Agenda - 02-16-1993 - III-F - Laserfiche WebLink

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13 • 8 wetlands. The qualitative impacts are regulated by DEM in terms of 401 water certification which would be required. Any impact from the wetlands would also require Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The 401 has to do with water quality which the State will review relative to runoff from the golf course. The State has a degradation policy which says that this will not degrade the quality of the water locally in the region. They can construct buffers or physical diversions or wet retention ponds to reduce the runoff from the golf course. He feels that the University Station Plan can be exercised with very little impact to ,the water quality in the wetlands and in the surrounding flowing stream. Leon Lucas, a professor of Plant Pathology at North Carolina University, indicated his job is to work with turf grasses throughout North Carolina specifically on disease and pesticide education. He made comments about the golf course, and the use of pesticides. Research studies are showing that turf grasses are the very best pollution control methods they have right now. In Pennsylvania they did some studies by putting on fertilizer and pesticides and then exposing the turf to three to six inches of rain per hour. When they trapped the water that ran off they did not detect high levels of these nutrients or pesticides. He cited other studies where they have not identified problems with the use of pesticides. They have analyzed water from ponds and wells and not found high levels of nutrients or pesticides associated with golf courses. The scientific facts indicate that the perception that golf courses provide large amounts of pollutants is not true. It is only happening where they are not following the recommendations. Some advantages with golf courses is that sludge and compost are being used as fertilizer. Commissioner Gordon asked about the levels of pollutants that are present. Mr. Lucas noted that the problem is determining the base level. They must determine what,amount is already present and establish a base level. The golf courses have not contributed to the base level or caused an increase. His recommendations include the type of turf grass best for a golf course, silt fences and fertilizer control. Mr. Lucas will provide additional written material for the County Commissioners. Craig Morgan, Environmental Consulting Engineer specializing in water and wastewater management and silt sanitary systems, gave his list of credentials. He noted he takes his ethical responsibility to help protect the health, safety and welfare very seriously. He noted he objectively evaluates the relative dimensions of any controversial environmental issue and screens out irrelevant dimensions. He feels the irrelevant dimension at this time is a lot of the specifics of what University Station may or may not be. What they do in the Stoney Creek drainage basin is very relevant. The question is do they let this be one or two acre development with onsite septic system disposal or encourage the growth and development which will bring sewer and water to this area. Mr. Morgan stated that water and sewer can be on site but it is not without its own environmental consequences. He questioned if it is the responsibility of a developer of a select parcel to protect the entire corridor. He feels that this authority is best left in the hands of the county and the towns. In this drainage basin there is Strayhorn Hills, Colonial Hills and Joppa Oaks. Joppa Oaks and Colonial Hills are in trouble. Their septic systems are failing. He asked that people who don't want this development to talk to people who are trying to sell their homes in these