Agenda - 02-23-1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNT PUBLIC HEARING -- February 23,1987 on Jurisdiction of UNIVERSITY LAKE WATERSHED :fir name is Margaret Helton, ', cities o Orange County. I wish to speak on the Orange County-Carrboro Zoning Jurisdiction Boundary. The issue most important to be considered tonight is WATERSHED PROTECTION of the University Lake water supply for 55,000 Chapel Dill/Carrboro residents. Placing the total area of watershed land of University Lake that lies in Orange County under the jurisdiction of Orange County would mean that citizens would have the more restrictive WATERSHED ORDINANCE protecting it. This would mean one less government for Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) to work with in applying for W-I Water Classification by the State Office. Citisens wish to congratulate the three governments--Chapel Hill. Carrboro and Orange County,for their hard work in coming up with this 13-point Comprehensive Agreement. I have observed with deep interest the give and take of those small 8-man committee meetings attempting to work out a solution, and I did attend all of them. Remember that the 13 points are all parts of a large pussle that will need all its pieces to work. We welcome the recommendation that a study of the water supply watershed carrying capacity of University Lake and Cane Creek be commissioned. Good quality water is at the top of the list when citisens are interviewed on their environmental concerns. The county ordinance does not allow water and sewer lines into the watershed except in emergencies. This would prevent intense development in the watershed. It has been shown, as urban development has grown in other places, that once water and sewer lines are placed into watersheds that other development interests are soon asking for extension of the water and sewer lines. This usually means heavier density per acre and can lead to more pollutants in the water supply. At several of the hearings last fall citisens expressed concern about these pollutants, such as lead and metals and chemicals in the storawater runoff. Land development means buildings, parking lots and roads. Impervious surface controls should be limited to since studies have found that the first one-half inch of stormwater run-off has been f to co fain as much as of the total 7.lli tart load f develo b Chapel Hill/Carrboro citizens have worked for years to obtain a new water supply and to buy land for building a new reservoir at Cane Creek. This reservoir will be con- nected to University Lake and the best Watershed Management practices possible should apply to both. Watershed protection is the citizens' insurance that he will have good quality water - even down to the next generatn. It is governments's responsi- bility to provide that insurance. We commend the three governments for this compromise agreement which is a sophisti- cated program of trade-offs and a ems coo native planning. This juris- dictional county land swap in etchange for University Lake watershed land should only be based on capacity or density equivalency. In negotiation, there has to be trade-offs, and the commissioners are faced with a difficult decision. Long-range public interest in preserving water quality of our reservoirs must take precedence over private and public interests. Decisions should be made in the best interest for the most citisens in- volved. 4/eJ)