North Carolina has seen its share of flooding following hurricanes and tropical storms. The Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program (StRAP) aims to reduce flooding by clearing streams of debris, downed trees and other materials that block or hinder the flow of water. Work is happening statewide, and proposals are being accepted for the 2024 cycle of funding.

• Flooding has been a major cause of damage following hurricanes and tropical storms in North Carolina.

• Sometimes areas fare ok from the strong winds only to see floodwaters from the rain roll in and cause damage days after a storm.

• A Soil and Water Conservation program called StRAP, short for Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program, seeks to reduce flooding by removing debris, downed trees and other materials from streams and allow water to flow more freely rather than slowing and flooding the banks.

• This program seeks to be proactive by recognizing stream areas with flooding potential and removing debris before it can build up and create bigger concerns.

• We sought proposals for projects from local soil and water conservation districts, county governments, municipal governments and nonprofit groups.

• Funding was awarded and 108 projects are underway or are completed. Proposals are being accepted through Feb. 9 for the 2024 round of funding.

• The General Assembly approved $38 million in funding that is being used now. An additional $20 million is available in 2024.

• I am grateful for the legislature’s support because these projects are going to make a big difference in communities across the state.

• We have already heard positive feedback from some areas where projects have been completed.

• So far, work has been completed on 20 projects, covering over 2.3 million linear feet of stream.

• Work continues on 88 projects currently.
• I expect there will be strong interest in this latest round of funding because we received way more project requests than we previously had funding for.

• There were over $311 million in requests in the previous round of funding.

• I applaud all the partnering agencies who have contracted out these projects and continue to oversee their progress.