Agenda - 02-15-2005-7b - Laserfiche WebLink

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OWASA August 19, 2004 ORANGE WATER AND SEWER ALiTHORITY Quality Service Since 1977 Mr. Wib Owen, Section Manager NC Wildlife Resources Commission Division of Wildlife Management 1722 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27217 Dear Mr. Owen: ~- 5 To follow up recent discussions between OWASA staff and NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) staff; we propose to clarify OWASA's Cane Creek Reservoir 404 Permit obligation regarding public hunting by instituting a NCWRC-managed permit hunting program on OWASA's 500-acre "Mitigation Tract" (Orange County PIN 9832-36-7089) in lieu of waterfowl hunting on the Reservoir itself: In addition to providing hunting opportunities, apermit-controlled program on the Mitigation Tract would help resolve some of the ongoing management and patrol problems on that property and would avoid a new set of managerial and water quality issues that would azise by opening the Reservoir to waterfowl hunters at a time of the year when it is otherwise closed to the public. It is our understanding that apermit-controlled deer hunting program on the Mitigation Tract would limit the number of hunters on the property at any one time to a maximum of five, probably for three days a week during the deer season. Hunting would be pernutted with bows and azrows, muzzle loaders, or shotguns, but not with high-powered rifles. The entire process of permitting, registration, and enforcement would be managed by the NCWRC. Because the property would be pazt of the state gamelands program, NCWRC staff would be permanently responsible for pasting and patrolling the property for trespassers, off~road vehicle use, and so forth, We recognize that precise details of the program would be developed during the coming year and that the property might be opened for hunting in the fall of 2005. We understand that our staff level expression of interest at this time will enable the NCWRC to begin outlining a permit program and to initiate discussions with the Corps of Engineers about modifications to the 404 Permit. It is important to note, however, that our' staff recommendation is subject to approval by the OWASA Board of Directors, with whom we look forwazd to discussing this in the neaz future. We would appreciate your assistance in further explaining the program to the Board at that time, 400 Jones Ferry Road Equal Opportuni[y Employer Voice (919) 968-4421 PO Box 366 Printed on Rerycled Paper FAX (919) 968-4464 Carrboro, NC 27510-0366 Harm orvasoarg