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22 <br /> 1 2. In the case of Orange County, there are four basic categories of end state <br /> 2 downstream processes to consider for the desired future: <br /> 3 a. Landfill in Orange County <br /> 4 b. Advanced technology waste to energy process in Orange County <br /> 5 c. Landfill outside of Orange County <br /> 6 d. Advanced technology waste to energy process outside of Orange County <br /> 7 <br /> 8 3. Two of these choices should have no need for a waste transfer station in Orange <br /> 9 County. They are the ones where the final process takes place in Orange County. The <br /> 10 other two might not need a waste transfer station in Orange County if the final process <br /> 11 was close to the population being served. Therefore, a waste transfer station is not a <br /> 12 logical proposal until the final "resting place" for our non-recyclable waste is defined. <br /> 13 Otherwise there is a good chance of a wasted investment and short and long term <br /> 14 consequences to the integrity of the Rural Buffer. <br /> 15 <br /> 16 4. The challenge of developing an integrated plan for a County with the various issues <br /> 17 of population density, land use plans and transportation networks that exist here is <br /> 18 daunting. To many persons, an integrated plan means having one method that all <br /> 19 citizens utilize. Another view of an integrated plan is one where the differences that <br /> 20 exist are comprehended and alternate strategies are implemented so that the different <br /> 21 needs are met. I believe the latter method has a greater chance of success in our <br /> 22 County. <br /> 23 <br /> 24 <br /> 25 5. Although we are one County, there are two fundamentally different regions. One is <br /> 26 south of 1-40 and is comprised primarily of Chapel Hill, UNC, and Carrboro. The other <br /> 27 region contains Hillsborough and the unincorporated areas of Orange County. <br /> 28 Population density differences are a key factor of these two regions. <br /> 29 <br /> 30 6. 1 have a strong belief that leadership has a responsibility for creating a compelling <br /> 31 vision. I have no leadership role within this County, but I'm willing to share my vision to <br /> 32 stimulate discussion. My vision for this County has three elements for implementation: <br /> 33 a. The current excellent recycling process is maintained and improved with a <br /> 34 benchmarking study to identify global best practices and then implementation <br /> 35 plans created to execute improvement. <br /> 36 b. An advanced technology waste to energy facility is implemented to serve the <br /> 37 area south of 1-40 at an appropriate location within the bounds of Chapel Hill, <br /> 38 UNC and Carrboro. The key stakeholders are Chapel Hill, UNC and Carrboro. 1 <br /> 39 submit that Chapel Hill Transit and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School system are <br /> 40 initiatives that recognize the existence of this "southern region". <br /> 41 c. A partnership is created between Hillsborough, Orange County and the city <br /> 42 of Durham to manage the non-recyclable solid waste of these areas. 1-85 is a <br /> 43 natural conduit for such a partnership. Through a true partnership, improved <br /> 44 processes could be jointly developed for the near term for improved standards at <br /> 45 the Durham waste transfer station and then the creation of a plan for a waste to <br /> 46 energy facility that would support Hillsborough, the unincorporated region of <br /> 47 Orange County and the city of Durham when appropriate. <br />