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3 <br />quality, biological and other natural resources, environmental indicators <br />and sustainability would fall into this realm and be coordinated with the <br />other tasks outlined here. <br />D. Development of Comprehensive Resource Inventory/Database. As <br />part of the Comprehensive Resource program, we will need to develop a <br />process for maintaining records and a database of natural, cultural, and <br />recreational resources. Much of this would be GIS -based and related to <br />the above. <br />E. Staff Boards /Commissions. As previously mentioned, staff members in <br />this department will be responsible for staffing the Commission for the <br />Environment, Agricultural Districts Advisory Board, and Historic <br />Preservation Commission - along with the Shaping Orange County's <br />Future Task Force and Water Resources Committee until their completion <br />in 1999/2000. Coordinating the agendas and initiatives from these boards <br />will be a significant part of the staff work load, as all of the boards and <br />commissions have ambitious and challenging projects. <br />F. Developing Elements of the Comprehensive Plan. The County's <br />Comprehensive Plan has several elements which have not been <br />completed or undertaken. Chief among these would be the eventual <br />Water Resources Element (coordinating surface and ground water <br />programs) and the Natural Areas Element, both of which would fall into <br />the realm of the Commission for the Environment. Preliminary plans to <br />combine the work of the Rural Character Study and Flexible Development <br />for the Open Space /Rural Character element were developed several <br />years ago, but have not been finalized. Given the nature of the <br />department's duties, staff would need to coordinate with the Master Parks <br />and Recreation effort on finalizing that element of the plan. Given the <br />strong relationship of resource conservation in the Land Use Element, <br />ERCD staff could also assist the Planning Department in preparing the <br />planned 2001 update of that element, as well. <br />G. Farmland Preservation. The department will work with the Agricultural <br />Districts Advisory Board on current and future goals and initiatives related <br />to farmland preservation, including enhancing and promoting the <br />Voluntary Agricultural Districts program. <br />H. Historic Preservation. The department will work with the Historic <br />Preservation Commission on current and future goals and initiatives <br />related to historic preservation, including local landmark designations and <br />National Register nominations. <br />I. Shaping Orange County's Future / Sustainability. A multi -year joint <br />initiative, Shaping Orange County's Future is nearly two- thirds completed. <br />Orange County serves as the lead coordinating entity of the project, and <br />David Stancil, the project coordinator will be moving into the ERCD <br />department (please see Attachment B). Assigning another planner to <br />coordinate completion of this project would be difficult given the <br />complexity of this project, and the May 25 memo on the new department <br />