Agenda - 10-19-2004-10a - Laserfiche WebLink

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MEMORANDUM TO: Board of Directors THROUGH: Ed Kerwin FROM: Ed Holland DATE: September 17, 2004 SUBJECT: Update on .Jordan Lake Nutrient Management Strategy [Much ofYhe background infornzatiozz provided izz this nzen:o is talcezz fi~onz a Decenzber3, 200.3 zzpdate report that appeared in the Bom d's agerzda package of Decernber° 11, 2003.) Baclttround The "Jordan Lahe Stakeholder Project" is a joint effort of the NC Division of Water Quality (DWQ), Triangle .l Council of Govenunents (TJCOG), and Piedmont Triad Council of Goverrmlents (PTCOG) to provide a framework for a variety of stalteholders to address concerns about water quality degradation caused by increasing levels of total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) in .Iordan Lake. Recormnendations from this process aze intended to help the NC Envirormzental Management Commission (EMC) develop a nutrient management strategy for the 1,700-squaze mile .Jordan Lahe watershed and address specific water quality problems in the lalte's Upper New Hope Arm, which is immediately downstream of Chapel Hill azrd Durham and much of the Reseazch Triangle Park, A hey tool for evaluating a range of management options has been the Jordan L,alte Nutrient Response Model, which was developed at a cost of $400,000 by nine local governments, including OWASA. Water Quality Concerns Excessive nutrients (TN and TP) from point and nonpoint sources degrade water quality by supporting excessive levels of algae, which can impair the recreational, aquatic habitat, and water supply value of a waterbody. Jordan Lake's Upper New Hope Arm is subject to these conditions, and consequently is under a "TMDL" (Total Maximum Daily Load) regulatory process, tluough which the EMC will determine (a) the maximum nutrient loads that can be accommodated while achieving applicable water quality