TITLE
title
HHS-PUBLIC HEALTH - NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, DIVISION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT CONTRACT ($80,000)
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SPONSOR
sponsor
Courtney McFadden
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BACKGROUND
background
In 2003, Guilford County entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Waste Management (NC DEQ, DWM) to establish the Health and Environmental Risk Assessment (HERA) Program. This partnership supports the protection of public health and groundwater resources through local oversight of environmental hazards. The original agreement provided annual funding of $15,000.
In 2024, Guilford County and NC DEQ, DWM initiated discussions to reassess the scope of work and align resources with the increasing demands of environmental monitoring and response. As a result, a revised MOA has been developed that includes an updated work plan and increases annual funding to $80,000.
The total program costs for HERA in FY 2026-27 is $363,091. The FY 2026-27 budget includes $113,400 in well monitoring revenue, $3,100 from the United States Coast Guard and $166,591 in local appropriations to support program operations. In addition, $80,000 in funding through the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with NC DEQ.
The HERA Program is staffed by one Supervisor and two Toxic and Hazardous Material Specialists who are responsible for monitoring sites with legacy contamination, ensuring compliance with state environmental regulations, and responding to hazardous material incidents that may threaten groundwater quality. This program is unique in that it leverages county staff to carry out state-level environmental oversight functions, allowing for more timely response and localized expertise.
Program activity demonstrates a growing need for these services. The HERA team monitored 58 hazardous material spills in Fiscal Year 2024-25 and has already monitored 65 spills year-to-date in Fiscal Year 2025-26.
Approval of this MOA will strengthen Guilford County's ability to protect environmental and public health, enhance responsiveness to hazardous incidents and ensure continued compliance with state regulations.
Revenue associated with this agreement will be included in the FY2025-26 Adopted Budget and future fiscal year budgets subject to annual appropriation.
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BUDGET IMPACT
budget impact
NO ADDITIONAL COUNTY FUNDS REQUIRED
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REQUESTED ACTION
requested action
Approve the Memorandum of Agreement with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Waste Management, in substantial form, for annual funding of $80,000 for a five-year term effective upon execution.
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