Agenda - 01-31-2012 - 3 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commission for the Environment December 2011 4 0 • Asked DEAPR to add water quality sampling to Orange Well Net (BOCC Priority #16) • Evaluated Wake County's Capital Trees Program and advised DEAPR not to establish similar Orange County program at this time (BOCC Priority #12) • Stayed abreast of ongoing and developing environmental issues of importance ~to the County, such as the Falls & Jordan Lake nutrient management rules, the permitting of biosolids land application on farmland, and solid waste mgmt. (Priorities #12 and #16) • Developed a working relationship with the Solid Waste Advisory Board with regard to potential environmental impacts associated with the County Landfill • Reviewed and commented on outside funding request to BOCC If your commission played the role of an Element Lead Advisory Board involved in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan preparation process, please indicate your activities/ accomplishments as they may relate to the Comprehensive Plan's goals or objectives. (Element Lead Advisory Boards include: Planning Board, Commission for the Environment, Historic Preservation Commission, Agriculture Pres. Board, and Parks & Recreation Council) • The CFE provided extensive input into DEAPR staff development of the Natural and Cultural Systems Element of the Comprehensive Plan- specifically the chapters on Air and Energy Resources, Water Resources, and Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat Objective AE-1: Assess and implement the current countywide greenhouse gas emissions inventory and action plan target reductions. • The CFE helped to initiate a countywide inventory of greenhouse gas emissions (2005), and will advise on 2011 update and forthcoming recommendations to reduce the County's "carbon footprint." Objective AE-15: Foster participation in green energy programs such as installation incentives for solar hot water/solar generation/solar tempering in residential or commercial construction. The County should develop programs that will link citizens and businesses with options for alternative and sustainable energy sources. • The CFE established new Energy Resources Committee to address energy efficiency and renewable power issues. The committee is working on a proposal that would have new subdivisions of a certain size (by regulation or with incentives) reserve an area for generating alternative energy for use by the subdivision. Objective NA-3: Develop a more detailed and consistent methodology for monitoring changes in forest cover throughout the County, and specifically the extent of mature hardwood forest. • The CFE's State of the Environment 2009 reported on the significant reduction in mature hardwood forest that occurred from 2003-2008 and since 1988. Further refinements to the methodology are still needed for future applications. 3