Orange County NC Website
Attachment 1 <br />Water Resources Committee <br />Cada reported that the Water Resources Committee intends to conduct a literature <br />review of the science in support of maintaining vegetative buffers to protect water <br />quality. Hintz reminded the committee that buffers also protect habitat and biodiversity, <br />and they serve as wildlife corridors. Becker asked the committee to continue monitoring <br />the chemical treatment of hydrilla in the Eno River. <br />Land Resources Committee <br />Hintz reported the Land Resources Committee will collaborate with a group that intends <br />to develop a comprehensive conservation plan for Orange County —and perhaps a more <br />regional plan for Orange, Durham, and Chatham counties. The focus will be identifying <br />the most significant natural area corridors that are essential for native plants and wildlife. <br />Hintz also reported the committee wants to work with County staff to determine whether <br />conservation land is distributed equitably throughout the county so that everyone has <br />reasonable access to enjoy these areas. <br />Hintz said the committee wants to continue exploring ways to protect important native <br />plant habitat, including a project with the NC Botanical Garden and educating residents <br />on reasons to landscape with a diversity of regionally native plant species. <br />VIII. Updates and Information Items — Information on the following subjects was provided in <br />the meeting package; selected items were discussed: a) 2016 CFE meeting calendar, b) <br />CFE news articles re water availability and Solarize Orange, c) airport/airstrip rule <br />amendments canceled, d) Eno River hydrilla management, e) State guidance for local <br />stream buffer rules, f) COP21 agreement summarized, g) 2015 hottest year on record, h) <br />Solarize the Triangle, i) effects of solar panels on farm fields, j) conservative case for <br />solar subsidies, and k) Brumley Forest Nature Preserve. <br />IX. Adjournment — Wegman adjourned the meeting at 9:40 pm. <br />Summary by Rich Shaw, DEAPR Staff <br />3 <br />