Green Jobs & Water Quality: Support the Community Conservation Assistance Program

SUPPORT S523=H903, Funds for Community Conservation Assistance

Contaminated stormwater runoff is the number one cause of impaired surface waters in North Carolina according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Stormwater is rain runoff from developed areas, such as roads, roofs, parking lots and driveways, that pollutes rivers, lakes and streams and triggers flooding in towns and neighborhoods.

The Community Conservation Assistance Program (CCAP) is a voluntary, incentive-based program to install stormwater best management practices on urban, suburban and rural lands. CCAP is administered by the N.C. Division of Soil and Water Conservation, which provides educational, technical and financial assistance to landowners through its network of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Homeowners, businesses, schools, churches and other civic and community groups may be reimbursed up to 75 percent for approved stormwater retrofit projects.

CCAP was created by the General Assembly in 2006 with the support of REALTOR®, homebuilder and environmental organizations, the NC League of Municipalities and the NC Association of County Commissioners. Currently 65 of the 96 Soil and Water Conservation Districts in North Carolina participate in CCAP.

Funding for CCAP will help stimulate the economy by providing new jobs for contractors and landscapers to conduct "public works" projects that retrofit existing sources of stormwater. This green jobs program will result in cleaner rivers, lakes, and streams statewide.