Integrated Watershed Management in North Carolina’s Upper Neuse Riverbasin: A Blueprint for Future Collaboration and Consensus

Abstract

Kumar, Anjali Bala. Master of Natural Resources – Policy & Administration Technical Option. Integrated Watershed Management in North Carolina’s Upper Neuse Riverbasin: A Blueprint for Future Collaboration and Consensus

The availability of clean and plentiful water in watersheds is often taken for granted, and is becoming increasing difficult to ensure. Water conservation to preserve future water availability is necessary particularly in rapidly urbanizing areas like the Triangle region of North Carolina. The main potential causes of water scarcity in North Carolina currently are population growth, uneven distribution of water, and overuse of the resource. Issues specific to North Carolina watersheds are aquifer depletion, saltwater intrusion, overuse, upstream/downstream issues, trans-boundary conflicts and water quality. A drought, as occurred in 2007, can amplify these problems, and the ability to adapt to drought is dependent on excellent management and adequate regulations. The use of an adaptive management approach, such as Integrated Watershed Management, which has been used to varying degrees of success in recent years, should be developed in the Upper Neuse River Basin region to best cope with these issues. Through an analysis of several case studies in watersheds where IWM has been used, key elements necessary for success will be identified and applied to the Upper Neuse River Basin and its stakeholders. This will help future water managers in the region cope with these evolving water quality and quantity issues.