High Rock Lake Nutrient Management Strategy

Announcement: Watershed stakeholders and the general public are invited to attend a virtual informational session to hear a brief review of the ongoing work of the Steering Committee and Technical Advisory Groups, as well as ask any questions you may have about the process, watershed, or regulatory research. This virtual meeting will be held on March 29th from 4:00-5:30pm via Zoom at the following link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4748628662?pwd=bWNHek4wcklSQ0pDM0twT09KMUJtdz09

High Rock Lake is experiencing water quality issues due to algal blooms which may produce harmful toxins and can cause illness if ingested by humans and pets. The Department of Environmental Quality is currently drafting new state requirements (called “Rules”) to address the increased nutrients in this watershed causing the blooms. These rules are expected to impact a wide range of nutrient sources, including but not limited to impervious surfaces, stormwater runoff, agriculture, wastewater, and riparian buffers.  A Steering Committee has been selected with membership spanning a diverse cross-section of individuals and groups from across the watershed and representing various interests and perspectives, and technical advisory groups (TAGs) are being convened to investigate different control strategies for nutrient sources in the area that drains to High Rock Lake.  Planning meetings are being scheduled through 2023 and the public is invited to participate.  Please contact Joey Hester (919-707-3675, joey.hester@ncdenr.gov) if you have questions or for more information about how you can participate.