Agenda - 07-06-1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2Ut ° G Tom Bruce of the City of Durham Department of Water Resources, stated that his department is responsible for the development, operation and maintenance of Durham' s water supply, water treatment and waste treatment facilities. He indicated that the City of Durham looks to the three rivers of the Upper Neuse Basin (Eno River, Flat River and Little River) for its water supply. Due to droughts in 1921 and 1922 , a dam was constructed on the Flat River which formed Lake Michie and has served as Durham City's and Durham County's primary water supply since 1926. He noted that in 1974, the City began planning for a reservoir on the Little River. He indicated that this project was nearly complete, and plans were to begin impounding water by late July of this year. In 1984 , the Durham City Council passed a Watershed Protection Ordinance for the protection of the Falls and Jordan Lakes as well as providing for the protection of Little River Reservoir and Lake Michie. Mr. Bruce continued that in December of 1985, the Durham City Council passed a resolution requesting that the Division of Environmental Management reclassify the Flat River and Little . River to the highest possible level of the new stream classification system which is WS-I and WS-II. The success of this request depends upon actions of Orange County, since most of these watersheds are located in Cedar Grove and Little River Townships. The reclassification is pending an investigation by the Division of Environmental Management. Mr. Bruce presented the request that Orange County designate the Flat River and Little River Watersheds in Orange County as water supply watersheds and provide the same level of protection currently provided for Lake Orange, Corporation Lake, Lake Ben. Johnson, Cane Creek, University Lake, and Seven Mile Creek. This would be in the best interests of Durham and Orange Counties. The Durham water system already serves Orange County along US 70 as well as having provided emergency water in Chapel Hill for OWASA. He continued that there is a potential interconnection with Hillsborough to serve Orange County citizens, and there may also be potential for separate water supply reservoirs on the north and south forks of Little River to serve Orange County directly. The City of Durham is cooperating with Durham County on the development of a watershed-wide study of the Lake Michie and Little River watersheds. One of the major inputs into the study will involve Orange County's long range plans for these watersheds. He asked that Orange County cooperate with Durham County as they move forward with this watershed study, noting that all information developed would be of interest to both Durham and Oramge Counties. Commissioner Hartwell stated that he felt it would be in the best interest of Orange County to help Durham protect its water supply, particularly. if Durham is going to reciprocate and make a long-term (longer than ten years) commitment to supply water. He continued that he also felt it would not be good. for Orange County to agree to protect that watershed in perpetuity and Durham set only a ten-year limit on water provision to Orange County. He indicated that was the status of the negotiations now with the Town of Hillsborough. He stated the two counties should work together and asked that the paper reflect that concern. Mr. Bruce indicated agreement with Commissioner Hartwell, noting that he had not been involved with the negotiations with the Town of Hillsborough so he did not know what had transpired thus far between Hillsborough and Durham. Planning Board member Peter Kramer asked the County Attorney to explain