Agenda - 11-03-2004-10a - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

7 MEMORANDUM TO: Board ofDirectors THROUGH: Ed Kerwin FROM: Ed Holland DATE: September 17, 2004 SUBJECT: Update on Jordan Lake Nutrient Management Strategy [Much of the background information provided in. this memo is taper: from a December .3, .2003 update report that appeared in the Board's agenda paclrage of December° 11, 200.3.) Background The "Jordan Lake Stakeholder Project" is a,joint effort of the NC Division of Water Quality (DWQ), Triangle J Council of Govenunents (TJCOG), and Piedmont Triad Council of Govenunents (PTCOG) to provide a framework for a variety of stakeholders to address concerns about water quality degradation caused by increasing levels of total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) in .lordan Lake, Recommendations from this process are intended to help the NC Enviromnental Management Commission (EMC) develop a nutrient management strategy for the 1,700-square mile Jordan Lake watershed and address specific water quality problems in the lake's Upper New Hope Ann, which is immediately downstream of Chapel Hill and Durham and much of the Research Triangle Park.. A key tool for evaluating a range of management options has been the .lordan Lake 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 P,rm is subject to these conditions, and consequently is under a "TMDL" (Total Maximum Daily Load) regulatory process, through which the EMC will determine (a) the maximum nutrient loads that can be accommodated while achieving applicable water quality