Black Mountain wins $1.65M for Veterans Park flood resiliency

The Town of Black Mountain was awarded $1,650,000 on January 15, 2026, through the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Flood Resiliency Blueprint Program to advance a major flood mitigation and green infrastructure project at Veterans Park. The grant will fund floodplain restoration, wetland enhancement, and nature-based infrastructure intended to reduce flood impacts while improving environmental conditions and community amenities in the French Broad River Basin.

The project draws directly from the town’s adopted stormwater master plan and targets a site long identified as critical for managing stormwater and protecting downstream neighborhoods. NCDEQ designed the Flood Resiliency Blueprint Program to prioritize high-impact projects across river basins using data-driven planning, and Veterans Park aligns with basin priorities for reducing flood risk, improving water quality, and supporting ecological health in the French Broad watershed.

“This investment represents an important step toward protecting residents, public facilities, and natural resources from future flooding,” said Jessica Trotman, Assistant Town Manager for the Town of Black Mountain. “Veterans Park has long been recognized as a critical area for flood mitigation, and this project will allow us to move forward with solutions that work with nature while strengthening community resilience.”

Local officials say the award moves the town from planning to implementation. NCDEQ Blueprint staff will work with the town during the contract period to support implementation, reporting, and reimbursement. Construction timelines and further project details will be released as the project advances into the implementation phase.

For residents, the project aims to reduce recurring flood damage to parkland and nearby public infrastructure, improve open-space amenities, and enhance habitat along the river corridor. Nature-based infrastructure such as wetland enhancement and floodplain restoration can slow and store floodwaters, filter runoff, and create recreational and educational opportunities—benefits that may lower long-term maintenance costs and improve quality of life for local families and riverfront neighbors.

The Veterans Park effort also connects Buncombe County to broader trends in regional and international climate adaptation, where municipalities increasingly turn to natural systems to manage larger storms and protect communities. By aligning local stormwater priorities with NCDEQ’s basin-wide strategy, Black Mountain joins other communities in the French Broad watershed working to reduce collective flood risk.

Residents seeking more information or updates on timelines and public meetings may contact the Town of Black Mountain at townofblackmountain.org or 828-419-9300. As the town moves from design to construction, the project will offer a real test of nature-based solutions for protecting parks, public facilities, and neighborhoods from future floods.