half-content-main-title
UNRBA Preparations
Initial Assessments
The UNRBA began planning for the reexamination in 2011. This project included review of the data and models used to develop the 2011 Falls Lake Rules. The project also evaluated the feasibility of the Rules and identified constraints for meeting the rules. These initial assessments were used to develop the UNRBA framework for the reexamination. The UNRBA Resource Library includes these work products.
Guidance Documents and Study Plans
The UNRBA developed guidance documents and study plans for the reexamination. These are available in the resource library. These resources address the collection of monitoring data and development of models. Other files address communications and decision making.
The 2011 Falls Lake Rules specified required documents and approvals before work could begin. The UNRBA secured all necessary approvals from the State.
UNRBA Nutrient Study
North Carolina typically manages compliance with nutrient rules by counting the pounds of nutrients reduced by a project. A project can be an individual stormwater treatment device like a wet detention pond. It could also be a program like street sweeping. The reductions in nutrient loading are called “credits.”
Several types of projects have established credits. North Carolina publishes a list of approved projects for complying with nutrient strategy rules. Some projects that reduce nutrients do not have credits. The UNRBA worked with subject matter experts and stakeholders to develop credits for additional projects. The State contributed grant funds to support this project which included the following components:
- Selection of projects from a list of 48 candidates
- Development and submittal of eight credit documents to the State
- Creation of a tool to track nutrient credits
- Evaluation of nutrient delivery to Falls Lake from different areas of the watershed
A summary of this project is available here. Work products are available in the resource library.