Buncombe County Soil and Water Conservation

Newfound Project Helping Water Quality

The Newfound watershed project is still searching for good water quality projects. It is important to know that the Buncombe County Soil & Water Conservation District is a Non-regulator agency that first started by providing technical assist to farmers and community members on a voluntary relationship. The Newfound Watershed Project has received a new grant of $351,738.05 from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to improve water quality for Newfound community residents.
We are interested in helping Newfound residents with water quality issues around and on their property. This can also improve land value and the overall look of your property. This picture here on the left is a current project to help fence 22 head of cattle out Newfound Creek. We are installing a watering tank and a heavy use area for winter feeding. We will also smooth and seed over this steep pasture that has been exposed to livestock traffic to the creek. This project will greatly improve water quality in Newfound. This particular project will cost under $10,000 and the grant will cover over $7,000 of the total project.

If you have property in the Newfound Creek Watershed area and are interested in grant money assistance, please contact Julie Cahill, Newfound Watershed Resource Coordinator at 828-250-4792 or e-mail Julie.cahill@buncombecounty.org. Buncombe County Soil & Water is here to assist you with any community conservation needs.

Stream Restoration in Newfound Creek!!

We have all heard about Newfound Creek Watershed Project and the efforts Buncombe County has made to improve water quality. We would also like to share with you another organization that benefits water quality, the environment and landowners. The Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP) offers many benefits to landowners interested in protecting and restoring wetlands, streams and riparian areas on their property. The program can cover 100% of the cost for restoration and pay the landowner up to 80% of the current land value for a conservation easement.

Sometimes, threatened or eroding streams need “fixing” to restore or enhance the natural functions that they perform. Stream restoration can improve water quality, control floodwaters, pollution runoff, reduce erosion and protect fish and wildlife habitat.

Landowners need a minimum of 2000 ft. of stream to be eligible for a potential EEP site. These projects can include several landowners side by side. There are many economic advantages for landowner(s) interested in conservation easements on the creek.