Orange County NC Website
Commission for the Environment <br />December 2011 S 9 <br />What are your Commission's most important accomplishments? <br />• Developed a Sustainable Landscaping Policy for County facilities (2010) <br />• Developed a Forest Management Policy for County properties (2010) <br />• Assisted County staff in completing the Natural and Cultural Systems Element <br />of the Orange County Comprehensive Plan (adopted by BOCC 2008) <br />• Assisted County staff with drafting the Environmental Responsibility in County <br />Government Goal (adopted by BOCC in 2005) <br />• Worked with Board of Health and staff on determining best ways to implement <br />.the Water Resources Initiative (adopted in principle by BOCC in 2005) <br />• Assisted with County's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Inventory <br />(2005) <br />• Completed Orange Co. State of the Environment reports (2000, 2002, 2004, <br />2009) <br />• Convened Orange County Environmental Summit (2005 and 2009) <br />• Worked with Orange County Schools to introduce local .environmental <br />indicators/ trends and issues into middle and high school science curriculum <br />(SOE 2004, 2009) <br />List of Specific Tasks, Events, or Functions Performed or Sponsored Annually. <br />• Review and comment on environmental issues (such as biosolids application, <br />water pollution, air quality, forest management) and other issues assigned by <br />the BOCC <br />• .Identify priorities for the Lands Legacy Action Plan (natural areas and wildlife <br />habitat) <br />• Conduct special studies pertaining to Orange County environment (e.g., <br />Alternative-Fuel Vehicles, Sustainability, Tree Protection/Forest Management, <br />.Herbicide Use) <br />• Develop recommendations on implementation of ground water studies of the <br />1990s and the integration of ground water and surface water quality and <br />quantity <br />• Conduct environmental education outreach at events (e.g., Last Fridays, <br />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 <br />sustainable energy for present and future generations. <br />• Presented findings and recommendations to BOCC on issues of importance to <br />Orange County environmental issues: Effects of Forest Mgmt_ on Water <br />Supply Watersheds; Effects of Herbicides on Roadside Native Plants; <br />Potential for Hydraulic Fracturing ("Fracking") in Orange County (BOCC <br />Priorities #1 and #12) <br />2 <br />