Agenda - 11-19-1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

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M Res. '0�400r Ord. # I Q Book # Page # 31, 1991 Resolution on the Water Supply Watershed Rules and Classifications Proposed by the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission Whereas, Protecting the quality of North Carolina's drinking water supplies is important for the long term economic health of the City of Durham, Durham County and North Carolina; and Whereas, The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission has proposed water supply watershed rules and classifications for Lake Michie, Little River Reservoir, Falls Reservoir and Jordan Reservoir that significantly affect the potential water quality of Durham's raw water supply as well as the potential for development; and Whereas, The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission has provided an opportunity for local governments and citizens to comment on the proposed rules and classifications prior to their becoming final; and Whereas, An ad hoc committee comprising members of the City Council, the Board of County Commission and the Durham Environmental Affairs Board have reviewed the impact of the proposed regulations on water quality and development in Durham and have made recommendations to the two elected bodies; Now Therefore, Be It Resolved by the City Council of the City of Durham that the City Manager is hereby directed to convey to the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission the following comments regarding the proposed rules and classifications for water supply watershed protection developed in accordance with House Bill 156: 1. The City of Durham and Durham County strongly support the proposed four -tier classification system for water supply watershed protection. The proposed four -tier system of watershed protection is a natural outgrowth of many years of evolution in North Carolina's overall watershed protection program. While the two -tier system established in the 1950s was considered adequate at the time, this approach can no longer be considered adequate for protecting North Carolina's drinking water given our current knowledge and understanding of pollutants and water quality. Watershed protection should be considered the first lineof defense in providing safe drinking water, while treatment should be considered the last line of defense prior to providing that water to customers. 2. The City of Durham and Durham County encourage the Environmental Management Commission to establish water quality objectives for each water supply watershed classification.