The Role of Networks and Planning, in the Improvement of Impaired Waters in Urbanizing Counties within North Carolina

The state of North Carolina continues to grow at a rapid rate. The rise of negatively impacted streams, particularly within urbanizing counties, continues to expand. Considerable effort and public funding are spent through a variety of agencies that attempt to deal with the problem on a collaborative basis through management networks. A study using surveys, a plan quality rating tool and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) list of impaired (303d) streams was conducted to determine the strength of these networks, the quality of the plans they produce, and finally if those plans lead to improved water quality. Several areas, identified based on the data, suggest improvements in the functioning of networks and planning efforts directed toward water quality improvement.