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5. Fifth —we ask that you take action to mitigate the direct impacts of the landfill — <br /> particularly odors and vermin. The UNC methane gas collection program will help, <br /> but it's only a partial solution and is over a year away. An impervious barrier and <br /> vegetation will help. <br /> 6. Finally—we ask that you advocate on our behalf with the towns — especially for <br /> making this community to be in one unifying municipal or government jurisdiction <br /> (instead of 3) and for sidewalks, bike lanes, bus service, and other town services. <br /> Thank you." <br /> Mark Dorosin is the Managing Attorney at the UNC Center for Civil Rights, which is the <br /> legal counsel for RENA. He said that the impacts of the landfill are not limited to <br /> environmental impacts. They include the systematic underdevelopment of this community as a <br /> result of having a landfill located within its borders. He said that it is encouraging that the <br /> County is considering mitigation tonight, but these efforts should be recognized as what they <br /> are — long, overdue consideration for past injustices and not as some current quid pro quo for <br /> the additional harms that will be related to extending the life of the landfill. This community has <br /> been through decades of study commissions, promises made, and promises unfulfilled. Even <br /> as recently as 2009, when this Board voted not to put a waste transfer site on Rogers Road <br /> also ruled that it would not consider the Rogers-Eubanks neighborhood for any additional solid <br /> waste uses. In light of that, the Center for Civil Rights will continue to work with RENA and the <br /> County and the County Attorney to ensure that any mitigation plan that is adopted will include <br /> specific details regarding timing and funding and will enforce it. The representatives of RENA <br /> and himself as their attorney will be available to meet with the County Commissioners and the <br /> County Attorney to develop a legal structure. <br /> Bonnie Hauser read a prepared statement: <br /> "I'm Bonnie Hauser and I am speaking on behalf of the consortium of RENA, Orange <br /> County Voice, and Justice United. You've heard a lot tonight— so here's a recap of what we <br /> need to do to finish the plan that we are working with the County, OWASA, and UNC to <br /> develop: <br /> - We will continue to work with Dr. Fikes and OWASA to finalize the list of homes and <br /> costs for water and sewer hookups. Please let us know if you'd like us to include <br /> someone from the Planning Department on the team. <br /> - Once we receive indemnification for the residents, we will tour the county and any of <br /> you through the illegal dump sites — so you can decide how to proceed and the county <br /> can estimate how much it will cost. <br /> - Mr. Dorosin is prepared to meet with your attorneys to determine to options for a <br /> binding, written agreement to govern the mitigation plan and funding. <br /> In addition to the work that we are doing, we've asked if you could clarify the volume <br /> assumptions — if you elect to use a tipping fee premium to fund the mitigation. We've also <br /> noted that our work does not consider whether there are illegal dump sites in areas around the <br /> landfill that are not in the Rogers Road Community. <br /> Our work should be done in a month or less, after which we can provide documentation <br /> for your review and input. Once we have your input, we can work with staff and OWASA to <br /> finalize a definitive work plan —with tasks, deliverables and responsibilities, as the basis for a <br /> written agreement that binds all of us to make it happen. <br />