North Carolina Budget Provides Funding to Clean Up Polluted Stormwater
July 31, 2014
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(Raleigh, NC) – North Carolina is plagued by polluted stormwater flushing into its streams and rivers. One of the biggest sources of this pollution is land that was heavily developed with little regard for the potential adverse impacts that run-off could have on the water quality. Now, communities across the state are looking for solutions such as rain gardens, cisterns, and other practices that filter and infiltrate water through natural processes to protect clean water and restore the streams, rivers, and lakes.
“The leadership of Rep. Tom Murry with support of Sen. Tamara Barringer in the budget process has put the state of North Carolina on the path of restoring clean water to our polluted rivers and streams,” said Peter Raabe, American Rivers’ North Carolina Conservation Director. “The budget includes $500,000 to support local communities’ efforts to reduce polluted runoff before it impacts the drinking water supplies of the state.”
The funding is only available to clean up stormwater pollution from rivers and streams that have an approved Nutrient Management Strategy such as rivers feeding Jordan Lake Reservoir and Falls Lake Reservoir. This funding is a victory for the Haw River which American Rivers listed in the 2014 America’s Most Endangered Rivers report as the 9th Most Endangered River in the nation due to polluted runoff.
About American Rivers
American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers, and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects, and an annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 250,000 members, supporters, and volunteers.
Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers, and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.
