Orange County NC Website
Commission for the Environment <br />November 2010 <br />List of Specific Tasks, Events, or Functions Performed or Sponsored Annually. <br />• Review and comment on environmental issues (such as biosolids application, water <br />pollution, ground -level ozone, forestry) and other issues assigned by the BOCC <br />• Identify priorities for the Lands Legacy Action Plan (natural areas and wildlife habitat) <br />• Conduct special studies pertaining to Orange County environment (e.g., Alternative - <br />Fuel Vehicles, Sustainability, Tree Protection /Forest Mgmt, Herbicide Use) <br />• Develop recommendations on implementation of ground water studies of the 1990s <br />and the integration of ground water and surface water quality and quantity <br />• Conduct environmental education outreach at events (e.g., Last Fridays, Festifall) <br />Describe this commission's activities /accomplishments in carrying out BOCC <br />goals /priorities, if applicable. <br />BOCC Goal Five: Create, preserve, and protect a natural environment that <br />includes clean water, clean air, wildlife, important natural lands and sustainable <br />energy for present and future generations. <br />• Developed a Sustainable Landscaping Policy for County facilities (BOCC Priority #12) <br />• Developed a Forest Management Policy for County properties (BOCC Priority #1) <br />• Reviewed and commented on sections of the Unified Development Ordinance <br />• Presented recommendations and materials to BOCC on issues of current importance <br />to Orange County environment: Biosolids land application, UNC Bingham Facility <br />(water quality impacts), UNC Cogeneration Plant (BOCC Priorities-#1, #12, and 16) <br />• Provided recommendations for developing priorities for land conservation through the <br />Lands Legacy Action Plan 2010 -12 (BOCC Priorities #1 and #24) <br />• Participated on committee for Hollow Rock Park master plan (BOCC Priority 15) <br />If your commission played the role of an Element Lead Advisory Board involved in the <br />2030 Comprehensive Plan preparation process, please indicate your activities/ <br />accomplishments as they may relate to the Comprehensive Plan's goals or objectives. <br />(Element Lead Advisory Boards include: Planning Board, Commission for the Environment, <br />Historic Preservation Commission, Agriculture Pres. Board, and Parks & Recreation Council) <br />• <br />The CFE provided extensive input into DEAPR staff development of the Natural and <br />Cultural Systems Element of the Comprehensive Plan — specifically the chapters on <br />Air and Energy Resources, Water Resources, and Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat <br />Objective AE -1: <br />Assess and implement the current countywide greenhouse gas emissions inventory and <br />action plan target reductions. <br />• CFE helped to initiate a countywide inventory of greenhouse gas emissions (2005), <br />and will advise on actions to reduce the County's "carbon footprint" <br />Obiective NA -3: <br />Develop a more detailed and consistent methodology for monitoring changes in forest <br />cover throughout the County, and specifically the extent of mature hardwood forest. <br />• The CFE's State of the Environment 2009 reported on the significant reduction in <br />mature hardwood forest that occurred from 2003 -2008 and since 1988. Further <br />refinements to the methodology are still needed for future applications. <br />2 <br />