News Flash

A stream restoration project will begin soon, located on the Swannanoa River downstream of Blue Ridge Road in the Town of Black Mountain. This project has been funded by The United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) of North Carolina on agricultural land. The project is the result of collaboration between the property owner, NRCS, Resource Institute, Jennings Environmental, and North State Environmental. All required permits have been obtained for the project.

The objectives of the restoration activities are to stabilize the stream bank and bed, establish a native riparian buffer, construct flood benches, and to prevent additional soil loss to downstream surface waters. The proposed stream restoration project will restore approximately 2,000 linear feet of the Swannanoa River and 615 linear feet of Wolfpit Branch. This will improve the natural ecology of the stream and buffer. 

Expect to see work being done in and around the Swannanoa River in the project area beginning in the next few days.

Work will be completed by December 31, 2023.

More about USDA-NRCS projects:

The USDA-NRCS NC has invested over $1.5 million dollars in four different stream projects being implemented in Buncombe County. The projects were part of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) in partnership with the Resource Institute, whose mission is to enhance America's natural resources by restoring streams, rivers, and wetlands. The institute is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization operating to serve community interests by helping reduce total project costs. The goal of these projects is to increase water quality in the Lower Cane Creek, Gravelly Creek, Ashworth Creek, and the Upper Swannanoa River.  

The RCPP is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. RCPP projects fall under two different categories:  RCPP Classic and RCPP Grants. RCPP Classic projects are implemented using NRCS contracts and easements with producers, landowners, and communities, in collaboration with project partners. Through RCPP Grants, the lead partner must work directly with agricultural producers to support the development of new conservation structures and approaches that would not otherwise be available under RCPP Classic.

NC NRCS can also provide other assistance through voluntary programs to eligible landowners and agricultural producers to provide financial and technical assistance to help manage natural resources in a sustainable manner. 

To learn more, visit usda.gov.