Robert Evans

A large farm located in extreme eastern Hyde County uses intense drainage practices to allow for agricultural operations and to maximize crop yields. Currently, water management on the farm requires pumping of excess agricultural drainage water into the Pamlico Sound. Multiple stakeholders, which include members that have in some cases, been historically adversarial, have forged a partnership to develop a large scale restoration and water management plan that will encompass over 7,200 acres of land. This plan will significantly reduce pumped agricultural drainage water to the Pamlico Sound, and reroute this water through historical drainage paths that will enhance the hydrology and habitat on approximately 4,200 acres of forested wetland that have been drained (it is believed that this area formed a natural drainage way flowing northwest in the direction of the Alligator River). If this project is successful, it could signal a pivotal change in scale and acceptance of these types of projects, because our planning thus far appears to have minimized required socio-economic trade-offs between stakeholders. The current conceptual plan for replicating and restoring natural drainage patterns within this area include plugging of farm ditches, land contouring, creating impoundments for water reuse and migratory waterfowl habitat, and planting of native vegetation where needed. To reduce drainage outflow directly to the Pamlico Sound via pumping, this farm land to be restored may provide a more ecologically sound area to redirect a portion of agricultural drainage water. Hydrology in the restoration area which was historically common to pocosin ecosystems can be restored. In addition, as pumped drainage water flows through this area, sediment, nutrients, and bacteria contained in this water can be effectively removed through biogeochemical processes unique to wetland ecosystems. Some of this drainage water will also be available for reuse by the farm. Reuse coupled with infiltration and evapotranspiration in the restored areas will also reduce the net volume of water leaving the confines of the farm. The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at North Carolina State University proposes to provide leadership in finalizing the design and overseeing construction of Phase I of this project. In addition, it is crucial that the initial hydrologic modeling efforts that addressed the feasibility of this project be intensified to determine how water will be managed following construction. Our initial estimates are that pumping costs will be reduced, and both the pollutant load reduction to the sound and assimilation capacity of the wetlands will be high - a win for all stakeholders. However, these hypotheses must be tested using long-term models that will be calibrated and validated with field and laboratory data obtained during this proposed effort. This overall project will serve as a demonstration of how environmental and water quality projects can be implemented in conjunction with agricultural operations. In addition, it will serve as an example for other farms in the watershed/drainage district that will lead to future restoration projects with additional water quality benefits. These studies proposed will be coupled with reporting and education at local meetings to solidify current fragile partnerships. Failure to do so may stalemate this and future projects of this scale.

Wetland monitoring in NC has a ten-year history with much data collected on many wetland types. Important stakeholders are working with NC DENR to develop and implement a Wetland Program Plan. During this process, the agency was reorganized and funding was cut to NC������������������s Wetland Monitoring Program. As a land-grant institute whose mission is to protect the health and well-being of its citizens and natural resources, we must buffer the effects the elimination of this program will have on NC. This proposal seeks to expand the work done by the Wetlands Monitoring Program in NC by executing several key components documented in the EPA approved WPP. This proposal will expand and continue the monitoring of hydrology, water quality, soils, and biota at 18 long-term sites. The data from these sites will be analyzed to assess trends in wetland condition and establish baseline metrics for wetland mitigation as well as monitor other long term changes in wetland services. The efficacy of innovative technology will be tested to collect remote data. The proposal also will develop a comprehensive database for wetland monitoring data collected in NC. This will include establishing a wetlands monitoring technical workgroup to contribute to a more unified and robust monitoring effort in NC. The database will include data from a wide number of entities along with protocols for entering future data. This centralized wetland database will provide efficient access to wetland information for state and federal agencies as well as the public, including mitigation providers and conservation organizations.

The overarching goal of this project is to demonstrate and evaluate constructed wetlands as a way to mitigate the effects of surface runoff/subsurface drainage on the water quality of the Little River, with particular emphasis in nutrient (N and P) reduction. In a partnership with ARCD, BAE will: 1. Provide consultation for final design and implementation of the constructed wetlands; 2. Design and implement a water quality sampling scheme that will maximize information gained on wetland treatment efficiency given a limited timescale and budget; 3. Synthesize data and evaluate the potential of constructed wetlands to improve water quality in the Little River watershed; 4. Participate in outreach such as field days and the development of education materials that will document potential widespread use of constructed wetlands in rural areas.

The use of constructed wetlands strategically placed in the watershed is one alternative that appears promising. Wetlands have been used to successfully treat drainage water, but data documenting the treatment efficiency is sparse and has no-doubt limited the ability of the practice to be adopted on a more widespread basis. To test and demonstrate this practice, Albemarle RC&D and its project partners are finalizing the design of approximately 1700 linear feet of constructed wetlands within a main drainage canal within the Little River Watershed. This proposal will outline how our team from the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering (BAE) at NC State University will provide assistance to the Albemarle RC&D in documenting the performance of these linear constructed wetlands in the Little River Watershed.

Giant reed, Arundo donax L., is a high yielding biomass crop with potential for cellulosic ethanol production. Over the course of a 3-year field study, this project will document giant reed response to nitrogen fertilization rate and harvest schedule. Dry matter yield and nitrogen uptake and removal will be determined for N fertilization rates ranging from 0 to 280 kg N/ha (0 to 250 lbs. N/ac) in 40 kg (36 lbs.) increments for a single harvest and 0 to 560 kg N/ha (0 to 500 lbs. N/ac) in 80 kg N (72 lbs.) increments for double harvest. Changes in soil N accumulation resulting from N fertilization will be documented through annual soil core analysis to a depth of 36 inches. Based on first year mid-season results, yields approaching 29 M ton/ha (13 ton/ac) appear feasible with removal of up to 450 kg N/ha (400 lbs. N/ac) in the double harvested crop.

