Ivy River Stream Restoration
After a major storm event in 1998 a section of the Ivy River moved and began to rapidly erode land on both sides of the stream. A walking trail that had recently been constructed on the Beech Glen Community Center Property was completely washed out. Mountain Valleys RC&D worked with the Department of Agriculture, the Pigeon River Fund and adjacent landowners to restore this stream and stop the active erosion.
The Ivy River Stream Restoration project’s objective was to create a stable stream system that decreases property loss from erosion and increases the beneficial uses of our waterways.
The stream restoration project redirected the channel to stabilize the streambank slopes, installed rock weirs to capture sediment and redirect flows, and re-vegetated the area with native plants.
before after
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Wind for Schools Program
North Carolina has been selected to participate in the National Wind for Schools program. Mountain Valleys RC&D and Appalachian State University will facilitate the installation of small wind turbines at rural K-12 schools across the state. Installation of the turbines will help schools to offset utility costs and engage students in renewable energy technology. The schools will be installing Skystream 3.7 turbines on 35-70 ft. monopole towers.
The three primary project goals of the Wind for Schools Project are:
- Engage rural school teachers and students in wind energy education.
- Equip college students in wind energy applications and education to provide interested and equipped engineers for the growing U.S. wind industry.
- Introduce wind energy to rural communities, initiating a discussion of wind energy's benefits and challenges.
The Wind for Schools program is sponsored by Wind Powering America, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and the Department of Energy. However, these sponsor's do not cover the estimated $17,000.00 turbine installation cost. If you would like to make a contribution to support this project or to request more information please contact Jessica Hocz at jessica.hocz@mountainvalleysrcd.org or call (828)649-3313 x5. Click here to view the Wind for Schools brochure.
NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program - Best Management Practices Project
We are currently working with EEP to implement a significant number of stream and wetland restoration projects on privately owned land in Cleveland and McDowell Counties, North Carolina. These projects will require conservation practices such as livestock exclusion, heavy use protection areas and watering systems to ensure the long term success of adjacent stream restorations. Mountain Valleys RC&D has considerable expertise and experience working with private landowners to implement these conservation practices. The purpose of these conservation practices will be to improve water quality on EEP stream restoration projects through cattle exclusion to these streams and wetlands.
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Forest Products Grant
Land of Sky Regional Council (LOSRC) awarded grants to 11 local businesses to produce jobs and stimulate the economy of Western North Carolina. The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) funds were the second round of economic stimulus awards provided by the USDA Forest Service's Southern Research Station and dispersed from LOSRC to generate jobs by helping forest producers improve their forest products, marketing, and production methods. Total awards from both rounds come to $1,209,764.00. Mountain Valleys RC&D was proud to be one of the recipients to receive ARRA funds from LOSRC in the amount of $97,500.00 which will be used to train loggers and forest works to sustainably open old roads and trails in private forests while implementing forest stewardship plans for innovative approaches to forest uses.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission Renewable Energy Grant
Mountain Valleys RC&D is undertaking a project to promote renewable energy production on farms. This grant provides 40% cost-share funds to western North Carolina
farmers implementing renewable energy on their farms.
• Install renewable energy systems on farms in a multi-regional rural area of western NC, covering 22 counties.
• Promote economic development and preserve farms.
• Increase farm income by selling generated power to the electric grid.
• Target farms that have a history of growing Burley Tobacco.
• Benefit North Carolina and its electric utilities by providing clean and renewable energy to the electrical grid.
• Assist interested landowners with project feasibility, permitting, interconnection agreements and funding opportunities.
• Continue progress towards natural resource conservation and CO² reduction.
• Provide information to people interested in renewable energy through meetings, workshops and private consulting.
CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION
Please call (828) 649-3313 x5 for more information.
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Madison County, with grant writing and technical assistance from Mountain Valleys RC&D, constructed rain gardens at the Town of Mars Hill Government Center and at the Madison County Extension Office. Rain gardens are gardens containing flowering plants and grasses (preferably native species of both) that can survive in soil soaked with water from rain storms. However they are not gardens that have standing water. Rain Gardens collect and slow stormwater run off and increase its infiltration into the soil.
These attractive gardens help reduce the rapid flow of stormwater from homes and businesses to storm drains and thus protect streams and lakes from pollutants that are washed from house roofs and paved areas. These educational-demonstration projects increase public awareness of the importance of water quality.
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Southern Appalachian Weed Management Partnership
In 2010 and 2011 Mountain Valleys RC&D provided grant administration for the Southern Appalachian Weed Management Partnership. SACWMP works cooperatively to protect and restore the significant natural heritage of the Southern Appalachians by preventing, detecting, and controlling invasive exotic plants.
Their primarily focus is along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.) corridor, USDA National Forest lands, National Park Service units, and along state roads and highways where invasive exotic plants and natural areas of high conservation significance occur. The collaborative management effort overcomes jurisdictional boundaries and the resource burden of individual agencies and organizations while establishing common goals and facilitating cooperation and shared environmental stewardship.
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Other Mountain Valleys RC&D Projects
- Ivy River Source Water Protection Plan
- Solar Hot Water for Dairy Farms
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Mountain Valleys RC&D supports the efforts of:
Backyard Bow Pro, a local organization that links ethical licensed bow hunters with landowners wishing to sustainably control white tail deer populations on their land. A portion of the deer meat goes to local food relief agencies.
For more information please visit their website: www.backyardbowpro.com
