Hear about the latest steps being taken to restore the health of Lake Mattamaskeet during a public meeting scheduled for the first week of November in Hyde County.
Lake Mattamuskeet has been experiencing a decline in water quality and elevated water levels in recent years. In 2017, Hyde County, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service partnered together and contracted with the North Carolina Coastal Federation to develop a watershed restoration plan, which was approved in 2019 by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.
The public meeting and open house is planned for 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, at the Hyde County Government Complex in Swan Quarter.
During the meeting, there will be an overview of the work that has been completed over the past year to implement the restoration plan and an opportunity to speak with each project partners.
Attendees will hear from four representatives.
Coastal Federation’s coastal advocate and environmental economist, Alyson Flynn, will provide an overview of the multi-faceted work completed to date with the 2022 state appropriation funding allocated to Hyde County to implement the watershed restoration plan.
University of North Carolina School of Government Environmental Finance Center Project Director Hope Thomson will give an overview of their research examining long-term funding strategies for financing the operations and maintenance of infrastructure associated with actively managing water levels at Lake Mattamuskeet.
Geosyntec Consultants senior engineers Alessa Braswell and Brian Weyer will share work completed along Outfall Canal. This includes a synopsis of the bathymetric and sediment data collected and analyzed along the entirety of the canal, a review of dredging scenarios and disposition options, and a benefit/cost comparison of dredging to other active water management alternatives.
GPI/Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. Vice President Jonathan Hinkle will give updates regarding the engineering and designs of three wetland restoration projects identified as key priorities.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Refuge Manager Kendall Smith will discuss updates regarding ongoing management, monitoring, and carp removal efforts in the lake.
