Agenda - 11-23-1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE WATER AND SCR AUTHORITY Oi SA STAFF STATEMENT ON DRAFT mom RECREATION AND PARKS PLAN FOR ORANGE COUNTY Presented by Patrick Davis, Acting Executive Director, OUiSA November 23, 1987 Public Hearing, Hillsborough I am Patrick Davis, Acting Executive Director of Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) . GVASA staff has reviewed the draft Master Recreation and Parks Plan for Orange County and commends the County Recreation and Parks Department and Planning Department for their work on this project. The following comments are offered relative to the impact of the plan on OWASA's programs and facilities. OWASA presently provides and manages limited recreational opportunities at University Lake, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community's primary water supply source. Those opportunities include picnicking, rowing, canoeing, sailing and boat fishing, and are offered without the financial assistance of other agencies. (1IASA anticipates developing similar recreational facilities at Cane Creek Reservoir; however, staff has not yet begun to prepare a recreation facilities plan for the reservoir. Reservoir construction is underway and scheduled for completion by mid-1989. OWASA staff welcomes and appreciates the assistance of Orange County and others in the development of a recreational facilities plan for Cane Creek Reservoir. OWASA has five concerns relative to the development of recreational facilities at Cane Creek Reservoir. First, any recreational activities at or in close proximity to the lake must be consistent with the primary purpose of the reservoir- that is, provision of a high quality drinking water supply. The protection of lake water quality must be a primary consideration in development of a recreational plan for the lake. Second, those uses must be planned in cooperation with the residents of the Cane Creek area. Third, the operation, management and maintenance of those facilities and activities must not present a financial burden on OWASA or pose a threat to the operation and maintenance of the water supply facilities and structures at the reservoir. Fourth, the legal liability of OWASA for personal injuries and property damages associated with proposed recreational uses must be minimized. Finally, OWASA's Lake Warden and Lake Warden's staff, in addition to the County Sheriff's Department, will retain authority for security at all Cane Creek Reservoir facilities. OWASA has not yet set aside any funding for the development of Cane Creek Reservoir recreational facilities; however, it has been anticipated that OWASA's expenditures would not be substantial. OWASA also anticipated that the operations and maintenance expenses of future recreational facilities would not be significant and that reservoir personnel could also manage recreational facilities at the lake.