TITLE: Title
EPA 319 Program Grant for Stormwater Management and Stabilizing Erosion in Residential Area Near Bolin Creek
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is to authorize the submittal of a 319 grant application to support a collaborative effort to stabilize erosion occurring in an 11 acre drainage area in the Bolin Forest neighborhood.
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DEPARTMENT: Public Works
CONTACT INFORMATION: Randy Dodd, Stormwater Utility Manager (919) 918-7341, rdodd@townofcarrboro.org
INFORMATION: The lower extent of Bolin Creek in Carrboro has been on the State/Federal list of impaired waters for over 15 years because the aquatic insect community, a prime indicator of creek health, is suboptimal, as determined by both State and Town monitoring. In 2008/2009, both Carrboro and Chapel Hill received 319 grants which sponsored projects over a 4 year span to make progress in improving watershed/creek health. One of the outcomes was the completion of a Bolin Creek Watershed Restoration Plan in 2012 that met the requirements for eligibility for future federal/state support. Since the Stormwater Utility was formed in 2017, staff have been looking for an appropriate opportunity to submit a new 319 application. The best opportunity identified to date is for erosion and small stream stabilization in the Bolin Forest neighborhood. The watershed is comprised of a combination of single family residential lots and open space from 3 HOAs.
The project concept that has been identified is to pursue stormwater management and ephemeral stream channel stabilization efforts in an 11 acre drainage. The Town would submit the grant application and provide in kind support with grant administration (if awarded). 9 other organizations (including the 3 HOAs) will provide in kind and cash match with a large amount of outreach and volunteer support. The other partners include OWASA, Orange County Soil and Water Conservation, NC Cooperative Extension, Friends of Bolin Creek, UNC Institute of the Environment and a Carrboro High School teacher. The attached memo provides more information about the site and proposed project. As currently scoped, about $100k of costs for the stabilization/restoration work is envisioned. With the in kind match, the total project value is estimated at $175k.
EPA 319 grants are administered by NCDEQ, and annual applications reviewed through a competitive process. There is a 40% match requirement which can be met via cash or in-kind. The eligible applicant pool is limited to organizations that are implementing an approved 319 Watershed Restoration Plan. The application deadline is May 4. Selection will occur later in 2021 with funding being available in early 2022
Staff intend to share plans to submit the application with the Stormwater Advisory Commission (April 8), and will continue communicating with the interested neighborhood representatives and partners as part of preparing and submitting the application (May 4th deadline). It is anticipated that DEQ will be making awards in late summer/early fall. .
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: There will be a small staff impact with completing and submitting the application- much of the necessary legwork has already been completed, with considerable support from the other partners. There would also be a staff impact associated with grant administration. No fiscal impact is anticipated.
RECOMMENDATION:r It is recommended that the Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing submittal of the grant application. If the application is approved by NCDEQ an agenda item will be brought back to consider accepting an award later in 2021.