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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL <br />JOINT PLANNING AREA PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: April 26, 2007 <br />Acfiion Agenda <br />Item No. E.1 <br />SUBJECT: Jordan Lake Rules Update <br />DEPARTMENT: Planning <br />PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Craig Benedict, Planning Director, 245-2592 <br />. Terry Hackett, EC Officer II, 245-2588 <br />PURPOSE: To receive an update from County Erosion Control and Planning staff on the status <br />and implications of proposed rules which provide a mechanism for the State to enforce nutrient <br />limits and implement a nutrient management strategy in the Jordan Lake watershed. <br />Note: This is strictly an informational item. Amore detailed presentation can be <br />scheduled for a future meeting if the Board desires. <br />BACKGROUND:. <br />Description: Tests conducted by the North Carolina Department of Environment and <br />Natural .Resources (NCDENR), Division of Water Quality (DWQ) indicate that <br />Jordan Reservoir is not meeting, state water quality standards for chlorophyll-a. <br />Excess chlorophyll-a indicates high levels of nutrients (e.g. nitrogen and <br />phosphorus), which are favorable for algal growth. During its life cycle, algae <br />uses oxygen in the water which can adversely affect aquatic life. In fact, as <br />algae dies off oxygen levels in the water can drop dramatically causing fish <br />kills. This prompted DWQ to classify Jordan Reservoir as a Nutrient Sensitive <br />Water (NSW).:- <br />Additionally, The federal Clean Water Act (CWA) requires that a Total <br />Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) be .developed for each water body appearing on <br />the 303(d) list of impaired waters. The Upper New Hope Arm of Jordan <br />Reservoir was placed on the 303(d) list in 2002 for chlorophyll-a impairment. <br />NCDENR DWQ prepared a draft TMDL for the Upper New Hope Arm. <br />G`.C'omprohensivc I'I~nniu~, Ui+r~tilsl•~T.F^_4117 Ptdaic Hearints~: pr ~6 JF':1!Jnedan l'tuics~L:~~danRiilesah5.dr~r, <br />