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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-21-2002 - 8h ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May21,2002 Action Agen a Will 6_ SUBJECT: Memorandum of Understanding—NC Wetlands Restoration Program DEPARTMENT: Environment and Resource PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) Conservation ATTACHMENT INFORMATION CONTACT: 1)Draft MOU David Stencil, 245-2590 2) Information about the NC Wetlands Restoration Program TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Chapel Hill 932-8181 Chapel HIII 868-0601 Durham 688-2331 Mebane 336-227.2031 PURPOSE: To consider entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)with the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Wetlands Restoration Program. BACKGROUND: The North Carolina Wetlands Restoration Program is Interested in restoring and protecting wetlands, creeks and streams in the New Hope Creek basin. Water bodies in this basin are experiencing impacts fmm increased development resulting in amen channeli¢ation and regraded water quality. The program is administered by the Division of Water Quality in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. By agreeing to the MOU, the Wetlands Restoration Program agrees to: • Work with the County and other local governments in the New Hope Creek watershed to develop a Local Watershed Plan (to identify all factors contributing to water quality degradation and provide strategies to address non-point sources of pollution); • Provide for an environmental contractor to conduct a feasibility study of potential projects to Improve water quality; • Implement one or more projects (funded by the State) based on feasibility studies; and • Monitor and manage Implemented projects for five years The County's responsibilities as part of the agreement are to • Designate a County staff liaison through which to coordinate projects as a point of contact • Receive recommendations of the Local Watershed Plan 2 • Provide the Program with previously-collected data (including GIS coverages) • Allow the Program to implement one or more projects at such location as satisfactory to the County and the program (provided that projects do not conflict with future County plans) Other local govemments within the New Hope basin are also conskledng this MOU. The Towns of Chapel Hill and Conti have approved the MOU,with action by Durham County currently pending. The County is already participating in a stream restoration project with the Wetlands Restoration Program on Stillhcuse Creek nearthe County Courthouse. FINANCIAL IMPACT: All costs for Wetlands Restoration projects are funded by the State Wetlands Restoration Program. Management and maintenance costs would also be covered by the State either directly or indirectly(through provision of funds to County or the Soil and Water District). BECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board review and addpt the allached Memorandum of Understanding. 3 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA ORANGE COUNTY MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING THIS MEMORANDUt[OF UId DERSTANINNG,made this the today ofMgy,2002, by and between the the NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURALR OURCES,DIVISION OF WATER QUALIFY,WETLANDS RESTORlkTION PROGRAM(NCWRP)and ORANGE COUNTY,apolitical subdivision of the State of North Carolina SECTION 1 -Hacknn d The miaswn ofthe NC Wetlands Resonation Program(NCWRP)is to mature,w1unce, and preserve wetlands,suezms,and ripanianbuff areas[throughout North Carolina's 17 jor6vefbasimaw Neovna ngcalofimpmvingwaterquatity. TheNCWRPts imerented or restoring aodptencting the wetlands,creeks,streams and arranged tributaries within the New Hope Creek Drainage area(which includes Orange County). These watefl odies are experimewg impacts from increased development including Wan of buffers,charmeli NsVeams,Flooding and degraded water quality. As par[of this restoration effort.the NCWRP is interested W working with Orange County to actively initiate Local Watershed Planning within watersheds that include a portionofOrange County. TheovemltgoalofLocal Watershed Plannngistoid fify projects which can improve water quality,floodwwarownaion and Moshe habi tot. This initiative will involve local govemmM avd fesomce profesvonels eeweR as some other local snkeholders. Local Watershed Planning works to identify locally owned sites for wetland,sham, arW riparian 6uLferresWration. in addition m wetland,stream aM butler projects,older innovative[ecM1niquea m redace polWtion such as atortnwaWrbeL Planning so stornocceImal watetrofiw maybe identified. The Local Watershed planned to proceaa for Nose local watersheds within the Upper Cape Few River BaErris plzamed to begin this spring 2002. SECTION 2-Some ofWwk The NCWRP agues to: 1. Work wont Orange County to initiate aLocal Wnemhed Planning Process within watersheds which encompass portions of Orange and Dwham Counties and the Towns ofCbapel Hill and Carbon. Avery small portion ofWakc and CNaNav Counties is also wiNN Ne wmershed azeaoffocue 2. For any restoration pmiems idmtifted pmtide an envbamuennl contractor to conduct aC bility study of Potential Projects to impmve water quality in the Orange County Wral 4 3. Implement one or more projects within the Corsage County area heard on feasibility studies,the NCWRP's need for projects,as well as compahbilitywith future county plena. 4. Mmiiun and manage implemmm projects for spelled of five years. Orange County agrees m: 1. Allow the NCWRP to consolidate its efforts through one main County representative. IDis represemative appointed bythc County will serve as Orange County's point of contact on all NCWRP proper:send land Watershed Planning efforts. 2. Heat and receive the racommmdaions developed through the local Watershed Planning process. 3. Provide the NCWRP with pmviumly collected data,mappin&utility infennatioq Pad plans,and other pertinent information ac maybe reaeonably,required and which is readily available to the County az little or no colt to the County. 