Agenda - 12-16-1997 - 10c - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 Adopted 5/14/96 Revised 6/9/97 NATURAL RESOURCE PRESERVATION GOAL: REVIEW"RESOURCE PRESERVATION"AS FUNCTION WITHIN COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND COMPLETE/DEVELOP DATA AND STANDARDS FOR PROTECTION OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT ...... .... . ............................ ......... xxxx—: .............I ........ ...... .................. ............ ....................... ......... ... ................................... . ............... This initiative consolidates five topics under a single goal. These items and their status include the following: • Consider establishing "Resource Conservation" as separate division in the Planning Department to give this function identity and higher profile. The draft report on this topic has been distributed for review and comment. • A request from the Triangle Land Conservancy for funding ($10,000)to carry out a Wildlife Corridor Study.An interim report was presented to the Board of Commissioners in February,1997. • Completion of the Natural Areas Element of the Comprehensive Plan. This initiative is not scheduled to begin until August,1997. • Development of standards and approval procedures for golf courses. Proposed standards were presented at public hearing in February, 1997 and adopted by the Board of Commissioners in May, 1997. • Establishment of a Commission for the Environment to advise the Board of Commissioners on matters affecting the environment. This is a new objective, added by the Commissioners as part of its FY 1997-98 Goals and Objectives. The items above have been discussed at Commissioners' Goals and Objectives Retreats or meetings, recommended by citizens, and/or initiated by staff in response a specific technical study; e.g., the Natural Areas Inventory. Their inclusion under a single goal is for the purpose of formally incorporating them into the staff work plan. BACKGROUND&OBJECTIVES At its December 10, 1994 Goals & Objectives Retreat, the Board of Commissioners considered the following items: • Review "Resource Preservation" as separate function in County government to give it identity and higher profile;and • A request from the Triangle Land Conservancy for funding ($10,000)to carry out a Wildlife Corridor Study. Although some Commissioners felt the "preservation" function was best handled by the Planning Department, a survey of the potential for advisory board consolidation and/or staff re-organization is proposed.The Board responded positively to funding the Wildlife Corridor Study. Three other elements included under this goal are: • Completion of the Natural Areas Element of the Comprehensive Plan;