Agenda - 05-23-2005-w2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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levels of nutrients -primarily phosphorus and nitrogen -and high levels of chlorophyll a, which is an indicator of algal growth. NCDWQ considers Jordan Lake to be one of the most biologically productive (or eutrophic) lakes in the State, As a result of these findings, NCDWQ determined that the Upper New Hope Arm of Jordan Lake (which includes the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro and the "Joint Planning Area") must address the elevated chlorophyll-a levels resulting from excessive nutrient loads (nitrogen and phosphorus) to the lake, using a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) standard. Point sources account for 45% of the Total Nitrogen (TN) and 18% of the Total Phosphorus (TP) load to the Upper New Hope Arm of the lake,. Overall, it is estimated that non-point sources contribute about 70% of the total nutrient load to the lake. Three major publicly-owned wastewater treatment plants and several small privately owned "package" plants discharge highly treated effluent just a short distance from the lake. In 2004-05, a Jordan Lake Stakeholders Project (convened by NCDWQ, Triangle ,1 Council of Governments and Piedmont Triad Council of Governments), worked to evaluate the model results and provide a framework to address these issues. While many fruitful discussions and review of the modeling results were held, no consensus on strategy recommendations emerged from the process, As such, the NCDWQ decided to move forward with a phased-in Nutrient Management Strategy (NMS) and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) rules in late 2004. The proposed nutrient management measures address both point sources and non-paint sources (from developed land surfaces in the upstream drainage area). If not managed properly, population and economic growth projected to occur in the watershed over the coming decades will threaten the ability of the lake to support its designated uses as a major regional drinking water supply, recreational resource, and aquatic habitat, These rules will have impacts on local stormwater programs, agricultural practices, development standards, and wastewater treatment (similar to new rules put in place for the Neuse River basin in 1999).. There has been some disagreement among stakeholders about the NCDWQ proposal. Some groups, including the Citizens for Clean Water and the Haw River Assembly, have concerns that not enough has been done to address water quality issues since the 1983 NSW classification, and are supportive of the NCDWQ proposal. Utility providers and municipalities have expressed concerns about the validity of the model results, and the inherent uricertainty due to limitations of sampling data, as well as the economic impacts of the proposal an their wastewater treatment plants and stormwater control measures. Proposed ]ordan Lake Non-Point Source Nutrient Management Strategy /Orange County Implications As previously Hated, strategies to reduce Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus would be implemented throughout the entire watershed. Portions of Orange County fall within two different sectors of the Jordan Lake watershed. Based on the modeling of the watershed, the measures would differ significantly between the two sectors.