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Western Intake Feasibility Study start Fall 2011 <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that, presumably, the Buckhorn Economic Development <br /> District would be served by Mebane. He asked why Orange County would be providing water <br /> if it is coming from Mebane's systems. <br /> Craig Benedict said that if Mebane has a certain amount of water through their <br /> agreements, if they ever reach their allocation limit and needed to justify to the State that they <br /> were going to service a larger area, then Orange County could offer some of the capacity <br /> allocation. With Durham, the 0.5 million gallons is not on the radar for Durham, but it is part of <br /> a growth area and Durham can accommodate what is needed there. <br /> Frank Clifton said that the County is going to invest several million dollars in utility <br /> infrastructure and he would not want that infrastructure to be impinged if there was not viable <br /> water available. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that Mebane will be annexing this area and he thinks that <br /> Orange County should try and get the allocation, but it is not a persuasive argument. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that it is great to have this agreement, but he wants to <br /> discuss how water will be shared in droughts because it has never been resolved. <br /> Dave Stancil said that this is supposed to be an important part of this process and the <br /> partners should be reminded of this. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that the WSMBA originally contemplated including Mebane <br /> and Durham in the agreement. He sent a suggestion that the meeting with Mebane includes <br /> discussion about specific land use issues, and it seems that this is one of them —to have <br /> Mebane be a party to the agreement. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked about the western intake. Dave Stancil said that Durham <br /> is taking the lead on this discussion and this will be the most substantial financial commitment. <br /> This will be a big decision for local governments. This conversation will begin in earnest this <br /> fall. <br /> Chair Pelissier made reference to page 4 and the future utilization of Jordan Lake. She <br /> asked about the additional infrastructure in Orange County. <br /> Craig Benedict said that if there is a western intake, it would start in Chatham County, <br /> but it would come around OWASA and through Orange County. The base of the infrastructure <br /> is not in Orange County, but it has to travel through. This would involve water lines and other <br /> conduits to split to OWASA and over to Durham. <br /> Dave Stancil said that there would be a big investment to get into Buckhorn in the near <br /> future. <br /> Chair Pelissier said that she is concerned that this might be a backup for the Buckhorn <br /> EDD. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that the County Commissioners need to tread lightly when <br /> speaking about increased infrastructure in Orange County because it is a red flag for some <br /> people. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 3 and said that there are two <br /> unresolved issues in this study. One is the issue of inter-basin transfer and the other is water <br /> supply alternatives. He suggested putting a positive statement about the County's water <br /> principles in a resolution. <br /> Chair Pelissier said that Commissioner Jacobs' comments could be discussed in <br /> agenda review. <br />