The overall goal of this project is to develop, evaluate, and demonstrate the use of a simple tool to quantify the impacts of DWM on the reduction of N losses from subsurface drained cropland. A tool like the one proposed herein would be essential for any water quality credit trading system that involves the use of DWM. The success of this system hinges upon a credible estimate of the nitrogen credit from this non-point source system. Specific objectives include: a) Develop an easy to use and reliable DRAINMOD-based tool to quantify the reduction of annual N mass losses due to the implementation of DWM. This tool can be utilized by the Midwest and Southeast states as part of a water quality credit trading system involving DWM. b) Test the accuracy of the tool by comparing DWM-caused reductions of annual N mass loss estimated by the developed tool to measured and/or DRAINMOD-NII predicted losses for Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Ohio, and North Carolina. Historic measured data will be used and no additional measurements will be needed for the evaluation of the performance of the tool. c) Develop a website for the tool which includes educational material on DWM, instructional material on how to use the tool, and utilities for preparing the required inputs.

The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at North Carolina State University proposes to provide a hydrologic study to address the feasibility of an integrated water management plan for these nearly 10,000 acres of drained and managed wetlands in Hyde County. If deemed feasible, later phases of this project will include implementation of an innovative system that could provide tremendous water quality and ecosystem benefits, while satisfying and possibly enhancing agricultural water management objectives. The project would be the largest of its kind in North Carolina, and represent the advancement and integration of agricultural drainage practice with environmentally sound objectives. This overall project will serve as a demonstration of how environmental and water quality projects can be implemented in conjunction with agricultural operations. In addition, it will serve as an example for other farms in the watershed/drainage district that will lead to future restoration projects with additional water quality benefits.

This proposal is for the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department (BAE) and Soil Science Department of North Carolina State University to work with the North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program (NCEEP), monitoring the restoration success at North River Farms (NRF) near Beaufort, NC. Agricultural drainage from NRF and Open Grounds Farm (OGF) drain into the North River, designated by the NCDWQ as high quality waters (HQW), shellfishing waters (SA) and primary fishery nursery areas. Transport of freshwater, nutrients, sediment, and bacteria in agricultural drainage from these farms has (in part) resulted in this estuarine system to be partially supporting of its designations. The extreme Northern areas of the river (closest to the proposed restoration site) have been closed to shellfishing. Nearby Ward?s Creek was also recently closed to shellfishing. A 111-acre section of North River Farms near Deep Creek that drains into North River is currently undergoing restoration (NRF restoration Phase II). This follows a Phase I 250-acre restoration of a non-riparian wet hardwood wetland completed in March 2003. Phase II includes 8600-ft. of freshwater stream and tidal creeks, 53-acres of non-riparian hardwood wetland, 23-acres of riparian freshwater wetlands, and 35- acres of tidal marsh. The goal of this restoration is to increase habitat function and improve water quality in the North River by ceasing farming operations on this land and re-routing a portion of drainage water from Open Grounds Farm for wetland treatment. EEP funding supported post-construction hydrologic and water quality research on Phase I and background water table, water quality, and tidal fluctuations at the Phase II site since March 2003. Phase II restoration presents an important opportunity to study the design techniques incorporated in this project on the basis of site stability, vegetation and habitat establishment, and water quality improvement. As the number of projects similar to this one in NC and the Southeast increase in the upcoming years, it will be important to utilize post-construction data on previous restorations. This will help to ensure success of future restorations, allowing the most efficient use of state and federal funds allocated to these endeavors. The purpose of this proposal is to monitor and evaluate the success of the Phase II site immediately following construction. Ultimately, the combination of the hydrologic, water quality, stream stability, vegetation establishment, and habitat expansion data will be used to asses the design of the restoration system. This will allow for recommendations for the design of future restoration projects in these areas.

The Departments of Biological and Agricultural Engineering (BAE) and Watershed Education for Communities and Local Officials (WECO) of North Carolina State University (NCSU) will work with the North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program (NCEEP), to identify, design, construct, monitor and evaluate alternative restoration methodology for approximately 3,000 feet of channelized stream in the Crisp Creek Watershed. Crisp Creek is one of four sub-watersheds identified for stream, riparian buffer and wetlands restoration through the Local Watershed Planning (LWP) for Cataloging Unit 03020103 of the Tar Pamlico River Basin. Crisp Creek watershed is located in Edgecombe and Martin counties within the Mid-Tar River Sub-basin 03-03-03 and the USGS Cataloging Unit 03020103. It is a major tributary to the 303(d) listed Conetoe Creek and was determined by DWQ staff to be impaired in 2003.

Aflatoxin is a carcinogenic compound produced by fungi and can contaminate several commodities such as peanuts, corn, and treenuts. About 100 countries worldwide have established regulatory limits for aflatoxin in various foods. It is important that sampling plans be designed to detect and remove contaminated lots from the food chain. Aflatoxin sampling plans should be designed to accurately detect contaminated lots and minimize exporters? risk (good lots rejected) and the importers? risk (bad lots accepted). The U.S. exports significant nut production to the European Union (EU). In 2006, the EU became concerned about the increase in the number of lots rejected at import. A sampling study is being developed and the variability and distribution among sample test results for aflatoxin measured. The variability and distribution information will be used to develop a model to evaluate the performance of sampling plan designs.