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The Board held a public hearing to receive public comment on the proposed Environment and Resource <br />Conservation Department. <br />Planner David Stancil made the presentation. In summary he said that on June 22, the Board created a <br />new Environment and Resource Conservation Department (ERCD) and asked the manager to report back with a plan <br />for formation of the new department. This report was received by the Board on October 6 and was accepted for public <br />hearing on October 20. In May of 1996, the Board of Commissioners adopted a goal that called for a review of resource <br />conservation as "a separate function in County government to give it more identity and a higher profile". In August of <br />1996, a report titled "Preservation as a Function of Local Government" was prepared by Planning Director, the late <br />Marvin Collins. Commissioner Gordon prepared a memorandum building on the basic concept of the technical report <br />but broadening the scope. Noting that little funding had been committed to environment and preservation functions, a <br />more comprehensive approach to resource management was recommended - recognizing the need to coordinate <br />conservation of more than just land resources - specifically adding water resources and the work of the Commission for <br />the Environment. He explained in detail the five primary areas that comprise the new department's charge and the <br />recommendation to reassign two positions from Planning to this new department. A third existing position, the Special <br />Projects Planner, would be a split position. Two new positions are proposed to fill the gaps not available from current <br />resources. <br />The public hearing was open for citizen comments <br />Timothy Ives spoke representing the Board of Health. He said that they do support an increased <br />emphasis on environmental issues. He feels that coordination will be important and that the new department can be <br />complementary to other County departments and that emphasis needs to be kept in the forefront of all activity. He does <br />not want to lose anything as part of this new department. <br />Bill Strom spoke in support of the creation of the Environment and Resource Conservation Department. <br />He is excited about the resource acquisition component. He said that over the years he has witnessed a tremendous <br />amount of misunderstanding of conservation easements and their purpose. He feels that this department has the <br />potential to be a visionary in Orange County. This department could serve the function to search out and acquire public <br />land resources. From his experience on the OWASA Board and personal experience, he sees this as a potential tool <br />that could save taxpayers money and achieve goals for open space, conservation and park development in Orange <br />County. <br />Jane Sharp said that she strongly supports the creation of this department. She serves on the Commission <br />for the Environment and feels that the issues related to air quality need to be addressed. The cost of this department <br />does not compare with the cost of illnesses related to air quality. <br />Carl Walters said that he does not support or oppose this new department. He asked if this changed <br />anything on the Township Advisory Councils or the Planning Board and was told no. He said that a few weeks back, a <br />person from California looked at one of his lots but decided that because of the regulations in Orange County not to <br />move here. He said that when selling land, 50% goes to taxes. He feels if this department is not <br />overregulated, it will help our county be cleaner. <br />Robert Nutter said that he is interested in conservation and has given over 100 acres to the Triangle Land <br />Conservancy. He noted that the County already has 17 departments and said that he would have felt better if the vote <br />to establish this new department was a unanimous vote instead of a 3-2 vote. <br />James R. Hardy said that he is a taxpayer here in Orange County. He is concerned about the very large <br />and expensive bureaucracy we have here in Orange County. He feels the County already has all kinds of departments <br />and he sees no need for another department. <br />Tom Allison , Chair of the Historic Preservation Commission, spoke in support of this new department. . <br />He asked for the Board's consideration of staff time to devote to historic preservation. <br />Brian Dobyns said that he owns a conservation planning firm in Efland. He is against this proposal <br />because there are some things that really concern him. The impetus is that Orange County is not doing enough to <br />protect our environmental resources. He talked with several people who are in the conservation business and was <br />surprised that none of these experts had been contacted about this new department. Kate Dixon from the Triangle Land <br />Conservancy expressed concerns to him about this new department. Dobyns said that in his work, 90% of <br />conservation is opportunity. What if this new department is formed and then the landowners will not work with the <br />County. He suggested stepping back and working with the landowners first.