HomeMy WebLinkAboutEPA Grant Opportunity - CARECommunity Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE)
EPA Grant Opportunity
Needed: Policy direction from the Board on whether to pursue an EPA grant to
incorporate source water protection actions for public drinking water systems
into the Deschutes County Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code
Deadline: March 16, 2009
Key Points:
• Because the Local Wetland Inventory work program has been delayed for up to a
year, staff time can be redirected towards this work program
• There are 173 different public water systems in Deschutes County with at least
188 sources (wells and surface water supplies) that have an associated 167,539
acres of source water protection area. Almost all of the source water protection
areas are under different ownership from the water system.
• Almost all the water systems have completed source water assessment reports
• There is no existing coordination between the source water protection goals of
public drinking water systems and development actions permitted by the County
• As a result, land uses have been approved that directly conflict with goals to
protect drinking water supplies (example: a surface mine approved in a source
water protection area)
• Coordination of drinking water source area protection is commonly achieved
through land use actions because conflicting uses can be identified and mitigated
before land development permits (including land use, onsite and building) are
issued
• No match is required for this grant, however, staff expects significant in-kind
contributions from public water system operators and other stakeholders
Outcome: Coordinated land development actions between the land use planning,
drinking water and onsite wastewater programs within the Deschutes County
Community Development Department.
February 19, 2009