Agenda - 11-19-1997 - 10a - Laserfiche WebLink

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Provisional Cane Creek Recommendations 7 June 26, 1997 Page 5 Additional steps recommended include: • OWASA acquisition of nearly 1300 additional acres of critical land to help prevent future contamination. • Modification of the Cane Creek water intake structure to allow selective withdrawal of higher quality water. • Further evaluation of cost-effective water treatment options, such as pre-oxidation with chlorine dioxide,that may reduce the production of disinfection byproducts. • Discussion with Alamance County officials their consideration of re-zoning the Alamance portion of the watershed. Some options have been eliminated from further consideration: • In-lake management techniques, such as mechanical de-stratification, bottom water aeration, alum-copper sulfate application, or biomanipulation, are not recommended. State and Local Water Supply Protection The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission(EMC) requires local counties and municipalities to enact baseline land use regulations for water supply watersheds within their jurisdiction. Communities may adopt stricter standards if desired. Both Alamance and Orange Counties are in compliance with EMC regulations for the Cane Creek watershed. The one-acre minimum lot size required by Alamance County complies with the EMC's basic standard. By contrast, Orange County's water supply requirements are among the most stringent in the state. These are codified in Article 6.23,Extra Requirements for Watershed Protection Overlay Districts, of the Orange County Zoning Ordinance. Highlights include: • A maximum allowable density of 1 dwelling unit per 2 acres throughout the watershed. Impervious surfaces are generally limited to 6 percent. Non-residential development is limited to 12 percent imperviousness, but no more than 139 of the 18,500+Orange County acres in the watershed may be developed for non-residential purposes. • Preference for non-structural stormwater controls that rely on buffers, natural vegetation, and infiltration. Structural controls, such as detention ponds, are allowed, but may not be used to qualify for density or impervious surface waivers. Any such devices are subject to strict performance requirements, including the posting of maintenance agreements, security bonds, and cash deposits.