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56 <br /> watershed into sub-basins. However, this would <br /> create problems regarding the use of 70% in 5% of <br /> the watershed. She continued that the watershed <br /> standards are contained in the zoning overlay. <br /> The Townships of Cedar Grove and Little River must <br /> be zoned with the base underlying zone and then <br /> place the other regulations on top of that. Even <br /> with this being treated as a high density watershed, <br /> when you look outside the transition area, the <br /> underlying zoning goes back to the one acre and two- <br /> acre minimum lot sizes and impervious surface <br /> limits that are currently in place. <br /> Walters stated that Cedar Grove is the largest area <br /> affected by the watershed regulations and it also <br /> has the most erodible land. She expressed concern <br /> that it is already devastating to farmers to comply <br /> with existing regulations through the Soil and Water <br /> Conservation. Willis responded that there are some <br /> provisions included in the State rules about <br /> detention ponds on farms directly related to the <br /> number of animals on the farm. However, farming/ <br /> agricultural uses are not subject to the zoning <br /> regulations. <br /> Willis stated that the Flat River Watershed is <br /> designated by the State as WS-III which allows for <br /> higher densities and more impervious surface than <br /> WS-II. This is the only WS-III designation in <br /> Orange County. <br /> A technical study prepared by Camp, Dresser and <br /> McKee for the City of Durham in 1989 entitled <br /> "Watershed Management Study: Lake Michie and Little <br /> River Reservoir Watersheds" recommended the more <br /> stringent lot size and impervious surface limits. <br /> Several years ago, when watershed protection <br /> initiatives were being considered, the City of <br /> Durham officially requested that Orange County adopt <br /> a two-ace standard as recommended by the Study. <br /> Durham County recently enacted similar standards in <br /> the rural portions of that watershed in Durham <br /> County. For these reasons, the Planning Staff is <br /> recommending adoption of a higher standard than that <br /> required by the State Mandate in the Little River <br /> and Flat River Watersheds. <br /> Willis continued that the Lower Eno, Jordan Lake and <br /> Haw River Watersheds are classified as WS-IV. The <br /> underlying zoning is more restrictive than the State <br /> standards. Very little change is proposed for these <br /> watersheds. WS-IV standards are much less <br /> restrictive than WS-II but there are standards that <br /> relate to impervious surface and detention ponds. <br />