NC State Designated ‘Center of Excellence for Watershed Management’ By EPA

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated North Carolina State University a Center of Excellence for Watershed Management, making it the first such center in North Carolina.

The designation will allow NC State, through its Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI), to continue to develop strong partnerships with other institutions, organizations and agencies in efforts to protect and restore watersheds, says Dr. Michael Voiland, director of the institute. WRRI is an inter-institutional center of the University of North Carolina system.

“This designation is made partly in recognition for excellence in research and outreach related to watershed science, but also to raise the potential for NC State and the UNC system to engage in joint research/outreach partnerships, to receive funding support and to be tapped by EPA for special projects,” Voiland says.

Also known as river basins, watersheds are land-surface areas that capture precipitation in lakes, streams, creeks and rivers, Voiland explains. Small watersheds drain to larger watersheds, which ultimately drain to the sea. Watershed management is an important tool in limiting water pollution, and in insuring water supplies for drinking, power, industrial and other uses.

EPA, North Carolina Department of Natural Resources and NC State officials signed a memorandum of understanding to help communities identify watershed problems and find sustainable solutions.

To become a recognized EPA Center of Excellence, an institution must demonstrate technical expertise; conduct watershed research involving students, staff and faculty; possess the range of relevant disciplines; demonstrate financial capacity; build effective partnerships; and garner support from the highest levels of the organization. WRRI has played a central role since the 1960s in helping NC State and the UNC system meet these criteria.

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