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OWASA ORANGE WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY <br />A public, non profit agency providing water, sewer and reclaimed water services <br />to the Carrboro-Chapel Hill community. <br />MEMORANDUM <br />TO: Board of Directors <br />THROUGH: Ed Kerwin <br />FROM: Patrick Davis <br />DATE: December 3, 2010 <br />SUBJECT: Initial Report and Discussion of the November 30, 2010 Community Meeting <br />and Public Comments on the Draft Forestry Management Plan, and Next Steps <br />Purpose• <br />Provide a brief report on the November 30, 2010 Community Meeting and public comments on <br />the draft Forestry Management Plan, and receive the Board's guidance. <br />Overview of Community Meeting: <br />On November 30, 2010 we held a Community Meeting to present and receive questions and <br />comments from citizens on our draft Forestry Management Plan. OWASA staff, True North <br />Forest Management Services (our forestry consultant), and forestry and wildlife experts from the <br />NC Division of Forestry Services, NC Wildlife Resources Commission, and Duke Forest <br />participated in the presentation and in responding to comments and questions. <br />The meeting was held at the Maple View Agricultural Center on Dairyland Road. It started at <br />7:00 p.m. and concluded around 11:00 p.m. More than 150 people attended, and more than 40 <br />people provided comments, questions, suggestions, and concerns regarding the draft plan. <br />We received very helpful feedback from the public. Some of the key themes of the comments <br />include: <br />(a) There are substantial concerns about impacts on water quality, the width of riparian buffers, <br />proposed use of herbicides, etc.; <br />(b) There appears to be an emphasis on timber harvesting rather than promoting a diverse mix <br />of forest stands and habitats; <br />(c) Additional baseline studies and inventories (wildlife, cultural and historic resources) are <br />needed; <br />(d) OWASA should include additional agencies and a citizens advisory group in developing <br />the final version of the plan; <br />(e) The initially announced time period for public review and comment was too short; and <br />(f) A projection of revenues and expenditures needs to be prepared and made public. <br />400 Jones Fcrry Road Equal Opportuni~y Employer Voicc (919) 968-4421 <br />Carrboro, NC 27510-2001 Printed on Recycled Paper wN~w.owasa.org <br />