The NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Flood Resiliency Blueprint program (Blueprint) will hold a public information session on July 20 at 6 p.m. to provide information and gather feedback on two draft flood resilience plans: the Lumber River Basin Action Strategy and the Tar-Pamlico River Basin Action Strategy. Members of the public are invited to attend virtually via Webex.
The river basin action strategies are strategic flood resilience plans tailored to the unique characteristics and needs of each basin. The strategy outlines actionable steps to empower communities to proactively reduce impacts of flooding. These actions are guided by scientific data, local priorities and long-term sustainability objectives, ensuring the strategy is both effective and responsive to the basin’s evolving needs.
The river basin action strategies were developed using data from the Flood Resiliency Blueprint Tool and informed by input from local Blueprint partners and the River Basin Advisory Groups.
The river basin action strategies will be delivered to the NC General Assembly (NCGA) later this summer. In 2021, the NCGA directed DEQ to develop the Flood Resiliency Blueprint, which now supports the planning, evaluation and implementation of flood resilience strategies. It is the largest proactive statewide flood mitigation investment in North Carolina history, equipping local governments, the state and supporting organizations with data, tools and processes to better understand flood risk, identify community needs and guide strategic investments to reduce flood risk and strengthen resilience.
The draft Lumber and Tar-Pamlico river basin action strategies are now available for review and input. Public input will be accepted until July 27.
Members of the public are invited to submit feedback through a public feedback form or by emailing the Blueprint Program at blueprint@deq.nc.gov with “RBAS Feedback” in the subject line. Members of the public may also ask questions or provide additional input during the public information session.
Event: Lumber and Tar-Pamlico River Basin Action Strategy Public Information Session
When: Monday, July 20, 6 p.m.
Join via Webex: https://ncgov.webex.com/ncgov/j.php?MTID=mcdc62e10a7f943319c456573376e5ff2
Meeting Number/Access Code: 2424 744 7031
Meeting Password: blueprint (25837746 when dialing from a phone)
Join by telephone: +1-415-655-0003 US Toll
About the NC Flood Resiliency Blueprint
In 2021, the NC General Assembly directed the NC Department of Environmental Quality to develop a statewide Flood Resiliency Blueprint. The Blueprint serves as the backbone of North Carolina’s flood resiliency planning and is based on the best available science, stakeholder engagement and sound decision-making to develop actionable projects. At the heart of the Blueprint is an online decision support tool to help local governments, agencies and nongovernmental partners develop, evaluate and prioritize resilience actions as well as plan and marshal funding to implement those priorities. The Blueprint is currently funded and authorized to work in six of North Carolina’s 17 river basins. River Basin Action Strategies are being developed for the six initial basins. The Blueprint will make North Carolina more resilient to flooding by funding projects that limit flood extent and severity, allowing communities to recover more quickly and limit future risk as storms become more frequent and severe. DEQ has awarded funding to 84 Blueprint projects in six river basins totaling more than $43 million.