The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) has approved…
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) has approved a certificate of coverage to allow BlueGreen Water Technologies to conduct a pilot study of a treatment for cyanobacteria within a limited area of Lake Mattamuskeet, the state’s largest freshwater lake, starting on June 1.
The certificate of coverage falls under the general permitting process for pesticide applications. The pilot treatment, which is proposed as a collaboration with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Institute of Marine Sciences and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is targeted to take place on 400 acres in four isolated bays around the lake’s perimeter. The study area accounts for 1% of the surface area of the lake, which is more than 40,270 acres in total size. The permit files are available online.
The certificate of coverage requires monitoring data to be provided to UNC-Chapel Hill’s Institute of Marine Sciences, and to be made available to DWR.
The lake makes up the majority of the Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, which is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The refuge supports wintering waterbirds, including swans, ducks and other wildlife. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a final environmental assessment for the cyanobacteria treatment in March, along with a finding of no significant impact.
The lake’s water quality and clarity has been in decline due to the flow of excessive nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, and other factors. In 2016, the lake was listed on North Carolina’s 303(d) list for elevated acidity, or pH, and chlorophyll a.
For more information about harmful algal blooms in North Carolina, or to report an algal bloom or fish kill, find information about the DWR Algae Lab online.
The N.C. Department of Environment Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) is accepting applications for approximately $170,000 in funding under the North Carolina Marine Sewage Pumpout Station Grant Program. This grant program provides financial assistance through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Clean Vessel Act (CVA) to marinas (private and commercial), gas/service docks, fish houses, seafood dealers and other boat docking facilities for the installation and/or renovation of pumpout stations in the 20 coastal counties to improve water quality by reducing sewage discharge from recreational vessels in North Carolina.
Financial assistance will be provided in the form of matching grants of up to $20,000. Grant recipients must provide a minimum of 25% match.
“The North Carolina Division of Coastal Management is grateful for these funds that will continue to provide resources to maintain clean coastal waters,” said Division Director Tancred Miller. “With more than 50 certified marinas in our state as part of the NC Clean Marina Program, marina operators are true partners in our commitment to help safeguard the coastal environment.”
Application guidelines and forms are available online. Completed applications may be emailed to Pat Durrett at pat.durrett@deq.nc.gov or submitted by USPS to:
Pat Durrett, Clean Marina Coordinator
NC Division of Coastal Management
400 Commerce Ave.
Morehead City, NC 28557
Past examples of CVA-funded projects in North Carolina include the installation of fixed pumpout units at marinas in Carolina Beach and Bradley Creek. Both marinas are in designated “No Discharge Zones”.
The NC Clean Marina Program is designed to assist marinas and boatyards in protecting our environment through the use of best management and operation practices. The program is designed to show that marina operators can help safeguard the environment by adopting best practices for hazardous waste management, handling boat sewage, boat maintenance, spill response, and hurricane preparation and operations that go above and beyond regulatory requirements.
The North Carolina Clean Boater Program is an important part of the North Carolina Clean Marina program. Both programs are voluntary. By adopting pollution prevention measures and using best management practices, NC Clean Boaters can take satisfaction in knowing that they are doing their part in keeping North Carolina waterways and shores clean; making sure the watercraft is properly registered and meets the state requirements for safety, preserving our waterways for future generations and learning and teaching clean and safe boating habits.
For information about any NC Boater program, contact Pat Durrett at pat.durrett@deq.nc.gov or 252-808-7858 (mobile) or office (252) 515-5405.
