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Commissioner Pelissier said that she wants to see a forum on this issue. Some people <br /> are interested in the control of applications and some are interested in the science of biosolids. <br /> She said that the fundamental question is whether this is safe, that this should be viewed as a <br /> "stage" process, and some of the questions on page 14 should be addressed. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that she has some of the same questions as Commissioner <br /> Hemminger about what a forum could do. She wonders whether a task force would be a <br /> better method to address this issue. She said that OWASA may be willing to have its sludge <br /> tested, but it is Class A. There are others that have Class B, and this is most worrisome. She <br /> would like to know if there is any way to do the study that the Health Department proposed and <br /> if not, then why. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that he thinks the County's interest in regulating is to have <br /> biosolids not put in environmentally sensitive areas and water quality critical areas. He would <br /> like to explore some minimum standards. He would like to start off with a forum, which could <br /> yield a task force. He also suggested finding out what kind of research the state was doing, so <br /> that there is no duplication. Rosemary Summers said that she may have more information <br /> tomorrow after the Health Directors' meeting. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz said that they need to know how dangerous biosolids are and <br /> holding a forum could answer this question. He suggested having the person doing the state <br /> study come to the forum. <br /> Craig Benedict said that the location of the application of biosolids is involved in the <br /> permit process. He said that the critical area maps that are designated watersheds by the <br /> Environmental Management Commission have different shapes around the reservoirs than <br /> what the County has. He said that maybe a regulatory avenue is that the County's watersheds <br /> are more critical because they are so limited with headwaters. This might be a way that the <br /> County can influence where biosolids are applied. <br /> Dave Stancil said that the Department of Agriculture study will be interesting. He said <br /> that the language in the legislation reads a lot like someone has been thinking about the same <br /> things that the County has been trying to address. He will be curious to see how quickly the <br /> study is released. <br /> Rosemary Summers made reference to the research study and said that there were <br /> farmers that did agree to have researchers look at their farms. She said that $10,000 was not <br /> enough for the sampling that would provide the scientific validity. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that the County Commissioners need to decide how much <br /> money to spend on research. She said that she is not convinced that a forum is worth <br /> $10,000. <br /> Dave Stancil said that the recommendation was to authorize staff to modify the forum <br /> concept and to find some ground that addresses the Board's desired outcomes. <br /> Frank Clifton spoke again in support of the forum. <br /> Chair Foushee said that there is general support to move forward with the forum as <br /> outlined in the Manager's recommendation, with the reservations articulated. <br /> The Board agreed. <br /> 2. NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail — Orange County Segment <br /> Dave Stancil said that this is a follow-up on the NC Mountains to Sea Trail — Orange <br /> County Segment. <br /> Rich Shaw made a PowerPoint presentation. <br /> BACKGROUND: The North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) is a planned 1,000 mile <br /> trail that will traverse the state from the Great Smoky Mountains in western North Carolina to <br />