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university property, and road rights-of--way, none of which could be used by local <br />governments for locating BMPs (FA Appendix B, table B-2, p.B-7). Because the land <br />values for those property are lower than average, the weighted average of $78,000 is <br />likely to be lower than the land costs faced by local governments in implementing this <br />rule, despite the use of "true" land values described in note 2 (FA Appendix B, note 2, <br />p.B-2). <br />d. The fiscal analysis calculates the total lifetime cost for all BMPs needed to achieve <br />nutrient reductions based on a proportion of different BMPs. The proportions of different <br />BMPs is based primarily on relative cost effectiveness, with the weighting adjusted <br />somewhat based on local government input (FA Chapter 5, p.60). The selection of BMPs <br />implemented has a very large effect on the total cost of implementing this rule. We will <br />not know what the likely selection of BMPs will be until local governments have <br />completed their feasibility studies and implementation plans. Therefore, we will not have <br />abetter idea of total cost until three years after this rule has been adopted. <br />e. The fiscal analysis states that "reduction needs for one nutrient will overtreat for the other <br />by some amount" (FA Chapter 5, p.61). More specifically, the analysis assumes that <br />"significant excess phosphorus reduction would be achieved in meeting nitrogen needs." <br />The analysis then calculates a "total revenue potential in meeting baseline reduction <br />needs as approximately $7.6 million." The Jordan Lake nutrient strategy requires <br />significant reductions in both Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus. Because nonpoint <br />sources must achieve reductions in Total Nitrogen, BMPs to reduce nitrogen must be <br />implemented. BMPs that reduce nitrogen would also reduce phosphorus, but credit for <br />one nutrient cannot be traded for a needed reduction in the other nutrient. Phosphorus <br />credits only have value if there are buyers. The assumption of phosphorus over-treatment <br />resulting in $7.6 million of revenue potential is questionable. <br />f. One cost entirely missing from the fiscal analysis is the loss of tax revenue to local <br />governments. The cost calculation for installing BMPs includes the cost of purchasing <br />land, but not the cost of the lost tax revenue once the land becomes public property. Local <br />governments will lose those tax revenue streams forever. Calculating the net present <br />value of the lost tax revenues could result in a significant cost. <br />5. Protection of Existing Riparian Buffers <br />a. The list of affected local governments (FA Chapter 6, p.86) does not include the <br />municipalities of Ossipee and Swepsonville identified in the rule, .0262 (6)(a). <br />b. The pay rate of $36/hour (FA Chapter 6, p.87) used to quantify the cost of local <br />governments contracting assistance in preparing ordinances seems rather low. <br />6. Offsetting Nutrient Loads -The rules for new development (.0265 (3)(a)(vi)), new <br />wastewater dischargers (.0270 (6)(a)(ii)), expanding wastewater dischargers (.0270 <br />(7)(a)(ii)), wastewater discharge group compliance associations (.0270 (9)(h)), new <br />development by non-NCDOT state and federal entities (.0271 (3)(a)(vi)), and new <br />development by NCDOT (.0270 (4)(c)) allow for payments to the NC Ecosystem <br />Enhancement Program as provided in Rule 15A NCAC 2B .0240 to partially offset their <br />nitrogen and phosphorus loads. The NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program is a statewide <br />organization. Any projects paid for with offset payments from a given Jordan Lake <br />subwatershed, but are implemented by the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program outside of <br />