Fact Sheet: The NC Source Water Collaborative
You have been invited to participate in NC's new Source Water Collaborative. This is a unique opportunity to share your knowledge and help protect the state's water resources. The idea to create a state collaborative results from NC's participation in the Enabling SWP Project, a national program designed to identify innovative opportunities in our state. Many of you belong to organizations affiliated with the National Source Water Collaborative. Our state collaborative will mirror the national organization.
As a collaborative member, what will I have to do?
You will provide input, direction and expertise on a variety of special projects designed to incentivize source water protection (SWP) activities. We are asking you to attend an orientation workshop (probably a half-day and targeted for early December). The workshop will be followed by quarterly meetings. You can expect additional interaction through email, phone or web-based questionnaires. You may also volunteer additional effort for projects aligned with your specific area of expertise or interest.
What role will the participants play?
- Create and administer an awards program to recognize SWP achievements
- Promote SWP concepts through education and outreach assistance
- Use leverage and influence to help align funding sources toward SWP projects
- Assistance aligning regulatory mandates (stormwater, nutrients, etc.) with SWP
- Provide expertise/guidance to address specific SWP issues or problems
- Think tank to define special projects and incentives to initiate local SWP
Are any resources in place to help ensure success?
Yes. We have secured a grant from EPA to initiate the Collaborative. We also have resource commitments to create the awards program listed above. We have administrative and other professionals (e.g., GIS specialist) available to assist the collaborative. We will also create and maintain a web presence on behalf of the Collaborative, as well as a list serve and/or other electronic infrastructure. We will provide logistics for meetings and act as a communication hub among the members.
Are the Collaborative's efforts limited to only drinking water protection?
No. NC's Source Water Assessment Areas include roughly one-third of the state. Within these areas there are opportunities to achieve multiple objectives (e.g., land conservation, wildlife habitat preservation, agricultural BMPs, etc.). Linking multiple objectives to drinking water protection will strengthen the Collaborative's efforts.
Can I attend the workshop and then decide my level of participation?
Yes.
Who else may be attending?
We have invited your colleagues and counterparts from a variety of diverse backgrounds, including non-profit organizations, university programs, state agencies, professional associations, etc. Working together, we will be better positioned to impact our state's water resources in meaningful ways. Please let us know if there are additional groups that would add substance to the Collaborative.