Orange County NC Website
2 <br /> As noted in the November update, the mechanism to create and approve the IAIA approach <br /> and package was determined to best be accomplished through a revision to the UNRBA bylaws. <br /> These changes were drafted by the UNRBA Legal Group and presented for consideration in <br /> March. On March 18, the UNRBA Board of Directors approved changes to the bylaws that <br /> enable the IAIA process, and Vice-Chair Jamezetta Bedford, as the Orange County UNRBA <br /> delegate, represented the County in this action consistent with BOCC direction from November. <br /> Plans are now underway for each jurisdiction to identify planned projects for the upcoming <br /> fiscal year. <br /> The full IAIA document may be found at the following link: <br /> https://www.orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15307/Interim-Alternative-lmplementation- <br /> Approach-for-UNRBA- <br /> Orange County IAIA Nutrient Reduction Funding and Possible Projects <br /> Funding for Orange County's share of the IAIA has been included in the adopted Capital <br /> Investment Plan, beginning in the upcoming fiscal year. A total of$175,000 was approved for <br /> this effort in Board actions from spring and fall 2020, and will be included again in the <br /> Manager's Recommended CIP for FY 2021-26 this spring. It should be noted that conservation <br /> projects that protect stream and riparian corridors and preserve certain other sensitive lands <br /> toward this program will be able to leverage additional funds from the County's Lands Legacy <br /> Program, as well as other grants and donations for the conservation projects. <br /> As noted above, the approved IAIA has a menu of different activities and projects that will <br /> count toward addressing the required nutrient management reductions. These include <br /> stormwater management improvements and retrofits, conservation activities and stream buffer <br /> protection, stream buffer and floodplain restoration, and wetland creation, among others. (A <br /> complete listing of possible measures is included in the IAIA program link shown above). <br /> Staff from DEAPR, Planning and the County Attorney's office have participated in the UNRBA <br /> deliberations and plans to date, and there are a variety of projects that have been identified for <br /> future approval (to be addressed in more detail as the CIP is discussed this spring). These <br /> include: <br /> • A conservation easement project that will protect a significant stretch of a tributary of <br /> Seven Mile Creek and the Eno River <br /> • Wetland creation and conversion of an existing sediment basin at an Orange County <br /> school in the Upper Eno watershed <br /> • Protection of a long stretch of Seven Mile Creek and adjacent tributaries through a <br /> conservation acquisition to add to the Seven Mile Creek Natural Area <br /> • Creation of a floating wetland within an existing stormwater pond in the Eno basin <br /> • Installation of stormwater control measures (SCM's) on selected County properties <br /> and/or parkland <br /> • Ongoing Hydrilla management programs in the Eno River and upstream impoundments <br />