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

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=46 to mitigate impacts from existing land use in the watershed is well-suited to the specific challenges of addressing non-point source impacts in the watershed using a long-term management approach. Year 1 of the IATA was hugely successful with all participants meeting or exceeding their minimum investment requirements. Participants were required to commit$1.5 million to eligible projects and actions. Annual compliance reporting shows that$5.5 million was committed in the first year. A wide range of projects were implemented including land conservation, green infrastructure, stormwater control measures, illicit discharge detection and elimination, and stream restoration. Stakeholder feedback received in 2022 and 2023 encouraged the incorporation of this investment- based approach into the revised nutrient management strategy. For example,John Huisman (DWR) said the IAIA demonstrates "positive momentum in the implementation of the Falls Lake Rules and the commitment of the local governments to improve water quality" and that "this is a great success that we can point to as an example for other watersheds." Peter Raabe of American Rivers said, "the adoption of this approach to improving our water supplies for people and nature is a groundbreaking modernization of our clean water regulation. It will deliver benefits that communities will see and appreciate every day and is only possible due to the great work of the UNRBA members and NC DEQ." Development of the UNRBA Recommendations for a Revised Management Strategy The efforts of the UNRBA and other organizations including the Collaboratory have greatly improved the scientific understanding of the relationship between nutrients and algae in the lake, nutrient processing, and movement in the watershed, and how those factors should shape a revised strategy for managing water quality in Falls Lake. Revised policies must consider the science and realities of how, and to what extent, actions will impact the entire system. Good policy must be built on good science. The revised strategy should consider that significant load reductions have occurred since the Rules were passed, and further reductions will be limited by technological, logistical, and economic constraints. The outlook for this watershed and lake is promising because the UNRBA recognizes the importance of protecting Falls Lake, maintaining designated uses, and improving water quality. There is an established and positive relationship between upstream jurisdictions and downstream users of the lake. Jurisdictions in this watershed seek to continue and expand the partnership established between the members of the UNRBA, DEQ/DWR, and the public interest community. A strategy cannot work effectively unless there is mutual agreement on the actions needed and a commitment to manage and oversee those actions for the long-term. Simply using the models to simulate reduced loading until the standard is met will not work as a regulatory approach. There are significant limitations that existing land use places on the ability to change nutrient input to the lake. It is essential to establish the link between the watershed and the lake and acknowledge the sources and relative amounts of loading. The concepts and principles aim to establish a revised nutrient management strategy consistent with the long-term realities of how this system responds to changes in the watershed and the length of the time it will take for water quality in the lake to respond. These challenges are best addressed through a flexible, progressive management program. The strategy must also include provisions for ongoing adaptive management plans that continue actions for the long term, assess progress using an appropriate timeline, and adjust the strategy moving forward. Falls Lake has a specific and complex relationship with its watershed. Efforts on the ground intended to improve water quality in the lake are slow to manifest. Any strategy that expects change to occur quickly is not realistic. Nutrient and water quality management actions and improvements to lake water quality must be assessed over decades. 27