Agenda - 08-17-1993 - VIII-H - Laserfiche WebLink

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10 1) tracking development and other activities that pose a risk to the quality of the lake; 2) monitoring of both water quality in the lake and loads from selected tributaries to the lake; 3) conducting periodic inspections and assessments of activities that either discharge to stream in the watershed or pose a threat of spills that could reach the lake (what used to be called sanitary surveys) ; and 4) reporting findings periodically to the participating units of governments. Tracking of development could be done conveniently and at modest expense with a desktop GIS system. Initial data for the system could be compiled from the 1990 census, the post-census TIGER files, other geographic files maintained by local governments, building permits, windshield surveys, sediment control plans, subdivision plans, hazardous materials plans, etc. Such a system has been constructed for University Lake and Cane Creek watersheds that are used by OWASA. These sources of data and other transactional proce ses could be tapped to maintain an up-to-date tracking and reporting system for activities in the watershed that pose a threat to water quality. The existing monitoring project being supported by local governments in the region could be adapted to the purposes of this program. Greater attention would have to be given to the monitoring of selected streams during storm events. Criteria for selecting the streams would include: (1) relative risks posed by the activities in each watershed; and (2) characteristics of the watersheds that would permit generalizations about effects of different types of development. Local inspection pr � already in lace ° � for small wastewater dischargers are P in Wake and Mecklenburg Counties in North Carolina. Those pis operate under memoranda of understanding with the NC Division of Environmental Management. The scope of the program under discussion in this memo should cover not only NPDES permit holders, but it should extend to all activities from which a spill could have a significant impact on the lake. The scope should include manure ponds, dairies, and other animal operations; facilities that store or process significant chemicals and petroleum products; of p °duck% landfills; transportation corridors. The structure for governing this group is important. It would certainly include representatives of participating State participation is also a possibility,is of local if state funds or technical services are to be provided. A stable funding base for the group is also necessary. Funding could be provided through regular state and local government budgeting processes or by some alternative mechanism like a set-aside charge on water and sewer w services in the watershed.