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2 <br /> 1 and founder of two non-profit environmental groups: Sewage Sludge Action Network and <br /> 2 North American Alliance for Clean Land. She said both groups are dedicated to the <br /> 3 elimination of dumping toxic waste on land, and promoting alternative methods of toxic waste <br /> 4 disposal. She said Orange County is the 5th most sludge county in the state. She said when <br /> 5 sludge is dumped gases are emitted indefinitely from the land. She said the Orange Water <br /> 6 and Sewer Authority (OWASA) dumps millions of gallons of toxic sludge annually through <br /> 7 Orange and neighboring counties. She said the gases are dangerous to the environment and <br /> 8 to the population. She said if Orange County wants to play a conscientious role in slowing, or <br /> 9 halting, climate change, this sludge would be a good place to start. She said Orange County <br /> 10 should take the lead in researching alternative methods to its disposal. <br /> 11 John and Kristen O'Daly submitted the following petition electronically, and asked if it <br /> 12 would be added to the minutes: <br /> 13 <br /> 14 A Petition to the Orange County Board of Commissioners to End Participation on <br /> 15 Durham-Orange Light Rail (DOLRT) <br /> 16 The 1980's concept of connecting the whole Triangle region - Raleigh, Durham, RTP, RDU, <br /> 17 and Orange County - with integrated light and commuter rail that would instigate nearby <br /> 18 affordable housing, adjacent commercial development, and an ever-diminishing need to use <br /> 19 personal vehicles was a good intention. What remains in 2019 is the Durham-Orange Light <br /> 20 Rail Transit (DOLRT) project; 17.7 miles of track that come 2030, if completed on schedule, <br /> 21 will take an hour each trip from NC Central University to UNC Hospitals. With the most recent <br /> 22 development, DOLRT will not be able stop at or near Duke/VA Medical Centers, making it less <br /> 23 of an option as alternative transportation. When considering the modest amount of territory <br /> 24 covered, and the multi-billion dollar price tag, it appears clear DOLRT retains little of the good <br /> 25 intended 30 years ago. Especially to Orange County where there will only be five stops, three <br /> 26 of which are on UNC property. All that seems to remain is the passion of a few to construct <br /> 27 DOLRT at all cost. <br /> 28 <br /> 29 The cost to plan and build DOLRT is significant. As you are well aware the current estimate of <br /> 30 DOLRT's total price with interest is $3.3 billion. With recent changes to Durham sections this <br /> 31 estimate will increase before construction begins as planned next year, and experience <br /> 32 informs us all that expenses will overrun during the 10 years of construction. The project has <br /> 33 already cost Durham and Orange County taxpayers $130 million for pre-construction <br /> 34 expenses. This on-going burn rate of nearly $5 million per month for planning costs is hard to <br /> 35 justify considering how unlikely it now seems DOLRT will be built. <br /> 36 <br /> 37 At this point there are several difficult hurdles to clear before DOLRT construction can be <br /> 38 started. Durham County homeowners being forced to sell their land by eminent domain for the <br /> 39 DOLRT maintenance facility are suing to keep their property. Duke University has flatly <br /> 40 refused, end of discussion, to accommodate DOLRT near its hospital. The State Legislature <br /> 41 deadline of April 30 for the DOLRT project to raise $102.5 million from private sources stands <br /> 42 (in early March) at only $15 million raised. Without sufficient private funds by April 30 the <br /> 43 project does not qualify to receive $190 million of North Carolina state funds. Without the state <br /> 44 or private funds the project does not qualify to receive $1.23 billion in federal funds. <br /> 45 <br /> 46 Looking forward, let's consider the Davenport and Company report finding that Orange County <br /> 47 will at times have "a very, very thin margin" of cash to spend on the project through 2062. <br /> 48 Weigh such a risk against these pre-determined parameters - of the five DOLRT stations in <br /> 49 Orange County - three are on UNC property, Hamilton Road is already developed, and <br /> 50 Gateway station is mostly in Durham County - the potential reward does not justify the risk. <br /> 51 <br />