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Dave Stancil said that three groups that will be impacted heavily by these rules are <br /> agriculture, wastewater operators, and potentially septic tank owners. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that the Wake County Board of Commissioners had an <br /> issue about charging a fee for septic system inspections. He said that one of the things that <br /> could come out of this is a system of septic system inspections. He thinks that it will be <br /> inevitable under these rules. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked about the Eno Use Capacity Agreement. Kevin Lindley <br /> said that the model was completed but it is very complicated. Commissioner Jacobs asked for <br /> a status report on this agreement and the possibility of making the model more usable. <br /> Kevin Lindley said that the capacity use users had their annual meeting last week and <br /> a request for a change in allocation needs to come from one of the stakeholders — either <br /> Orange County, Hillsborough, Orange-Alamance, or Piedmont Minerals. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked that Orange County as a user ask for this and Chair <br /> Pelissier said that it would be discussed at agenda review. <br /> Commissioner McKee said that these rules will end up being mandated and the result <br /> to reduce these levels will stifle economic development in northern Orange County. <br /> Frank Clifton made reference to Commissioner Jacobs' comment about septic tanks <br /> and said that the rules would apply mainly to those properties that are located very close to <br /> streams. <br /> Commissioner Hemminger said that one of the major problems about all of this is that <br /> the only measuring point is in the lake, no matter what Orange County tries to do. They need <br /> to be thinking about a septic system evaluation system at some point, and in the meantime, <br /> Orange County needs to at least show that it is being proactive. <br /> Commissioner McKee made reference to monitoring all stream crossings at the County <br /> line. He wants to know where the County is on that and he would like this to be brought back <br /> to the Board regarding how to implement this as fast as possible. He would like to monitor this <br /> on a continual basis. He would like to do independent testing for Orange County's own stream <br /> levels. <br /> Frank Clifton said that the staff needs to work up a cost estimate and analysis for this <br /> testing process. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs made reference to the septic tank issue and said that Orange <br /> County does not have to differentiate septic tanks or charge a fee, but he bets that most <br /> people do not ever have their septic tanks pumped every five years as recommended. He <br /> suggested a system that provided a reminder for pumping septic tanks and a requirement to <br /> provide proof of septic tank pumping. <br /> Chair Pelissier asked what farmers would be told if they have to reduce their nutrient <br /> load, but they cannot grow crops without some sort of fertilizer. She is concerned about the <br /> impact on agriculture. <br /> Commissioner Gordon arrived at 8:36 PM. <br /> Dave Stancil said that he thinks that Orange County can implement measures in both <br /> of the watersheds that will enable the County to get to the needed loading standards. <br /> Terry Hackett said they do have concerns about the impact on farmers and many are <br /> trying to get by with the minimum amount of nitrogen and phosphorous, and many are under- <br /> fertilizing their pastures. These rules are voluntary now, but may become mandatory at some <br /> point in the future. <br /> Dave Stancil said that a lot of people would agree that the Falls numbers are not really <br /> attainable. <br /> c. Update on Upper Neuse River Basin Association Activities <br />