Cold Stream and Riparian Wetland Mitigation within 06010108 of French Broad River Basin

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is soliciting proposals for cold stream and riparian wetland mitigation credit generation within Cataloguing Unit 06010108 of the French Broad River Basin, with proposals due October 6, 2026.

The scope encompasses site assessment, design, permitting, construction, monitoring, and long-term stewardship of mitigation areas within Wake County and Teachey Town. The awardee must establish mitigation credits through creation, restoration, and enhancement of riparian buffers and cold water stream habitat, operating under North Carolina's wetland and stream mitigation framework. Generated credits will be tradeable compliance instruments under the Clean Water Act Section 404 permit program and state water quality protection requirements, available for purchase by entities requiring compensatory mitigation for unavoidable impacts to jurisdictional waters and wetlands.

Long-term performance obligations extend 10 to 30 years depending on credit type and project-specific agreements, requiring sustained monitoring and maintenance beyond initial construction. Pricing and valuation of generated credits are established by the state mitigation framework based on habitat type, restoration methodology, and functional improvements. Funding derives from credit sales revenue and potential state or federal environmental restoration grant programs.