DEQ-CFW_00070227

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Cuuntp of 313[aben
38oarD of Qtnmmizginnerg
Re'501ution
Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of BIaden County
in Support of the Bladen Bluffs Regional Surface Water System
Whereas, the Board of Commissioners of Bladen County (the Board) finds that the
availability of water suitable for industrial use, irrigation, and human consumption is
instrumental to the economic well-being of BIaden County, particularly as it relates to
the gxowth of industry and agriculture, and the development of commercial and
residential properties; and
Whereas, the Board finds that the continued availability of such water requires
management of long-range sustainable water supply sources; and
Whereas, the Board finds that the preservation of regional groundwater resources in
Bladen County and surrounding areas Necessitates the evaluation of alternative water
sources, including surface water; and
Whereas, the Lower. Cape Fear Water & Sewer Authority (the Authority) is a non-profit
public agency organized under the provisions of the North Carolina Water and Sewer
Authorities Act; and
Whereas, the .Authority is authorized to construct and operate water and sewer systems
located within, its service area consisting of Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, New
Hanover, and Pender Counties, and the City of Wilmington; and
Whereas, Bladen County is a member of the Authority; and
Whereas/ the Authority. and Smithfield Packing Company, Inc. (SPC) signed a
Memorandum of Understanding dated fanuary 9, 2006 regarding the development,
construction and operation of a raw water intake.behind Lock and Dam Number 2 on
the Cape Fear River and a raw water storage reservoir and a. water treatment plant in
Tar Heel, North Carolina and with the possibility of additional capacity to serve the
needs of regional, local govermzrent and other industrial users (the Project); and
Whereas,, the name of the Project shall be the Bladen. BIuffs Regional Surface Water
System; and
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Whereas, the Authority and SPC have negotiated and executed a Project Development
Agreement (the FDA) that specifies the rights and responsibilities of both parties with
respect to the Project; and
Whereas, pursuant to the PDA, the Authority is responsible for obtaining all approvals
relating to the construction and financing of. the Project, including obtaining all required
local, State and Federal, land -use, environmental and other regulatory approvals and
water rights; and
Whereas, the preparation of an Environmental Assessment by the Authority and the
issuance of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSD by the North Carolina
Department of Environment and Natural Resouxces is a prerequisite to the issuance of
several required permits for the Project; and
Whereas, the construction of the Project and use of surface water for water supply
purposes will require a reclassification (the Reclassification) of a portion of the Cape
Fear River from a Gass "C" surface water to a "WS-IV" water supply classification; and
Whereas, the Reclassification must be approved through rulemaking by the North
Carolina Environmental Management Commission; and
Whereas, the Authority has initiated work on the Project by awarding contracts for the
preparation of the Environmental Assessment and the Request for Reclassffication, and
Whereas, the Authority intends to submit the Environmental Assessment and the
Request for Reclassification for approval by appropriate State and Federal regulatory
agencies;
Now Wherefore Be It Resolved, that the Chairman and Board, of Commissioners of
Bladen County hereby endorse the Project and support the Issuance of the required
regulatory approvals, including the FONSI and the Reclassification; and
Be ft Fu Cher Resolved, that the Chairman and Board of Commissioners of Sladen
County resolve to consider purchasing water from the Authority upon completion of
construction of the Project and in, accordance with the terms of an executed Treated
Water Service ,A.greement.
Adopted this & day of 2006
- L�1�
Greg Taylo i
Bladen County d of Commissioner's
DEQ-CFW 00070228