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2. PRIORITIZATION OF POTENTIAL WATER SUPPLIES <br />(UPPER ENO) <br />Issue <br />The Upper Eno watershed, as previously mentioned, contains two existing water supplies <br />(Corporation Lake and Lake Ben Johnson), a third water body with limited potential as a water <br />source (Lake Orange), and three proposed reservoirs (Seven -Mile Creek, Eno above McGowan <br />Creek, and West Fork of Eno). All of the three proposed reservoirs have strong points and <br />mitigating factors. <br />The protection of all of these potential and existing water supplies leads to confusing mix of <br />critical areas and overlapping boundaries. More importantly, protection at a high level will affect <br />economic development concerns and the natural and man -made environment. <br />The proposed state classification for the entire Eno basin is currently WS -IV. Orange County <br />requested the Upper Eno (north and west of Hillsborough) be classified WS -III. Therefore, the <br />potential for a local comment on this classification seems appropriate for August 15. <br />The settling of several questions prior to adopting watershed protection measures could simplify <br />the public hearing comment process. <br />1. What is the long -term potential for Lake Ben Johnson as a water supply? <br />2. Given the Cheeks Commercial/Industrial Node, potential for pollution from nearby I- <br />85/40, and especially the potential for future transit corridors, is Seven -Mile Creek an <br />appropriate site for a reservoir? <br />3. Should Lake Orange be protected as a potential water source? Currently, Lake Orange <br />is used to augment flow to downstream reservoirs. <br />4. How many reservoirs in the Upper Eno basin will Orange County governments need in <br />the long -term? How many reservoirs can the Upper Eno River, a low -flow stream, <br />support? <br />5. Should the County (and other involved jurisdictions) request a higher classification for <br />these important water supplies? If so, where should the boundary for Upper Eno /Lower <br />Eno be located? <br />T. _ .� . <br />A. Determine the answers to the above questions and prioritize protect water resources <br />accordingly. <br />66 <br />