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Assembly of Governments Page 3 of 6 <br /> 4. Jordan Lake <br /> Sally Kost, Chatham County Commissioner, gave Chatham County's perspective <br /> regarding the Jordan Lake Nutrient Rules. She read the written comments that <br /> noted the steps Chatham County has taken to be good environmental stewards. She <br /> said on February 16, by unanimous vote, the commissioners had passed a resolution <br /> supporting the proposed Jordan Lake Reservoir Water Supply Nutrient Strategy <br /> Rules. She asked the other governmental entities to join them in support of the rules <br /> as they have been presented. <br /> a. Water Supply Nutrient Strategy <br /> Sue Burke, Chapel Hill Stormwater Engineering, presented a PowerPoint <br /> presentation on the Jordan Water Supply Nutrient Strategy. <br /> Mayor Foy noted that each unit had already taken action on these rules, noting <br /> there is a bill in the Legislature to kill the rules because there is opposition that will <br /> end up in modifying the rules. <br /> Ted Voorhees, Durham Deputy Manager, gave Durham's perspective. He said <br /> there was strength in their partnership, and that he was not here to convince them of <br /> anything. He said he respects their positions, but he would like to put other things <br /> on the table. He said it was a complex issue and he did not know what the perfect <br /> answer is, and that is why they were seeking compromise. He referred to Mayor <br /> Bill Bell's letter, and said that they believe they are for the most comprehensive <br /> water protection program in North Carolina, but not for the Jordan Lake rules as <br /> currently drafted. He said the existing development rule is questionable, <br /> unreasonable, and most costly to impose on the City of Durham. Mr. Voorhees said <br /> they wanted to maintain a good relationship with all units here tonight. He said they <br /> were making progress working together even if not for the same decision, to move <br /> forward to development of drinking water rules for Jordan Lake. He said they <br /> would gain nothing by debating science, but Durham's position is that the model <br /> used by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is based on very <br /> few data points, most of which were collected during drought, and should not be <br /> relied upon solely. Mr. Voorhees said Durham recognized the issue with Chatham <br /> County when the lake was placed in their yard. He said UNC had said that the <br /> Jordan Lake placement was wrong because of the water quality, and here we are <br /> today debating what they had predicted. He noted that from Fayetteville to the <br /> headwaters they couldn't have picked a worse place for the lake. <br /> Voorhees said Durham was first to build a nitrogen reduction facility before it was <br /> required and they couldn't understand why there could not be different standards <br /> for different areas of the lake. He said they suggest they take a look at what was <br /> done in the Neuse Basin and adopt rules even more strict than those. He said they <br /> also agree with the adaptive management approach, and working with ordinances <br /> http://chapelhill.granicus.com/MinutesViewer.php?view id=3&clip_id=454 6/2/2009 <br />