Coastwatch [2012 : spring]

В Y MICHELLE С □ V I Plymouth Mayor Brian Roth has A BIG WINDOW IN HIS OFFICE THAT OVERLOOKS THE ROANOKE RIVER. The river has been the lifeblood of the historic town since its founding in 1787, when the rivers in North Carolina were the main transportation routes for the traditional agricultural and forestry products of the region. Boat traffic on the Roanoke is mostly recreational now, but the river and its resources still are a key amenity to the community. during storms— such as Hurricane Irene in 2011 — also has increased the urgency of the situation. Jessica Whitehead, regional climate extension specialist with North and South Carolina Sea Grant programs, told city leaders, "Stormwater and wastewater flooding problems in this area are influenced by climate stressors such as rainfall variability, including how much rainfall are you getting at one time, and water-level rise. That could be water level from storm surge, or that could be the long-term sea level rise." PLYMOUTH PREPARES FOR THE FUTURE: FLED HIDING THREATS N A CHANGING CLIMATE The seat of Washington County, Plymouth is seven miles from the mouth of Albemarle Sound. "We are extremely fortunate," Roth explains, "to be located geographically where we are. The Roanoke River is incredibly rich with biodiversity. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission biologists often refer to the lower Roanoke River as the crown jewel of North Carolina rivers. So from an ecological standpoint, you know, it's just amazing what we have right here." But sometimes there is too much water. Like many of the other waterfront towns in the region, Plymouth has a flooding problem. Many of the residents say that it has gotten worse in recent decades. M uch of the sewer system for the town is almost 1 00 years old and is experiencing problems. Ken Creque, town manager, is often on the receiving end of the calls for help. "The big thing has been standing water. That's the one thing that people call me up on the phone and complain about — the water, the water, the water. Why is water coming ewer my yard?" he says. Although Plymouth has completed significant sewer improvement projects over the last decade, town leaders face new challenges likely due to changes in water levels. The threat of flooding from the river Roth is on a mission to find solutions for Plymouth. "One of my major pushes that I implemented when I came in as mayor was to seek funding to significantly rehabilitate our sewer collection system," he explains. He uses a traveling slide show to demonstrate the problem. Roth has pictures of manholes gushing water into ditches. Slides depict the position of the sewage treatment plant, which is elevated out of the flood zone, but becomes an island during a flood. Other images illustrate the depth of water around the pumping stations during hurricanes, such as Isabel in 2003. For the last few years, Roth has taken his slide show to government and private partners who could help the town overcome the flooding problem that has overtopped the riverside pumping stations, caused sewage spills and drained the coffers of Plymouth taxpayers. FORTUITOUS MEETING In February 2010, Roth attended the Southeast Adaptation Planning Workshop in Atlanta organized by Ken Mitchell, senior climate advisor for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a Plymouth native. The conference explored how federal agencies, states, local Continued ABOVE: Plymouth's natural resources draws many VISITORS, INCLUDING THIS FAMILY ENJOYING A SUNNY DAY. COASTWATCH SPRING 2012 WWW.NCSEAGRANT.ORG 13