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Current/Recent Projects
EEP Nutrient Offset Payment Program: Transitioning to an Actual Cost Pricing Method
Session Law 2007-438 mandates that the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) develop and implement a plan to transition the N.C. Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP) Nutrient Offset Program from a fee-based system to a program based on the actual costs of providing nutrient credits. EEP, in collaboration with the NC Division of Water Quality, convened a group of key stakeholders to discuss the basic approach to setting actual-cost rates for its nutrient offset program. The Natural Resources Leadership Institute is coordinating with EEP to assemble the stakeholder group and guide its deliberations.
The purpose of the stakeholder meetings is to provide a forum for EEP, DWQ and non-agency stakeholders to:
1. Share information and arrive at a common understanding of Ecosystem Enhancement Program planning and operations
2. Share information on the actual cost method proposed by EEP
3. Identify unknowns and uncertainties reflected in the proposed actual cost method
4. Strive toward an agreement on specific components of the actual cost method to be adopted by EEP
Involving the Public in Park Planning: An Evaluation of the City of Raleigh's Park Master Planning Process
A Park Master Plan is a conceptual design document that generally describes and guides the future management and development of a park property. Its preparation is intended to be a public process to ensure that the needs of the public are met while preserving the ecological function and environmental quality of the site. The City of Raleigh contracted with the Natural Resources Leadership Institute to conduct a study of the City's park master planning processes to determine how, to what degree, and to what end citizens participate in decisions regarding the scope and character of future park sites.
Testing the Use of Mediation in Managing User Conflicts in North Carolina Fisheries
The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission (NCMFC) is often called upon to manage user conflicts that have little or no bearing on the health of fisheries resources. Conflicts range from simple gear disputes to space, resource allocation, or perceptual issues, and sometimes have historical, cultural, and political roots. The NCMFC adopted a policy endorsing the use of mediation for appropriate fisheries conflicts in October 2004. This project
demonstrated the effectiveness of collaboration between the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) and two mediation centers – The ADR Center in Wilmington, and the Mediation Center of Eastern Carolina in Greenville – on selected, appropriate disputes.
Winston-Salem / Forsyth County Tree Ordinance Committee
As Forsyth County urbanizes, more and more natural systems and vegetative cover are lost to impervious surfaces such as rooftops, driveways, parking areas, and streets. Recognizing the tangible benefits that trees provide in the urban environment, citizens of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, North Carolina expressed in interest in preserving trees in their communities. Furthermore, they realized that in order to protect and enhance their valuable tree resources, a tree ordinance was needed to provide the authorization and standards for managing and protecting the forest canopy. The Winston-Salem / Forsyth County Planning Department
was tasked to convene a group of stakeholders to work collaboratively toward the development of tree ordinance that can be supported by all interest groups. With a grant from the Winston-Salem Foundation, the Winston-Salem Neighborhood Alliance served as a co-convenor, funding the facilitation of this process.
Chattooga River Recreational Use
The Chattooga River originates in the mountains of western North Carolina and forms a portion of the border between Georgia and South Carolina. Congress designated the 15,432-acre corridor along the upper reaches of the Chattooga as Wild and Scenic in 1974 for its outstandingly remarkable fish, wildlife, recreation, scenic, and historic values. In its 1976 forest management plan the Sumter National Forest divided the river into five geographically-based management zones, and closed the upper Chattooga to boating above Hwy 28 Bridge.
The closure was retained in the 2004 revision of the Forest 
Management Plan.
In 2005, the USDA Forest Service initiated a visitor use capacity analysis in response to an appeal of the management plan by whitewater boating advocates.
The objective of this project was twofold. The first was to assess the perceptions of river users toward the application of a collaborative approach to developing management decisions governing recreational use of the Chattooga River. The second was to conduct stakeholder workshops for generating and evaluating alternatives for providing recreational use on the river.
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