HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-06-1998 - 10d1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: October 6.1998
Action Agenda
Item #_(~
SUBJECT: CANE CREEK WATERSHED STAFF REPORT
DEPARTMENT: PLANNING BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: Yes X No.
ATTACHMENT(S):
~ Staff report (under separate cover)
INFORMATION CONTACT:
GeneBell, Extension 2592
David Stanch,. Extension 2590
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough - 732-8181
Durham - 688-7331
Mebane - 227-2031
Chapel Hill - 967-9251
PURPOSE: To receive a report on recommendations for protecting Cane Creek watershed.
BACKGROUND: In October 1997, the OWASA Board of Directors adopted their "Final
Recommendations for Protecting Cane Creek Watershed." These
recommendations were the culmination of three years of study of Cane Creek,
including a technical study conducted by a consultant, and deliberations by an
appointed Cane Creek Watershed Advisory Committee. The OWASA report
recommends changes to County ordinances to implement special land use
measures to protect the quality of drinking water from the reservoir. In
conjunction with this effort, a number of comments have addressed the OWASA
recommendations. Specifically, the Bingham TAC has prepared an issue paper
that lays out an alternative approach for protecting water quality, along with other
recommendations for community concerns.
Staff has prepared a report that summarizes the work and findings of OWASA on
Cane Creek, reviews the other comments and suggestions received, and evaluates
the recommendations against the County's goals, policies and plans, with special
emphasis on the implications for County plans and ordinances.
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To summarize, the staff report concludes that there are three basic approaches that
appear most feasible for managing protection of water quality in Cane Creek, all
of which will protect water quality to a similar level -but which offer differences
in levels of certainty and/or differing implications for County plans and policies.
This report is being presented at this time to outline the different ideas and
approaches, and request feedback in the development of a final staff report. The
adopted Commissioner's goal calls for a community meeting to be conducted in
October in the watershed, with specific ordinance amendments and a
recommendation to be heard at the November 23 public hearing.
RECOMMENDATION: Receive as information. Staff will use feedback from the Board to refine the staff
report, before conducting the community meeting and preparing a
recommendation for the Board at the November public hearing.