What are Nature-based Stormwater Strategies?
| Fact Sheets
Nature-based Stormwater Strategies are effective and economical approaches to reduce flooding and improve water quality.
Nature-based Stormwater Strategies for Roadways
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.
New Development
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.
Stormwater Retrofits - retrofitted
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.
Nature-based Stormwater Strategies for Working Lands
Replicating and restoring natural hydrology on farm and forest lands is an effective large scale solution to flooding and water quality.
State of the Oyster Report 2018
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.
Coastal Resilience Summit 2019 Presentations
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.
PFAST Forum 2019 Presentations
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.
Welcome and Background Tom Looney, N.C. Economic Development Partnership Rural Economic Development Mary Penny Kelly, Office of the Governor Recipe
Cover of the Strategic plan for Shellfish Mariculture
| Guidebooks
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
The federation collects marine debris in Brunswick County
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.
| Guidebooks
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.
Learn more about microplastics, including what they are, where they come from and the effects they have on the marine environment, water quality and human health.
| Fact Sheets
Learn more about microplastics and their impacts on the environment.
The Napa Valley of Oysters: Launching a North Carolina Shellfish Initiative
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.
North Carolina Marine Debris Action Plan
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.
Prevention of Marine Debris from Shellfish Mariculture Fact Sheet
| Fact Sheets
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.
Shellfish Mariculture Best Management Practices
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.
Cape Fear River
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.
Lockwood Folly River Restoration Plan
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.
Saving Great Places cover
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.
coastal nc
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.
Living Shoreline
For a quick review of accomplishments, lessons learned, and living shoreline permit categories, check out this presentation on Living Shoreline Permitting in NC.
Rain Garden
There are so many benefits to installing a schoolyard rain garden. Use this manual to best utilize your living classroom!
Phragmites australis © Mark Hibbs
View presentations from the July 17, 2017 working meeting about the invasive species, Phragmites
Swan Island
The Swan Island Oyster Sanctuary is one project aimed at protecting and restoring oyster population in North Carolina.
Swansboro rain garden
The Coastal Federation teamed up with Swansboro to develop a watershed restoration plan for the town which lays out a framework for reducing stormwater runoff that flows into Foster, Halls, Hammocks, Historic, and Ward/Hawkins Creeks ultimately reaching the White Oak.