Orange County NC Website
~~, <br />2. The plan would assure an adequate instream release to the Ena River. <br />3. Under severe draught conditions when Lake Orange is drawn down, the plan <br />would require each water user to cut back its use proportionately and cut <br />back the amount of water released for the instream flow downstream. <br />4. When the flow of the Eno is high and there is plenty of water available, <br />water users could take more water out of the Eno than they could when the <br />flow is low. He explained how this would work. <br />5. Orange County would be involved in monitoring and recording the <br />workability of the plan sa that everyone is fallowing the plan to be sure <br />it is meeting the goals. <br />He suggested that a workshop be heXd on the recommended plan -- possibly next <br />week with the water users and the County. The next step would be that the County and <br />the water users would need to decide if they want to commit themselves to follow this <br />plan. The County has volunteered to convene this group. Morris would like to hear <br />from the County and the water users by August 25 if possible. <br />He concluded that there is a serious problem on the Eno and he knows that the <br />County Commissioners are concerned and want to solve the problem. Dr. Charles <br />Phillips., the EMC Hearing Officer is very committed to solving this problem and <br />agreed to try the voluntary approach but stated that if this does not work that the <br />designation will have to be made. Morris distributed two charts -- one showing the <br />frequency of the Eno falling below 10 CFS and another showing the median and the mean <br />flows of the Eno over a forty year period of record. <br />The Board Members expressed appreciation for the plan presented by Morris. <br />Commissioner Hartwell expressed concern with the vagueness in which irrigation is <br />addressed in the Plan and after a brief discussion Morris indicated this part of the <br />plan would be reviewed. <br />Commissioner Carey asked about the relationship of the State being the <br />monitoring agency and the County being the enforcement agency. Morris explained that <br />the County staff is willing to monitoring the releases from the reservoirs and keep <br />records an that and the water users would be asked to record their own water use. <br />The State will take the information and issue periodic reports on how the plan is <br />working and if the goals are being achieved. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis applauded the State for going the voluntary way and asked <br />that those who are using 100,000 gallons a day be informed of the consequences if the <br />voluntary measures put in place do not work. <br />Ghair Marshall suggested having two meetings -- one with the water users and one <br />for those who irrigate. <br />Sam Edwards from Piedmont Minerals expressed Piedmont's position as being in <br />favor of the Water Management Plan and endorsed it without reservation. He agreed <br />with holding a meeting to go over the Plan to be sure everyone understands it. <br />Mayor Fred Cates stated that there is rack available on site for the Seven Mile <br />Creek reservoir. He read part of his statement that was given at the public hearing <br />an the designation of the Eno. He agreed with the Plan and assured Mr. Morris that <br />the Town of Hillsborough will support it. <br />John Link pointed out that even though this is a voluntary agreement that it is <br />an agreement and that each jurisdiction or user would in some way adopt this <br />agreement through ratification process. <br />ITEMS FOR DECISION--CONSENT AGENDA <br />(Any item may be removed foz separate consideration) <br />Motion was made by Commissioner Hartwell, seconded by Commissioner Willhoit to <br />approve the fallowing action on the items as listed on the Consent Agenda. <br />