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<br /> <br />FROM: Commission for the Environment <br />SUBJECT: Monthly Meeting Summary <br />DATE: November 11, 2013 <br />LOCATION: Solid Waste Management Administration Building, Chapel Hill <br />_______________________________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />PRESENT: Jan Sassaman (Acting Chair), Lucy Adams, May Becker, Peter Cada, Loren Hintz, <br />Donna Lee Jones, Steve Niezgoda, Jeanette O’Connor, Tom O’Dwyer, David Welch <br /> <br />ABSENT: David Neal, Terri Buckner, Susie Enoch, Gary Saunders <br /> <br />STAFF: Rich Shaw, Tom Davis <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br /> I. Call to Order: Sassaman called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm. <br /> <br />II. Additions or Changes to Agenda – The CFE added a draft resolution about food waste <br />collection to the agenda prior to the State of the Environment report discussion. <br /> <br />III. Approval of Minutes – The September 9 meeting summary was approved unanimously. <br /> <br />IV. Industrial Hemp Documentary – CFE members discussed the CFE’s potential <br />sponsoring of a screening of a new documentary film advocating for the production of <br />industrial hemp. Members supported having a constructive dialogue, but noted the CFE <br />should focus on potential environmental benefits rather than economic considerations. <br />Other advisory boards would be recruited to examine the other issues. CFE members <br />identified questions about hemp production and the environment. The CFE will pursue <br />answers to those questions before deciding whether to sponsor the film screening. <br /> <br />V. CFE Resolution on Food Waste Diversion [Added to agenda] – The CFE discussed a <br />draft resolution prepared as a follow up to a presentation by Orange County Solid Waste <br />Management in April, and the Solid Waste Forum that the CFE co-sponsored in May. <br />CFE members discussed the merits of focusing on commercial waste recovery rather <br />than including residential collection. The CFE approved the resolution with changes. <br />The CFE asked staff to send the signed resolution to the BOCC and the towns with <br />CFE’s April 2013 memo on the County’s Integrated Recycling Program. <br /> <br />VI. State of the Environment 2014 – Staff provided an overview of the status of developing <br />the State of the Environment report. CFE members provided further comments and <br />ideas on the report format and content. Sassaman asked for volunteers from both <br />committees to work closely with Staff on editing the report and identifying specific <br />findings and recommendations to highlight in the report from the CFE. Staff reviewed <br />the schedule. A fourth draft will be sent to CFE in advance of the next meeting. <br /> <br />VII. Updates and Information Items – CFE members received updates on the following: a) <br />CFE meeting calendar, b) OWASA forest management, c) wood pellets as fuel, d) <br />Carrboro’s energy & climate action plan, e) climate change, f) new guidance for <br />permitting solar projects, g) Orange County’s recycling of oyster shells, h) a legislative <br />scorecard from NC League of Conservation Voters, i) Fracking wastewater study, j) US <br />Forest Service newsletter, and k) the winners of “The Nature of Orange” photo contest. <br />Sassaman introduced a topic about a proposed urban garden for the December agenda. <br /> <br />VII. Adjournment – Sassaman adjourned the regular meeting at 9:07 pm so members could <br />meet with their respective committee to discuss State of the Environment report. CFE <br />members from the Water and Biological Committee met with staff until 9:45 pm. <br /> <br />Minutes by Rich Shaw, DEAPR Staff