Tar-Neuse River Basin: Main Report

Excerpts from the report: The Tar-Neuse River Basin is located in east- central North Carolina. Covering approximately 13,895 square miles, the hydrologic area lies entirely within the state boundaries and encompasses either all or part of 29 counties. The Basin area is almost 200 miles long and ranges from 55 to 90 miles wide through most of its length. It includes 26 percent of the land area of North Carolina. The hydrologic area is composed of the Tar and Neuse Rivers and their contributing land areas. The Tar River flows from Person County southeast to Washington where it becomes the Pamlico River. The Eno, Flat and Little Rivers form the headwaters of the Neuse River. The Tar and Neuse Rivers flow into the Pamlico Sound which flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Other tributaries of the system include the Newport, White Oak, and New Rivers which drain into Onslow Bay. The Study was initiated at the request of the Governor of North Carolina, not only to seek solutions to land and water resource problems, but also to meet the needs identified through programs of management and development of resources that will contribute most to improving the quality of life for all people of the Basin. The problems and needs of the Basin's land and water related resources are primarily those concerned with improvement in the quality of life through development, protection, enhancement, and utilization of the resources. Needs of the Basin were identified for economic development and environmental quality objectives based on the study of concerns and inventory of problems.