Agenda - 10-14-2014 - Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

State of the Environment 2014 The 2014 State of the Environment report provides information and recommendations intended to facilitate policy decisions that affect Orange County's natural resources. The purpose is to: • Describe the current status of Orange County's natural environment • Provide measures to monitor and evaluate progress toward a cleaner, healthier environment • Highlight the major environmental challenges facing the County • Recommend actions to confront these challenges The report uses 20 environmental indicators to measure progress toward environmental goals in the topical areas of air and energy resources, land resources, and water resources. Recommendations for each environmental indicator were developed along with critical issues faced by the County. Critical Issues: Air and Energy Resources —We need to improve air quality, chiefly by reducing our reliance on cars. Reducing energy use is the first step in fighting climate change. The County has improved the energy efficiency of its buildings; we can build on this by investing more in energy - efficiency programs for residential and commercial buildings. 2. Land Resources — Invasive, non - native, plant and animal species threaten the biological diversity of Orange County's aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Non - native species replace natives, threatening critical ecosystem services such as plant pollination and posing risks to livestock, land, and public health. 3. Water Resources — Important data on our surface water and ground- water will be unknown due to reductions in State -led data collection efforts. Also, if drilling for natural gas occurs in the Deep River basin, nearby Orange County residents could experience negative impacts to air quality, water quality and supply, and infrastructure. See the full report at http: / /www.co. orange .nc.us /ercd /2014_SOE_index.asp Orange County Environmental Summit Agenda 9:30am Gathering and Refreshments 10:00 Welcome Jan Sassaman, Chair, Commission for the Environment (CFE) 10:05 Introductory Remarks Alice Gordon, Orange County Board of Commissioners 10:12 Presentation of the State of the Environment 2014 Rich Shaw, Orange County Land Conservation Manager 10:25 Keynote Address: Environmental Sustainability in a World of Change: Lessons from the Land Dr. Norm Christensen, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University , Introduction by Jan Sassaman, CFE Chair Questions and Answers � 11:00 Panel Speakers: Johnny Randall, North Carolina Botanical Garden Controlling Invasive Plants: Working Smarter — Not Harder Don Francisco, University of NC Chapel Hill (retired) The Future of Jordan Lake Moderator: Loren Hintz, CFE Vice Chair Questions and Answers 11:50 Closing Remarks Barry Jacobs, Chair, Orange County Board of Commissioners 12:00 Adjourn 12:15pm Tour of Agricultural Education Center (optional / fee required)