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4 VI. CFE Outreach / News Articles – The CFE reviewed news articles intended to educate and inform the public about issues highlighted in the State of the Environment report. Sassaman thanked Hintz for his work on the article that was published featuring news of the emerald ash borer and other invasive species. Sassaman asked if there were comments on the article by Tom Davis on hydraulic fracturing. Hintz asked whether the article should mention potential adverse health effects. Davis said the article is intended to cover the potential effects of fracking on Orange County. Sassaman suggested the potential for health effects is captured in language about potential water contamination. Gronback said some deeds to property relinquish the landowners’ mineral rights. The CFE approved of sending the fracking article as written to area newspapers. Sassaman thanked Davis for is work on preparing the article. CFE members then considered an updated list of potential topics for new articles (Attachment 6). Davis said he would ask Cada to work with him on an article about water conservation, based on narrative from the SOE report. The CFE discussed producing an article or two on solar energy generation in Orange County, and to include language in the article that advocates for restoring state tax incentives for solar energy. The CFE decided to prepare an article about solar energy issues for October, an article about water conservation for November, and an article on barriers to solar development for December. Draft articles will be reviewed by the appropriate committee and then shared with the full CFE for a final scan prior to being submitted for publication. VII. Orange County Bond Referendum 2016 – The CFE reviewed the letter it had sent to the BOCC in June asking the Board to consider reopening the bond referendum process and providing a full opportunity for public and County staff comment. The CFE discussed sending a representative to the September 15 BOCC meeting to thank the BOCC for this opportunity and to provide comments pertaining to the County’s proposed 2016 bond referendum. Bouma mentioned that he heard that as many as 200 people were expected to show up at the meeting to speak on this issue. Hintz suggesting CFE members communicate their interests to the BOCC by email rather than at the meeting. Sassaman said he would send an email to BOCC members and attached a copy of the CFE’s June memo for reference. He suggested other CFE members could do the same. VIII. Updates and Information Items – Information on the following subjects was provided in the meeting package; selected items were discussed: a) Chatham County’s temporary fracking moratorium, b) hydrilla treatments in the Eno River, c) Chapel Hill’s pollution prevention video, d) Bolin Creek trail, e) Orange County’s social justice goal, f) OWASA’s wastewater/biosolids report, g) OWASA’s new sustainability manager, h) County brochure on tree harvesting, i) Duke Forest deer management, j) NC's response to EPA's Clean Power Plan, k) Making Energy Work Conference – Oct 6. Newby reported the US EPA’s Environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program (BenMAP) program has added to its component for social justice considerations. Bouma reported County staff are identifying subjects for public service announcements to be aired on WCHL Radio. He asked CFE members for any ideas for future topics. IX. Adjournment – Sassaman asked for a motion to adjourn. Hintz motioned to adjourn; seconded by O’Connor. Sassaman adjourned the meeting at 9:35 pm. Summary by Rich Shaw, DEAPR Staff