Minutes - 20091117 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

d. Review and Discussion of Proposal Regarding No Fault Privately-Owned Well Repair Policy for Properties Near the Orange County Landfill The Board considered a proposal regarding a no fault privately-owned well repair policy for properties near the Orange County Landfill and provided feedback and direction to staff. Frank Clifton presented this item. BACKGROUND: In 1999, Orange County, the Town of Chapel Hill, the Town of Carrboro and the Town of Hillsborough entered into agreement whereby Orange County (subject to the terms of the agreement) assumed the solid waste management responsibility for the disposal of solid waste county-wide. Among the many items covered in detail with the agreement were provisions for the County to address various improvements within the `area' neighboring the landfill property at the time the agreement was established. Since the County has assumed the responsibility for managing the Solid Waste Landfill property and its functions, residents have expressed concerns pertaining to several issues including unconfirmed or documented failures of personal, privately-owned wells and septic systems serving individual residents within the general area of the landfill. In 2002, the Orange County Board of Public Health and the Orange County Board of Commissioners adopted a No Fault Well Repair Fund Policy as part of resolving issues associated with a mining operation conducted by Martin Marietta elsewhere within Orange County. Circumstances differ substantially from that of the Solid Waste Landfill operation but the parameters of this policy do align with the general aspects of addressing failed or failing personally owned private wells and septic systems. Similar in concept to the policy established in 2002 referenced above a well repair fund could be established that would be funded via revenues generated by the Solid Waste operations. If the Board supports this approach to addressing the well problems of residents within an impact area (3,000 feet of the landfill's boundary) of the existing landfill operation, staff can formulate the policy; meet with the landfill partners to assure concurrence; and once approved by the Board, initiate contact with residents within the impact area served by a non public water supply. If the BOCC concurs with this approach, staff will initiate the actions necessary to bring a formal policy back to the Board for consideration and approval. There are several steps to be pursued. Since many of the basic parameters for this effort have been addressed within the scope of the program currently in place related to the Martin Marietta quarry project, a timely response and follow up should occur. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with review and discussion of this item and providing feedback and direction to staff. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board review and discuss the proposal regarding a no fault privately-owned well repair policy for properties near the Orange County Landfill and provide feedback and direction to staff.