Orange County NC Website
<br /> 2 <br />properties, which would result in a “patchwork” of forest age and cover types. Finally, <br />Davis discussed plans for using herbicides to ensure regrowth of desirable forest types, <br />and plans to conduct activities in accordance with forestry best management practices <br /> <br />CFE members asked several questions about OWASA’s draft plan. Davis responded <br />with the help of Craven on some topics. <br /> <br />Bonnie Hauser provided an overview of concerns raised about the proposed forest <br />management activities. She said the draft plan is not a bad plan, but it appears to be a <br />plan intended for commercial forestry rather than to protect water quality. Hauser said <br />the intended benefits of the plan are unclear. There is no information about current <br />problems in the forest that puts water quality at risk. She asked what problems would be <br />solved by implementing this plan. She suggested OW ASA could remove unwanted <br />debris and diseased trees without this level of forestry. <br /> <br />Hauser said her group is not opposed to logging, but they do oppose this level of forestry <br />in this water supply watershed. She will ask the OWASA board of directors to reject the <br />draft plan and replace it with a program to improve water quality. <br /> <br />CFE members discussed the proposal further and asked more questions. Kaiser <br />thanked the speaker and CFE members for the information and discussion. <br /> <br />VI. Request for County Funds – Shaw reported the Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) has <br />requested $20,000 from Orange County for its Irvin Farm Food and Education <br />Partnership. Shaw asked the CFE to consider the application and provide feedback for <br />use by the DEAPR Director in making recommendations to the County Manager. He <br />reviewed some of the criteria provided as guidance for making funding decisions. <br /> <br /> CFE members commented that this appears to be a good project—to help feed the less <br />fortunate and to teach children about local food. <br /> <br /> VII. 2011 Work Plan – Kaiser asked that this item be postponed until the March meeting so <br />that members could better prepare for discussion. He asked that each committee come <br />prepared to identify its top three tasks for the remainder of 2011. <br /> <br /> VIII. Updates and Information Items – CFE members received updates and information on the <br />following issues: Dogwood Alliance (O’Dwyer to follow-up with more information), UNC <br />Bingham Facility, Unified Development Ordinance, and Orange County’s proposed <br />legislative agenda. <br /> <br /> <br />Meeting adjourned at approximately: 10:15 p.m. <br /> <br />Minutes by Rich Shaw, DEAPR Staff