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November 26, 2014 NAME OF BOARD /COMMISSION: Commission for the Environment Report Period: 2014-2015 ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARDS & COMMISSIONS ANNUAL REPORT / WORK PLAN FOR THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS The Board of Commissioners welcomes input from various advisory boards and commissions in preparation for its annual planning retreat. Please complete the following information, limited to the front and back of this form. Other background materials may be provided as a supplement to, but not as a substitute for, this form. Board /Commission Name: Commission for the Environment Persons to address BOCC at work session and contact information: Chair: Jan Sassaman Vice Chair Lydia Wegman Primary County Staff Contact: 919 - 933 -1609 jan.sassaman @gmail.com 919- 886 -8775 Inwegman @gmail.com Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation Rich Shaw (Land Conservation Manager) 245 -2514 rshaw@orangecountync.gov Tom Davis (Water Resources Coordinator) 245 -2513 tdavis @orangecountync.gov Brennan Bouma (Sustainability Coordinator) 245 -2626 bbouma @orangecountync.gov How many times per month does this commission meet, including any special meetings and sub - committee meetings? One meeting per month (2nd Monday); committees meet as needed during meeting Brief Statement of Commission's Assigned Charge and Responsibilities. Purpose: to advise the BOCC on matters affecting the environment, with particular emphasis on environmental protection and enhancement. Other duties include: • Perform special studies /projects on environmental issues as requested by BOCC • Recommend environmental initiatives to the BOCC, especially of local importance • Study changes in environmental science and environmental regulations in the pursuit of the CFE's duties • Educate the public and local officials on environmental issues What are your Commission's most important accomplishments? • Published the 2014 Orange County State of the Environment report (previous reports were completed in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2009) • Convened Orange County Environmental Summit (2005, 2009, 2014) • Made recommendations to BOCC on food waste and solid waste tax district (2014) • Worked with Orange County Schools to introduce local environmental indicators/ status and trends into middle and high school science curriculum (2004, 2009, 2014) • Hosted a Solid Waste Forum with the Chapel Hill Sustainability Committee (2013) • Co- sponsored the annual Nature of Orange photography contest (2012, 2013, 2014) • Advocated for' /2 cent sales tax referendum for Triangle Region public transit (2012) • Compiled annotated bibliography of the effects of forestry on water quality (2012) • Developed sustainable landscaping and forest management policies for the administration of County -owned facilities (2010) • Assisted County staff in completing the Natural and Cultural Systems Element of the Orange County Comprehensive Plan (2008)