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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-17-1996 - 8c a 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Action Agenda Item No ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: SEPTEMBER 17, 1996 SUBJECT: RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE UPPER CAPE FEAR RIVER BASIN ASSOCIATION DEPARTMENT Board of Commissioners PUBLIC HEARING YES NO X ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT Clerk's Office,ext. 2130 LETTER-TRIANGLE J COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS Attachment#1 Attachment#1 TELEPHONE NUMBER RESOLUTION Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Mebane 227-2031 Durham 688-7331 PURPOSE: To approve the Resolution to participate fully and actively as a member of the Upper Cape Fear River Basin Association. BACKGROUND: The primary objective of the Upper Cape Fear River Basin Association is to promote improved communication and coordination of the various water resources and water quality management programs which currently exist in the Upper Cape Fear River Basin and to explore new techniques and strategies for improving these water quality management programs. The initial focus of the Association will be to develop a coordinated, cooperative streamlined water quality monitoring program in cooperation with the North Carolina Division of Environmental Management and that such a program may result in more cost-effective monitoring for Association members. RECOMMENDATION:The Manager recommends that the Board approve the Resolution. 2 RESC UTION OF INTENT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE UPPER CAPE FEAR RIVER BASIN ASSOCIATION WHEREAS,Orange County recognizes the importance of the water resources in the Upper Cape Fear River Basin and is committed to the wise use, management, and protection of those water resources; and WHEREAS, Orange County recognizes the increasingly complex nature of water resources management issues in the Upper Cape Fear River Basin and acknowledges the need to coordinate with other affected jurisdictions and stakeholders on water resources planning and management issues; and WHEREAS Orange County agrees that the formation of the Upper Cape Fear River Basin Association is important for the successful long-term management and protection of the water resources in the Upper Cape Fear River Basin; and WHEREAS,the primary objective of the Upper Cape Fear River Basin Association is to promote improved communication and coordination of the various water resources and water quality management programs which currently exist in the Upper Cape Fear River Basin and to explore new techniques and strategies for improving these water quality management programs; and WHEREAS,the proposed initial focus of the Association will be to develop a coordinated,cooperative streamlined water quality monitoring program in cooperation with the North Carolina Division of Environmental Management, and that such a program may result in more cost-effective monitoring for Association members; and WHEREAS, it is understood that the Association may, in the future,determine it necessary and desirable to establish membership dues to fund operations or programs undertaken by the Association, including the implementation of streamlined water quality monitoring programs; and WHEREAS, it is understood and agreed that benefits and responsibilities assumed as a result of membership in said Association shall be shared equitably by all members. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Orange County agrees to participate fully and actively as a member of the Upper Cape Fear River Basin Association and that said participation shall have certain obligations on the part of each member to share in providing staff support and management of the Association; provided, however, that any future financial obligation resulting from membership in said Association shall be subject to prior approval by the Board of Commissioners of Orange County. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Paul Thames is authorized to represent Orange County as a member of the Board of Directors of the Upper Cape Fear River Basin Association. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Paul Thames is authorized to represent Orange County on the Association's Technical Advisory Committee established to develop the proposed cooperative water quality monitoring program,a proposed work plan,and associated recommendations to the Association. Adopted: Effective Immediately Upon Adoption 3 TRIANGLE J COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS W o r l d C l a s s 100 Park'Drive,P.O.Box 12276 Research Triangle Park,NC 27709 R e g i o n 919.549.0551 FAX:919.549.9390 July 20, 1996 Mr. Moses Carey, Chair Orange County Commissioners P.O. Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Dear Mr.Carey: I am writing to request your organization's consideration of participating in an exciting new effort- the formation of the Upper Cape Fear River Basin Association. In cooperation with other agencies, including several interested local governments, Triangle J Council of Governments (TJCOG) is initiating efforts to establish a forum for local governments, water suppliers, wastewater dischargers,and others in the Upper Cape Fear River Basin to come together to discuss water resources planning and management issues of mutual concern. Possible objectives of this proposed forum- the "Upper Cape Fear River Basin Association% are listed on Attachment#1. The formation and operation of this Association will be closely coordinated with and complementary to other cooperative planning efforts in the Cape Fear River Basin, including the activities of the Cape Fear River Assembly and the Lower and Middle Cape Fear River Programs. The geographical area of immediate concern to the proposed Association is anticipated to be the Jordan Lake watershed and the Deep River Basin(Attachment#2). Within this area there are 11 counties, 33 municipalities, and nearly 150 permitted wastewater discharge facilities. Permitted wastewater discharges total more than 140 million gallons per day. Clearly, water resources planning and management in this rapidly growing area is becoming an increasingly challenging and complex task. It is anticipated that the initial focus of the Association will be to consider developing a cooperative, coordinated approach to meeting certain NPDES permit monitoring requirements. Such an approach could be patterned after the program in effect in the Lower Neuse River Basin. The Lower Neuse River Basin Association, a coalition of more than 20 dischargers, has implemented a cooperative water quality monitoring program through a Memorandum of Agreement with the North Carolina Division of Environmental Management(DEM). That program has resulted in significant cost savings for several participants in the Association (Attachment#3). It has also improved the timeliness and usefulness of water quality monitoring data for DEM. Preliminary discussions with staff of DEM indicate that the State is willing to consider such an approach for the Upper Cape Fear River Basin, also. Significant cost savings may be achievable in the basin as a result of this effort; however,the primary benefit of the proposed Association will be greater opportunities for improved management and protection of the water resources in the basin. 