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125 <br /> DRAFT 5 <br /> supplies . These classifications are based on the amount of existing and <br /> proposed development in the watershed and the quality of the water in <br /> streams feeding the water source area generally described as follows : <br /> "WS-I -watersheds are essentially natural and undeveloped with <br /> no permitted wastewater discharges . <br /> "WS-II - watersheds are predominantly undeveloped, with only <br /> General. Permit wastewater discharges allowed. <br /> "WS-III - watersheds are low to moderately developed . <br /> "WS-IV - watersheds are moderately to highly developed . <br /> "WS-V - watersheds are generally upstream of WS-IV waters and <br /> have no special watershed development or wastewater discharge <br /> restrictions . <br /> Each classification has different protection measures designed to protect <br /> the existing water quality . For example , the type and intensity of <br /> development allowed in the higher-quality WS-I and WS-II watersheds are <br /> more restrictive than that allowed in WS-III and -WS-IV watersheds . A Table <br /> prepared by ( DEM ) summarizing the minimum protection measures for each <br /> classification as adopted by the EMC is a separate enclosure . <br /> The Zoning Atlas changes create Watershed Protection Overlay Districts <br /> for the 10 water supply watersheds that are located in Orange County. The <br /> Zoning Atlas changes also include the establishment of Zoning Districts <br /> within Cedar Grove and Little River Township. The changes to the Zoning <br /> Ordinance involve standards for development within the protected watersheds <br /> and also include an appendix to the state standards which specify standards <br /> for developing detention ponds and their construction. <br /> The changes to the Subdivision Regulations and the Comprehensive Plan <br /> are technical in nature and are being proposed to eliminate any unnecessary <br /> duplication. Technical consistency will be provided between the <br /> Subdivision Regulations , Comprehensive Plan and the more substantive <br /> changes of the Zoning Atlas and the Zoning Ordinance . <br /> The NC EMC has identified watersheds throughout the state which drain <br /> into drinking water supplies . Each of those watersheds has been classified <br /> into one of several categories . For each of those categories the minimum <br /> development standards have been created by the State . Local Governments <br /> must comply with those standards. For the most part , the State standards <br /> deal with minimum lot sizes , densities , impervious surface limits , and the <br /> use of detention ponds to store storm water runoff to allow for slower <br /> infiltration to settle out pollutants . Impervious surface is a critical <br /> component of this . The State ' s definition requires us to consider gravel <br /> as impervious surface which is not a county requirement in many areas at <br /> this time . The State standards also addresses stream buffers and <br /> limitations on various types of land uses allowed in different types of <br /> areas . <br /> Little River and Cedar Grove Townships are being proposed for zoning <br /> at this time . Little River Township has two basic zoning districts ( with <br /> several exceptions ) . The main recommendation is Agricultural-Residential <br />