Background/Purpose of Request:
Hurricane Florence caused tremendous damage to communities within the Waccamaw River Watershed due to flooding from the Waccamaw River. In response, Cape Fear Council of Governments (CFCOG) and the Cape Fear Resource and Conservation Development (RC&D) have partnered to propose a Regional Waccamaw River Watershed Study to give communities throughout the Waccamaw River Watershed a better understanding of flooding, a provide a strategic plan that will identify the flooding issues in the Waccamaw River Watershed, and enable hurricane resiliently. The study area will be the entire Waccamaw River Watershed that begins in the Waccamaw River headwaters in Bladen County, NC and continue the through tributaries in Columbus County and Brunswick County, and then terminating in Horry County, SC.
This study will identify flooding vulnerabilities, develop benchmarks for problematic areas, and advance local economies. RC&D will coordinate the grant submittal efforts and be responsible for administering the funds once received. A qualified multi-disciplinary engineering firm will be solicited to complete the study. The scope of work will includes the following:
- Identify the flooding vulnerabilities and associated effects.
- Identify best management strategies for flood hazard mitigation within the Waccamaw River Watershed while using hydrologic and hydraulic modeling.
- Evaluate and prioritize flood hazard mitigation strategies to improve community resilience and economic advancement.
- Identify funding for implementing flood hazard mitigation strategies and long-term maintenance.
- Provide a comprehensive Flood Mitigation Plan for Waccamaw River Watershed.
Funding for this study is proposed to come from a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and participating Counties. EDA grant funds are supplemental funding to support recovery from recent disasters and has a 20% local match requirement. The study is projected to cost $415,000 with a local match requirement of $83,000. This study proposes that Counties – Brunswick, Bladen, Columbus, Horry – located within the Waccamaw River Watershed share in the cost of the local match by each providing $20,750. The funds can be budgeted within the FY-20-21 Budget.
Enclosed is a resolution supporting the Waccamaw River Watershed Study that includes commitment of $20,750 in cash match for FY-20-21. This resolution is needed in order to secure the grant funds. |