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Next, on behalf of the BOCC , Stancil honored the CfE members with a token of <br /> appreciation for contributing their personal time to serve on this important <br /> advisory board and for making a difference for the people of Orange County . <br /> VI . Updates <br /> a . Shearon Harris <br /> Stancil reported that the judicial arm of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has <br /> responded to Orange County's technical contentions regarding the storage of <br /> , spent fuel rods at Shearon Harris nuclear plant . In a recent newspaper article , <br /> Paul Thames , County Engineer, explained that the NRC rejected the technical <br /> contentions and a public hearing is not required on that issue . Senator Edwards , <br /> however, has called for a voluntary public hearing from CP &L . There are also <br /> environmental contentions that have been raised by the county and consultants , <br /> which are on going and , are not related to the judicial review . In talking to <br /> Diane Currin , attorney representing the county, it is felt that the environmental <br /> contentions are still on track . In fact, the panel indicated they want to see the <br /> information related to some of those issues . The County Commissioners could <br /> appeal the NRC finding on two levels - - first to the NRC Commissioners and <br /> second to the US Court of Appeals . An appeal would need to be filed by May 22 , <br /> 2000 . <br /> b . Lands Legacy <br /> Orange County adopted the Lands Legacy program on April 4 , 2000 . The BOCC <br /> also recently adopted an Interim Action Plan for the upcoming fiscal year . <br /> Stancil reviewed the Interim Action Plan for CfE members , noting that in future <br /> years the CfE and other advisory boards would review and comment on <br /> development the action plan related to related its charge . Since the budget <br /> process is well underway, the commissioners asked ERCD to develop an interim <br /> plan for FY 2000 - 01 based on comments from the advisory boards . <br /> Stancil noted that this first action plan is weighted heavily towards land banking <br /> for parks , which was recommended in the Joint Master Recreation & Parks <br /> Report . Other priorities are listed in each of the five areas of resource <br /> preservation : Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat, Farmland Preservation , <br /> Parklands and Open Space , Riparian Buffers and Cultural & Archaeological Sites . <br /> The top priority in terms of natural areas is working to acquire areas of Seven - <br /> Mile Creek in conjunction with other partners , which was identified as one of <br /> CfE 's priorities for conservation in the 1999 State of the Environment report . <br /> ERCD plans to work with Eno River Association and Eno River State Park on any <br /> other opportunities that arise in the Eno River basin . Staff is also participating in <br /> an effort to preserve a natural area adjacent to the Mason Farm Biological <br /> Reserve . Staff will continue to monitor efforts to preserve Pickard 's Mountain <br /> natural area and work with TLC if conditions become favorable to preserve <br /> additional lands along the New Hope Creek Corridor . <br /> DRAFT CFE 4/ 10/00 Minutes Page 4 of 6 <br />