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

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=47 During 2022,the UNRBA moved into the discussion of concepts and principles for a revised strategy. This critical process began before the modeling was finalized. Discussions of the work completed by the UNRBA and the Collaboratory have occurred over the last several years and inform these recommendations. The lessons learned from the development and implementation of the IAIA have also established some clear guidelines for achieving effective management of the lake and watershed. Falls Lake is the most thoroughly studied reservoir in NC and among the most studied in the country. As summarized above, the 2014 to 2018 UNRBA monitoring program provided fundamental data and information that was previously not available at this level of detail. The 2019 comprehensive report along with the preliminary results of the Collaboratory research provides an informed picture of the system. The modeling provides further clarification of the system as well as tools to test scenarios and management actions and their impacts on lake water quality. This document frames the concepts and considerations that have been identified by the UNRBA members and watershed stakeholders as they reference the scientific findings and modeling results. The UNRBA expects to submit these recommendations for the revised strategy to DWR and the EMC by December 2023. Recommendations for a Comprehensive Approach to Nutrient Management The UNRBA has been working with other watershed stakeholders to study the Falls Lake watershed since 2011. This work is intended to support the reexamination of Phase II of the Falls Lake Rules. These efforts have led internal and external stakeholders to propose that the revised nutrient management strategy incorporate the fundamental principles of IAIA including using an investment- based,joint-compliance framework on the implementation of projects and activities beneficial to water quality across the watershed. The IAIA includes a broad range of eligible projects and activities approved by DWR for compliance with Stage I Existing Development Rules. The UNRBA members and stakeholders have discussed many types of additional projects and activities related to nutrient reduction opportunities for inclusion in the revised nutrient management strategy that would apply to specific types of land, discharges, etc. As with the IAIA, the UNRBA recommends including a provision for expanding the list of eligible activities in the revised strategy. Potential expanded activities are organized by topic in this section. However, many of the opportunities and potential partners overlap, and the organization of this document attempted to account for this overlap. Additional projects and activities may be added as the revised nutrient management strategy is implemented. Because of the holistic nature of the recommendations, the UNRBA also recommends that its implementation for non-point sources be considered by the State as addressing all waterbodies in the watershed that are currently listed, or may be in the future, on the State's 303(d) list of waters for pollutants related to nutrients. These other waters may be considered Category 5 waters in future Integrated Reports if additional point source controls are required. Separate, State-required nutrient management requirements should not be applied to managed lands in separate areas of the watershed (draining to an upstream watershed impoundment, arms of Falls Lake, etc.). However, water quality in all areas of the watershed should be tracked, particularly sub-watersheds with water-supply impoundments. The adaptive management provisions of the revised rules should address changing conditions in these waterbodies and allow for revisions to the program to address concerns as they arise. 28