|
North Carolina’s Cleanwater Management Trust Fund
(CWMTF) has awarded $479,000 to the National Committee for the
New River (NCNR) for restoration projects along North Carolina
sections of the New River and its tributaries. The Cleanwater
Management Trust Fund grants are designed to protect and restore
surface water quality and will fund NCNR projects on Boone (Kraut)
Creek, the New’s East Fork, and NCNR’s River Builder
program.
The grants will make it possible for NCNR to employ a combination
of strategies designed to protect the water quality of the New
River and its tributaries. The strategies include planting riparian
buffers such as native grasses, shrubs, and trees, the roots of
which hold stream banks in place, filter pollutants, shade the
water to keep it cool for fish and other aquatics, and provide
habitat for birds, mammals, and insects. Other restoration tools
to be used will include the sloping of banks; the installation
of structures in the waterway to deflect water away from stream
banks to prevent erosion and to improve fish habitat; and/or moving
streams to more stable paths.
Created in 1996 by the General Assembly of North Carolina, CWMTF
makes grants to local governments, state agencies and conservation
non-profits to help finance projects that specifically address
water pollution problems, enhance or restore degraded waters,
protect unpolluted waters, and/or contribute toward a network
of riparian buffers and greenways for environmental, educational,
and recreational benefits. Thanks to appropriations from the NC
General Assembly, CWMTF has awarded 943 grants for a total of
$711.5 million. The trust fund estimates that more than $17 billion
is needed to protect and restore water quality in North Carolina.
The $20.7 billion state budget just approved by the North Carolina
General Assembly includes full funding -$100 million - for the
Trust Fund.
NCNR’s mission is to protect and enhance the natural and
cultural resources of the New River and its watershed. NCNR operates
in the states of North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Over the last 30 years, the organization defended the New River
against threats, has protected more than 4,000 acres of land important
to the New River’s scenic and natural values and has restored
over 55 miles of river and stream bank. More information on NCNR
is available at: www.ncnr.org.
CWMTF maintains a website at: www.cwmtf.net.
|
|
|
Get Firefox