Background

In 2020, the NC General Assembly created the Natural Infrastructure Flood Mitigation Program (NIFMP) within DMS, incorporating flood storage capacity enhancement projects into the division's activities. The 2021 Appropriations Act further supported this mission by setting aside $3.5 million to create pilot projects addressing chronic flooding in the Stoney Creek watershed. DMS also received funding through the NC Office of Recovery and Resilience from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to be used for NIFMP development.

Stoney Creek Pilot Project

The Stoney Creek pilot project will target flooding that impacts businesses, roadways and access to emergency services in Wayne County and Goldsboro. The pilot project, and the Natural Infrastructure Program at large, seek to mitigate flooding using natural infrastructure and constructed systems that mimic natural processes. These systems can include strategies like building wetlands and restoring streams, which help store water and reduce flooding.

The Stoney Creek pilot project will also serve as the basis for expanding natural infrastructure flood mitigation projects to additional watersheds. Lessons learned through the Stoney Creek project will help develop scaling solutions to enhance community flood resilience across North Carolina.

Project Timeline