Agenda - 02-27-2012 - C7 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Fact Sheet - Falls Lake/Jordan Lake Stormwater Rule for Attachment 3 New Development in Orange County Introduction Both Falls Lake and Jordan Lake are considered polluted due to excessive nutrient inputs and Stormwater runoff is one of the major sources. As a result, both lakes have been designated as Nutrient Sensitive Waters (NSW) by the North Carolina Division of Water Quality (DWQ). Through a long stakeholder process, nutrient reduction strategies were developed for both lakes as well as all lands/waters draining to them.To address nutrients from stormwater runoff, reductions will be required from both existing developed areas as well as new development. As part of the nutrient reduction strategy, new development will be required to meet certain Stormwater standards, including nutrient limits. The new development nutrient limits are different for each lake, but the stormwater requirements are similar. Orange County is addressing the two programs with one set of regulations within its Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), and will enforce nutrient limits for each lake's watershed. Key Points: • The Falls Lake and Jordan Lake rules passed by the State require local governments to adopt new stormwater standards for new development. • The state's Falls Lake rules became effective January 15, 2011 and the Jordan Lake rules became effective August 11, 2009. • Requirements for the Falls Lake and Jordan Lake watersheds differ slightly; Orange County will amend its LIDO to meet the standards for each watershed (see attached map and table). • Stormwater runoff from new development must meet both nitrogen and phosphorus limits. • Nitrogen and phosphorus limits are different depending on which watershed the development is located. • Limits apply to new development that meet or exceed land disturbance thresholds; these thresholds differ between the two watersheds(see attached table). • Orange County was required to submit its proposed Falls Lake and Jordan Lake new development program to DWQ and the NC Environmental Management Commission (EMC) for review and approval, prior to adoption. For additional information,click on the links below: • Stormwater and Excess Nutrients—Why Care About Stormwater? • Map showing Falls Lake and Jordan Lake watersheds in Orange County • Table comparing current Neuse rules with new Falls Lake and Jordan Lake limits • Adoption Timeline • Also visit DWQ's websites: http://Portal.ncdenr.org/web/wq/ps/nps/`fallslake http://Portal.ncdenr.org/web/oordanlake