HomeMy WebLinkAboutCFE agenda 081015AGENDA
Commission for the Environment
August 10, 2015
7:30 p.m.
Richard Whitted Meeting Facility (Room 250)
300 West Tryon Street, Hillsborough
Time Item Title
7:30 I. Call to Order
7:32 II. Additions or Changes to Agenda
7:35 III. Approval of Minutes — June 8 (Attachment 1)
7:40 IV. Advisory Board Appreciation
7:45 V.
Hydrilia in the Eno River Update
Tom Davis will update the CFE on the results from the initial two months of using herbicide to
help control the spread of hydrilla in the Eno River east of Hillsborough. (Attachment 2 -3)
8:00 VI.
Green Restaurant Challenge
Elizabeth Zander (Chapel Hill Environmental Stewardship Advisory Board) will present ideas for
the proposed Green Restaurant Challenge and other potential opportunities for CFE
consideration and collaboration (Attachment 4)
8:20 VII.
Green Building Incentives
The CFE will continue its discussion of potential incentives for energy - efficient construction,
following -up on the April presentation of Chapel Hill's pilot program. (Attachments 5 -6)
8:45 VIII.
Photo Contest Winners
Staff will present the winning photos from "The Nature of Orange" photography contest, which
is co- sponsored by the CFE. The goal of the contest is to inspire people to help document the
beauty and diversity of our natural resources and our residents connecting to their environment.
(Attachment 7)
8:50 IX.
Updates and Information Items
Staff and /or CFE members will provide updates on the following items:
➢ Proposed changes to impervious surface limitations rule (Attachment 8)
➢ CFE memo re 2016 bond package (Attachment 9)
➢ CFE news article — Why Plant Natives (Attachment 10)
➢ IfOniyFrackers Used Best Practices— Wm Schlesinger op ed (Attachment 11)
➢ Blackwood Farm Park opening (Attachment 12)
➢ Pilot solar energy project at Rogers Rd Community Center (Attachment 13)
➢ Orange joins quarantined area for emerald ash borer (Attachments 14 -15)
➢ Recycling fees for computer /TV makers could be eliminated (Attachment 16)
➢ Update on OWASA Mitigation Tract forestry activities (Attachment 17)
➢ EPA environmental justice screening and mapping tool (Attachment 18)
➢ 2014 Hottest Year on Record (Attachment 19)
➢ $125 M for climate change campaign (Attachment 20)
➢ Climate change literacy (Attachment 21)
➢ Effective insect repellents without DEET (Attachment 22)
➢ Are stormwater BMPs a source of mosquitos? (Attachment 23)
9:00 IX. Adjournment
Nextmeeting., September 14 (Chapel Hill)
CFE Meeting Ground Rules (Adopted 9112111)
1. Keep to agenda topic under discussion
2. Share relevant information
3. One person speaks at a time after recognition by the Chair
4. Everyone is invited to participate in discussions / no one person should dominate
discussions
,. Strive to reach consensus first before voting
Activities the CFE expects to carry out in 2015:
• Continue to update the Orange County State of the Environment 2014 report
• Convene an Energy Task Force (or equivalent work group) to improve the County's
ability to foster local sustainable energy production and energy efficiency strategies
• Recommend ways to reduce the County's "carbon footprint" and implement the
County's Environmental Responsibility Goal
• Help with public outreach and management efforts related to hydrilla in Eno River
• Help initiate the development of a comprehensive conservation plan for Orange Co
• Collaborate with NC Botanical Garden and others to identify significant roadside
habitat for native plants; ask NCDOT and other utilities to protect those roadside
habitats [authorized by BOCC June 2012]
• Co- sponsor the annual DEAPR photography contest (The Nature of Orange)
• Help plan for and participate in DEAPR's annual Earth Day event
Concerns or emerging issues the CFE has identified for 2015:
• The CFE will continue to advocate for an expansion of the County's commercial food waste
pickup and composting services to reduce food waste in the solid waste stream
• The CFE remains interested in developing incentives for increasing energy efficiency in new
construction [January 2012 memo to Planning Board]
• The CFE will strive to learn more about environmental justice matters and incorporate
relevant information and considerations in the State of the Environment 2014 report
• The CFE will follow closely the Solid Waste Advisory Group's discussions of how to improve
the handling and disposal of Orange County's solid waste, and will advocate for better long-
term solutions
• The CFE will continue to advocate for increased efforts to gather information related to water
