Agenda - 09-16-2008 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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~6 Background materials on the working group and the contextual discussions to date are attached, as is a map of the regional water interconnections and a description from Triangle J COG on the allocation request process. It was noted that this western regional intake, the concept of which has been favorably received to date by the NC Division of Water Resources, may be the `last major water investment before buildout of the region. After reviewing the history of Jordan Lake and the rationale behind the Working Group, a number of suggestions were offered by the Managers. • Ways to tie the proposed water infrastructure and allocations to smart growth and conservation were discussed at some length, and the Orange County jurisdictions all noted that this was a key consideration from their perspective. It was agreed that a compilation of current water conservation and green building measures should be created, and that the Memorandum of Agreement should include language that addresses how the parties would ensure conservation and growth management while pursuing increased allocations and a western intake. • The NC Division of Water Resources has new leadership, but has been very positive about the potential for a regional, collaborative solution for this matter. • The Corps of Engineers has been contacted about the proposal and do not have any opposition (having sold the water rights to the State in the 1970's). • Fayetteville and the downstream jurisdictions, however, will be watching this process carefully, to see if it impacts their ability to increase withdrawals from the Cape Fear River. A contingent to visit these jurisdictions, at some strategic future point, was suggested to `keep them in the loop.' • A mechanism to share the progress and the proposals with the different jurisdictions was discussed. The Orange County Assembly of Governments meeting (on September 18) was identified as an opportunity for OWASA (along with Durham and FountainWorks) to share a status report. This could be followed by a regional "summit" after September 18, at a central location. • More discussion was needed on the kind of conservation measures that should be tied to the three-step process outlined above. A series of one-page papers, briefings and workshops was suggested in the different jurisdictions, as needed. • The concept of a partnership moving forward was a strong selling point to the Division of Water Resources, and efforts to continue as partners was noted as highly desirable to the jurisdictions as well. • Coordination of water conservation strategies was also suggested as a secondary part of the planning process, and a table of some current conservation ordinances was handed out. • One positive outcome suggested was a regional plan structure that allowed for phases of activity, and was flexible enough to allow for partners to move forward on allocations and future steps on their own (i.e., a basic level at which all parties would participate, with additional tiers that allow jurisdictions to define and revise the nature of the partnership at the points of