Project Summary
The State of North Carolina has developed an innovative and successful environmental enhancement program over the last two decades to improve water quality. The state is now increasingly beset with vast problems of flooding and excess water quantities during major storms, which are directly linked to water quality issues. This project focuses on enhancing the existing practices and projects employed by NC Environmental Enhancement Grant Program (EEG) to provide co-benefits of improved water quantity, reduced flood damage, and enhanced resilience to disaster.
Project partners for this research and engagement effort include the NC State University Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources and College of Design Coastal Dynamics Design Lab, the NC Foundation for Soil and Water Conservation, and the Environmental Defense Fund. The team coined the term “FloodWise” to describe the water quality, flood mitigation, farm benefits, and community governance connections. The intent of the FloodWise project is to help develop programs for farms and agricultural communities in Eastern North Carolina, including Farm Demonstrations of best management practices for water quality and flood mitigation. The project team is collaborating and cooperating with government and non-government organizations, agricultural producers, and community stakeholders to design and implement FloodWise programs.