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

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=45 rather it promotes actions that reduce nutrients, offset impacts, and improve watershed health associated with developed land in the watershed. This approach recognizes long-term benefits and emphasizes protecting lake uses and improving water quality in the watershed and lake. It also engages upstream jurisdictions in the watershed and direct users of the lake in a coordinated and mutual commitment to produce a positive future for water quality in this watershed and lake. The engagement of local governments that represent both lake users and those areas that drain to the lake provides a critical link between upstream actions and downstream benefits. The IAIA Program Document(approved by the EMC in January 2021) and other materials are available here. The following list identifies the activities and projects currently eligible for use under the IAIA. It is anticipated this list would be expanded in a similar manner allowed under the IAIA. • All state-approved practices with established nutrient credits including SCMs and retrofits. • Green infrastructure and other BMPs that include water quality and quantity improvements. • Stream and riparian buffer restoration and enhancement. • Programmatic measures beyond baseline program activities (i.e., levels in 2006)for years after the start of the IAIA program. — Fertilizer application education of businesses and homeowners — On-site wastewater treatment system inspection programs, maintenance tracking, repair, replacement, and pump-out programs, education of owners regarding proper maintenance, and training of professionals who inspect and repair onsite systems — Pet waste pickup education, waste management stations, and enforcement • Infrastructure improvements including: — Repair and replacement of leaky infrastructure — Reduction of sanitary sewer overflows — Extension of sewer lines to areas using onsite systems (targeting areas with known failure issues) or package plants • Illicit discharge detection and elimination. • Land conservation in high priority areas including isolated and connected wetlands, land in forest succession, non-pasture grassland, scrubland, and forests (as determined through an appropriate evaluation resource, i.e., land conservation programs that identify water quality aspects of available preservation sites); the Raleigh Watershed Protection Program has a target of preserving 30,000 acres of high priority lands by 2045. • Floodplain restoration and reconnection. • Greenways and parks with water quality and quantity benefits (water quality benefits would be identified as specific project components and documented within the adopted development plans). • Projects and activities that focus on flooding and have an associated water quality benefit. • Operation and maintenance costs associated with preserving long-term functionality of practices implemented under the IAIA. • Hydrilla removal and control The IAIA is a voluntary program that allows jurisdictions to use a joint compliance approach. The program was designed as a pilot effort to inform the development of the revised nutrient management strategy for Falls Lake. The initial period for undertaking this program was set at five years, but the IAIA is interim because it only applies until the Falls Lake Rules are readopted as required by the NC General Assembly(expected in 2025 or later). The continuation of this approach 26