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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: March 7, 2024 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-i <br /> SUBJECT: Orange County Creek Week 2024 Proclamation <br /> DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks <br /> and Recreation (DEAPR) <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Creek Week 2024 Proclamation David Stancil, (919) 245-2510 <br /> Wesley Poole, (919) 245- <br /> Lisa Pope, (919) 245- 2750 <br /> Kalani Allen, (919) 245-2518 <br /> PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation declaring March 16-23, 2024, as "Orange County Creek <br /> Week". <br /> BACKGROUND: The first Creek Week in central North Carolina was observed in the City of <br /> Durham in 2009 and is now observed by many communities across the state. Regional Creek <br /> Week, started by the NC Clean Water Education Partnership in 2021, was a first step in leading <br /> the way to foster appreciation of waterways. This special week saw local governments and <br /> community residents work together to celebrate and conduct stewardship and maintenance of <br /> local creeks and streams. <br /> Orange County Creek Week flows out of these prior efforts, and celebrates the streams, lakes, <br /> and rivers that connect communities through a series of activities such as a litter cleanup <br /> challenge, community science BioThon, invasive plant removal, green infrastructure tours, and <br /> more. These activities will be publicized by the partner organizations through social media and <br /> other methods. <br /> The third annual Orange County Creek Week is coordinated by the Towns of Chapel Hill, <br /> Carrboro, and Hillsborough; the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA); the Orange <br /> County Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation; the UNC Institute for the <br /> Environment; Sustainable Carolina; UNC Department of Environment, Health, and Safety; the <br /> Eno River Association; and the Haw River Assembly. <br /> This year, partners will create and hold events — both during the March 16-23 and throughout the <br /> month of March —that will positively impact water quality across the County to help protect creeks <br /> and streams and inform community members on the importance of keeping waterways clean from <br /> unnecessary waste and pollution. <br />