Minutes - 19860325 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

92 drought and/or low stream flow. He cited impacts upon wildlife and vegetation, in particular sycamores and river birches. He stated that during dry periods the river banks are subject to collapse resulting in the destruction of the tree species mentioned above. He also spoke as a concerned property owner along the river bank in regard to the sewage treatment plant outfall. He asked that the property owners interests be taken into account. Robert Rose, resident of Queen Street and Hillsborough Planning Board member, expressed concern that the band-aid solutions mentioned would not work. He noted that any future development in Orange County would concern him if it endangered the people, wildlife and plants that are already present. He asked how could you keep taking from the river without showing any responsibility toward replacement or at least keeping a minimum water flow. He continued that anything done in the immediate future was just a stop-gap measure and still a breakeven point. John Hartwell, Eno River resident, expressed concern that as long as the sewage is put into the river, there must be water there to tolerate the sewage. He recommended putting monitoring equipment at the treatment plant itself in order to be constantly assured that the plant is operating properly. Pete Thorn, representative of the Durham/Chapel Hill Homebuilders Association, spoke in support of OWASA's efforts to sustain Hillsborough water until the completion of Cane Creek in three or four years. He urged that Hillsborough uphold its commitment to OWASA. He stated a reasonable water supply for all residents is crucial to the economy. D. W. Lambert presented a resolution from the Orange County Fish and Wildlife Club wh i ch i s i n the permanent agenda f i le i n the C Jerk' s Off i ce. Commissioner Marshall noted that there were two issues presented: one having to do with the interim supply and the other to move ahead on Seven Mile Creek specifically. She felt some motion of the Board needed to made in both these areas. Chair Willhoit noted that the manager had prepared a list of proposed policy positions. He continued that he had a suggestion as to what he felt the next step should be in the short range modification. One action would be to have John Wray evaluate OWASA's proposal on in stream flow. He also expressed a desire to ask the Water Resources Division to make some additional runs on their model accounting for the purchase of 1.2 mgd from Burlington and also assuming the modifications to the reservoirs, and use the model to advise on the timing of the purchase of water by OWASA from the Town of Hillsborough. He asked that they use a criterion of the number of days left at the point where the two systems cross to propose a cutback in the transfer to OWASA and to develop a proposal in terms of cutting back on in-stream flow as the reservoir capacity decreases. Wray noted that a response could be given depending on work load, but that some of the answers would be judgment calls. Willhoit noted that some basic assumptions were needed on which to base the model.