Agenda - 02-04-1985 - Laserfiche WebLink

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L , PROBLEM/CONCERN: rs In 1988, Census figures indicated Orange County was one of the fastest growing counties in North Carolina with a growth rate of over 30%' Given the County's location with respect to the nationally prominent Research Triangle Park, and its central position in the developing Piedmont Crescent, a high growth rate was anticipated in the future. In fact, the population was projected to almost double, increasing from 77,055 in 1970 to over 140,000 by the year 2000. st While recognizing that growth would present many opportunities for the people of Orange County, officials were concerned that adequate planning must commence to insure orderly growth and necessary public services. This was particularly true regarding sufficient water supplies of good quality for the 6O^000 existing residents who relied on public water supply • systems. The County had depended almost exclusively on surface water impoundments for its water supply. Furthermore, the County's location in the headwaters of three major drainage st basins precluded major natural lakes and high volumes of water flow in its scresms. This characteristic, combined with severe water shortages in extended dry weather periods, established future water resources as a pressing issue within Orange County. Although water supply was a major issue, water quality emerged as an equal if not greater concern. Interest in the water qbal |ty issue had been increasing nationally, but concern on the local level was due more to the progressive attitude of the Board of County Commissioners. Its composition was such that the members' educational and occupational backgrounds gave - Lmpetus for the focus on water quality protection. Adeqaute water supplies were viewed as having negligible unless the quality of the soUrce was high. . • . SOLUTION: In March, 1979, the Orange County Board of Commissioners responded to the water resource issue and created a 16-member Water Resources Force comprised of university, governmental and water resources representatives. In its charge to the Task Force, the Board stressed • not only the need to identify existing and potential reservoir sites, but the importance of defining water quality goals, developing watershed protection measures, and incorporating each in the County's Land Use Plan. The charge was unique in that all too offten, attention had been focused on water supplies with little or no consideration given to protecting the sources from pollution. Water quality became as important an element as quantity. ' In May, 1981 , after two years of work, the Task Force presented its report to the Board of Commissioners. The heart of the report was a set of seventeen recommendations concerning water resources in the County. Six recommendations concerned water quantity, while eleven involved water quality. One additional recommendation was included later at the request of the Planning Board. The water quality recommendations included the following: Adopt a Land Use Plan identifying protected water supply watersheds. Adopt a Land Use Plan and associated regulations which preserve and enhance water quality in protected watersheds -�^ Encourage surrounding county/city jurisdictions to incorporate the Task Force recommendation Into their land use plans and development regulations Encourage local water authorities to adopt policies restricting water/sewer exten into protected watershedo. . Extend zoning coverage to protected water supply watersheds in applicable Townships. ./'"� Implement zoning/performance standards in protected watersheds. . , ; Adopt regulations requiring back-up on-site wastewater disposal systems in prntac— . " z watersheds. . . ��