The Environmental Protection Agency designated N.C. State as a “center of Excellence for Watershed Management.”
N.C. State is the first university in North Carolina to receive this designation and only the sixth in the Southeast, according to a press release from the University on May 24.
According to an EPA press release, to be recognized as a Center of Excellence, the institution must demonstrate:
– Technical expertise in identifying and addressing watershed needs,
– Involvement of students, staff and faculty in watershed research,
– Capability to involve the full suite of disciplines needed for all aspects of watershed management,
– Financial ability to become self-sustaining,
– Ability to deliver and account for results,
– Willingness to partner with other institutions,
– Support from the highest levels of the organization.
According to Michael Voiland, the director of the Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI), the designation is both recognition for the WRRI and a working agreement between the EPA, N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the University.
“In one regard, the designation is a recognition by the EPA that WRRI has research expertise, as well as education and communication expertise in the area of watershed management,” said Voiland. “In another regard, a memorandum of agreement was signed to outline our understanding of the kind of help uses of watershed information might expect to get from the institute.”
According to Voiland, one way of viewing the designation is as recognition for past excellence. The memorandum of agreement can also help each entity identify ways to help users of watershed management.
“After receiving the designation, mostly we’ll be continuing the good work we’ve been doing,” Voiland said.
According to the University press release, watershed management is “an important tool in limiting water pollution, and in insuring water supplies for drinking, power, industrial and other uses.”
WRRI is a part of the UNC System and was established in 1965 and headquartered at NCSU. The mission of WRRI is “to identify the state’s ever-changing research needs, to motivate and support research by qualified scientists, and to provide for technology transfer.”
According to Stan Meiburg, the EPA acting regional administrator, this designation will allow the University to continue developing strong partnerships with other institutions, organizations and agencies required to protect and restore watersheds.
“The working agreement is really meant to enhance the efforts of the EPA, NCDENR and the University in helping stakeholders,” said Voiland. “A stakeholder is anyone that needs information about watersheds or watershed management.”
Stakeholders can be power utilities, water utilities, individual businesses, landscape architects, county water offices or any person or business that impacts or is impacted by the watershed.
According to Voiland, all three partners, the federal, state and University, hope this working agreement will enable them to better serve stakeholders in North Carolina.