4 lolf Potential Members of Upper Cape Fear River Basin Association July 20, 1996 Page Two Your organization has been identified as a potential member of the proposed Upper Cape Fear River Basin Association, and is invited to participate in this effort. Your participation would be invaluable to the success of the Association. It is requested that your governing board consider adoption of the enclosed "Resolution of Intent to Participate in the Upper Cape Fear River Basin Association." Responses to this request, and completion of the enclosed survey form, are desired by September 30, 1996. These should be submitted to: Patrick Davis,Water Resources Project Director Triangle J Council of Governments P. O. Box 12276 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 If it is confirmed that there is adequate interest in the establishment of the proposed Association, TJCOG staff will: (a)coordinate the development of a proposed statement of the goals and objectives of the organization; (b) prepare a preliminary draft of by-laws for the Association; and (c) begin to develop a discussion draft Memorandum of Agreement between the Association and DEM, establishing a streamlined monitoring program for wastewater treatment facilities in the Upper Cape Fear River Basin. TJCOG staff will also arrange the initial organizational meetings for the Association. At this time,only organizations with wastewater treatment facilities and local governments with planning and zoning jurisdiction in the Upper Cape Fear River Basin are being formally requested to determine their interest in participating in this effort. Membership in the Association could eventually be expanded to include other stakeholders, if the Association determines that appropriate to do so. Your,interest in this effort and consideration of this request are appreciated. Please do not hesitate to contact Patrick Davis at (919) 558-9392 (Fax: (919) 549-9390) if you have any questions or need additional information relative to this request. We look forward to receiving your reply, and to working together with you to establish the proposed Upper Cape Fear River Basin Association. Sincerely, Charles Krautler President Attachments ATTACHMENT #1 5 OBJECTIVES Possible objectives of the proposed Upper Cape Fear River Basin Association could include,but are not limited to, the following: • work with NCDEM to establish a comprehensive monitoring program that would contribute to a consistent and scientific examination of the water quality in the Upper Cape Fear River Basin. This program would be similar to that established for the Lower Neuse River Basin. NCDEM has prepared an initial draft list of proposed Cape Fear River Basin monitoring sites; • identify, secure, and pool financial resources,expertise, and materials available to implement a cost-effective basin-wide water quality monitoring program that addresses the needs of NCDEM, all affected water users, and wastewater dischargers; • pursue development of other equitable inter-local programs that provide services to communities and strengthen local and regional water resources protection efforts; • develop a framework agreement (or"Action Strategy") that sets forth the common vision, goals and objectives,process for coordinating efforts, and roles and responsibilities for implementation and periodic update of the water resources management plans applicable to the Upper Cape Fear River Basin; • increase public involvement in the basinwide planning efforts, including the identification of major issues and possible management strategies; • increase public awareness of: (a) the relationship between growth and development activities and water quality and water quantity; (b) the need for water resources protection and management; and (c) specific measures that can be taken by individuals,businesses, and others to protect the water resources within the basin. • generate support for water quality protection programs for the Cape Fear River Basin; • assist in the collection, assembly and analysis of information about water quantity, use, disposal, monitoring activities, and quality; • develop, evaluate, and implement strategies to manage and reduce point and nonpoint source pollution discharges in the basin, with special emphasis on improving water quality conditions of those waters rated as support-threatened, partially-supporting, and not-supporting; and • provide accurate technical, management, regulatory, and legal recommendations regarding implementation of strategies and appropriate effluent limitations on discharges into the Upper Cape Fear River Basin. ATTACHMENT #2 / THE UPPER CAPE FEAR RIVER BASIN UEUENSACRO 70 09 40 ML MIT 1 ` _ r, r - _ - ---=_-- - ' = ��:--= .mow.=:�- �•--- —,en ��-i -� l.•. , 1 _ •�' " � eNNU Yrf W W.ur.I.wu•.Mr /.. ,X1.1 •, `` V_I N •1 �• ~♦ i `; ' �.. - `LIMN -H`.- � �=-- — ��-� -.J^ ~' ` \ .` •'t•r�_:.` - I- eN A —_ �. --ter-ti -�---� -- \- • ii.: �. ,..ISis.eei• Ineenei w.... r_. ,... .— . ...... 7 Attachment #3 Some Economic Benefits of the Lower Neuse River Basin Association Efforts: Estimated Savings in Instream Monitoring Expenses for Association Members MEMBER SAVINGS PER YEAR SAVINGS PER 3 YEARS Town of Wake Forest $5,725.56 $17,176.68 City of Wilson $17,086.00 $51,258.00 DuPont $4,870.70 $14,612.10 Town of Farmville $6,016.37 $18,049.11 CP&L $0.00 $0.00 Town of Zebulon $5,991.11 $17,973.33 Town of Cary NCWWTP $9,483.04 $28,449.12 SCWWTP $9,650.96 $28,952.88 City of Havelock $2,742.00 $8,226.00 Contentnea MSD $2,847.98 $8,543.94 Town of Morrisville $15,120.30 $45,360.90 Town of Oriental $6,020.52 $18,061.56 Wayne County $13,980.91 $41,942.73 City of Raleigh $5,003.74 $15,011.22 Burlington Industries $232.00 $696.00 Johnston County $0.00 $0.00 Town of Fuquay-Varina $0.00 $0.00 Town of Benson $8,591.04 $25,773.12 City of Goldsboro $16,957.05 $50,871.15 Craven County $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 TOTALS $130,319.28 $390,957.84 * Source: Lower Neuse River Basin Association, Inc. (1996) summary of savings reported by Association members responding to survey.