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MINUTES OF THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS May 1,, 1967 BOOK 6 FACE 593 The Board of Commissioners for the County of Orange, North Carolina, met in regular session at the County Courthouse in Hillsborough, North Carolina, the regular place of meeting, at 10:00 o'clock A.M., on May 1, 1967. Present: Chairman Harvey D. Bennett, and Commissioners William C. Ray, Ira A. Ward and Henry S. Walker. Absent: Commissioner Carl M. Smith. The minutes were read and approved after correction was made in the minutes of the meeting held on April 19, 1967. Dr. Frank McCormick of the Department of Biology of the University of North Carolina presented the following=petition: "April 26, 1967 T0: The County Commissioners of Orange County, N. C. As concerned citizens, we, the undersigned, would like to express our strong opposition to mining or smelting activities of any kind in orange County, particular y. those of the Texas Gulf Sulfur Corporation. Company assurances to the contrary, bes available scientific evidence indicates that strip mining and/or smelting would cause permanent damage to the natural resources of the county. In view of Texas Gulf Sulfur's clever timing in making public its interest in the purchase of mining sites in this county, so close to the adjournment of the state legislature, and directly subsequent to the countywide zoning election which could have prevented thi , action must be taken immediately. Therefore, we strongly urge that you take all action necessary to exclude strip mining and smelting activities from this county by any or all of the following: 1) A reconsideration of zoning at the county and local levels. 2) The establishment of ecologically sound minimum standards with regard to ai and water pollution levels, including strong penalties for violation of these standards. 3) The requirement that any mining concern post a bond in sufficient amount to cover the cost of reclaiming the land and maintaining the roads-in this area, so that such cost does not fall on the taxpayers of this county." Said petition had been circulated by students and other interested persons associated with Dr. McCormick's department. Chairman Bennett accepted the petition for the Board of Commissioners. Dr. McCormick stated that he was opposed to mining operations being developed in Orange County as the damage to the life cycle in the area would be greatly impaired.and that the land could not be reclaimed or repaired for a period from seventy-five to one hundred years. He suggested that if any mining industry does locate in the county that a detail study be made of the condition of animal and plan life as well as a study of the physical condition of the area prior to the start of any mining operation. These studies would assist in the future assessment of damage and reclaimation of the land. The following road petition was presented and the clerk was requested to forwar same to the State Highway Commission: SR #1566 Thomas A. Rose advised the Board that bids for the Lake Orange project could be let sometime by the middle of May. Upon motion of Commissioner Ray, seconded by Commissioner Ward, and unanimously adopted, J. W. Dunsmore was appointed as a member to the Carrboro Planning Board for a term of two years and Aubrey Harward was appointed as a member to the Carrboro Board of Adjustments for a term of two years. The County Accountant advised the Board that Duke Power Company had submitted a memorandum relative to Service Risers in conjunction with the residential customer in the installation of said service risers. The clerk was requested to write all the electrical contractors in the County and to enclose a copy of the Duke Power Company memorandum. Action on said memorandum was deferred until, the May 11th meeting. The following Blind Aid Grants were approved: AID TO THE BLIND AGENDA May 1, 1967 NAME EFF. DATE AMOUNT REASON NEW Rachel Pippin 6-1-67 34.00 Transferred from APTD i-