Agenda - 12-02-2002-8o - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: December 2, 2002 Action Agenda Item No. $ - ~ SUBJECT: Pro osed Environmental Summit and Conservation Award DEPARTMENT: ERCD PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Proposed Summit Agenda David Stancil, ext. 2590 Proposed Nomination Form with Criteria Rich Shaw, ext. 2591 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To consider the Commission for the Environment's proposal to hold an Environmental Summit, in March of alternating years, to bring together members of environmental organizations and present the State of Environment Report and a proposed new Orange County Conservation Award (with proposed criteria attached). BACKGROUND: The Orange County Commission for the Environment (CfE), created by the Board of Commissioners in 1997, advises the Board on matters related to the County's natural environment. The CfE produced the County's first State of the Environment report in February 2000. The report, to be produced every two years consistent with BOCC goals, examines key issues and trends that affect the quality of the environment. The CfE is working on the second State of the Environment Report (2002) for presentation to the Board in January 2003. To help publicize the report and create an event organized around environmental issues, the CfE has developed a proposal to hold an "Environmental Summit" on March 29, 2003 to bring together the many different groups and organizations involved in environmental protection. The Summit would also help publicize the findings and recommendations in the bi-annual State of the Environment report, and generate further discussion of how the County can work with other entities (jurisdictions, private sector, general public) to monitor and improve the quality of the environment. An agenda for the March 29 initial summit is attached (the proposed summit would be held on Saturday morning). The Board has been polled on the date for the Summit. The CfE also proposes that Orange County recognize individuals that have shown a sustained and outstanding commitment to resource conservation in Orange County. The CfE recommends recognizing those individuals with an "Orange County Conservation Award". Under the proposal, nominations would be solicited in the fall of alternate years with recommendations forwarded from the CfE, and award confirmation by the Board of Commissioners. The awards would be announced at the proposed Environmental Summit. A draft nomination form is attached.