The purpose of the Guide is to improve preparedness for response and recovery operations following an acute waterway debris incident in coastal North Carolina. The term acute waterway debris incident is used to describe an incident—either natural or anthropogenic—that results in the release of large amounts of waterway debris.

This document outlines existing response structures at the local, state, and federal levels to facilitate a coordinated, well-managed, and immediate response to waterway debris incidents impacting coastal areas in the state of North Carolina. It highlights individual organizations’ roles and responsibilities and includes an overview of permitting and compliance requirements that must be met before waterway debris removal work begins. While roles and responsibilities can overlap or shift during a response, the Guide seeks to capture the most likely response structure and actions with the understanding that flexibility is an inherent component of an effective response.

The Comprehensive Guidance Document serves as a complete reference document for North Carolina incident waterway debris response. The accompanying Field Reference Guide only includes the most pertinent information for quick reference in the field and during emergency response operations.

This document was most recently updated in May 2021.