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Consensus Principles <br /> Consensus Principle #9 includes the following with regard to the development of the Falls Lake <br /> Rules: <br /> "...relied on a limited database which will be substantially enhanced by a more rigorous <br /> program of sampling, monitoring and analysis." Furthermore: "The EMC [Environmental <br /> Management Commission] should therefore begin a re-examination of its nutrient management <br /> strategy for Falls Lake by January 1, 2018. The re-examination should consider, among other <br /> things, (i) the physical, chemical, and biological conditions of the Lake with a focus on nutrient <br /> loading impacts and the potential for achieving the Stage 1 goal by 2021 as well as the <br /> feasibility of both achieving the Stage 2 reduction goals and meeting the water quality <br /> standard for chlorophyll-a in the Upper Lake, (ii) the cost of achieving, or attempting to <br /> achieve, the Stage 2 reduction goals and meeting the water quality standard for chlorophyll-a <br /> in the Upper Lake, (iii) the existing uses in the Upper Lake and whether alternative water <br /> quality standards would be sufficient to protect those existing uses...". <br /> Consensus Principle #10 states: <br /> "The limited resources available to DWQ [Division of Water Quality, now Division of Water <br /> Resources - DWR] and DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources] for the <br /> implementation of the nutrient management strategy and the need for a robust and active <br /> sampling and monitoring program, as well as additional modeling, make it desirable for the <br /> affected local governments to share resources and undertake these important activities, and <br /> other activities associated with the re-examination of the Nutrient Management Strategy, <br /> collectively. The affected local governments should share resources and assist with funding for <br /> the examination of the Nutrient Management Strategy." UNRBA Projects <br /> Given the challenges with meeting Stage II of the Falls Lake Rules, as well as the guidelines <br /> outlined in the Consensus Principles document, the UNRBA is already either working on, or is <br /> planning to begin, the following projects: <br /> • Estimation of nutrient sources and jurisdictional loading of nutrients to Falls Lake <br /> • Modeling the response of Falls Lake to nutrient input and internal lake processes <br /> • Monitoring of changes in the lake as a result of compliance activities in the watershed <br /> • The linkage of water quality conditions to the designated uses of Falls Lake <br /> • Estimation of BMP credits for measures without DWR-established credits <br /> • Support of various options under the existing regulatory framework in North Carolina <br /> The UNRBA has retained a consultant to help examine options for meeting the requirements <br /> of Stage II the Falls Lake Rules while incorporating the goals of the Consensus Principles. <br /> According to the Framework for a Re-examination of Stage II of the Falls Nutrient Strategy <br /> prepared by the consultant, CardnoEntrix: <br /> "The re-examination should consider existing data, models, nutrient management <br /> strategies, the Consensus Principles, water quality standards (including designated uses <br /> and water quality criteria), implementation costs, and regulatory flexibility." <br /> Reports <br /> To date, CardnoEntrix has completed the following reports as part of the re-examination <br /> process: <br /> • Task 1: Framework for a Re-examination of Stage II of the Falls Nutrient Strategy <br /> • Task 2: Review Existing Data and Reports for Falls Lake and the Watershed <br /> • Task 3: Estimation of Nutrient Loading to Falls Lake <br /> • Task 4: Review of Existing Models and Recommendations for Future Studies <br /> In addition, CardnoEntrix has also completed two technical memoranda: <br />