A recently awarded $200,000 grant will pay for two years of work to improve water quality and raise public awareness of clean water for Richland Creek in Haywood County. 

The N.C. Division of Water Resources Grant will pay for the Richland Creek Restoration Project to stabilize 5,100 feet of stream bank to reduce erosion, repair 10 failing septic systems to prevent water contamination and construct rain gardens and cisterns to capture and treat stormwater from 65,000 square feet of hard surfaces. 

Restoration efforts at Richland Creek began in 2006, combating the impacts of sediment and bacteria that had landed Richland Creek and its tributary Raccoon Creek on the state list of impaired waterways. A laundry list of organizations — local, state and national — have footed the bill, and the partners are providing $140,000 in matching support for this next phase of the project. 

Haywood Waterways Association, 828.476.4667 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..