More rain falling on weathered landscapes. As climate change brings ever-increasing rainfall, the changes people have made to the environment (paving of surfaces, draining of wetlands and clearing of forests) are causing low-lying areas to flood and rivers to overflow. streams, rivers and sounds. Riparian ecosystems that could naturally handle smaller amounts of water are overwhelmed by the sudden influx.
Too much polluted water, moving too fast. Large volumes of stormwater discharging into streams and rivers can transport sediments and nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, from streets, backyards and farms to estuaries. This dirty water can block the sunlight needed by underwater plants such as seagrasses and can cause toxic algae blooms.
Impacts for days or weeks. Poor water quality can harm ecosystem health, make swimming unsafe for humans and pets, kill fish, threaten wildlife populations, and delay oyster harvesting, all of which can be detrimental. on coastal economies.
A new roadmap. North Carolina’s Coastal Habitat Protection Plan is a blueprint for improving the state’s millions of acres of estuarine environment, which support healthy fish and wildlife populations and strong local economies. It contains policy recommendations for state agencies, as well as strategies that communities and businesses can work on together, to protect and restore critical habitats, such as seagrass beds and salt marshes.
Slow down the flow. One way to prevent excess nutrients and sediments from harming sensitive coastal resources is to restore wetlands and floodplains. These habitats can hold excess water like a sponge, slowly releasing it as the waters recede. Vegetation along streams and rivers provides a buffer zone that helps clean up stormwater and reduce the amount that enters critical waterways. Wetlands can also improve the health of coastal ecosystems by supporting wildlife and contribute to efforts to combat climate change by capturing and storing carbon.
A future of clearer, cleaner water for people, fish and the environment. Thanks to new policies and community actions, people in North Carolina will see improvements in water quality, which will mean more opportunities to swim, fish, eat local seafood and enjoy coastal areas. wild animals that make the state so special.
