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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002 S Memorandum of Understanding – N.C. Wetlands Restoration Program STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA ORANGE COUNTY MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING w THIS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING,made this the 2VIday of May'2002, by and between the the NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES,DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY,WETLANDS RESTORATION PROGRAM(NCWRP) and ORANGE COUNTY, a political subdivision of the State of North Carolina. SECTION 1 -Background The mission of the NC Wetlands Restoration Program(NCWRP)is to restore, enhance, and preserve wetlands, streams, and riparian buffer areas throughout North Carolina's 17 major river basins with the overall goal of improving water quality. The NCWRP is interested in restoring and protecting the wetlands, creeks, streams and unnamed tributaries within the New Hope Creek Drainage area(which includes Orange County). These waterbodies are experiencing impacts from increased development including loss of buffers, channelized streams, flooding and degraded water quality. As part of this restoration effort,the NCWRP is interested in working with Orange County to actively initiate Local Watershed Planning within watersheds that include a portion of Orange County. The overall goal of Local Watershed Planning is to identify projects which can improve water quality, floodwater retention and aquatic habitat. This initiative will involve local government and resource professionals as well as some other local stakeholders. Local Watershed Planning works to identify locally owned sites for wetland, stream, and riparian buffer restoration. In addition to wetland, stream and buffer projects, other innovative techniques to reduce pollution such as stormwater best management practices and stormwater control retrofits may be identified. The Local Watershed Planning process for these local watersheds within the Upper Cape Fear River Basin is planned to begin this spring 2002. SECTION 2 -Scope of Work The NCWRP agrees to: 1. Work with Orange County to initiate a Local Watershed Planning Process within watersheds which encompass portions of Orange and Durham Counties and the Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro. A very small portion of Wake and Chatham Counties is also within the watershed area of focus 2. For any restoration projects identified provide an environmental contractor to conduct a feasibility study of potential projects to improve water quality in the Orange County area. 3. Implement one or more projects within the Orange County area based on feasibility studies,the NCWRP's need for projects, as well as compatibility with future county plans. 4. Monitor and manage implemented projects for a period of five years. Orange County agrees to: 1. Allow the NCWRP to coordinate its efforts through one main County representative. This representative appointed by the County will serve as Orange County's point of contact on all NCWRP project and Local Watershed Planning efforts. 2. Hear and receive the recommendations developed through the Local Watershed Planning process. 3. Provide the NCWRP with previously collected data,mapping,utility information, trail plans, and other pertinent information as may be reasonably required and which is readily available to the County at little or no cost to the County. 4. Allow the NCWRP to implement one or more projects within Orange County at such location or locations as may be satisfactory to the County and the NCWRP provided that the projects do not conflict with future county plans. SECTION 3 - Cooperation and Termination This Memorandum of Understanding is an agreement in principle and good faith concerning the work described above. Both the NCWRP and Orange County acknowledge that it is their desire to facilitate the process set forth in this agreement by open communication and cooperation. If either party wishes to withdraw from this agreement, either party may do so by giving written notification to the other party. Amendment of this Memorandum of Understanding requires written approval by both parties. Date,?/ Grego o fe, Ph.D. Acting irect r-Division Water Quality Date Barry Jacob ai Orange Co Bo o ssioners