Agenda - 08-22-1983 - Laserfiche WebLink

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-2- • Some of us Ideny that the lakes face any water quality problems. Some of us say, 1"The fish are healthy. The algae are healthy. The public is healthy; and the public is happy." 1 • Some of us say, "There's no problem, because there's no smoking gun." • We may not have a smoking gun yet; but we have a loaded gun, and it's readylto go off. • Statisticsifrom NRCD indicate that Falls and Jordan are already overloaded with nutrients that will cause nuisance algae blooms in the future. These lake receive the runoff and effluent from one of the most prosperousland rapidly growing areas of the Southeast. That growth will mean even more pollution than we have right now. • We must make every effort to disarm that loaded gun - one chamber at a time, ! if necessary. Painful as it may be, we have to make the tough decisions, and start solving our problems today: 1 • We must put together a careful and deliberate plan of action that guaranteesithe long-term protection of both lakes. Certain actions are neededlnow, others will be needed in 3, 6, or maybe 12 months. But each one should be part of a carefully planned network of state, local , andIprivate sector actions. And each one must be based on cost, equity, and effectiveness. • Triangle J supports NRCD's proposal to upgrade certain Class C waters of Falls and Jordan to A-11 or B. We consider A-II as a water quality goal - and not an endorsement of Jordan Lake's present condition. • We support the designation of both watersheds as Nutrient Sensitive; but, we urge the EMC to be fair and deliberate in assigning phosphorus removal requirements to wastewater dischargers. • We support the phosphorus strategy proposed for Jordan Lake, except that the Haw River and New Hope arms should be treated in the same way. Dischargers to the Haw River Arm should be subject to the same phosphorus' requirements that NRCD is recommending for the New Hope. 1 • We supportIthe phosphorus strategy proposed for Falls Lake. 1 1 • All new dischargers in both Falls and Jordan watersheds should be subject to stringent phosphorus removal requirements, and should be encouraged to use non-discharging wastewater systems. • We may not1 be able to eliminate all the existing pollution sources, but we can! certainly try to limit any new ones. • Even with these added control measures, Triangle J is not convinced that the EMC's classification system will really assure the long-term quality of1 Falls and Jordan Lakes.