2002 S Memorandum of Understanding – N.C. Wetlands Restoration Program

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA ORANGE COUNTY MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING w THIS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING,made this the 2VIday of May'2002, by and between the the NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES,DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY,WETLANDS RESTORATION PROGRAM(NCWRP) and ORANGE COUNTY, a political subdivision of the State of North Carolina. SECTION 1 -Background The mission of the NC Wetlands Restoration Program(NCWRP)is to restore, enhance, and preserve wetlands, streams, and riparian buffer areas throughout North Carolina's 17 major river basins with the overall goal of improving water quality. The NCWRP is interested in restoring and protecting the wetlands, creeks, streams and unnamed tributaries within the New Hope Creek Drainage area(which includes Orange County). These waterbodies are experiencing impacts from increased development including loss of buffers, channelized streams, flooding and degraded water quality. As part of this restoration effort,the NCWRP is interested in working with Orange County to actively initiate Local Watershed Planning within watersheds that include a portion of Orange County. The overall goal of Local Watershed Planning is to identify projects which can improve water quality, floodwater retention and aquatic habitat. This initiative will involve local government and resource professionals as well as some other local stakeholders. Local Watershed Planning works to identify locally owned sites for wetland, stream, and riparian buffer restoration. In addition to wetland, stream and buffer projects, other innovative techniques to reduce pollution such as stormwater best management practices and stormwater control retrofits may be identified. The Local Watershed Planning process for these local watersheds within the Upper Cape Fear River Basin is planned to begin this spring 2002. SECTION 2 -Scope of Work The NCWRP agrees to: 1. Work with Orange County to initiate a Local Watershed Planning Process within watersheds which encompass portions of Orange and Durham Counties and the Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro. A very small portion of Wake and Chatham Counties is also within the watershed area of focus 2. For any restoration projects identified provide an environmental contractor to conduct a feasibility study of potential projects to improve water quality in the Orange County area.