Chatham County, NC - File #: 25-0296

• File #: 25-0296
• Version: 1
• Type: Agenda Item
• Status: Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
• File created: 6/2/2025
• In control: Soil and Water Conservation
• On agenda: 6/16/2025
• Title: Vote to approve a grant application by Chatham Soil & Water Conservation District for up to $500,000 from NC DEQ Division of Water Resources' Water Resources Development Grant Program for Flood Resiliency which will supplement a project to restore Pokeberry Creek and wetlands within Briar Chapel Community through a partnership with Piedmont Conservation Council, Chatham County's Resource Conservation and Development representative
• Indexes: Comp Plan Goal 10: Foster a healthy community., Comp Plan Goal 6: Provide recreational opportunities and access to open space., Comp Plan Goal 7: Provide infrastructure to support desired development and support economic and environmental objectives., Comp Plan Goal 8: Become more resilient by mitigating, responding and adapting to emerging threats.

Title
Vote to approve a grant application by Chatham Soil & Water Conservation District for up to $500,000 from NC DEQ Division of Water Resources' Water Resources Development Grant Program for Flood Resiliency which will supplement a project to restore Pokeberry Creek and wetlands within Briar Chapel Community through a partnership with Piedmont Conservation Council, Chatham County's Resource Conservation and Development representative

Abstract
Introduction & Background: This grant application is through NC DEQ Division of Water Resources' Water Resources Development Grant Program for Flood Resiliency. Chatham Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) will be the local government applicant and sponsor for these funds, up to $500,000. Piedmont Conservation Council, our local Resource Conservation & Development non-profit partner, will administer the grant on behalf of Chatham SWCD. Resource Institute will be administering matching funds from NC Land & Water Fund Program (if awarded) for the project. The overall project is $929,000 and will restore Pokeberry Creek and wetlands within Briar Chapel Community, providing future flood resiliency. No matching funds are being requested from Chatham County or Chatham SWCD.

Discussion & Analysis: The project will restore approximately 2,300 feet of Pokeberry Creek with 11 acres of associated riparian wetlands in the Briar Chapel Community. The project will protect an additional 8 acres of existing beaver pond wetlands upstream from degradation and loss by eliminating channel incision that is migrating towards these upstream wetlands. The project will protect utility lines that have been exposed and threatened due to channel incision. The project will also provide flood resiliency benefits by restoring a functional bottomland wetland system that will slow floodwaters and promote improved water quality.

Established partnerships for the project include:
* Piedmont Conservation Council - NC Water Resources Development Gra...