The Bolin Creek Stormwater Collaborative has been honored with the 2024 Project of the Year Award in the Natural Systems category by the American Public Works Association – North Carolina Chapter (APWA-NC). Orange County Stormwater participated in the Collaborative.
This award honors an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 319 Grant Project, which created a Regenerative Stormwater Conveyance (RSC) system in the Bolin Forest subdivision to restore an eroded water channel that flows into Carrboro’s Bolin Creek. The project, formally titled, “Regenerative Stormwater Conveyance: A Community-Driven Effort for Restoration in the Bolin Creek Watershed”, was the result of over eight years of planning, design, permitting, construction, and generous volunteer efforts by multiple local partners.
The award was announced at the APWA-NC Stormwater Conference held in Wilmington from September 15-17, where the collective’s contributions were celebrated for their community-driven efforts in environmental preservation and stormwater management. The project team included a collaborative group of professionals and community members, including:
- Christopher J. Sandt, P.E., County Engineer, Orange County
- Randy Dodd, Former Stormwater Utility Manager, Town of Carrboro
- Debbie Shoffner, Stormwater Administrator, Town of Carrboro
- Simon Gregg, P.E., Ecological Engineer, Kris Bass Engineering
- Meg Molloy, DrPH, MPH, Community Engagement Volunteer
Project Overview: The channel that drains directly into Bolin Creek was a federally listed impaired waterway. Over the past eight years, the Collaborative completed more than 700 linear feet of ephemeral stream restoration, with a focus on stormwater management and supporting ecosystem health. The Bolin Creek Stormwater Collaborative’s award-winning project is part of a long-term strategy to rehabilitate the Bolin Creek Watershed within the Jordan Lake (Cape Fear River) Basin.The design and construction of the RSC was made possible through extensive collaboration and funding through the EPA 319 Grant, resulting in a total project budget of $258,036. This project exemplifies the APWA-NC’s criteria for stormwater project excellence, which include the community impact of the project, innovative design, sustainable practices, and high standards of safety and quality control in construction. By restoring the natural habitat, reducing erosion, attenuating peak stormwater runoff, and reducing nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, the project benefits both the Bolin Creek Watershed and the surrounding Carrboro community.
Significance of the Award: The APWA-NC Project of the Year award aims to recognize outstanding partnerships and accomplishments in stormwater management throughout North Carolina. The Bolin Creek Watershed project stood out for its collaborative approach, involving a combination of public and private sector expertise along with dedicated volunteer efforts. The project’s design, construction, and ongoing community engagement serve as a model for sustainable stormwater management in the region.
About APWA – North Carolina Chapter: The APWA-NC Chapter’s Project of the Year award promotes excellence in stormwater projects within two categories: Infrastructure and Natural Systems. The award criteria include the project's community benefits, safety practices, community involvement, innovative techniques, and impact on future projects. By recognizing these achievements, the APWA aims to advance sustainable, innovative, and effective stormwater management across North Carolina.