HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2005-069 Modifying Initiation of Restrictions of County's Water Conservation Ordinancej~ ~ S aoo5' -~ 6 ~
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
A Resolution
Agreeing to Initiate a 90-Day Moratorium on Enforcing the County's
Water Conservation Ordinance While Negotiating with the Town of
Hillsborough and the Orange-Alamance Water System for a Modified
Water Conservation -Lake Orange/Eno River Preservation Strategy
WHEREAS, Orange County, in discharging its statutory responsibilities to protect and
enhance the public health, safety and welfare of all the citizens of Orange
County, does have a strong interest in assuring the availability of high
quality sources of potable water; and
WHEREAS, A significant number of citizens of Orange County are provided public
water utility services by the Town of Hillsborough and the Orange-
Alamance Water System; and
WHEREAS, Orange County owns and operates Lake Orange, a water supply reservoir
that serves as a primary water supply for the Town of Hillsborough and the
Orange-Alamance Water System; and
WHEREAS, Orange County coordinates the use of water supplies drawn from the Eno
.River under the provision of the Eno River Capacity Use Agreement; and
WHEREAS, Orange County does have in effect a water conservation ordinance with
specifies voluntary and mandatory water conservation measures
applicable to the portion of the customer base of the Orange-Alamance
Water System and the Town of Hillsborough residing within County
jurisdiction,
WHEREAS, Orange County does have an interest in making the most efficient and
cost-effective use of limited resources; and
WHEREAS, Orange County seeks to ensure that the demand for Eno River water
supply generated by population growth and development can be reconciled
with availability of the resource and the protection of the Lake Orange/Eno
River environment in an intelligent, sustainable manner; and
WHEREAS, Orange County does recognize that those conditions related to both water
supply and water use that led to the creation of both the Eno River
Capacity Use Agreement. and the County's water conservation ordinance
have improved significantly; and
WHEREAS, Orange County does recognize that the conflicts,between the County's
water conservation ordinance and the policies/ordinances of the Town of
Hillsborough and the Orange-Alamance Water System represent a
potential source of confusion for water customers of both system; and
WHEREAS, Orange County conducts an ongoing dialogue with the Town of
Hillsborough and the Orange-Alamance Water System about the extension
of utilities. to provide water utility service and fire protection for commercial
enterprises, new and existing residential development, new schools and
other essential public facilities; and
WHEREAS, Orange County finds it desirable and necessary that all water utilities
serving the citizens of the County and other interested parties have the
opportunity to meet to discuss issues of mutual concern and benefit,
including water supply resources;
NOW, THEREFORE, do we, the Orange. County Board of Commissioners, hereby
resolve to:
• Enact a moratorium on activating and enforcing the restrictions and prohibitions
of the County water conservation ordinance for a period of up to 90 days (without
formal extension of the moratorium by the BOCC); and
• Participate in a series of discussions and strategy sessions with officials of the
Town of Hillsborough and the Orange-Alamance Water System to develop
potential new water conservation polices, procedures, agreements, ordinances,
etc., that might coincide with the policies/ ordinances of Hillsborough and
Orange-Alamance; and
• Direct that any potential new water conservation polices, procedures,
agreements, and ordinances, etc., that might be developed will provide for an
,enhanced level of protection/preservation of the Lake Orange/Eno River
environment and also an enhanced level of protection/preservation for any
groundwater resources that might be affected; and
• Direct the Chair, Vice-Chair and appropriate County staff to represent the full
Board in such discussions and strategy sessions and to bring back draft
proposals, ordinances, etc., for Board approval.
This is the 7th day of September, 2005
Orange County Board of