"Future generations will not easily forgive us if we do not, in the meantime, protect some open spaces, protect our water supply, protect the pristine beauty of these streams," said Rep. David Price, D-4th Congressional District.
Officials announced the creation of a $4.8 million project to restore White Oak Creek, Bachelor Branch and Panther Creek, but it comes at a cost at $1.7 million from Cary alone.
"The reason we can do that is that we're spending Cary taxpayers' money. Make no mistake, that's where the money's coming from," Cary Mayor Glen Lang said.
The Army Corps of Engineers will oversee the planting of trees, restoration of wetlands and the cleanup of three streams that feed Jordan Lake, a major water supply for the region.
"This water ends up in Jordan Lake and so when we protect this stream here and clean it up, we're also protecting our water supply for the future decades," Price said.
"It's nice to know that we might have some sort of contribution to the future of this entire area," said Courtney Mills, whose family has lived near Bachelor Branch for four generations.
Local officials hope the project is the wave of the future and just not a trickle.
"I think that we're on the leading edge of what I hope will be a wave of other Wake County municipalities," Lang said.
This is the first stream restoration project for the Jordan Lake basin. The Army Corps of Engineeers hopes to complete work in about six years.
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