ORC minutes 090617 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Approved 10/4/17 4 159 Allison Reinert answered that each development requires that there is some sort of stormwater analysis that must be done by 160 a professionally-licensed engineer or stormwater professional. The department requires this analysis and calculations as part 161 of the application for development. This part of the application is reviewed by the Erosion Control Officers in writing and is 162 checked as part of on-site review in the field. 163 164 Randy Marshall asked if it was now the case in Jordan Lake Watershed that there are no restrictions of what can runoff a 165 piece of land into the watershed. 166 167 Allison Reinert answered that at the moment, yes, this is the case. She said there was a glimmer of hope in an upcoming 168 gathering called the Jordan Lake Summit that will bring together all municipalities, jurisdictions, counties, developers working 169 within the watershed, and others to figure out what they can do while science is deciding what is wrong with Jordan Lake and 170 the politics behind implementing rules on nutrients. This group may form into an association with the ability to preserve land or 171 regulate to help with nutrients. The framework would be based on the Upper Neuse River Basin Authority in which Orange 172 County is heavily involved, specifically in regards to using different methodologies to figure out how to deal with nutrients in 173 Falls Lake, also a highly impaired water body. Methods encompassing land conservation, agricultural information and 174 educational outreach are employed in working with neighbors downstream of the watershed to work on improving water 175 quality. These would not be enforced at the state level but methods involving land conservation could help prevent runoff 176 downstream. 177 178 Randy Marshall commented that anything that such a group could come up with could be contradicted by a developer who 179 goes to the state to ask for reprieve. 180 181 Allison Reinert agreed that this could happen. 182 183 Tony Blake likened this hypothetical situation to a story in Durham wherein a developer was curtailing rules resulting in 184 sewage problems. 185 186 Randy Marshall recalled that not too long ago people expressed similar concerns about Burlington. 187 188 Tony Blake said yes, Burlington had certain companies dealing with hazardous waste that would discharge byproducts into 189 the Haw River. 190 191 Allison Reinert said that it is not just the nutrients but also personal care products and pharmaceuticals that are making their 192 way into the Jordan Lake water supply. This is a big concern for large communities using Jordan Lake as their main water 193 supply. 194 195 Tony Blake and Allison Reinert noted that Chatham Park is being developed and would use Jordan Lake as the water supply. 196 197 Kim Piracci asked if it was true that Chatham Park was really using Jordan Lake as its water supply. 198 199 Tony Blake said that Cary uses Jordan Lake as its water supply. 200 201 Allison Reinert said that Cary and Apex use Jordan Lake as their water supply, and there is a plan for the future to have a 202 western intake into Jordan Lake which OWASA, Durham and Chatham County would all use, perhaps as partners. 203 204 Tony Blake said that Chapel Hill still has water rights to Jordan Lake that they do not use. 205 206 Allison Reinert agreed that OWASA has rights to millions of gallons of water in Jordan Lake which they do not use currently. 207 208 Tony Blake wondered if these rights would be taken away once Chatham Park is built because it will need a great amount of 209 water supply. 210 211