The North Carolina Source Water Collaborative recognizes programs and agencies that support local drinking-water protection and highlights successful initiatives that can be duplicated statewide. On March 18, Jackson County earned an award for its Water Recharge Ordinance. Adopted in 2013, the ordinance establishes “standards to help assure ground water that is withdrawn by wells and other means is replenished.”
Here’s the press release from Jackson County:
Water Recharge Ordinance wins Source Water Protection Award
SYLVA, NC – Jackson County received a Source Water Protection award in groundwater planning for its Water Recharge Ordinance from the North Carolina Source Water Collaborative on March 18, 2015.
The other groundwater planning award went to the Wake County Environmental Services’ Groundwater Protection and Wells Program for the Strategic Plan for the Contaminated Groundwater Initiative.
“It is our hope that inspiration for future projects will be gained from this year’s award recipients,” said Rebecca Sadosky, who helps lead the N.C. Source Water Collaborative.
The awards program is intended to support local drinking water protection, while identifying successful projects that can be duplicated statewide.
The purpose of the Jackson County Water Recharge Ordinance, which was adopted by the Jackson County Board of Commissioners on July 1, 2013, is “to establish standards to help assure ground water that is withdrawn by wells and other means is replenished.”
“The Planning Board worked hard on the Water Recharge Ordinance with the help of the public and Board of Commissioners. We are happy to see it being recognized at the state level,” said Gerald Green, Jackson County Planning Director.
Nominations for next year’s awards are being sought for candidates that demonstrate innovative and collaborative solutions to protect North Carolina’s drinking water and the watersheds that support it. The awards program is intended to support local drinking water protection, while identifying successful projects that can be duplicated statewide.
The six award categories are surface water planning, groundwater planning, surface water implementation, groundwater implementation, education and leadership. To nominate an individual, group, organization, or agency, go to: http://ncswc.org/.
The Jackson County Planning Department strives to achieve excellence and consistency while fulfilling its role as advisor to the County Manager and Governing Body on land use, planning, code enforcement and other programs that guide future growth and development within Jackson County.
For more information about the Water Recharge Ordinance, contact John Jeleniewski at 828-631-2282 or johnjeleniewski@jacksonnc.org
For more information about the award, contact Rebecca Sadosky at 919-707-9096, or Rebecca.Sadosky@ncdenr.gov.
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