As stakeholders in the lengthy process to develop state rules to improve water quality in Jordan Lake, your Dec. 9 article "Pollution plan daunts Durham" puzzled us. It said the draft Jordan Lake Nutrient Management rules would force ("penalize") local governments to spend budget-breaking amounts to retrofit existing development, or build massive stormwater retention ponds.

On the contrary, local governments would set the pace and timetable for improvements -- including attractive "raingardens" and other methods that would improve water quality -- in local streams as well as Jordan Lake. Unfortunately, the current rules have been so weakened by opposition from local governments that they now lack any real teeth to require these reductions.

Jordan Lake is on the federal Impaired Waters list because of nutrient pollution from existing development, wastewater and agricultural uses. We have to reduce pollution from all sources to clean up the lake -- a valuable drinking water and recreation resource. Let's not wait until a serious water quality crisis happens.

Elaine Chiosso

Executive Director

Haw River Assembly

Bynum

Christine Wunsche

Clean Water Attorney

Environment North Carolina

Raleigh