Orange County NC Website
Of these milestones, the following are of particular importance for additional <br /> elaboration: <br /> • 1993 Interim Report <br /> After nine months of assessing the available knowledge on ground water and the <br /> apparent needs, the Committee issued an Interim Report in March of 1993. The report <br /> called for research into ground water quantity and quality, and an examination of the <br /> impacts of human activity, and an increase in public awareness of the significance of <br /> ground water. This report set the stage for actions of the next seven years. <br /> 1994 Info Brochure and Open House <br /> To help spread awareness of ground water issues and offer solutions to common ground <br /> water questions, an information brochure was developed and mailed to over 1100 <br /> households on a master mailing list. An open house also was held, which offered a <br /> slideshow about ground water, a question and answer session and a ground water <br /> model demonstration. ' <br /> • 1996 Recharge Rate Study <br /> One of the pressing issues driving the ground water project, a scope of work for a joint <br /> venture between the County and USGS was developed and pursued in May 1994 to <br /> examine the recharge rate for ground water supplies in different basins and sub-basins <br /> in the County. The resulting report was published by USGS in November 1996 and <br /> presented to the Board of Commissioners. <br /> The Ground Water Center <br /> With increasing public awareness a project priority, the Committee suggested the <br /> creation of a one-stop resource for County citizens, called the Ground Water Center. <br /> Upon approval by the Board in 1996, the Center is housed in the Soil and Water District <br /> offices in Hillsborough, and features a dedicated phone line for citizens to call with <br /> ground water questions (644-3333 - calls are referred to the appropriate agency). <br /> Brochures and other materials are available on site. <br /> • Groundwater Guardian <br /> A national program dedicated to informing the public about the protection of <br /> groundwater resources, the County applied and was awarded membership in the <br /> organization in April 1997. The County is one of only 156 local governments in North <br /> America (and four in NC) to receive the designation. The Groundwater Guardian offers <br /> public information assistance and materials and networking on ground water problems. <br /> • 1997-2000 Ground Water Resource Investigation <br /> To analyze the County's ground water resource more thoroughly, the Committee <br /> developed a scope of work for a full Ground Water Resource Investigation. The USGS <br /> was selected to conduct the project, again as a cooperative venture with the County. <br /> The Resource Investigation featured scientific sampling of wells across the County, <br /> further analysis of ground water availability and susceptibility, and distribution analysis <br /> of well yield. The report was completed-and published in February 2001. <br /> 3 <br />