Orange County NC Website
7 <br /> November 15, 2023 <br /> UNRBA Submittal of Recommendations for a Revised <br /> Falls Lake Nutrient Management Strategy <br /> research studies conducted on Falls Lake, or its watershed, were used to support development of a <br /> comprehensive monitoring report, watershed model and three lake models. These tools have been <br /> used to assess potential future management approaches and guide the development of <br /> recommendations based on science and realistic public policy. What the UNRBA is providing with <br /> this transmittal is a condensed summary of critical findings and a set of consensus principles that <br /> should be extremely helpful in crafting a revised Falls Lake Strategy. <br /> In short, the information developed during this evaluation process shows a reservoir that is eutrophic <br /> but meeting its designated uses (drinking water supply, recreation, and aquatic life support). It also <br /> shows a lake that is subject to elevated algal activity and ongoing development in the watershed. As <br /> reflected in Consensus Principles II, land conservation and continued implementation of the new <br /> development rule are essential components of a long-term strategy. Actions to improve watershed <br /> health and address current nutrient loading will provide protection of this important water resource. <br /> Thankfully, the water quality in the lake is stable and sufficient to support uses. The challenge for the <br /> future is to maintain the water quality and make improvements where reasonably possible. The lake <br /> continues to have chlorophyll-a levels above the standard some of the time, but the lake is meeting <br /> the uses required under the water quality requirements of NC. <br /> The UNRBA's set of recommendations for a revised nutrient management strategy are described and <br /> summarized in the attached document, Concepts and Principles for the UNRBA Recommendations <br /> for a Revised Falls Lake Nutrient Management Strategy. The UNRBA Board of Directors <br /> unanimously approved this document and a focused set of revised consensus principles, Consensus <br /> Principles II, on September 20, 2023. These important principles carry the description of"II" <br /> because the jurisdictions in the watershed submitted the previously referenced Consensus Principles <br /> to help guide the development of the current rules. The UNRBA is committed to continue to work <br /> collaboratively with DWR, DEQ and the EMC and provide assistance and support as DWR and the <br /> EMC establish and carry out a process to see that the revised Falls Lake rules are developed and <br /> adopted. We believe that this process should proceed with strong reference to the UNRBA's work <br /> and Consensus Principles II. These principles and the Concepts and Principles Document represent a <br /> condensed summary of our findings after 10 years of work. The UNRBA is also providing extensive <br /> technical documentation of the modeling tools used to support our recommendations. We believe the <br /> work conducted by the UNRBA, its members, and the researchers at the NC Collaboratory to expand <br /> the scientific understanding of the watershed and the lake will allow the development of a strategy <br /> and set of revised rules that will continue to move management of this watershed and lake forward <br /> into the future. The revised Rules should reflect the principles identified. <br /> The successful completion of the UNRBA modeling efforts and development of the guiding <br /> documents for the revised rules would not have been successful without direct input from the <br /> organizations and stakeholders operating in the watershed. DWR planning and modeling staff have <br /> been actively engaged throughout this process. The UNRBA sincerely thanks everyone who has <br /> participated in this project as a provider of data and information, reviewer of models and reporting, <br /> facilitator of external discussions, and active participant in discussing the challenges and path forward <br /> for this unique system. <br /> The next phase of work will be led by DWR as the State moves through its rules readoption process. <br /> The UNRBA will also assist and promote keeping this process open and collaborative, engaging a <br />