resources in Orange County and will continue to increase public awareness and
understanding of water supply sources, related concerns, and what steps can be undertaken
to maintain or improve the quantity and quality of Orange County water supply resources
• The CFE will continue to address, as appropriate, the critical environmental issues for Orange
County as enumerated on page 3 of the 2014 State of the Environment report, which include
potential adverse effects from a) invasive, non - native, plant and animal species; b) reductions
in State -led collection of water resources data; c) potential drilling for natural gas in the Deep
River basin; d) urban sprawl; and CFE support for e) the responsible deployment of clean and
appropriately -sited renewable energy and reductions in energy use to help fight climate
change
Attachment 1
Orange County
Commission for the Environment
DRAFT Meeting Summary
June 8, 2015
Orange County Solid Waste Administration, Chapel Hill
PRESENT: Jan Sassaman (Chair), May Becker, Tom Eisenhart, Loren Hintz, Rebecca Ray,
Gary Saunders, Lydia Wegman, David Welch
ABSENT: Peter Cada, Lynne Gronback, David Neal, Bill Newby, Jeanette O'Connor, Sheila
Thomas -Ambat
STAFF: Brennan Bouma, Tom Davis, Rich Shaw
GUESTS: Terri Buckner, Ed Kerwin (Orange Water and Sewer Authority)
Call to Order — Sassaman called the meeting to order at 7:37 pm.
Additions or Changes to Agenda — Shaw asked to present information about
Blackwood Farm Park. Sassaman said he could add that to the updates.
III. Minutes — Hintz asked for a correction on page 2; noting that he withdrew his motion
pertaining to the proposed rule change for impervious surfaces. Wegman motioned to
approve the May 11 minutes as amended; seconded by Welch. Approved unanimously.
IV. OWASA's Energy Management Plan — Terri Buckner, a member of the Orange Water
and Sewer Authority ( OWASA) board of directors, reported that OWASA is developing
an energy management plan for its water, wastewater, and reclaimed water utility
operations. She was accompanied by Ed Kerwin, OWASA Executive Director.
Buckner asked if the CFE might be interested in collaborating with OWASA, the schools,
and the towns in a forum discussion of energy management.
CFE members asked questions and responded to the proposal. The following issues
were among those discussed:
• Greenhouse gas emissions inventory and methane production
• An inventory of energy use by OWASA, County government, and other entities
• Town of Carrboro recently completed an update of its greenhouse gas emissions
• The CFE's previous collaboration with the Chapel Hill Sustainability Committee
on a community forum about solid waste in Orange County
• EPA's BENmap database contains air quality data for Orange County
• Local sources of energy include electric (Duke), natural gas (PSNC), and solar
Hintz said a community forum on energy management would be opportunity to share
information, to evaluate our collective approach toward managing and conserving
energy consumption, and to chart a course for the future.
CFE members asked Buckner how such a forum might be structured. Buckner said each
entity would be asked to discuss its approach for managing energy use and present its
outcomes and future objectives. She would like the CFE and other entities to decide
Attachment 1
whether they are interested in pursuing this idea, and if so, she would assemble
representatives who would develop the scope, the goals and objectives, and the format
of a potential community forum. Buckner said she also plans to meet with the Town of
Carrboro, the University of North Carolina, and others to ask for their participation.
The consensus of CFE members was that the CFE is interested in collaborating with
OWASA and other entities in a proposed forum discussion of energy management.
Wegman pointed out the CFE's Air and Energy Resources Committee may be
particularly interested in this initiative. Saunders offered to serve as a representative
from the CFE to work with Buckner and others to develop a potential plan for this forum.
CFE members agreed to have Saunders represent the CFE in developing a plan.
The CFE thanked Buckner for bringing this matter to its attention. Sassaman asked that
this matter be placed on the August CFE agenda for an update and further discussion.
V. 2016 Orange County Bond Package — Wegman presented a draft memo to the BOCC
for CFE consideration. She reminded CFE members the BOCC has proposed a $125
million bond referendum in fall 2016, and all funds would be allocated for the schools.
