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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: November 6, 2008 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. ~ -C <br />SUBJECT: Stillhouse Creek Water Quality Grant Project <br />DEPARTMENT: Soil and Water Conservation PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />ATTACHMENTS: INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Water Quality Grant Overview and Final Gail M. Hughes, 919-245-2753 <br />Report <br />Location Map with Practices <br />PURPOSE: To update Commissioners on the progress and success of the Stillhouse Creek <br />Water Quality Grant demonstration projects. <br />BACKGROUND: In February of 2006, the Orange Soil and Water Conservation District and the <br />USDA-NRCS office began work on a stream restoration project along Stillhouse Creek. The <br />Creek had severe soil erosion occurring along the banks due to heavy stormwater that flows <br />from parking lots, roofs, and other impervious surfaces in the watershed. The most severe <br />erosion was occurring at the road pipes under Margaret Lane and behind the Link Government <br />Services Center building. Soil. and Water developed a plan to restore the stream to "a natural <br />channel" with vegetative buffers instead of using large pipe or rip rap stone along the banks. <br />Upon approval from the Board of Commissioners, Soil and Water requested and received grant <br />funding from NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program (NC EEP) for the project (approximately <br />$260,000). In return for funding the project, the NC EEP required a conservation easement be <br />placed along the stream. The easement area would be planted in trees and other native <br />vegetation to act as a vegetative filter or buffer for storm water run off, prevent erosion, and <br />improve the water quality entering the Eno River from Stillhouse Creek. Soil and Water staff <br />helped administer the grant locally, assisted with design surveys, and supervised construction. <br />The project was completed in May of 2006. <br />In May 2008, the Orange Soil and Water Conservation District was offered an opportunity to <br />apply for 319 Water Quality Grant funds through the NC Division of Soil and Water <br />Conservation. Gail Hughes, Soil Conservationist, applied for the grant to install water quality <br />and stormwater management practices at Stillhouse Creek and the Public Market House to <br />serve as an education and demonstration site for the public. Having received the $7,010 grant <br />in July, Gail worked with Terry Hackett, stormwater Resource Officer with the Planning <br />