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come through the state. He said that he also addresses them as a citizen of the state. He said that he <br />believes they are being demanded to take mare of their share of vital cultural and natural resources and <br />give them to the government. All of the counties in the state need to be wary of this trend whereby the <br />federal government, under the guise of national security, deems to do what is not in the interest of the <br />people and makes sure that there is no recourse. He said that at least 75 citizens from Orange County <br />signed a petition in May to the Navy objecting to this location and asking them to look at alternatives that <br />suit North Carolina and the Navy better. The Chapel Hill office for the Audubon Society is working with the <br />Southern Environmental Law Center to file suit to challenge the Navy's decision and their environmental <br />impact statement. They expect to file this suit within the month. They need the state leaders to continue to <br />hear from people across the state. He said that wildlife resources belong to everyone in North Carolina and <br />not just to Washington County. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to the packet and asked if Senator Dole was in favor of <br />this proposal by the Navy. Chris Canfield said that Senator Dole's most recent stand has been to say she <br />does not support the landing field in its location, however, it appears the Navy decision has been made and <br />she is not sure what she can do at this point. There have been mixed signals from Senator Dole's office. <br />Chair Brawn asked if this was near Lake Mattamuskeet and Chris Canfield said yes - it is right <br />on the line of Washington and Beaufort Counties. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked that the resolution be left with the Clerk. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that he had the pleasure of watching one of the most spectacular <br />sunsets at Lake Mattamuskeet. He said that he would support this resolution. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked if the Beaufort or Washington County Commissioners had taken <br />any positions. Doris Morris said that they are meeting tonight. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked her to forward to the BOCC what these two counties have done. <br />He said that Orange County was certainly sympathetic. He said that the Board of County Commissioners <br />passed a resolution regarding the Patriot Act, which is another attempt to take away rights. He said that <br />they would consider it shortly. <br />Jim Warren is Executive Director of Waste Awareness and Reduction Network, better known as <br />NC-WARN. He came to thank the County Commissioners. He said that it was five years ago that they <br />decided to file a lawsuit about the Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant. He said that a month ago it became <br />official that the proposal for the massive expansion of the cooling pools for nuclear waste is over. The <br />imports of spent fuel rods will be reduced by half within a few months, and will be halted entirely by 2005. <br />He pointed out that this will eliminate the risk associated with transportation of this deadly material, but it will <br />also lower both the probability and the consequences of a disastrous waste pool fire. He said that five <br />years ago the public knew almost nothing about the dangers of waste pool storage, and now largely due to <br />the efforts of the Orange County Board of Commissioners, the cooling pools at all nuclear power plants are <br />now recognized as the largest and most vulnerable risks at each plant. He said that the legal challenge that <br />the County commenced in early 1999 should have led to open hearings, open scientific review, and <br />environmental impact statements. Unfortunately, the pro-industry Nuclear Regulatory Commission did not <br />allow this and allowed the pools to open in 2001. However, the appeals for judicial review, citizen pressure <br />on the company, and Attorney General Roy Cooper helped persuade the company to shift their plans. He <br />made reference to his letter, and clarified that there were no new licensing issues. This was one of the <br />reasons stated publicly for Progress Energy's shift in plans. <br />As a result of the change in plans, there is also a reduced risk at Shearon Harris in that CP&L <br />will conduct additional reviews and monitor the new pools. Also, activists have been inspired to watch <br />elected officials. He said that they have continued to work with experts and citizen groups around the <br />country to help mandate measures at all nuclear plants. He commended each Commissioner for becoming <br />informed about this issue. There were a number of other elected officials that helped with this project. He <br />said that this really shows the importance of asserting public authority over private industry. <br />Commissioner Jacobs thanked him and said that they appreciate all that NC-WARN has done <br />and continues to do to keep issues in front of the public. He thanked Chapel Hill, Carrbora, and Durham <br />County and others that were involved. <br />