Minutes - 19830822 - Laserfiche WebLink

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sic - 6 There were no comments. C. REPORT[ ater TAs__ZPzae Chairman Whitted noted that packages had been .made available to the audience and any comments would be appreciated in an effort to prepare a statement for Secretary Grimsley. He noted the package included a statement presented to him at the Environmental Management Public Hearing, stating that the NRCD proposal to upgrade the Falls, Jordan and Neuse Lakes is supported by the Triangle J Council of Governments (COG) . This statement represents the position of the Water Resources Advisory Committee of the Council of the Governments, and was also approved by the Executive Committee. He noted that this is considered a water goal and not an endorsement of the present condition of the lakes. Support is also noted for the designation of both watersheds as nutrient sensitive. Another concern is emphasis on the drinking water quality rather than for the existing algae and nutrients. Chairman Whitted noted that it was asked that the Environmental Management Commission create a new enhanced protection designation to adequately address the existing problems, such as inorganic substances and traces of metal. The Chairman noted the second document, entitled 'Possible Falls/Jordan Management Strategy' is a working document used by the Water Resources Advisory Committee at its August 17, 1983 meeting. He noted two sections Urban Runoff -Existing Areas and Urban Runoff-New Development were areas where Orange could be most effective in both watersheds. He stated that proposed management strategies have been presented to the Water Resources Advisory Committee and COG, but none have been voted on by the Committee or COG. (See attachment.) Other areas of discussion were the Wastewater Treatment, Hazardous Material Spills, and Equity Sharing. He noted that as the Board of Commissioners look at the development of the two watersheds, there should be some consistency from one jurisdiction to the other, and this should be one of the concerns addressed in the community with Secretary Grimsley. Commissioner Whitted also noted the proposed water quality goals of the Falls Watershed Management for nutrients, sedimentation and stormwater runoff and the pie charts which demonstrated the various watersheds and the inputs of surrounding counties. Commissioner Whitted noted that the City of Durham's response to Secretary Grimseey will primarily encourage a City and County Sedimentation and Erosion Control Ordinance. The City of Cary has endorsed the statement made by Commisssioner Whitted for the Triangle J Council of Governments. Commissioner Whitted noted that in the statement to Secretary Grimsley, the County should emphasize the Sedimentation and Erosion Control Ordinance. He noted that the statement should also indicate the County's willingness to work with the Soil and Water Conservation District in an effort to develop the best management plans for agricultural use, indicating a need for more manpower in this effort. There should be a user fee applied for recreational and drinking water use, thus creating a pool to assist farmers in the local store for payment of management plans. He also noted a need to get some input from the NRCD Staff in an effort to determine how the County is going to reduce phosphorous. Commissioner Willhoit noted that because Orange County is less developed than other counties, there is a higher agricultural contribution, especially as this relates to Durham and Wake Counties. He noted that because Durham and Wake Counties utilize a larger portion of the watershed than Orange County, this should be a primary consideration as limitations are addressed.