HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 01-27-2017 - Attachment 2 - Environmental Responsibility in County Government Attachment 2
Environmental Responsibility in County Government
Adopted as an Orange County Goal, 12/5/05
Goal Statement:
Perform all County governmental functions, both internal and external, with a sensitivity and
ethic that promotes environmental responsibility and leadership, and an understanding of the
actions of government activities as they affect the natural and cultural resources of the County,
region, state, nation and world.
Objectives (suggested departmental responsibility)
1 . Develop a Countywide Environmental Leadership Policy, and institute a
standing Orange County Environmental Action Committee as an internal
mechanism to periodically monitor and assess the County's progress
toward meeting the objectives of the environmental responsibility goal.
(ERCD, with representatives from all departments);
2. Initiate policies and programs that conserve energy, reduce
fuel/utility/resource consumption, increase the use of recycled products and
renewable energy services, and minimize waste stream impacts on the
environment. (Public Works, all departments);
3. Continue to aggressively pursue waste reduction/recycling efforts, including
the reduction of paper. (Solid Waste, IT);
4. Continue, expand and formally adopt the use of green building standards;
construct new facilities/deconstruct outdated facilities in a way that is eco-
friendly, utilizes energy conserving measures, and minimizes impacts on the
environment. (Purchasing, Public Works, Planning, Recreation and Parks, Solid Waste,
ERCD, among others);
5. Implement programs that monitor and improve local and regional air quality
by promoting public transportation options and incentives within the County
that increase connectivity and decrease dependence on personal vehicles,
and by selecting alternative fuel and low emission fuels/vehicles for the
County's vehicle fleet. (Purchasing, Public Works, ERCD, Planning, Personnel, among
others);
6. Conduct sustainable and eco-sensitive forestry practices on County-owned
lands with a goal of no net loss of woodlands. Promote and encourage eco-
sensitive forestry practices on privately held lands within the County. (ERCD,
Soil & Water, R&P);
7. Promote the use of environmentally-sensitive chemical and materials,
including a) the use of "Green Seal" chemicals and cleaning products in
daily operation and maintenance of County facilities; b) utilize an IPM
(Integrated Pest Management) Program for County facilities that minimizes
use of chemical compounds; and c) require that County events and services
(including those involving outside vendors) use eco-friendly and
biodegradable materials wherever possible. (Purchasing, Public Works, R&P);
8. Consider innovative new technologies for conserving and protecting ground
water, indoor air quality and wastewater, to lessen impacts on the natural
environment, and promote water conservation, collection and reuse in both
current and future County facilities. (Health, ERCD, Engineer);
9. Implement growth management policies and procedures within the County so
that development is directed toward areas where it can be accommodated
without compromising the County's goals for protecting natural and cultural
resources. (Planning, ERCD); and
10. Develop an Information Services policy that promotes energy conservation
through the use of electronic and alternative media of communication. (IT).
Possible Action Strategies
Each department, advisory board and/or organization should be asked to develop specific
action strategies based on the 10 objectives listed above. The possible action strategies should
be collated and compared for consistency and coordination, and then incorporated into the
goal.
Example of an Action Strategy
Objective 5 (Implement programs to monitor and improve local and regional air quality: by
promoting public transportation options and incentives within the County that increase
connectivity and decrease dependence on personal vehicles, and selecting alternative fuel and
low emission fuels/vehicles for the County's vehicle fleet)
Action Strategy A:
Acquire 3-5 alternative-fuel vehicles (AFV's) per year, based on evaluation of proposed vehicle
purchases and the "fit" with available AFV options, as funds permit.
Adopted by the Orange County Board of Commissioners, December 5, 2005