Green Growth Toolbox Handbook Third Edition, 2023

The Green Growth Toolbox was created by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. It's a guide for planners, communities, and developers on how to conserve wildlife and natural resources during community growth. The handbook combines scientific data, planning methods, and case studies to promote "Green Growth."

Section 1: The Green Growth Toolbox

• North Carolina's Challenge: The state faces rapid population growth and sprawling development, negatively impacting wildlife habitats and natural resources.
• Green Growth's Benefits: The handbook outlines ten key benefits of Green Growth, including improved human health, economic returns, enhanced environmental resilience, streamlined permitting, attraction of new businesses, increased property values, generation of tourism revenue, reduced costs to taxpayers, innovative leadership, and a lasting legacy.
• How to Use the Toolbox: This section explains how to utilize the handbook, GIS data, training workshops, and technical assistance offered.

Section 2: Conservation Data

This section focuses on using conservation data (maps and data) to identify and prioritize areas for conservation. Three components are described:

• Component 1 (BWHA): Biodiversity and Wildlife Habitat Assessment—identifies high-priority areas for wildlife conservation.
• Component 2: Additional statewide datasets (managed areas, smoke awareness areas, game land buffers, bald eagle nests, floodplains, and others) to supplement the BWHA.
• Component 3: Regional datasets and habitat information to provide more specific data for certain regions of the state.

Section 3: Habitat Conservation Recommendations

This section provides science-based recommendations for conserving priority habitats, emphasizing:

• Natural Resource-Based Practices: Guidelines to minimize development impacts on wildlife habitats.
• Upland Habitat Conservation: Recommendations for conserving forests and grasslands.
• Riparian Habitat Conservation: Recommendations for protecting stream buffers and wetlands.
• Greenway Conservation: Recommendations for designing wildlife-friendly greenways.
• Wetland Conservation: Recommendations for protecting wetlands, especially small ones.

Section 4: Green Planning

This section focuses on integrating conservation into community planning documents through a six-step process:

1. Identify and describe priority species and habitats.
2. Establish a conservation vision and goals.
3. Develop conservation strategies.
4. Identify implementation methods.
5. Write the conservation plan.
6. Implement and monitor the plan.

Section 5: Greening Incentives and Ordinances

This section addresses the use of incentives and ordinances to promote Green Growth, such as:

• Density Bonuses: Incentives for developers to conserve habitat.
• Conservation Easements: Legal agreements to permanently protect land.
• Property Tax Incentives: Reduced tax rates for landowners who conserve land.
• Model Ordinances: Examples of ordinances that encourage habitat conservation.
• Urban Service Areas: A land-use planning method to control sprawl.

Section 6: Greening Development Site Location, Review, and Design

This section focuses on integrating conservation into development site selection and design, including:

• Steps to Maintain a Connected Network of Habitats: A step-by-step guide for developers to incorporate wildlife considerations in development planning.
• Example Developments: Case studies of developments that have successfully implemented Green Growth principles.

Appendices: The handbook includes appendices providing additional information on listed species and priority habitats, agencies with technical expertise, human-wildlife conflict prevention, glossary of terms, recommended readings, and further guidance on conservation planning.

The Green Growth Toolbox aims to provide North Carolina communities with the tools and knowledge necessary to balance economic development and conservation, promoting a healthier environment and a stronger economy.

Stage I Interim Alternative Implementation Approach (IAIA) for the Falls Lake Nutrient Management Strategy

This document is for you if you've heard about "IAIA" as a means of alternative compliance for nutrient management rules, and you want to know more about it.

Main Points from this document: 

Purpose: The IAIA program offers a joint compliance approach to Stage I Existing Development (ED) nutrient load reduction requirements. It allows participating jurisdictions (primarily members of the Upper Neuse River Basin Association (UNRBA)) to achieve compliance through a financial investment-based system rather than solely focusing on nutrient load reductions. The program is interim, applying until the Falls Lake Rules are readopted (expected in 2025 or later).

Key Objectives and Guiding Principles: The IAIA aims to improve water quality in Falls Lake by promoting additional progress and maintaining designated uses. This includes implementing watershed projects focused on water quality improvements, using a simplified, equitable funding approach, and utilizing a variety of best management practices (BMPs). The program promotes cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and collaboration.

Eligible Activities: A wide array of projects are eligible for IAIA funding, including:

• State-approved practices with established nutrient credits
• Green infrastructure improvements
• Stream and riparian buffer restoration
• Infrastructure improvements (e.g., repair of leaky infrastructure, sewer line extensions)
• Illicit discharge detection and elimination
• Land conservation
• Floodplain restoration

Funding: Funding is based on minimum investment levels determined cooperatively by participating jurisdictions. The example given is $100,000 per year from Granville County, potentially scaling up to $1.5 million annually if all eligible UNRBA members participate. Several funding options exist, including self-funding, interlocal agreements, funding other organizations, and special projects.

Compliance Determination: Compliance is determined based on the total annual investment, not solely on nutrient load reduction. Point source credits belong to the jurisdiction owning the utility. The IAIA’s provisions address the actions a departing jurisdiction must take.

Administration: The UNRBA, through its Compliance Group Committee, will manage the IAIA program, coordinating participant meetings, reporting to the state agencies, and overseeing the process.

Reporting: A consistent reporting outline is provided to streamline the submission of summary reports to the relevant agencies.

Appendices: The document includes appendices detailing the Falls Lake Model Program, excerpts from relevant Session Laws (2016-94 and 2018-5), and the outline for reporting.

Other Notes: The document is quite detailed, laying out a comprehensive framework for this alternative compliance approach. It emphasizes collaboration, flexibility, and a focus on overall water quality improvement rather than strictly adhering to nutrient reduction targets.