Hazard mitigation update: county beaver management program continues, staff emphasize targeted debris removal and drainage work

Pender County hazard mitigation staff reviewed the county’s drainage and beaver management activities, reporting program continuity and a drop in annual beaver captures after earlier peaks.

Staff described the two strands of work: the Beaver Bounty program (a contracted or programmatic capture/mitigation effort) and county‑led drainage and debris removal focused on improving creek flows near road crossings and undersized culverts. Staff said the greatest benefit to reducing flooding risk typically comes from clearing debris at pipe and road crossings rather than in large wetland areas, and recommended continued coordination with the soil and water conservation district and pursuit of state and federal grant funding for drainage projects.

The hazard mitigation presenter said the county had previously used grant funds after Hurricane Florence and had obtained state‑level funds for similar work; commissioners and staff discussed the value of generating data and studies (mapping and hydraulics) that can be used to support future grant applications. Staff said the county’s in‑house watershed/drainage technician is focused on boots‑on‑the‑ground work and coordination. Commissioners asked for attention to maintenance in farmland and rural creeks and to follow up on opportunities for discretionary funding and special legislative districts for low‑wealth areas to improve grant scoring.

No formal actions were recorded; staff will continue work to prioritize debris removal at critical crossings and to pursue grant opportunities.