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UNC Expansion Chapel Hill, North Carolina from the Fall 2006 Building Better Report UNC Environmental Sustainability Impaired biological integrity for aquatic life, including several endangered species, in "Meeting of the Waters Creek," shellfish harvesting closures in the Cape Fear River, and impaired water quality in Jordan Lake - a major source of drinking water - emphasized the need for water quality improvement in North Carolina. "There is no doubt [the Cape Fear River] is impaired, and no doubt stormwater has a large part to do with it," says Billy Murray of Cape Fear River Watch, Inc. To address water quality problems such as these North Carolina established "Project Green" in 1998 to promote environmental sustainability in state government. As part of this project, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill is pursuing a billion-dollar construction plan to meet the needs of its growing programs. The 5.9 million square feet of new buildings on campus will be constructed using methods that accommodate new development without adding to stormwater runoff, something conventional development could never accomplish. (1,2) The UNC Plan While the development plan for the University will take a decade, much of it is being implemented now and several projects are already complete. The newly finished Ram's Head recreation center and 750-space parking garage, and the Carrington Hall addition both feature green roofs that catch and clean stormwater to prevent polluted water from entering the waters nearby. The reduction of 20 acres of impermeable surface and replacement of traditional parking lots with porous pavement and 10 acres of green space also aids in controlling stormwater pollution by reducing the amount of oil, grease and other auto-related pollutants running into waterways. One of the most enterprising of UNC's stormwater management improvements is the installation of a 70,000 gallon underground cistern beneath Carmichael athletic field. Water runoff collected in the cistern is used to irrigate the playing fields and landscaping. Making the Grade As development continues, UNC has plans to replace lawn areas with mulch beds, which will improve the infiltration of stormwater, and create additional rain gardens on the campus to absorb runoff from paved surfaces. Both during and after construction, streams will be monitored to ensure that water quality is upheld and two streams that were piped through campus will be opened up to restore oxygen and sunlight to the water. With more stormwater solutions in the works UNC is on the leading edge of sustainable development among universities and other large institutions. Footnotes: Biemiller, Lawrence. "Out of the Gutter for Good," Chronicle of Higher Education. Volume 50, Issue 42, Page A33. N.C. Project Green. University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. "Environmental Sustainability Report, Water." Ibid. Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club