Agenda - 11-04-1996 - 9d - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGECOUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 4, 1996 Action Agenda Item # q-d SUBJECT: Use of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service's Emergency Watershed Protection Program to remove of hurricane debris from County's rivers, streams and waterways DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: Yes No ATTACHMENT(S): BUDGET AMENDMENT: Yes No NRCD Packet, Federal Contracting for EWP INFORMATION CONTACT: NRCD Packet, Local Contracting for EWP County Engineer Extension 2303 State cost share memo TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough - 732-8181 Durham - 688-7331 Mebane - 227-2031 Chapel Hill - 967-9251/968-4501 PURPOSE: To provide information to the BOCC about the US Department of Agriculture's Emergency Watershed Protection Program and its potential to assist in clearing storm debris from the County's waterways and to solicit the Board's instruction regarding pursuit of this debris removal process. BACKGROUND: One of the least apparent or appreciated aspects of hurricane damage is the disruption of normal instream flow patterns of rivers, streams, waterways, etc., that have been obstructed by fallen trees and associated debris. Generally these obstructions, as they he across stream channels and flood plains, function as dams and cause abnormally high upstream water levels during even minor storm events. In urbanized areas, where it is common to find homes and other buildings located within the normal flood plain areas of waterways, frequent flooding becomes a problems. In rural areas, flooding of occupied buildings is usually less of a problem, though flooding of lowland crop and pasture areas may become something of a nuisance. In both rural and urbanized areas, storm debris often collects at and blocks roadway culverts and bridges. Storm water may then flow over the top of and across roads and driveways, causing extremely hazardous driving conditions or destroying roadway surfaces, embankments or shoulders.