AGENDA ITEM EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ITEM TITLE*
title
Jordan Lake One Water (JLOW) Staff Update
presenter
RESPONSIBLE STAFF, TITLE, DEPARTMENT*
Chris Roberts, Manager of Engineering and Infrastructure, Public Works Department
STAFF RECOMMENDATION*
Staff recommends that Council accept this report.
body
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT*
The Jordan Lake Nutrient Strategy Rules were put in place 16 years ago to protect the water quality of Jordan Lake. Local governments (including Chapel Hill) were required to adopt applicable ordinances to meet these rules. Since then, some rule implementations have been delayed, others have been modified. The state is in the process of updating and re-adopting these rules that the Town will again have to meet. Jordan Lake One Water has been created to work with local governments to assist in a collaborative way to meet these rules, given the state allows for these alternatives.
The re-adoption schedule began in 2020 and may not end for another couple of years. During this time, Town staff have been involved in the various work groups created by the state and JLOW to provide input on what we would like to see in the rules.
The Town will need to decide at a later stage of rule re-adoption process on what level of participation with JLOW it would like to maintain.
In 2009, a set of rules were placed into law for the protection of Jordan Lake. As the Town is within the Jordan Lake watershed, it is required to implement and enforce applicable rules. Currently, the applicable rules are for Existing Development (Phase 1), the protection of riparian buffers, and fertilizer management. There are other rules related to development that where delayed.
The session laws for these rules require a readoption process, which began in 2020. As part of this ongoing process NC Division of Water Resource (DWR) is participating in facilitated stakeholder engagement beginning in 2023 with creating Technical Advisory Groups (TAG) so that stockholders could provide input during the rule making process. These meeting are still occurring which Town Staff are attending.
DWR is also an advisory and planning member of Jordan Lake One Water (JLOW) - a watershed-wide organization, committed to develop an integrated water management plan for the Jordan watershed, encompassing environmental, social, and economic benefits. JLOW and DWR will collaborate to further the reach and benefits of the public involvement process. The resulting products will help DWR develop nutrient strategy options for the Jordan Lake watershed.
The Town is a member of JLOW.
More information of the Jordan Lake Nutrient Strategy maybe found at: https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-planning/nonpoint-source-planning/jordan-lake-nutrient-strategy#Rules-9707 <https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-planning/nonpoint-source-planning/jordan-lake-nutrient-strategy>
What is JLOW:
From JLOW’s website: <https://www.jordanlakeonewater.org/focus-issues>
One Water is the idea that all water has value. Putting One Water into action means collaborating to manage water resources to meet environmental, social, and economic goals more efficiently than going it alone. The Jordan Lake One Water Coalition (JLOW) is a partnership of local governments, organizations, businesses and individuals who are working together across the million-acre Jordan Lake Watershed to develop alternative approaches to business-as-usual water management. We realize that addressing water quality, water supply, wastewater, and stormwater in separate silos in each of our jurisdictions isn't working. We know that our region is full of smart people who want to pilot innovative water management approaches to the benefit of our rivers and reservoirs. JLOW is already working collaboratively with stakeholders and state regulators to envision integrated water policy options for the Jordan Lake Watershed.
Being a member of JLOW allows for members to collaborate on a variety topics, reviewing and commenting on the draft rules as a group, and combining resources (with support of DWR) that will aid in each member’s ultimate rule compliance.
JLOW has created several work group meetings for members to meet about the rules and providing DWR, who are at the meetings, direct input on draft rules. JLOW has also created a document called JLOW Coalition Jordan Rule Concepts Recommendations (see attachment).
JLOW is currently working with members and DWR on approval of this document later this spring that will give options for local government members to comply with the rules.
The document details several category:
• Existing Development - Stormwater
• New Development - Stormwater
• Wastewater
• Agriculture
Existing Development and New development would be the categories apply to the Town.
For each category, there is an option 1 and option 2. Option 1 is to adhere to the traditional default rule as it is written. Option 2 is the alternate group compliance. The Town has the option to participate in all the rules, or parts of each.
This document is subject to DWR and state approval as an alternative local government rule compliance.
Future Town Key Decision Points before the state rule re-adoption process is completed:
• JLOW is working to finalize the rule concepts document for submittal to DWR this spring. There is a discussion in an upcoming JLOW Board of Directors meeting on what, if any, approval of this documents from members may be needed. If there is a resolution required, that may be presented for adoption later this year.
• The Town to decide of what participation level with JLOW for the Existing and New Development Stormwater Rules. This discussion / decision may not be required by the Town for several years depending on the state rules re-adoption process.
ATTACHMENTS
JLOW Jordan Rule Concepts Recommendations
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