Agenda 11-02-23; 4-a - Resolution Endorsing Consensus Principles II for Revised Falls Lake Rules

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�n=16 watershed are fully engaged and committed. This should include those with drainage to the lake and those benefiting from the ongoing management of the watershed and lake for reducing nutrient and other water quality impacts. As with the IATA, the proposed framework provides equity by including those using Falls Lake and other intake points (e.g., Lake Michie, Lake Butner) as a water supply. Equity is also addressed through tiered membership in the program as some sectors can fund activities through taxes and fees, and others are comprised of local landowners and businesses that do not have this ability. The requirements of the revised strategy will consider these and other equity factors. Stakeholder feedback on this proposal and the UNRBA economic analyses will also be considered as the program is developed. Consider environmental and social justice issues. The program should consider environmental and social justice issues in implementation of the revised nutrient management strategy (funding, siting, public input, public access, etc.). The revised rules should promote opportunities for equitable stakeholder participation by encouraging input and participation from the public and interest groups. Multiple state and federal databases and tools exist to support this effort. Jurisdictions participating in this program should make efforts to assure that the projects and actions do not create social justice issues. Measure compliance by investment levels and track nutrient reductions as supplemental information. As with the IATA,the UNRBA recommends that compliance under the revised strategy be tracked by investment and the amount of nutrient reductions be tracked as supplemental information. One of the fundamental differences of the IAIA compared to conventional regulatory approaches is that compliance is tracked by required investment in eligible activities rather than counting the nutrient pounds reduced. This approach provides three key benefits: 1) local governments can plan for required investment levels as part of their budgeting process, 2) activities that do not have state-approved nutrient credits that are known to be beneficial to water quality and quantity can be incorporated into the program, and 3) projects can occur within jurisdictional boundaries that benefit citizens across the watershed as well as downstream water quality. Representatives of agriculture have indicated that they prefer to maintain ownership of their nutrient loss tracking and reporting. This cooperative approach would allow that to continue while potentially leveraging funding from other sectors. Department of Transportation (DOT) representatives have indicated an interest in participating in this revised program. Nutrient Reduction Opportunities Nitrogen and phosphorus are naturally occurring elements that are necessary in appropriate amounts for a healthy ecosystem. These nutrients cycle through the air, soils, groundwater, surface water, plants, algae, and other organisms. The UNRBA recognizes the importance of continuing to address nutrient loading using conventional methods, and significant progress cannot be made in this unique watershed if only conventional methods are used. A watershed-approach is needed to limit inputs to the system and sequester nutrients before they reach Falls Lake. The UNRBA recommends that all opportunities for nutrient reduction be considered in the revised strategy, not as requirements but rather as potential opportunities for cooperation. Proposed Legislative Changes The NC Collaboratory is funding a study to evaluate potential changes to the Falls Lake Rules that would allow for a more collaborative, system-based approach to nutrient management in the watershed. The UNRBA is working with the lead author of this study, Dan McLawhorn,to better understand existing legal constraints on its proposals and where legislative changes may be required. A link to the presentation on this topic at the 2023 Falls Lake Nutrient Management Study Symposium hosted by the NC Collaboratory is available here. The UNRBA will begin developing vii