Item 1 - Boards and Commissions – Annual Work Plans-Reports

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L Commission for the Environment • Provided ideas for Public Services Announcements for County radio spots (2015) • Collaborated with other entities on energy conservation and mgmt. projects (2015 -16) • 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 The Nature of Orange photography contest (2012 - 2017) • 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) List of Specific Tasks, Events, or Functions Performed or Sponsored Annually. • Liaisons to Intergovernmental Parks Work Group and Orange Unified Transp. Board • Review and comment on environmental issues (e.g., fracking, biosolids application, water pollution, air quality, forest mgmt.) and other issues assigned by the BOCC • Identify priorities for the Lands Legacy Action Plan (natural areas and wildlife habitat) • Conduct special studies pertaining to Orange County environment (e.g., energy efficiency /sustainability, forestry effects on water quality, herbicides and native flora) • Conduct environmental education outreach (e.g., Last Fridays, Earth Evening) Describe this commission's activities /accomplishments in carrying out BOCC goals /priorities, if applicable. BOCC Goal Five: Create, preserve, and protect a natural environment that includes clean water, clean air, wildlife, important natural lands and sustainable energy for present and future generations. Presented findings and recommendations to BOCC on selected environmental issues: 1) effects of forest mgmt. on water quality; 2) effects of herbicides on roadside native plant habitat; 3) potential effects of hydraulic fracturing ( "fracking ") in Orange County; 4) problems caused by hydrilla in the Eno River; 5) need for 100% renewable energy in Orange County (BOCC Priorities #1 and #12) Stayed abreast of ongoing and developing env. issues of importance to the County, such as Falls & Jordan Lake nutrient mgmt. rules, reducing commercial food waste in solid waste stream, and permitting of biosolids on farmland (Priorities #12 and #16) Provides comments on proposed master plans for future parks /preserves If your commission played the role of an Element Lead Advisory Board involved in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan preparation process, please indicate your activities/ accomplishments as they may relate to the Comprehensive Plan's goals or objectives. (Element Lead Advisory Boards include: Planning Board, Commission for the Environment, Historic Preservation Commission, Agriculture Pres. Board, and Parks & Recreation Council) The CFE provided extensive input into DEAPR staff development of the Natural and Cultural Systems Element of the Comprehensive Plan— specifically the chapters on Air and Energy Resources, Water Resources, and Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat. 2