Congresswoman Deborah Ross Presents Cary with $1 Million Check for Walnut Creek Restoration Project

• Congresswoman Deborah Ross presented Cary with a ceremonial check recognizing $1 million in federal funding for the Walnut Creek Stabilization and Restoration Project, one of several grants supporting the broader Walnut Creek Stormwater Management Project.
• The multi-year project will restore a federally designated impaired stream through streambank stabilization, riparian buffer restoration, and revegetation to improve water quality, protect critical infrastructure, and strengthen ecological health.
• Combined with additional federal funding, Town investment, and in-kind services, the project leverages approximately $4 million in grant funding to advance long-term watershed restoration while maximizing local taxpayer investment.

Cary, NC - Congresswoman Deborah Ross visited Cary today to present the Town of Cary with a ceremonial check recognizing $1,092,000 in federal funding for the Walnut Creek Stabilization and Restoration Project.

Secured through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's State and Tribal Assistance Grants Program during the Community Project Funding process, the award is one of multiple federal grants supporting Cary's broader Walnut Creek Stormwater Management Project. Combined with additional EPA funding, Town investment, and in-kind services, the project represents approximately $4 million in federal support for restoring one of Cary's most important waterways.

The Walnut Creek Stormwater Management Project is a long-term initiative focused on improving the health and stability of the Walnut Creek watershed. Walnut Creek is a federally designated impaired stream, making restoration efforts critical to improving water quality and reducing erosion.

Project improvements include stabilizing streambanks, restoring riparian buffers, and revegetating disturbed areas to strengthen the stream corridor and improve ecological health. The work will also help protect critical public infrastructure, including sanitary sewer lines located near the stream.

By improving conditions at the headwaters of Walnut Creek, Cary is helping protect water quality downstream while serving as a responsible upstream partner. Restoring native vegetation and preserving natural floodplain functions will also provide habitat for wildlife and pollinators while strengthening the watershed's long-term resilience.

"This project reflects the kind of thoughtful, long-term planning our community expects," said Assistant Town Manager Danna Widmar. "By investing in the health of Walnut Creek today, we're protecting water quality, strengthening our natural environment, and safeguarding critical infrastructure so Cary remains one of the best places to live for generations to come. We're grateful for Congresswoman Ross's partnership in helping us move this work forward."

Leveraging federal grant funding allows Cary to maximize local taxpayer investment while advancing large-scale environmental restoration projects that might otherwise take significantly longer to complete.

Construction will occur in phases over the coming years as design and restoration work progress.

Primary Contacts

If you have specific questions, visit carync.gov/311, dial 311 anywhere in Cary, (919) 469-4000 outside Town limits, or email [email protected].

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