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FE, 2 0 1966 <br /> d� �w <br /> °Aa <br /> State of North Carolina <br /> Department of Natural Resources and Community Development <br /> Division of Water Resources <br /> 512 North Salisbury Street • Raleigh, North Carolina 27611 <br /> James G. Martin, Governor <br /> S. Thomas Rhodes, Secretary John N. Morris <br /> ta <br /> Director <br /> February 12, 1986 <br /> Mr. Donald Willhoit, Chairman <br /> Board of County Commissioners <br /> 203 Lexington Road <br /> Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27514 <br /> Dear Mr. Willhoit; <br /> Based on our work with Mr. Kenneth R. Thompson and his staff and <br /> our analysis of water supply storage in Orange County, we are concerned <br /> that the potential for a serious water supply shortage exists. Unfortunately, <br /> the development of new storage or backup supplies has not kept pace with the <br /> withdrawal of water for municipal needs. The Division of Water Resources is <br /> available to assist you and individual water systems with long-range water <br /> supply planning needs. We urge you to continue your efforts to make water <br /> supply a priority issue and remain hopeful that a formal notification of a <br /> potential for a water supply shortage in Orange County, in accordance with <br /> the duties and responsibilities entrusted to the Environmental Management <br /> Commission by the General Assembly, G.S. 143-354(a) (3) , will not be necessary. <br /> The increasing use and diversion of water from the Eno River during <br /> low streamflow periods has resulted in a "drying up" of the Eno River below <br /> Hillsborough for longer and longer intervals each year, with the accompanying <br /> denial of downstream property owners' riparian rights; a loss of habitat for <br /> fish and other aquatic life; reduction in water quality; and the loss of a <br /> valuable backup fire fighting source. <br /> According to the August 1977 Feasibility Study by Rose, Pridgen & <br /> Freeman, Inc. , "The Eno River has good quality water, and the low-flow <br /> problem can be adequately overcome by releases of water from Lake Orange, a <br /> secondary water supply for flow augmentation in the Eno River." And as <br /> stated in the environmental data submitted in October 1977 to the Department <br /> of Human Resources in support of the August 1977 application for clean water <br /> grant funds, "No NPDES permits will be violated. The additional draw will <br /> not decrease downstream flow in the Eno River." As mentioned in my letter of <br /> May 15, 1985, subsequent history indicates that these conditions, with regard <br /> to downstream flow as outlined above, have not been met. Serious consideration <br /> P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-7687 Telephone 9I9-7334064 <br /> An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer <br />