Lumber River Regional Resilience Portfolio
Lumber River
The Lumber River Council of Governments region includes Bladen, Hoke, Richmond, Robeson and Scotland counties.
The Lumber River Council of Governments is working with NCORR’s RISE Program to develop a portfolio of priority projects that strengthen regional resilience. This multi-phase effort includes a forward-looking vulnerability assessment, the identification of five to 10 high-priority projects and a list of the actions needed to implement each proposed project. A diverse stakeholder partnership is guiding the project to ensure that the scope of work reflects local priorities. The Lumber River COG is offering project guidance, a local leader has been hired by the NC Rural Center to provide facilitation support and Kleinfelder Inc. is providing technical assistance.
Stay Informed
The Duke Energy Foundation awarded Accelerator Grant Program funding to support the following resilience project identified in the Lumber River region's Resilience Project Portfolio:
Lumbee Cultural Center Wetland Restoration
- Applicant: Carolina Wetlands Association
- Amount: $65,000
- Project Summary: The Carolina Wetlands Association and its partners will develop a wetland restoration plan for 50 acres covering part of the Lumbee Cultural Center property and surrounding wetlands in Robeson County. The project will include a hydrologic model and a conceptual restoration design that uses nature-based solutions to reduce flooding, improve water quality, preserve culturally significant locations for the Lumbee Tribe and restore ecological diversity. The design will include a trail for recreation, a garden with medicinal and traditional-use plants and signage describing wetland inhabitants and how wetlands improve human well-being. The design of the wetland will also reduce pressure on the Cultural Center Lake’s spillway and its high hazard dam.
Review the Climate Resilience Portfolio
The Climate Resilience Projects Portfolio for the Lumber River Region identifies priority projects and strategies that reduce the risks associated with extreme weather events and enhance regional resilience. The portfolio aims to produce shovel-ready actions with detailed implementation steps, including estimated costs, potential implementing partners, likely project completion challenges and more.
Review the Vulnerability Assessment
The Climate Change and Natural Hazards Vulnerability Assessment for the Lumber River Region is a report describing past problems and future risks associated with extreme weather events such as hurricanes, flooding, extreme temperatures, droughts and wildfires. The report outlines the impacts of these climate hazards on housing, the environment and the economy.
Public Workshop #2: Lumber River Regional Resilience Portfolio Project
Sept. 26, 2022: 3:30–5 p.m. and 6:30–8 p.m.
Workshop attendees had a chance to learn more about the Lumber River Regional Resilience Portfolio Project and give feedback on potential regional projects and strategies to build future community resilience in Bladen, Hoke, Richmond, Robeson and Scotland counties. Five to 10 prioritized strategies or projects will be included in the final portfolio, which will identify specific ways to help communities prepare for and recover from natural disasters and climate hazards.
Public Workshop #1: Understanding Vulnerability from the Local Perspective
May 2, 2022: 6-7:30 p.m. | May 3, 2022: 10:30 a.m.-noon
During this workshop, community members and stakeholders learned about the Lumber River Regional Resilience Portfolio Project and participated in group discussions about community challenges related to climate impacts and resilience.
If you would like to receive occasional news about the project, please subscribe to email updates.
To stay on top of the project, provide feedback on past meeting topics and comment on the draft Vulnerability Assessment, visit the RISE Lumber River StoryMap. This online engagement tool will be updated regularly with additional information.
For more information about the state's RISE initiative in the Lumber River COG region, contact NCORR Chief Resilience Officer Amanda Martin.
Project Overview
Step 1. Vulnerability Assessment
The first phase of the project is the development of a vulnerability assessment. This analysis brings together science and local knowledge to paint a picture of hazards in the region and how they may change in the future.
Step 2. Propose and Prioritize Projects
The second phase of the project is the development of a portfolio of several projects that have regional benefits for resilience. Proposed projects could include construction projects, nature-based solutions, outreach and capacity building activities, or planning and policy developments. The regional benefit could come in many forms, such as reducing downstream flooding, offering a resource to multiple local governments, or crafting a pilot project with replicability in other places.
A critical component of developing the portfolio is finding achievable paths to implementation, including funding sources and capacity considerations. The region will have the opportunity to select a project for seed funding from the Duke Energy Foundation RISE Accelerator Grant Program.
Resource Documents
The RISE effort builds on analysis and planning conducted over the last several years. These resources include: