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Davis reported hydrilla has been treated effectively while native plants appear healthy. He noted, however, there are several ponds and tributary streams that feed into the Eno River that need to be treated for hydrilla. He said those upstream areas need to be surveyed in order to develop an effective treatment plan. Davis said the Eno River Hydrilla Management Task Force is working on a five -year management plan, and he expects the State of NC will provide funding assistance for the project. Davis answered questions from CFE members: • Becker asked how native plants were doing. Davis said pre- and post- treatment surveys of native plants show no evidence of problems thus far. • Newby asked if any other counties had similar experience with treating hydrilla in a river system. Davis said Orange and Durham are the first to try this. • Kaiser asked what about in other areas of the country. Davis said many other regions are battling hydrilla and other invasive aquatic plants, including Florida with an annual budget of about $25 million. • Cada asked if the State would use Fluridone in a water - supply reservoir, such as Lake Orange. Davis said the EPA has approved it for use in drinking water. • Thomas -Ambat wondered if hydrilla might develop immunity to the chemical. • Becker asked if there was sampling occurring downstream of the study area. Davis said the sampling occurs all the way to Falls Lake, and after entering the lake the chemical is diluted well upstream of the City of Raleigh water intake. Wegman thanked Davis and asked that he continue to keep the CFE apprised of further developments, including the five -year plan for treating upstream areas. VI. Inter -Local Clean Energy Working Group — Shaw updated the CFE on recent discussions by the Inter -Local Clean Energy Working Group about the County's potential participation in a Phase I Solar Feasibility Study. He said the work group had developed a draft scope of work for a study that would provide Orange County and its partners with a prioritized list of possible renewable energy deployment sites and help the group prepare for a potential joint procurement of solar photovoltaics (PV) in the future. Shaw said Bouma was participating in the group and would provide future updates. VI I. The Nature of Orange Contest Winners 2016 — Shaw presented the winning photographs from this year's contest, The Nature of Orange. He reminded CFE members the goal of the contest is to encourage residents to help document the beauty and diversity of our natural resources and our people connecting to their environment. Shaw reported there were 89 entries by adults and youth (under 18 years old), and the three volunteer judges evaluated photos based on, relevancy, composition /arrangement, focus /sharpness, lighting, and creativity. Winners received a congratulatory letter, certificate, and a small monetary award. During the month of August the photographs were displayed at the Orange County Library and the Chapel Hill /Orange County Visitors Center. They will also be on display at the Cedar Grove Community Center and the new Cup -A -Joe on King Street in Hillsborough. VIII. Updates and Information Items — Information on the following subjects was provided in the meeting package; selected items were discussed: a) overview of 2016 environmental legislation by NC General Assembly, b) State's rejection of plans to preserve land in Falls Lake watershed, c) County to fund study to justify wider stream buffers, 2