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15 <br /> Planning Board and other groups. Dave Stancil introduced Dr. Charles Daniels, a member of <br /> the Commission for the Environment. <br /> Dr. Charles Daniels made reference to the issues of water resources that need attention <br /> at the County level. He said that these are issues that should not wait for federal or state <br /> governments to hire consultants to address some of these needs. The Commission for the <br /> Environment feels that something needs to be done in the interim to address floods and <br /> droughts proactively. The proposal is for an observation well network, which would assess the <br /> climatic affects addressing drought conditions in various topographical settings. They would <br /> propose approximately six sites scattered throughout the County. This would develop a <br /> forecasting capability and press releases could be put out so that citizens could conserve water. <br /> Base flow studies would also be helpful in management of surface water based supplies. <br /> Regarding groundwater contamination, radon is a concern because there are elevated <br /> levels of radon in the County. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs made reference to the observation wells and said that the County <br /> has already dug a well at the Nutter's farm. Regarding stream flows, even though we are not in <br /> a crisis situation with reservoir management in northern Orange, he would like to see a <br /> recommendation about how to address the Capacity Use Agreement between Hillsborough and <br /> Orange County and the State. This has been discussed since the drought in 2002 and nothing <br /> has changed. <br /> Commissioner Gordon asked about the most critical areas of the ones mentioned. <br /> Charles Daniels said that if he were to address two or three of the most important issues, one <br /> would be droughts affecting groundwater supplies; second would be floods and finding out <br /> about any new flood areas; and third, the radon issue. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to <br /> accept the report and adopt the proposed Water Resources Initiative in principle. Approving in <br /> principle means that the Board approves the Initiative but is not committing additional funding at <br /> this time. <br /> Chair Carey suggested approving the Manager's recommendation because it has no <br /> costs associated with it. He would like more information before he approves it in principle. <br /> Commissioner Halkiotis said that the Manager is not proposing any new staff this year, <br /> and if the Board approves this in principle with the understanding that there will be no financial <br /> commitment this year, he has no problem with it. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that he would be interested in seeing who else to recruit to <br /> work with the County on this. Possibly graduate students at Duke might want to do some <br /> research, and OWASA has done some research on radon contamination and so has the Board <br /> of Health. He encouraged staff to look into opportunities for grants. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 8. Public Hearinas-NONE <br /> 9. Items for Decision--Regular Agenda <br /> a. Approval of Twin Creeks District Park and Educational Campus Master Plan <br /> The Board considered approving a master plan for the Twin Creeks District Park and <br /> Educational Campus, reviewing additional information requested on April 14th, and authorizing <br /> staff to prepare a Conditional Use Permit Application to the Town of Carrboro for Phase 1 of the <br /> park. <br /> Dave Stancil said that on April 14th the Board received the report of the Twin Creeks <br /> Master Plan and Review Work Group, which included Commissioner Carey and Commissioner <br /> Gordon. The report proposed that the basic design stay as it was reflected in the fall of 2004, <br />