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The North Carolina Farm Center is committed to demonstrating sustainable practices for all environmental systems, especially water. The organization is continually participating in new programs that will help to not only protect the current water quality of Privateer Farm, but will also demonstrate effective techniques for sustainable farming.
A fully completed restoration of seven miles of Harrison Creek at Valentine Farm demonstrates how federal and state programs work more efficiently when combined with private farm conservation. A new wetlands restoration project will restore 3,340 acres of wetlands and natural streams at the farm. The NC Farm Center will work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to design and manage the extensive tree planting and sustainable water flow components.
PRIVATEER FARM AND WATER QUALITY
The Privateer Farm stream and wetlands restoration site is located in United State Geological Survey (USGS) Hydrologic Unit (HU) 03030005 and North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ) Cape Fear River sub-basins 15 and 16 along Little Alligator Swamp and Harrison Creek. Privateer Farm is located in the Southeastern Plans Level II ecoregion (Southeastern Floodplains and Low terraces Level IV ecoregion) and includes portions of Cumberland and Bladen Counties, approximately 6 miles from the southern boundary of CU 03030004. The surrounding area includes hundreds of elliptical shaped wetlands, called Carolina Bays, and is listed by the National Audubon Society as in Important Bird Area (IBA) for its unique habitats.
Privateer Farm encompasses a 430-acre boundary contained within the 4,600 acre farm property. NC Farm Center intends to restore the entire property to its historic wetland ecosystem. The restoration project involving historic Harrison Creek is the first step toward this goal and is the centerpiece of the restoration effort.
The remainder of the Farm property to be restored has entered into the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) Wetlands Reserve Program. Currently the easement has been obtained by NRCS. NRCS is planning to complete the engineering design in-house, which will most likely consist of ditch plugs, with review and comments provided by Baker Engineering. NRCS is fully aware of the NCDOT easement and mitigation credit and are committed in preserving the integrity of the NC DOT project.
Prior to the restoration, stream and riparian functions on the Farm had been severely impacted as a result of agricultural conversion. Harrison Creek was channelized in the early 1980’s to reduce flooding and provide a drainage outlet for the extensive ditching across the Farm. As a result, the stream existed as a very large canal through the project site. Backwater conditions were imposed along extensive sections of the stream due to culverts and debris blockages, and natural riffle and pool sequences were nearly non-existent. Harrison Creek is classified as Class C waters, which are suitable for aquatic life propagation and survival, fishing, wildlife, secondary recreation and agriculture.
Wetlands Reserve Program
US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
The North Carolina Farm Center is an active participant in the USDA/NRCS Wetlands Reserve Program. The USDA/NRCS describes this program as:
“The Wetlands Reserve Program is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical and financial support to help landowners with their wetland restoration efforts. The NRCS goal is to achieve the greatest wetland functions and values, along with optimum wildlife habitat, on every acre enrolled in the program. This program offers landowners an opportunity to establish long-term conservation and wildlife practices and protection.”
For more information about the Wetlands Reserve Program and how you might become involved or how your farmland could benefit from this program, please visit the USDA/NRCS Website at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Programs/WRP/
Additional Information about NC Farm Centers WRP Project
NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
The North Carolina Farm Center is an active participant in the NC DENR Ecosystem Enhancement Program. NC DENR describes this program as:
“The Ecosystem Enhancement Program is housed within the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR), and derives from a multi-agency initiative to improve watershed functions through the development of specific plans and projects in advance of environmental impacts from transportation and economic-development improvements. The EEP incorporates the functions of the former NCDENR Wetlands Restoration Program, established in 1997 legislation.”
For more information about the Ecosystem Enhancement Program and how you might become involved or how your farmland could benefit from this program, please visit the program website at: http://www.nceep.net/
Additional Information about NC Farm Centers EEP Project:
• Privateer Farms Wetland and Stream Restoration Project Annual Monitoring Report for 2005 (Year 1)
2009 Cape Fear River Basin Priorities Report
North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program, North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
The Harrison Creek watershed was featured in the 2009 Cape Fear River Basin Restoration Priorities report published through the EEP Program. Privateer Farm is in the direct center of the Harrison Creek Watershed.
“The Harrison Creek Watershed was selected due to significant input from local resource professionals. The Harrison Creek Watershed extends from southern Cumberland County near Fayetteville, southward along the Cape Fear River and includes all of Harrison and Indian Creeks. Within this watershed, numerous significant Natural Heritage sites are found. Projections based on studies indicate an additional 40,000 people by 2011 in terms of the increase to the region’s total population due to Military personnel and dependents. The Cape Fear River is on the DWQ 303 (d) list for standard violation – mercury. The focus in this watershed should be to preserve existing buffers and wetlands as development increases in the watershed.”
To read the full report visit: http://www.nceep.net/services/lwps/cape_fear/RBRP%20Cape%20Fear%202008.pdf
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