Agenda - 05-24-2007-1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 24, 2007 Action Agenda Item No. ~, SUBJECT: Proposed Jordan Lake Nutrient Management Rules DEPARTMENT: ERCD, Planning PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): Map of Jordan Lake watershed Summary of Jordan Lake Rules TJCOG Memorandum TJCOG powerpoint presentation INFORMATION CONTACT: David Stancil, 245-2590 Craig Benedict, 245-2585 Ren Ivies, 245-2585 Terry Hackett, 245-2585 PURPOSE: To review proposed new rules from the NC Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ) to implement a Nutrient Management Strategy and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) rules in Jordan Lake watershed, and determine whether to submit formal comments during a public hearing that may be held this summer by the Environmental Management Commission (EMC). BACKGROUND: Over the last 20 years, water quality has become an issue for Jordan Lake. The levels of chlorophyll a and subsequent algal growth from nutrients have created concerns about eutrophication in the lake. Portions of Orange County within the Cape Fear River basin (generally, the southern and western areas of the County including the towns of Mebane, Chapel Hill and Carrboro and the Joint Planning Area) are within the Jordan Lake watershed. In addition to serving as a recreational water body and a wildlife habitat impoundment, Jordan Lake is a water supply reservoir (and flood control device for the Cape Fear) with three jurisdictions drawing drinking water and others with plans or allocations for the future. Over the last several years, modeling of the lake's water quality was conducted that indicated the need for management of nutrients. Specifically, the need to reduce the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus in the lake was identified as a priority. These levels need to be addressed to satisfy federal pollutant limits and the Nutrient Sensitive Waters status of Jordan Lake. In May, 2005, the Board received a progress report on Jordan Lake. Since that time, NCDWQ has developed new rules for TMDL and a Nutrient Management Strategy. The rules would be most stringent in the sub-watershed known as the Upper New Hope Arm, where the rules will require a 35% reduction in nitrogen (N) and a 5% reduction in phosphorous (P). These provisions will affect a variety of land uses, from agriculture to new and existing development. The Upper New Hope Arm includes much of southern Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro and the Rural Buffer (University Lake and New Hope Creek basins).