The draft memo asks the BOCC to reconsider including other kinds of projects in the
bond package, including funding for parks and open space.
Hintz noted some members of the BOCC would like to revisit this decision and it would
be helpful if advisory boards requested further consideration of the bond package. He
suggested funding for affordable housing is another issue that ought to be considered for
inclusion. Hintz asked if funding for parks and open space could be used to acquire
conservation easements. Shaw said that it could if worded as such in the bond
language. Hintz suggested adding language in support of conservation easement
funding in the draft memorandum.
Hintz motioned to approve sending the proposed memorandum asking the BOCC to
reopen the process for determining the contents of the proposed 2016 bond referendum
with the inclusion of language in support of funding for conservation easements. Ray
seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Sassaman asked Shaw to revise the
memo and send to him and Wegman for final review and approval.
VI. Green Building Incentives — Sassaman noted that Neal had asked that this item be
placed to the agenda for the CFE to continue its discussion of potential incentives for
energy- efficient construction, but Neal could not attend this evening's meeting.
Shaw reminded CFE members this item follows the April presentation of Chapel Hill's
pilot program of providing incentives for "green building" in the Ephesus - Fordham
district. He said town staff researched incentive programs in other jurisdictions and will
re- assess the benefits and costs of this pilot program after the first couple of years.
Hintz suggested this effort has social justice implications, noting that installing energy -
saving features in more affordable homes and residential buildings could reduce utility
costs for lower- income homeowners and residents. Wegman said she looks forward to
hearing the results of this Chapel Hill pilot program; however she believes a similar
program could be a "hard sell" for the county's unincorporated areas.
Hintz motioned to table further discussion until Neal and others could participate at the
next meeting. Saunders seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
2
Attachment 1
VII. Updates and Information Items — Information on the following subjects was provided in
the meeting package; selected items were discussed: a) CFE comments on draft
changes to impervious surface rules, b) herbicide used to control hydrilla in the Eno
River, c) electric vehicle fast charger station installed in Hillsborough, d) electric vehicle
workshop (June 18), e) a CFE news article (Why Plant Natives ?), f) What we can do to
protect bees, g) fracking having a difficult start in NC, h) a second solar array planned for
White Cross community, i) NC Forest Service in Orange County — 2014 Annual Report,
j) Court denies challenges to EPA's ozone designations, and k) Duke Forest stewardship
and sustainability tour (June 27).
Shaw reported that he sent the CFE comments on the proposed impervious surface rule
change to Michael Harvey in the Planning and Inspections Department. Eleven CFE
members had voted in favor of the comments via email; there were no objections.
Bouma reported that the Chapel Hill Environmental Stewardship Advisory Board is
developing a proposed Green Restaurant Challenge and may want to collaborate with
the CFE. He said he could contact a member of the board to see whether they would
like to present the idea to the CFE. CFE members agreed with that.
Bouma suggested that in addition to sending memoranda to the BOCC it might be
helpful if a CFE representative addressed the BOCC during the public comment portion
of its meeting agenda. Wegman offered to attend the June 16 meeting to call BOCC
members attention to the CFE memorandum pertaining to the 2016 bond package. CFE
members agreed and thanked Wegman for doing that.
VI 11. Adjournment — Sassaman adjourned at approximately 9:02 pm.
Summary by Rich Shaw, DEAPR Staff
3
Hydrilla verticillata (hydrilla), an invasive
species of aquatic weed native to Asia, clogged
the Eno River in Orange and Durham. Hy-
drilla is being treated by an aquatic herbicide
in an effort to reclaim the river for recreation.
"Treatment is going well. We're seeing the
growth of hydrilla being suppressed by the
herbicide. You won't see thick mats on. the
river like you have in the past several years,"
said Rob Emens, Eno River Hydrilla Manage-
ment Task Force leader.
These mats have negatively impacted fish-
ing, wading and swimming in the river, he
said, adding, "We're restoring recreation on
the river this year.
Hydrilla was transported to the U.S. as an
aquarium plant around 1960 and has now spread
into all the Gulf Coast and South Atlantic states
as far north as Delaware. It grows quickly, re-
produces easily and creates nearly impenetra-
ble mats of stems and leaves on the surface of
lakes, rivers and other waterways. It is a high-
ly destructive plant that reduces water flow
and quality, crowds out native aquatic Vege-
tation, enhances mosquito breeding and har-
bors toxic cyanobacteria that harm waterfowl
and predatory birds.
