Agenda - 06-05-1995 - VIII-F - Laserfiche WebLink

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l 1 O R A N G E C O U N T Y BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: June 5, 1995 Action Agenda Item #_ =-F SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY ESTABLISHING A RESEARCH GRANT-IN-AID ACTION BY: DEPARTMENT: PLANNING PUBLIC HEARING Yes _x—No ATTACHMENT(S) : INFORMATION CONTACT: Memorandum of Agreement from Warren Faircloth Ext. 2586 The Pennsylvania State University Erosion Control Supervisor Research Proposal available in the TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Erosion Control Supervisor's office Hillsborough - 732-8181 in the Planning & Inspections Department Durham - 688-7331 Mebane - 227-2031 Chapel Hill - 967-9251 PURPOSE: To consider a Memorandum of Agreement with The Pennsylvania State University for testing an experimental sediment basin. BACKGROUND: Erosion Control staff have attempted to improve the performance of sediment basins for many years. These basins are used below construction sites to treat sediment-laden runoff and prevent damage to streams and property downstream. Conventional sediment basins are expensive and are usually not very effective. One study found that, at best, conventional sediment basins capture less than 50% of the sediment entering them. In 1989 Orange County adopted sediment and erosion control standards requiring the use of basins that incorporated improvements to increase trapping efficiency. While these basins improved efficiency, staff discovered some fundamental problems with the outlet structures that cause significant sediment loss. These observations resulted in the idea of using a floating skimmer instead of the stone filter and perforated risers normally used to drain sediment basins. The floating skimmer would ensure the basin filled (which rarely happened before) to cause sedimentation and then slowly drain the cleaner surface water instead of draining it from the bottom (where most