July 11 2018 WQC Agenda

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
WATER QUALITY COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA

July 11, 2018
Archdale Building-Ground Floor Hearing Room
1:30 PM – 4:00 PM

General Statute § 138A-15 mandates that the Chair inquire as to whether any member knows of any known conflict of interest or appearance of conflict with respect to matters before the Environmental Management Commission’s Water Quality Committee. If any member knows of a conflict of interest or appearance of conflict, please so state at this time.

                                                                            Dr. Albert Rubin, Chair, Presiding

I. Preliminary Matters

1. Approval of May 9, 2018 Water Quality Committee Meeting Summary
Attachment 1 to 2018-05-09_WQC Meeting Minutes

II. Agenda Items

1. Request for a Major Variance from the Neuse Riparian Area Protection Rule by Mr. Eugene Molnar for Construction of a wooden deck attached to an existing Single-Family Residence at 110 Bebington Drive, Cary, NC – (Action Item) (Paul Wojoski, Division of Water Resources)
A request has been received for the Water Quality Committee to grant a Major Variance from the Neuse Riparian Area Protection Rules to Mr. Eugene Molnar for the construction of a wooden deck attached to an existing single-family residence within Zone 1 of the buffer at 110 Bebington Drive, Cary, NC. To mitigate the buffer impact, the applicant proposes to plant native hardwood species in Zone 1 of the buffer. The applicant also proposes to install two splash pads on the home’s downspouts to provide diffuse flow and treatment for previously untreated stormwater runoff. Based on the information submitted, the Division of Water Resources staff supports this request for a Major Variance from the Neuse Riparian Area Protection Rule because all the requirements in 15A NCAC 02B .0233 have been met. (Attachments enclosed: Variance Application, DWR Findings of Fact, and PowerPoint Presentation) 

2. Request for a Major Variance from the Goose Creek Riparian Area Protection Rule by Charlotte Water for construction of the Stevens Creek Trunk Sewer - Phase I in Mint Hill, NC – (Action Item) (Karen Higgins, Division of Water Resources)
A request has been received for the Water Quality Committee to grant a Major Variance from the Goose Creek Watershed Riparian Area Protection Rules to Charlotte Water for the construction of 9,902 feet of sanitary sewer within the buffer along Stevens Creek and a tributary to Stevens Creek west of I-485 in Mint Hill, NC.   The applicant is proposing permittee responsible mitigation.  Based on information submitted, the Division of Water Resources staff supports this request for a Major Variance from the Goose Creek Watershed Riparian Area Protection Rules because all the requirements in 15A NCAC 02B .0606 have been met.  (Attachments enclosed: Variance Application, DWR Findings of Fact, and PowerPoint Presentation).

3. 303(d) Listing and Delisting Update – (Information Item) (Pam Behm, Division of Water Resources)
Division of Water Resources staff will provide a progress update to the Water Quality Committee on the status of development of the 2018 303(d) list. (Attachments enclosed: 2018 303(d) Listing and Delisting Methodology and PowerPoint Presentation)

4. Algal Blooms Assessment Program Update – (Information Item) (Mark Vander Borgh, Division of Water Resources)

Division of Water Resource staff will provide an update on the Division’s Algal Bloom Assessment Program. (Attachments enclosed: PowerPoint Presentation)

5. Overview of the 2018 Watauga River Basin Water Resources Plan – (Information Item) (Michelle Raquet, Division of Water Resources)
Basin plans are required as part of general statute (§143-215.8B) and are the primary vehicle for consolidating data and identifying water related issues on a watershed and basin scale. Basin plans have historically focused on water quality but have evolved to include water quantity information as well. Division of Water Resources staff will provide an overview of the draft 2018 Watauga River Basin Water Resources Plan. The presentation will include a general overview of information included in the basin plan and how the plan will be presented to the public. It will focus on water quality in the basin and next steps. A presentation is also scheduled for the Water Allocation Committee as an information item. That presentation will focus on water use in the basin. (Attachments enclosed: Watauga Basin Outline 2018 and PowerPoint Presentation)

III. Closing Comments – WQC Chair, Dr. Albert Rubin