| dc.description.abstract |
The Falls Lake Reservoir in the Upper Neuse River Basin (UNRB) of North Carolina is
currently classified as “impaired,” meaning that it fails to meet state water quality
standards for its designated use for aquatic life. To retain its designated use and
come into compliance with the Clean Water Act, the Falls Lake Rules stipulate specific
goals for nitrogen and phosphorus load reductions in the watershed. Payments for Watershed
Services (PWS) could provide a cost- and environmentally-effective approach to meeting
the Falls Lake Rules goals. We examine successful PWS case studies across the United
States to assess the feasibility of scaling up current PWS programs in the UNRB. We
compile the relevant attributes, experiences, and lessons learned from these case
studies to determine 1) the UNRB’s general state of “readiness” for scaling up PWS
programs in the basin, 2) which case studies can serve as model programs for the UNRB,
3) what a basin-wide PWS program might look like and steps UNRB stakeholders can take
to better ready themselves for such a program, and 4) potential challenges, limitations,
and benefits of basin-wide PWS program implementation. Results from this study suggest
that the UNRB is well-positioned for scaling up a payment for watershed services program,
as the basin already satisfies many of the designated preconditions for success. We
provide five actionable recommendations for UNRB stakeholders and offer a guidance
framework for program design and implementation moving forward.
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