4. Allow the NCWRP to implement one or more projects within Orange County at such location or lacerions to may be W the County and the NCW provided that the projects do not conflict with funre county plans. SFCTION 3-Coonerafon and Temmtation This Memorandum of Understanding is an a@cemma in principle and good ladh nreming the weh dereribed above. Both the NCWRP and Orange County acknowledge that it is their desire to faclhrete the process set fonts in this agreement by rpm communication and coopeatioa. Ifeithepetty wiahea to witM1dmw from this agreement,either parry may do Potty giving.wrilten notification N thc otherpaty. Amendment of this Memorandum of Understanding slums;written approval by both parties. Data Gregory I Thorpe,Ph.D. Acting Direentnr-Division of Water Quality Date Barry lacobs,Chair Orange County Board Of Commission 5 The North Carolina Wetlands Restoration Program: An Overview of the Local Watershed Planning Initiative AJA N.C. Wetlaotle ReatoratiocovEPropram Wbad ig the North Carol Pr000grram? The North Carolina Wetlands Restonation Program(NCWRP)was created by the NC General Assembly in 1996,for the purposes of restoring, creating, enhancing and preserving wetlands, streams and streamside buffers throughout the state. The NCWRP is a nonregulatory program housed In the Division of Water Quality, Department of Environment and Natural Resources. NCWRP goals include: improvement of water quality,fish and wildlife habitat,floodwater retention, pollution prevention, recreational resources and overall watershed functions within North Carolina's 17 major river basins. What is a Loral Watershed Plan Local Watershed Plans(LWPs)identify all factors contributing to water quality degradation within a watershed and provide strategies to address nonpolnt sources of pollution. One component of a LWP is the Identlficinon of sites far wetland, stream and abeamside buffer restoration. However,this is just one piece of the water quality pu=le. In most watersheds,wetland,stream and streamside buffer restoration alone will not be sufficient to improve water quality. Other nonpolnt sources of pollution, such as sionnwater runoff and failing septic systems, must be located and addressed through other types of water quality improvement project&. Acoirdingly, the solutions identified in LWPs include not only wetland, concern and streamside buffer restoation projects, but a comprehensive package of initiatives needed to successfully improve and protect water quality in the long term. 6 Why Partiginedin ILocal Watershed Pl g? Local Watershed Plans(LWPs)are developed cooperatively with representatives of local governments, nonprofit organizations, and local communities. They provide an important opportunity for local stakeholders Including residents, community groups, businesses,and Industry to play a role in shaping the future of theirwatershed. Through the LWP planning process,these groups work cooperatively to identify issues. set pdonfies, develop strategies, secure funding, and implement protection and restoration projects within thelr communities. By encouraging stakeholders to participate in identifying solutions to address water quality, habitat,flooding, and recreadonal needs.the LWPs become blueprints for strategically implementing local projects through partnerships between local governments,citizens, non-pril organizations,and state and federal agencies. Why Dewlap Local Watershed Plans? NMOUgh mmmunitles acmes Me stets face many"a same issues when dealing with water quality problems,each community has its own unique characteristics, concema, and pdonfies. For this reason, It is important Mat communities take part in assessing the conditions of the resources in their watershed and developing a customized strategy to address their own goals and objectives. Most importantly. by developing LWPs and identifying solutions to meet local resource needs, community members have a greater interest in Me implementation of the plan and the benefits Implementation will provide. Some of the benefits of the planning process and the production of LWPs are outlined below. Benefits of Me Planning Process • The process promotes locally-rInven, interactive restoration planning that can address the specific watershed concerns of local communities. • The process enables local knowledge to be combined with technical support and resources to Identify specific sources of water quality degradation and develop appropriate solutions. • The process enables local communities to guide implementation of strategies developed through the planning process cooperatively with Me NCWRP. 7 Benefits of the Plans LWPs describe the conditions of local watersheds, Issues of importance to local communities, objectives set by local plan participants, and the necessary measures needed to achieve those objed'nes. • LWPs describe the tools to be utilized to address watershed issues. These Weis are identified by local plan participants and may include voluntary landowner assistance programs,education and outreach,drinking water supply protection measures, stonnweter beet management practices, model ordinances,water quality improvement projects,and habitat protection plans. • LWPs identify Me funding scuroes needed to implement each component of the plan. Funding ltlentlficatlon is made more effective by the cooperative nature of the process which bangs together public and private organizations and kcal community members to work as a watershed team. Steps to Ol vett ino a Local Watershed! Plan The development of LWPs involves many steps needed to achieve three main goals 1)the identification of the specific causes of water quality degradation In a watershed, 2)the development of a strategy for addressing water quality degradation that is supported by the local community, and 3)the implementation of restoration projects and other water quality initiatives identified in the plan. To ensure the success of LWPs and Me planning process, it is Important to gain the support, backing,and participation of local governments,community groups, and citizens. The steps outlined below am tlesgnetl fo provide the level of education and outreach.necessary to develop and implement a LWP. Phase I:Plan Development Steps 1. Obtain stakeholder participation and involve the public. 2. Build a wat ershed planning team and identify a local watershed planning team leader. 3. Select and implement a kickoff project to generate interest in local watershed planning and remoraton activities. 4. Identify watershed issues such as water quality, habitat, flooding, and recreational access. 5. Inventory and analyze existing natural resource Information in GIS and other formats and identify information gaps. 6. Perform a watershed assessment to fill information gaps and determine sources of water quality problems. 7. Provide technical assistance to the local government and watershed team on Interpreting assessment results and developing needed solutions. S. Ptlodtize watershed issues and set goals and objectives. 9. Maintain support and interest in the planning process through education and outreach. 8 10.Categorize and prioritize actions to meet goals and objectives (including stream,wetland, and riparian buffer resumption). 11.Develop miens for measuring success. 12.Develop cost estimates for each action and identify suitable funding sources. 13.Document the planning process. Phase H.-Plan Implementation Steps 1. Build Project Teams for project implementation. 2. Pursue and obtain funding and technical assistance from available resource programs 3. Conduct outreach and education to sustain support and participation in the implementation of LWP. 4. Implement pmjecp. 5. Measure success and adjust strategies as needed.