Minutes 11-10-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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members can agree on. Several UNRBA local governments, including Orange County, have already submitted informal comments concerning these rules. A tentative schedule for ongoing UNRBA tasks is included as Attachment E. As can be seen from this schedule, the UNRBA anticipates continuing the studies discussed herein for the next several years. Stage II of the Falls Rules is the period extending from 2021 to 2036, with the overall goal of meeting nutrient related water quality standards throughout Falls Lake by 2041. This schedule may change as a result of the Rules Review process that is underway. Project Outcome • Continuing dialogue with DWR regarding Rules Tom Davis provided some water quality monitory data (graph). Tom Davis reviewed the upcoming UNRBA Schedule. Pam Hemminger said the UNRBA has worked with the Legislature, in an effort to get the Legislature to leave them alone. She said the ultimate goal is to make the lake cleaner. She said Orange County does not contribute a lot to the nutrient loading. She said the monitoring group is fascinating. She said the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have gone through some cutbacks, and this monitoring is vital for them to find out what the end result should be. She said the UNRBA has been at the table, and working with the various groups has been beneficial. She said the State has taken notice, and is using this as an example statewide. She said UNRBA has also been in the education business with developers and staff about how to implement these rules successfully. Chair McKee said he has heard many complimentary comments from other counties about Pam Hemminger's leadership as Chair of UNRBA. He said the fear from the agricultural community is that the burden of these reductions would come at the top of the lake, but that fear has been toned down. Pam Hemminger said Raleigh is asking for a bigger water allocation out of Falls Lake, and the UNRBA has researched extensively the implications this would have on all of their monitoring. She said Raleigh will receive an answer to this question in June 2016. Chair McKee said the need for an additional water source in Raleigh is driven by the population growth. Commissioner Jacobs asked if the group has had a discussion about Raleigh and Durham protecting land in the upper Eno using the same model for Falls Lake. Pam Hemminger said Raleigh participates with the Upper Neuse River Basin Initiative and has contributed to some studies. She said Durham has reallocated some resources including some monitoring stations. Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is a plan going forward to purchase conservation easements in agricultural areas or to help protect natural areas in the upper part of the water shed close to the municipalities. Tom Davis said with the potential BMPs, land conservation is included. He said it will be a great help if DWR approves a nutrient reduction credit for land conservation. Commissioner Jacobs said that would bring funds to bear. Pam Hemminger said they would get a better benefit by bringing funds to bear. Commissioner Jacobs noted a spelling mistake on page 10. Pam Hemminger said she had been the Chair of the UNRBA for six years, and it is important that someone other than Raleigh or Durham be in a leadership position. She is willing to train a new commissioner for a year or so, if needed. She is concerned about Orange County's interest in the UNRBA as the County has so much more agricultural issues. She will respect any decision the Board makes and would be happy to continue serving, but it