Orange County NC Website
Attachment II, continued 8 <br />3. Point Sources <br />Significant reductions in point source nutrient loads would be required as a <br />result of the implementation of these nutrient management rules. <br />Although Orange County does not operate a wastewater treatment plant, <br />impacts to Hillsborough's plant are likely. <br />4. Agriculture <br />Nutrient reduction measures would be required for agricultural operations <br />with more than 5 horses, 20 cattle, 120 sheep, 130 goats, 650 turkeys, <br />3,500 chickens, or 20 swine not in a feedlot or 150 swine if they are kept <br />in a feedlot. During Stage I (through 2021), the draft rules describe <br />collective voluntary actions aimed at reducing nutrient loads from <br />agricultural lands. These actions would be coordinated through a Local <br />Advisory Committee, as well as a Watershed Oversight Committee, and <br />are intended to achieve nutrient reductions of 20% in Total Nitrogen and <br />40% in Total Phosphorus export. <br />If mandated nutrient load targets are not met through the voluntary <br />measures called for in Stage I, Stage II would require buffers on all <br />cropland and livestock exclusion measures on all pasture operations. <br />Nutrient reductions of 40% Total Nitrogen and 77% Total Phosphorus <br />would be required under Stage II. <br />It is expected that county staff in the Soil and Water Conservation District <br />office would be involved in these activities. <br />5. Nutrient Trading <br />Under the draft rules, it is anticipated that local governments would <br />participate in nutrient trading as a means of meeting their required nutrient <br />reduction targets. This would be on a watershed basis and would likely <br />include other local governments on an as-needed basis. Orange County <br />would be required to limit their trading activities to areas within the <br />watershed above Falls Lake. <br />6. Fertilizer. Management <br />Restrictions on the application of fertilizer are likely as a result of the draft <br />nutrient management rules. Training of applicators could be required, as <br />well as the development of Nutrient Management Plans. It is expected <br />that the Orange Soil and Water Conservation District and Cooperative <br />Extension Service staff would be involved in these efforts, as well as other <br />staff. <br />