Hydrilla clogs water intakes in rivers and
reservoirs that are used for drinking water sup-
plies and irrigation and can make boating, swim-
ming and fishing difficult, if not impossible.
It is regulated by the federal and state govern-
ments; it is illegal to transport, grow or sell.
Hydrilla was first discovered in the wild
in North Carolina in 1980 at Umstead Lake
in Wake County, as well a few other Wake
County lakes: Lake Lynn Park, Fred G. Bond
Metro Park in Cary and Lake Wheeler Park,
Raleigh. In 1983, a herbicide was first applied
to Umstead Lake. In 1984, the first applica-
tion of herbicide was used at Fred G. Bond
Metro Park.
One year later, sterile grass carp were intro-
duced into Lake Wheeler. These carp selec-
tively eat hydrilla. That introduction went well
—the carp removed the hydrilla quickly and
then the carp population died off.
In the 1992, hydrilla was first found in the
Eno River basin in Lake Orange, just north of
Hillsborough. Grass carp were introduced into
Lake Orange in 1994 and again in 1998. For
several years, there were no carp and there
was no hydrilla. Unfortunately, there was some
hydrilla in the shallow water where the carp
couldn't get to.
In recent years, hydrilla has been showing
up in the head waters of Lake Orange. In 2009,
researchers confirmed hydrilla in another up-
stream reservoir, West Fork Eno Reservoir. The
NC Division of Water Resources is actively
managing hydrilla in both upstream reser-
voirs.
Surveys conducted in 2013 and 2014 found
hydrilla throughout the Eno River basin: in
-25 miles of the Eno River, the West Fork Eno
Reservoir, Arrowhead Lake (near Lake Orange),
Rob Emens and Drew Gay of NC DENR Divi-
sion of Water Resources Aquatic Weed Control
Program doing maintenance on herbicide in
jection station on the Eno. Treatments contin
ue into September.
PHOTO BY CAROLINE GILMORE
and Corporation Lake (on west side of Hills-
borough), spreading as far downstream as NC
Highway 501 (Roxboro Road, Durham).
Research by NC State University and the
state park system suggests the hydrilla infes-
tation of the Eno River is spreading downriv
er at a rate of up to one mile per year, and if
left alone, would reach Falls Lake, the largest
source for Wake County's drinking water,
within 12 years.
The Eno Hydrilla Management Task Force
was formed in 2007, two years after the re-
emergence of hydrilla in the Eno River basin,
to evaluate and address the infestation. The
task force has 16 members with federal, state
and local government representatives. It is
chaired by Rob Emens of the Division of Water
Resources, NCDENR, Aquatic Weed Control
Program.
Eradication of hydrilla is difficult because
the plants can reproduce by tubers (subterranean
root sections), turions (floating root sections),
and plant fragmentation (leafy plant sections);
can overwinter; and can survive dormant for
six years or more.
The Task Force evaluated the options avail-
able for addressing the hydrilla infestation of
the Eno River and decided on using aquatic
herbicides. Since the Eno is a flowing water
system instead of a contained water system,
using aquatic herbicides was considered the
best option.
Two herbicides were evaluated: AQUA -
THOL@ K (endothall) manufactured by United
Phosphorus, Inc. and SONAR@ GENESIS (flur-
idone) manufactured by SePRO Corporation.
Both were approved by EPA for aquatic sites,
are non -toxic to humans, pets and wildlife and
do not require any restrictions on recreation-
al activity when used at the approved applica-
tion rates.
}
8 C' " 4
After extensive research, the task farce
decided fluridone was the safest herbicide.
ERHMTF has been working with experts from
SePRO to develop a two -year pilot program
for the management of hydrilla in the Eno.
A public information open house was held
in April in Hillsborough for the public to learn
more about the proposed pilot program. Pre -
senters described the threat hydrilla poses and
experts on hydrilla were available to answer
questions.
In May, the Task Force began using fluri-
done upstream from Eno River State Park.
