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

Browse Search

=44 The UNRBA membership has consistently used consensus to make decisions within the Association's more formal meetings and in conducting its business. The UNRBA is committed to reaching its decisions based on input from its members and representatives as well as other stakeholders. External stakeholders participate through attendance and participation at UNRBA meetings, which are open to the public. External stakeholders also have access to review UNRBA project activities, materials developed to describe and present its work, and documents generated by the UNRBA and its contractors in support of its objectives. As noted, stakeholders are invited to comment on these materials during meetings and in writing to provide input to the work of the UNRBA. Stakeholders have been included as members of workgroups created to support the UNRBA's decisions on many critical topics. Input from the NC DEQ, and its lead agency on the Falls Lake strategy, DWR, has been sought at every step regarding the work of the UNRBA. This agency is the organization that will move the readoption of the Falls Lake Rules forward. The UNRBA has and will continue to provide and enhance input opportunities during stakeholder meetings and workshops. Securing UNRBA input and recommendations to the DWR process is critical to developing a revised strategy and revised rules. Stakeholder engagement will be expanded as rule revisions are developed. This outreach will include developers and home builders,the USACE,farmers and landowners (outreach to be led by representatives of agriculture), local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, County Health Departments, EPA, and members of the NC General Assembly. This input is critical to the success of implementing a revised nutrient management strategy for Falls Lake. The Falls Lake Nutrient Management Strategy is an important, ongoing, programmatic commitment for local governments in the watershed. These governments are responsible for implementation of the New Development Rule requirements; identifying, funding, and managing watershed improvement projects; and achieving reductions of nutrient impacts from existing development. It is anticipated that this responsibility will continue, and the revised management strategy will continue to count on these local governments for implementation. The success of water quality management in this watershed requires an effective partnership between regulatory agencies and affected parties. Progress cannot be achieved without trust and collaboration between the state regulatory agencies, citizens, local governments, and landowners in this watershed. Stage I Existing Development Interim Alternative Implementation Approach The cooperative and collaborative nature of the UNRBA and its extensive stakeholder engagement process resulted in the development of an innovative and promising approach for ensuring progress for on-the-ground projects and activities that will improve watershed health.This approach addresses the challenges associated with reducing nutrient loading from existing development in the watershed by expanding opportunities for partnerships and the types of projects and activities eligible for compliance. Beginning in 2018, the UNRBA began exploring an alternative option for achieving compliance with Stage I existing development nutrient load reductions under the Falls Lake Rules. To overcome some of the obstacles present in the current Rules,the UNRBA and its stakeholders developed the IAIA with the goal of protecting and improving water quality in the watershed and lake. The concept was originally suggested by environmental advocacy groups active in the watershed and engaged with the UNRBA and its efforts. The UNRBA worked with its members, representatives from environmental groups, conservation organizations, staff at DWR, other interest groups, and regulated entities to develop an alternative approach for meeting the Stage I Existing Development Rule. This compliance framework uses financial investment in eligible projects and activities that benefit water quality and quantity both for the lake and the watershed. This approach does not rely on the difficult compliance approach of counting pounds of nutrient reductions associated with individual projects, 25