Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
• <br /> "DRAFT JPH MINUTES PAGE 10 <br /> hearts and energies anal minds and financial resources to <br /> protect The river and to help seek a solution for our <br /> water resource problems. We encourage the various <br /> bodies to become concerned and deal with the <br /> increasingly critical nature of our water supply <br /> resources. We find the efforts to turn to the necessary <br /> in-stream flows as a source of water supply to support <br /> more growth and . development in all of Orange County an <br /> intolerable solution. We will reluctantly support a <br /> minimum flow of 1 .7 cfs knowing that it will most likely <br /> be sustained far more than 7 days and 10 years but we <br /> will observe the operation of the reservoirs, water <br /> uses, stream flows and conditions of the- river and will <br /> be prepared to take strong and immediate action to <br /> remedy an adverse condition by exercising all statutory <br /> legal means. We fully intend to protect the Eno River <br /> and its environment." <br /> PUBLIC COMMENT <br /> Betsy Tilley introduced Marshall Spears, an attorney <br /> representing a group of concerned Lake Orange property <br /> owners. <br /> Spears presented <br /> concerns <br /> owners regarding the raising oofth the adam.OrHeg noted pthat <br /> by studying deeds and maps it appears that Lake Orange <br /> controls to contour line 615. He noted that the raising <br /> of the dam would not provide a significant benefit but <br /> would cause more consternation . He continued that the <br /> cost benefit ratio must be looked at and that a part of <br /> that cost benefit ratio is humanity. He noted that if <br /> the docmentation That led to Lake Orange was studied, it <br /> would be found that it was done for the purpose of a <br /> number of recreational water-related activities and the <br /> deeds to the property go down to that point subject only <br /> to an easement, and would only go above 615 in the case <br /> of oppression ion or <br /> some <br /> temporary y measure. He expressed <br /> again his doubts that significant benefit would be <br /> gained by disturbing Lake Orange. Spears noted that <br /> there has not been an acceptable level of communication <br /> with Lake Orange residents about the raising of the dam. <br /> Willhoit inquired what the dam level is and Spears <br /> responded that the rights that exist in the legal <br /> document appear to be to the contour level 615. <br /> Willhoit asked if there was an interest in raising the <br /> dam more than one foot. Some residents stated that the <br /> figure they had been told was two feet or more. <br /> Willhoit noted that 614 is the current level of the dam <br /> and to put flashboards on the dam to raise it one foot <br /> would yield approximately 120,000 . <br /> Willhoit asked the County Manager the cost of raising <br /> the darn one foot. Thompson responded the expected <br /> expenditure is something over $100,000 and it is a cost- <br /> benefit question as to whether one foot is worth that <br /> type expenditure. Wilihoit asked if a new reservoir <br />