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WS -III (MODERATELY DEVELOPED) <br />WS -IV (HIGHLY DEVELOPED) <br />Each of the state's water supply watersheds has been evaluated and <br />given a preliminary classification according to this scheme by the <br />N.C. Division of Environmental Management. <br />The four watershed classes are based on: <br />• the amount of development existing and proposed for the <br />watershed; and <br />the quality of water in streams feeding the water source. <br />Each classification has different protection measures designed to <br />protect the existing quality of the water. For example, the amount <br />of land coverage and development type (which directly affect water <br />quality) for the higher quality WS -I and WS -II watersheds are quite <br />different than those for the WS -III and WS -IV classes. <br />Schedule of Event <br />With the preliminary classifications to water supply watersheds <br />completed, several critical actions remain. The EMC must classify <br />each water supply watershed by January 1, 1992 (following the mid - <br />August public hearings). once this has occurred, the task of local <br />governments is to adopt watershed protection ordinances. <br />Deadlines are set by the Water guRply grotecti2n Act for these <br />events. These are as follows: <br />AUGUST 14 -20 REGIONAL PUBLIC HEARINGS ON <br />CLASSIFICATIONS, AND RULES /STANDARDS <br />JANUARY 1, 1992 EMC CLASSIFIES ALL WATER SUPPLY WATERSHEDS <br />JULY It 1992 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS MUST SUBMIT PROTECTION <br />ORDINANCES TO EMC. <br />However, there are two bills currently pending in the General <br />Assembly that would have an effect on this schedule, if enacted. <br />Bills H873 and 5448 would both delay the above deadlines for the <br />EMC's classification and /or local government's submission of <br />ordinances. Both bills have been approved by their respective <br />branch and are currently in committee in the other branch. <br />3 <br />