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<br /> <br />FROM: Commission for the Environment <br />SUBJECT: Monthly Meeting Summary <br />DATE: May 14, 2012 <br />LOCATION: Environment and Agricultural Center, Hillsborough <br />_______________________________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />MEMBERS PRESENT: Renee Price (Chair), Lucy Adams, May Becker, Peter Cada, Loren <br />Hintz, Bill Kaiser, David Neal, Tom O’Dwyer, Jan Sassaman, Gary Saunders, and David Welch <br /> <br />MEMBERS ABSENT: Chris Adams, Michele Drostin, Michael Hughes <br /> <br />STAFF PRESENT: Rich Shaw, Tom Davis GUEST: Jennifer Gunter <br />_______________________________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br /> I. Call to Order: Price called the meeting to order at 7:32 pm <br /> <br />II. Additions or Changes to Agenda – Price reported a majority of members had agreed to <br />discuss a letter received from Charles Gunter. O’Dwyer asked for time to discuss follow- <br />up to the CFE’s proposal for preserving areas for solar energy in new developments. <br />Hintz asked to discuss the CFE’s upcoming presentation to the BOCC on conserving <br />native plant habitat along Orange County roadsides. CFE members agreed to all three. <br /> <br />III. Approval of Minutes – The April 9 meeting summary was approved unanimously. <br /> <br /> Price reported that Commissioner Pelissier contacted her to confirm that it was alright for <br />the CFE to work with the Planning Board to pursue the solar energy proposal. <br /> <br /> Shaw reported the CFE proposal to conserve native plant habitat was scheduled for the <br />June 5 BOCC meeting and that Johnny Randall has agreed to help with presentation. <br /> <br />Price asked members if there were any comments about the letter from Charles Gunter <br />about the Gorilla Materials recycling facility. She recognized Jennifer Gunter (daughter) <br />who offered to show photos and answer questions. Members discussed the letter and <br />information received from the Orange County Planning staff. Price asked Shaw to draft <br />a letter to the appropriate party expressing the CFE’s interest protecting Stony Creek. <br /> <br />IV. Hydrilla in the Eno River – Davis presented information about an exotic invasive plant <br />(Hydrilla) that is causing significant problems in the Eno River. He said it is a problem <br />for aesthetics, water quality, recreation, and the health of certain birds. Davis explained <br />limited efforts to manage Hydrilla in the Eno River and its reservoirs. County staff will <br />participate in efforts to educate the public on identifying Hydrilla and avoiding the spread. <br /> <br />V. Update on Hydraulic Fracturing – Davis presented information about the use of hydraulic <br />fracturing (“fracking”) to extract natural gas from underground sources. He provided an <br />overview of the fracking process, the extent of resources nationwide and in NC, potential <br />problems associated with fracking, a final report on fracking by the NC Dept. of <br />Environment and Natural Resources, and recent actions at the NC General Assembly. <br />Davis responded to many questions from the CFE, who thanked him for the information. <br /> <br />VI. Updates and Information Items – CFE members received updates on CFE policies and <br />procedures, CFE memo re proposed half-cent sales tax referendum, a response to a <br />CFE memo re forest management and water quality, Triangle air quality re ground level <br />ozone, Orange County’s energy use, and Duke University’s climate action plan. <br /> <br />VII. The committees did not meet due to the late hour. <br /> <br />The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:35 p.m. Minutes by Rich Shaw, DEAPR Staff