Posted on November 3, 2020
WINDSOR, Bertie County — Attorney General Josh Stein announced $1,099,449 in grants will go to some Eastern North Carolina counties to help improve and protect the environment.
The money is available through the Environmental Enhancement Grant (EEG) program.
According to information provided by the Attorney General, awards include:
Bertie County
Bertie County will receive $125,000 to restore 147 acres on the Albemarle Sound in the Chowan River Basin and Salmon Creek Preserve to capture stormwater, reduce erosion, improve water quality, and improve wildlife habitats and native plant growth.
“As North Carolina’s Attorney General, I take my responsibility to protect the air we breathe and the water we drink seriously,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “I am pleased to support this important project for the Chowan River.”
Carteret County
The NC Coastal Federation will receive $185,653 to restore Bogue Sound water access. The project includes 850 linear feet of living shoreline and restoring .6 acres of salt marsh to prevent erosion, improve water quality, and create aquatic habitats.
“We are thrilled to be a recipient of this grant,” said Dr. Lexia Weaver, Coastal Scientist for the North Carolina Coastal Federation. “We are eager to work with Carteret County to protect this shoreline from future erosion from storms, while at the same time preserving and restoring critical salt marsh and oyster habitat. The living shoreline will demonstrate a more effective, economical, and longer-term technique to protect shorelines from erosion when compared to bulkheads and seawalls.”
Carteret and Hyde Counties
The North Carolina Division of Soil and Water Conservation will receive $208,000 to restore stream and marsh sill. A living shoreline will also be constructed in areas where there are outstanding resource waters, nutrient-sensitive areas, significant natural areas, or properties where infrastructure is in jeopardy. The project also includes an educational component.
Duplin County
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission will receive $250,000 to educate commercial agricultural producers about and implement conservation farming techniques, including field buffers, native plantings, prescribed burn, and restoration of longleaf pine savannas.
CURE/SEFA Management Biologist Benjy Strope said, “Funding will allow us to maintain and develop early successional habitats on lands owned by commercial agricultural producers. This management benefits water quality and numerous game and non-game species, particularly those of greatest conservation need.”
Pitt County
The City of Greenville will receive $88,775 to restore a 75-foot section of the Green Mill Run Streambank. Doing so will prevent further erosion and sedimentation and preserve the existing greenway.
“Greenways and riverfronts are just two examples of how a well-preserved environment can bring activity to a community,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “I am pleased to help the City of Greenville protect these important assets.”
Statewide Project
Waterkeepers North Carolina will receive $188,000 to research microplastic pollution in 30 streams and rivers, identify types of microplastics, and estimate loading rates from stormwater.
These funds are distributed through the Environmental Enhancement Grant (EEG) program, which began after an agreement between the Attorney General’s Office and Smithfield Foods in 2000. Under that agreement, Smithfield provides the Department of Justice $2 million each year for environmental projects across the state.
Source: wcti12
