Agenda - 05-15-2007-7a - Laserfiche WebLink

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DRAFT 5/2/07 ~ ~' The Water Resources Coordinator would further serve as the point person on the water resources components of the Orange County Comprehensive Plan, developing policy recommendations and coordinating closely with other departments and staff. This person would also serve as the County's representative on the many state and regional water initiatives and work groups that affect the County's water supply (such as the Jordan Lake watershed stakeholder group or the Triangle J Water Resources Advisory Committee), and report on the implications for Orange County from these initiatives to a variety of County boards and staff. The Coordinator would be responsible for engaging partners in seeking grant funding and applying for funding for special projects with an emphasis on water protection. Step 3a. - Hire a Water Resources Specialist (July 2008) Health Department, Environmental Health Services Division A Water Resources Specialist would be needed to work closely with the Water Resources Coordinator to conduct research especially in the relationship of water quality to health, and to work with partners in developing the practicalities of implementing policy recommendations. The Specialist would have a background in water resources (surface and ground water), environmental science or engineering. The Specialist, working closely with the Coordinator, would be responsible for developing and implementing surveillance, monitoring, and sampling protocols. For example, the Specialist would assist in the design and planning of an observation well network that tracks water quality and quantity, along with existing and possible future sites for surface water (streams and impoundments) surveillance. The Specialist would work with partner agencies to oversee the regular tracking and monitoring of the results of these networks. The findings would be regularly shared with the Coordinator, and the two positions would work together to draw implications from the findings, to be shared with the appropriate staff and entities within County government for evaluation and review. Similarly, for other mechanisms of tracking water resources data (such as new water quality sampling), the Specialist would organize and manage the analytical data, and work with the Coordinator to evaluate and report on the implications. The Specialist would be able to develop study designs for community water studies that may be needed to determine water quality issues in specific areas. Part of the Specialist's duties would be to examine the implications and make recommendations on how these matters should be addressed from a public health policy and education standpoint. The Specialist will also make recommendations and seek additional research opportunities and resources. The Specialist would be responsible for developing and producing educational tools in conjunction with the Inter-departmental Team, including creating a water