On August 11, friends and supporters of Pilot View Resource Conservation and Development, Inc. gathered at the Piedmont Club for the ninth annual awards luncheon. Pilot View RC&D recognized the accomplishments of communities who have completed significant work in helping protect and appropriately develop land and water resources.

In addition, keynote speaker, Richard Rogers, Executive Director of North Carolina’s Clean Water Management Trust Fund, shared his thoughts about the impact of the state’s budget challenges on project funding.

2009 Project Award: West Fork of Linville River

The 2009 Project Award was presented to Linville Resorts for the West Fork of Linville River project in Avery County. This project continued with this adjacent property owner the stream restoration work which received the Project Award in 2008. This natural area rich in trout streams and aquatic habitat was devastated by flooding in 2004 associated with the back-to-back Hurricanes Frances and Ivan. Engineered improvements along a mile of stream restored the natural streambed, reduced stream bank erosion, rejuvenated native vegetation, and reduced the effects of pollutants washing from adjacent roadways into the designated and sensitive trout streams.

Accepting the award on behalf of John Blackburn, President of Linville Resorts, was Shawn Wilkerson of Wildlands Engineering. Wilkerson served as lead design engineer for restoration work along the West Fork of Linville Creek. Wilkerson said, “Working with Pilot View RC&D on these projects has been highly productive and enjoyable. Pilot View brought together the resources and the expertise to lift up and protect this damaged natural resource in the headwaters of an exceptional North Carolina river, one that is treasured throughout the state and the region.”

State Budget Reflects Down Economy

Richard Rogers, Executive Director of the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, noted that the state’s budget reflects the down economy of the state and the nation. He said that the Clean Water Management Trust Fund will receive only half of its historic allocation this fiscal year and can expect reduced funding for several years. “We are in a difficult time facing the challenge of how best to manage the resources that we do have,” he said, and adding, “Partnerships will be an important part of how we accomplish the important work of the Clean Water Management Trust Fund in the future.”

Recognizing the partnerships that have worked well, he added, “Pilot View is a huge part of the equation that has been the success of the Clean Water Management Trust Fund. Over the years, we have provided Pilot View with $6.5 million in funding for 19 stream restoration and stormwater management projects. We thank you for your work.”

Despite the funding cuts, Rogers reaffirmed the intentions of the Board, saying, “Our trustees remain committed to protecting water quality in this state. They know that just because times are tight, that does not mean we can give up the progress we have made. Clean water investments are just as critical to protecting our economy as they are to projecting our environment.”