Coastal Federation teamed up with Brunswick County, state agencies, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prepare a study and restoration plan for the river. The plan targets simple solutions to infiltrate rain and reduce polluted runoff.
Glenn Blackburn, professor emeritus of history at University of Virginia’s College at Wise, has completed a history of the North Carolina Coastal Federation based upon hundreds of interviews he conducted with people who have been key players in shaping our coast.
While wetlands can’t protect us from the devastating flooding of a storm like Hurricane Florence, healthy habitats – and good planning – can shield us from some of the worst impacts and can help our communities recover more quickly. The North Carolina Coastal Federation’s Coastal Resilience Initiative strengthens our natural defenses by restoring habitats and protecting our coastal communities.
For a quick review of accomplishments, lessons learned, and living shoreline permit categories, check out this presentation on Living Shoreline Permitting in NC.
