Agenda - 08-20-1996 - IX-D - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 Draft 2/29/96 AdWW 15114196 NATURAL RESOURCE PRESERVATION GOAL: REVIEW"RESOURCE PRESERVATION" AS FUNCTION WITHIN COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND COMPLETE/DEVELOP DATA AND STANDARDS FOR PROTECTION OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT STATUS REPORT This initiative consolidates four topics under a single goal.These items include the following: • Consider establishing "Resource Conservation" as separate division in the Planning Department to give this function identity and higher profile; • A request from the Triangle Land Conservancy for funding($10,000)to carry out a Wildlife Corridor Study; • Completion ofthe Natural Areas Element ofthe Comprehensive Plan;and • Development of standards and approval procedures for golf courses. The items above have been discussed at the Commissioners' Goals & Objectives Retreats, recommended by citizens, and/or initiated by staff in response a specific technical study, e.g., the Natural Areas Inventory. Their, inclusion under a sine 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 fimdion m 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-organi=cn is proposed. The Board responded positively to funding the Wildlife Corridor Study. Two other elements included under this goal are: • Completion of the Natural Areas Element ofthe Comprehensive Plan;and • Development of standards and approval procedures for golf courses. The Natural Areas Element has been included as part of this goal, because it repres®ds a necessary step in incorporating the findings ofthe inventory of Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitats(1988)into the Comprehensive Plan. The development of golf course standards and approval procedures has been included as part of this goal, because it has been recommended by citizens as part of the continuing discussion of open space protection strategies. At its December 9,1995 Goals&Objectives Retreat,the Board of Commissioners revised one initiative to be undertaken as part of this goal.Commissioners Crowther and Gordon are to review al County boards and commissions to clarify their status as a task force, commission or. board. These boards and