Agenda - 06-13-2006-5y - Laserfiche WebLink

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30 ITEM #7: ITEMS FAR DISCUSSION a. Environmental Responsibility Goal (Commissioner Gordon thanked the APB for letting her sit in on the meeting and left at this time.) Kleese introduced the BOCC's request to various advisory boards for recommendations to identify Action Strategies for the new Environmental Responsibility Goal. The BOCC adopted a new goal entitled "Environmental Responsibility in County Government" last December.. The goal included ten objectives, which outline general areas of activity needed to accomplish the goal. To implement these objectives, more-specific action strategies are needed. The BOCC has asked for the APB's assistance in identifying action strategies that relate to the board's area(s) of expertise, Stancii explained that the Environmental Responsibility in County Government Goal was designed to relate to how the county does business, that is, to try to promote environmental ethics and environmental stewardship and ecosensitivity within the way things are done in county government. He described the ten objectives followed by specific departments who are being asked to look at each objective. For example with objective number one, there has been an Environmental Stewardship Action Committee (ESAC) created and the ESAC will be holding it's first meeting later this month. The Commission for the Environment is working on topics listed in objective number five and other items related to air quality, Different departments and advisory boards are working on developing concise action strategies that would implement the ten objectives by the end of June. Once these action strategies are gathered the CFE is charged with putting together a package for BOCC consideration. Stancii said that Objective #6 talks about forestry, which is related to work that the APB has done. Objective #9 speaks to growth management procedures, which is also related to farmland preservation. Kleese suggested that the county should consider it a priority to buy local food and local organic products at any county function. He also suggested that there is too much paper in agenda packets, and asked if it would be possible to request electronic copies of informational items instead of receiving paper copies by mail. He asked about receiving electronic agenda packets. Stancii shared the arrangement that is in place for the Commission for the Environment regarding electronic agenda packets and said that the same could be done for the APB, Members should let staff know if they prefer electronic agenda packets. McGarry asked if the county has a policy on smoke free buildings and designated smoking areas. Stancii reported that county buildings are smoke free and some designated smoking areas are being reviewed. Kleese asked if the APB could advocate for the development of a sustainable food system for the region. Stancii replied that it would need tangible, specific, action strategies. Kleese asked if it would be appropriate to ask that the county to put resources toward examining the food need in our region and what it would take to be self sufficient-to grow our local food needs. Mandell clarified that the action strategy would be to ask the county to fund a study. Stancii noted that the proposal may be outside of the scope of the project--the realm of county government--but that some other groups are suggesting some strategies beyond the boundaries of county government functions. McGarry suggested that the county consider using biodiesel (and or other alternative) fuels. McGarry also asked about composting the food waste at county facilities using worms (Brian Rosa is a good resource). Countywide food waste could be composted. Dickinson asked about recycling plastics within Orange County and using plastics as a resource, Kleese suggested looking at the lighting in county buildings, and ways to conserve/reduce energy dependence, Stancii added that a team of staff members is working to accomplish the recently adopted energy conservation goal and addressing this topic. Brown asked if the Environmental Responsibility Goal includes schools within the county. Stancii added that the CFE has raised the same question. Brown also suggested incorporating a light pollution guideline and noise pollution guideline. Stancii noted a county light pollution ordinance was adopted last year. Ranells noted that the BOCC has adopted "high performance guidelines" with some degree of green building requirements for funding for new school facilities. Stancii added that the standards are the Triangle J Council of Government's high performance standards. Dickinson asked about ways to reuse water, and could the County develop a mechanism to re-use grey water for irrigation purposes. Stancii noted that OWASA and the University are beginning a re-use water project. Kleese reiterated that if the Environmental Responsibility Goal includes the schools, the school system should be asked to support the use of local food products. Or+nFr May 3000 AO@vlWml PrcservMlan BoaN McMnp Smnmary Page 2 of 4