Orange County NC Website
Attachment 1 <br />VI. CFE Outreach / News Articles — The CFE reviewed news articles intended to educate <br />and inform the public about issues highlighted in the State of the Environment report. <br />Sassaman thanked Hintz for his work on the article that was published featuring news of <br />the emerald ash borer and other invasive species. Sassaman asked if there were <br />comments on the article by Tom Davis on hydraulic fracturing. Hintz asked whether the <br />article should mention potential adverse health effects. Davis said the article is intended <br />to cover the potential effects of fracking on Orange County. Sassaman suggested the <br />potential for health effects is captured in language about potential water contamination. <br />Gronback said some deeds to property relinquish the landowners' mineral rights. <br />The CFE approved of sending the fracking article as written to area newspapers. <br />Sassaman thanked Davis for is work on preparing the article. <br />CFE members then considered an updated list of potential topics for new articles <br />(Attachment 6). Davis said he would ask Cada to work with him on an article about <br />water conservation, based on narrative from the SOE report. The CFE discussed <br />producing an article or two on solar energy generation in Orange County, and to include <br />language in the article that advocates for restoring state tax incentives for solar energy. <br />The CFE decided to prepare an article about solar energy issues for October, an article <br />about water conservation for November, and an article on barriers to solar development <br />for December. Draft articles will be reviewed by the appropriate committee and then <br />shared with the full CFE for a final scan prior to being submitted for publication. <br />VI I. Orange County Bond Referendum 2016 — The CFE reviewed the letter it had sent to <br />the BOCC in June asking the Board to consider reopening the bond referendum process <br />and providing a full opportunity for public and County staff comment. The CFE <br />discussed sending a representative to the September 15 BOCC meeting to thank the <br />BOCC for this opportunity and to provide comments pertaining to the County's proposed <br />2016 bond referendum. Bouma mentioned that he heard that as many as 200 people <br />were expected to show up at the meeting to speak on this issue. Hintz suggesting CFE <br />members communicate their interests to the BOCC by email rather than at the meeting. <br />Sassaman said he would send an email to BOCC members and attached a coov of the <br />CFE's June memo for reference. He suggested other CFE members could do the same <br />VIII. Updates and Information Items — Information on the following subjects was provided in <br />the meeting package; selected items were discussed: a) Chatham County's temporary <br />fracking moratorium, b) hydrilla treatments in the Eno River, c) Chapel Hill's pollution <br />prevention video, d) Bolin Creek trail, e) Orange County's social justice goal, f) <br />OWASA's wastewater /biosolids report, g) OWASA's new sustainability manager, h) <br />County brochure on tree harvesting, i) Duke Forest deer management, j) NC's response <br />to EPA's Clean Power Plan, k) Making Energy Work Conference — Oct 6. <br />Newby reported the US EPA's Environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program <br />(BenMAP) program has added to its component for social justice considerations. <br />Bouma reported County staff are identifying subjects for public service announcements <br />to be aired on WCHL Radio. He asked CFE members for any ideas for future topics. <br />IX. Adjournment — Sassaman asked for a motion to adjourn. Hintz motioned to adjourn; <br />seconded by O'Connor. Sassaman adjourned the meeting at 9:35 pm. <br />Summary by Rich Shaw, DEAPR Staff <br />E <br />