Environmental Protection Agency

Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research - $4.0 million

Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research
P.O. Box 20643
St. Simons Island, GA 31522

The Consortium supports biotechnology, renewable energy, and environmental research that can translate into market-ready products, new energy technologies, and other practical applications.  It promotes the rapid development and transfer of these technologies from academic research laboratories to the marketplace, creating new renewable energy industries, jobs, and other economic opportunities.  It advances technological, commercially valuable innovations based on new understandings and uses of plants and other organisms; provides multidisciplinary training and research opportunities for a new generation of scientists and engineers; and connects industry needs with university and industry suppliers. 

The proposed project is a critical engine for creating new jobs in the agricultural and renewable energy industries, particularly in high-tech biotechnology areas such as the Triangle.  Research facilitated by the Consortium will lead to development of new renewable energy sources that will reduce oil and gas consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and dependence on foreign oil suppliers.  Significant work within this project will be carried out at North Carolina State University. 

Dempsey E. Benton Water Treatment Plant Backwash Waste Facility, City of Raleigh - $2 million

City of Raleigh, NC
One Exchange Plaza, Suite 620
Raleigh, NC 27602

The Dempsey E. Benton wastewater treatment facility, which is currently under construction and scheduled to come online in 2010, will allow the City of Raleigh to meet the area’s future water needs by providing additional water system reliability and capacity.  The City of Raleigh is seeking federal funding to improve a process to filter backwash and sedimentation residuals that are generated by the plant; the treated water can then be returned to Lake Benson. 

Real-Time Monitoring of Drinking Water, North Carolina State - $400,000

North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695

North Carolina State University is seeking federal funding to purchase and install an advanced real-time remote monitoring (RTRM) network to help detect pollutants in eight major potable water supply reservoirs, including Jordan Lake, University Lake and Falls Lake.  The sensors would provide advance warning of threats to local water supply, facilitating early intervention to prevent serious public health breakdowns.  The RTRMs would also provide information for applying research and scholarship to address the significant statewide issue of strengthened water supply protection.  This initiative would help to maintain a safe and adequate water supply for residents of the Triangle region.

Sea-Level Rise Adaptation Studies, Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Program - $1 million

Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Program
1601 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699

Our nation’s coastal areas, including the Albemarle/Pamlico Peninsula, are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.  Rising seas threaten to change this complex ecosystem; the region’s peat soils are already degrading and natural communities are retreating from saltwater intrusion.  Unless there are efforts to protect the landscape and manage the inevitable ecological changes, as much as a million acres could be lost to rising seas within the next 100 years, eliminating habitat for a wide range of wildlife.  This project would study effective methods for adapting to sea-level rise on the Albemarle-Pamlico peninsula, including hydrologic restoration, land restoration, reforestation, oyster reef restoration, and measuring and monitoring impacts on carbon sequestration.  Federal support from the National Estuary Program would help protect the sensitive ecology of valuable public land and help protect our coast from ecological changes associated with climate change.

Water Quality Research, Water Environment Research Foundation - $2 million

Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF)
635 Slaters Lane
Alexandria, VA 22314

WERF, the nation’s leading independent scientific research organization focusing on wastewater and stormwater issues, conducts the only national program of research that produces cost-effective, innovative, and scientifcally sound methods that help local agenices and companies meet their water quality responsibilities.  WERF provides its subscribers, including Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA), with data-driven research on innovative approaches to wastewater and stormwater management, helping state and local water agencies  address new and complex water challenges.  WERF’s research has led to improvements in human and ecological health, new water quality processes and technology and, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, substantial savings to communities with a regulated water supply.  Funding for ongoing research will contribute to broad-based water quality improvements to help to maintain a safe and adequate drinking water supply.

Western Wake Regional Wastewater Management Facility, Town of Cary - $2 million

Town of Cary, NC
316 North Academy Street
Cary, NC 27512

The State of North Carolina has issued an interbasin transfer certificate that requires Wake County and the towns of Apex, Cary, and Morrisville to return reclaimed water to the Cape Fear River basin by 2011.  However, existing wastewater facilities discharge only into the Neuse River basin.  The Town of Cary, on behalf of the other localities, is seeking federal funding to support construction of the Western Wake Regional Wastewater Management Facility and the necessary corresponding infrastructure.  The facility will insure that the region can meet the state’s transfer mandate and has adequate long-term water and wastewater treatment capacity.    

U.S. Forest Service

Catawba Falls Access & Trail Acquisition. Pisgah National Forest - $713,000

United States Forest Service
Pisgah National Forest
1001 Pisgah Highway
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768

The Catawba Falls tract is an 88-acre tract of land that provides public access to Catawba Falls.  Acquisition of this tract is the top land acquisition priority of the Forest Supervisor of the National Forests in North Carolina (U.S. Forest Service).  Federal funding would be used to purchase the tract, protecting the sensitive ecology of valuable forest land and enhancing recreational access and other public uses. 

Rocky Fork Acquisition, Cherokee National Forest - $13.5 million

United States Forest Service
Cherokee National Forest
2800 North Ocoee Street
Cleveland, TN 37312

Rocky Fork is the largest tract of unprotected land in the southern Appalachian mountains.  It contains significant and abundant natural, recreational, scenic and cultural resources along the Appalachian Trail, which is highly utilized by North Carolina citizens near the border with Tennessee.  The purchase of Rocky Fork is a top national priority for the USFS. Continued federal funding would be used to complete the purchase of the 10,000 acre Rocky Fork tract for Cherokee National Forest. 

Report Language: America’s Longleaf initiative

The Committee encourages the Forest Service to accelerate Longleaf Forest Restoration efforts using funds made available within National Forest System, Research, and State and Private accounts.  The Committee also strongly encourages the Fish and Wildlife Service similarly to use available funds within but not limited to Ecological Services, Partners for Fish and Wildlife, and Refuge accounts to accelerate Longleaf Forest Restoration.  Both agencies are encouraged to work together as appropriate towards realizing the Range-wide Conservation Plan for Longleaf Pine and objectives under the Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability.

The Southern Environmental Law Center has requested report language relating to America’s Longleaf Initiative that would encourage the United States Forest Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service to use available funds to accelerate Longleaf Forest Restoration, and would encourage both agencies to work together towards realizing the Range-wide Conservation Plan for Longleaf Pine and objectives under the Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability.

U.S. Geological Survey

Report Language: North Carolina Floodplain Mapping Program

The Committee is aware that, in 2002, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) entered into a cooperative agreement promising $5 million for an innovative partnership whereby North Carolina would direct state-derived elevation data, in the form a new digital state map, to the National Mapping program.  The state has provided all of the data to USGS, and the map provided by North Carolina is available on the USGS website.  However, USGS still owes the state approximately $4 million under the terms of the cooperative agreement.  The Committee urges the USGS to work with the State of north Carolina towards resolution and fulfillment of  its commitment.

The State of North Carolina has requested assistance in securing reimbursement by the United States Geological Survey for work completed by the Floodplain Mapping Program in accordance with a partnership agreement.