Agenda - 08-30-2011 - 1b - Laserfiche WebLink

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Regional Nutrient Management Rules 7 August 2011 • Stage I (2011 - 2021) nutrient reduction measures (20% N and 40% P) must be implemented-throughout the entire Falls Lake watershed. • Stage If (2021 - 201) additional nutrient reduction measures (total reductions of 40% N and 77% P) are required in the Upper Falls Lake watershed (upstream of NC Highway 50 in Wake-and Granville counties, which includes Orange County). The Jordan Rules require DWQ to: • Monitor water quality in Jordan Lake and report the initial results of.this monitoring in March 2014. Subseq-cent reports shall be issued every three years until the lake is no longer impaired by nutrients. • Evaluate the effectivene-ss of the ,tordan Rules after at least 10 years-and periodically thereafter. The Falls Rules require DWQ to: • Monitor water quality in Falls Lake to estimate reductions in nutrient -loading reaching the Lake. •- Report to the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) in 2016 and then every five years regarding the progress of the Rules, as well as: o The results of any studies- documenting instream nutrient loading changes due to implementation of the Rules o Results of additional studies evaluating nutrient loading from septic systems and discharging sand filters o Information concerning atmospheric deposition of N and additional related topics The requirements for DWQ to evaluate additional infor-mation reflect some of the perceived shortcomings and related uncertainties with the information used in the modeling performed during the development of the Falls Rules. In 2025, DWQ must also provide a report to the EMC providing additional information concerning the status of Falls Lake as well as the "feasibility of achieving the Stage II objective; and the estimated costs and benefits of achieving -the Stage II objective." At that time, the Rules also require the EMC "to consult with and consider information submitted by local governments and other persons with an interest in Falls Reservoir." The EMC must evaluate the information it obtains and determine if changes to the Stage If Rules are warranted. B. Implications The fiscal analysis prepared by the Planning Section of DWQ estimated the total cost to comply with the Jordan -Rules to be more than $750 million in 2007 dollars, with most of this cost borne by local governments. The most significant costs to area local governments are forecast to be associated with the stormwater rules for existing