The N.C. Ecosystem Enhancement Program is based on partnerships, embodied in the Memorandum of Agreement between the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT), the N.C. Department of Environment & Natural Resources (NCDENR) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that established the program's procedures on July 22, 2003.
The EEP also works with the private sector on two fronts to offset unavoidable environmental impacts. The program's alliance with local and regional land trusts across the state, believed to be unprecedented in the nation on this scale, harnesses the expertise, innovation and local knowledge of 22 separate trusts to promote land acquisition and open-space protection.
The EEP also partners with more than 20 private biological-engineering and mitigation-banking companies on wetlands restoration and enhancement programs across the state.
Sponsoring Partners:
N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources
N.C. Department of Transportation
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District
State partners:
One North Carolina Naturally
NCDENR Division of Water Quality
DWQ Basinwide Planning Program
DWQ Wetlands/401 Certifications Unit
NCDENR Division of Water Resources
N.C. Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
NCDENR Division of Soil & Water Conservation
NCDENR Division of Coastal Management Wetlands Information
NCDOT Environmental Excellence
NCDOT Project Development & Environmental Analysis
Federal government partners:
Natural Resources Conservation Service
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Southeast Region Office
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 Office
U.S. EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds
Federal Highway Admininstration Exemplary Ecosystem Initiatives
Preservation partners:
Conservation Trust for North Carolina and 22 local and regional land trusts
N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund
N.C. Natural Heritage Trust Fund
N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
N.C. Chapter of The Nature Conservancy
Restoration partners:
N.C. Coastal Federation
American Council of Engineering Companies of North Carolina
Local government partners:
N.C. League of Municipalities
City of Charlotte Storm Water Services
City of Wilmington
Wake County Soil and Water Conservation District
Education partners:
The Carolina Vegetation Survey
Center for Transportation and the Environment, N.C. State University
Water Resources Research Institute, University of North Carolina
Watershed Education for Communities and Local Officials, N.C. State University
Stream Restoration Institute, N.C. State University
Wetland Center, Duke University
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