Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
Environment and Resource Conservation Director David Stancil made reference to a newspaper <br /> article today, which indicated that the Town of Hillsborough would be sending a letter to the Division of Water <br /> Quality asking for a requirement of a lesser amount of water to be released from their reservoir that keeps the <br /> aquatic life alive in the Eno River. The resolution would ask the Division of Water Resources to use sound <br /> scientific and environmental justification and methodology and provide for public input in considering any requests <br /> to alter or suspend the Capacity Use Agreement. The resolution would also authorize the Chair and Vice-Chair to <br /> represent and act on behalf of the Board in any meetings or actions that may be required between now and when <br /> the Board reconvenes in August. <br /> Chair Jacobs said that since the Board of County Commissioners will not meet until August 20, this <br /> would authorize the Chair and Vice-Chair to act if necessary. <br /> Commissioner Halkiotis asked for a summary of why this capacity use agreement was initiated years <br /> ago. He would like background information on this agreement, including the reasons for this agreement. <br /> Chair Jacobs gave some background information on how the County initiated this agreement to save <br /> the aquatic life in the Eno River. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Brown to approve and <br /> authorize the Chair to sign the resolution as stated below: <br /> RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD ON <br /> MATTERS REGARDING THE ENO RIVER CAPACITY AGREEMENT <br /> WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners is committed to the environment and the sensitive <br /> ecological systems of the Upper Eno watershed, and <br /> WHEREAS, the Board has taken action in the past to protect the Upper Eno watershed and the Eno River by <br /> implementing watershed protection standards, and through the acquisition of lands at Seven-Mile Creek and <br /> the McGowan Creek Preserve, and <br /> WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners, in conjunction with the Town of Hillsborough, worked with the State <br /> of North Carolina Division of Water Resources to institute a Capacity Use Agreement to regulate stream flow in <br /> the Eno River in 1989, and <br /> WHEREAS, other options may exist to conserve water capacity in the Town's West Fork reservoir and <br /> maintain in-stream flow, including the purchase of water from other providers and/or increased or mandatory <br /> conservation measures, and <br /> WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners understands and appreciates the severity of the drought conditions in <br /> the area, and stands ready to assist the Town of Hillsborough and other water providers in meeting water <br /> demand in an environmentally-sound fashion: <br /> NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: <br /> That the Orange County Board of Commissioners seeks assurance from the N.C. Division of Water Resources <br /> that the agency will respond to any petition for alteration, change or suspension of the Eno River Capacity Use <br /> Agreement using sound scientific and environmental justification and methodology, and provide for public input. <br /> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board authorizes the Chair and Vice-Chair to represent and act on <br /> behalf of the Board in meetings or actions that may be required pursuant to the County's interest in the Eno <br /> River Capacity Use Agreement. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS <br /> a. Recognition of Central Carolina Bank's Contribution to Orange County 250 <br /> The Board recognized the significant contribution of Central Carolina Bank toward the upcoming 2501h <br /> anniversary of the founding of Orange County. <br /> John Link said that Senior Vice Presidents Jim Carter and Ted Laws from CCB are taking the lead in <br /> the County with corporate citizen participation in the 2501h anniversary celebration by providing $10,000 over the <br /> next two-year period. <br /> Jim Carter said that they are pleased and honored to help out. He said that this is a very important <br /> celebration and an opportunity to review the historic features of Orange County. They are honored and feel a <br /> stronger sense of community by making this contribution. <br /> 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS- None <br />