Emens told "CSN, "This is the first time the
state has treated hydrilla in flowing, system." z
But it has been used for many years to effec-
tively combat hydrilla in the contained' water
systems of Lake Gaston, Lake Tillery, Lake
Waccamaw and Tar River Reservoir.
Herbicide treatments will continue to mid-
September 2015. They are being done on 16.4°
miles' of the Eno River, from Lawrence Road
to NC Highway 501. Fluridone is continuous
ly pumped into the river at one location via a
computer - controlled pump that delivers her-
bicide at a rate that is based on water flow'
and results in a constant herbicide concentra-
tion of 4 -5 parts per billion.
"We're monitoring herbicide levels at four
sampling points along the river," said Emens.
Water samples are taken on a weekly basis.
A cost of $75,000 per year was budgeted
for the two -year pilot program being conduct-
ed this summer and next.
Flow 1 Stop
Hydrilla spreads from one body of water
to another primarily when plant fragments get
caught on boats and trailers. How can we do
to stop the spread of hydrilla? Educate your-
self and others on hydrilla. beep your boat
and gear clean.
Don't transport aquatic nuisance species:
Remove, brush and wash any visible mud,
plants and other debris before transporting
boats and equipment. Drain water from boat
before going into another water body. Let boat/
trailer /equipment completely dry prior to using
at another site. Check your canoe or kayak stor-
age areas; paddles and carry straps. Check your
fishing pole gear and bait bucket for plants,
mud or debris.
Community Sports News
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Town of Chapel Hill
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP ADVISORY BOARD
The charge of the environmental stewardship advisory board is to assist the Chapel Hill Town
Council in strengthening environmentally responsible practices that protect, promote and
nurture our community and the natural world through advice and program support.
Meetings
Regular meetings will be held at 6:30 pm on the 2nd Tuesday of each month in the Second Floor
Conference room at Town Hall.
Membership
Members serve staggered, three -year terms and shall not be eligible for more than two
consecutive three -year terms.
Member Roster
Elizabeth Zander, Chair
Barbara Herrera, Vice Chair
Denise Bevington
Marilyn Jacobs
William Kaiser
Brittain Storck
John Wallace
Jim Ward
John Richardson
Chapel Hill Resident
Regional Collaboration (Chatham)
Chapel Hill Resident
Regional Collaboration (Orange)
Greenways Advocate
Chapel Hill Resident
Chapel Hill Resident
Council Liaison
Staff Liaison
MOM
ORANGE COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, AGRICULTURE,
PARKS AND RECREATION
MEMORANDUM
To: Commission for the Environment
From: Rich Shaw
Date: June 3, 2015
Subject: Summary of the presentation on Chapel Hill's green building incentives
At your April 13 meeting the CFE received a presentation on the Town of Chapel Hill's pilot
program of providing financial incentives for sustainable design (or "green building'') within
the Ephesus Church / Fordham Renewal District.
The following is a summary of the presentation and CFE discussion:
Chapel Hill's Green Building Incentives — John Richardson (Planning Manager for
Sustainability) and Jesse Freedman (Energy Management Specialist) presented an
overview of the Town of Chapel Hill's pilot program of providing financial incentives for
sustainable (or "green building ") design. Richardson noted that this pilot program applies
only for development within the Ephesus Church / Fordham Renewal District.
Freedman said the Town's objective is to incentivize developers to build high - performance
buildings with better energy and water conservation performance than the 75th percentile
of similar buildings. He noted that prior to this program the incentive was to build the
worst energy and water efficient buildings allowed by law.
Freedman described the Town's process of choosing a green building standard for energy
use from among many options, including LEED certification, Energy Star, 2030 Challenge,
and others. The Town chose the Energy Star program, which the staff considers a neutral
standard. The Town chose the State water performance standard. Freedman said the
intent was to create standard that are rigorous and achievable.
Freedman said in this pilot phase the financial incentive for builders is up to a 35%
reduction in their development permit fees. He reviewed the benefits of green building
versus conventional building in terms of energy use and water consumption. He noted the
tendencies for higher rental rates (+ 2% — 17 %), greater resale value (+ 5.8% - 35 %), higher
market value (+ 13.5 %), and lower operating expenses (- 30 %) for green buildings on
average.
Richardson said the rebate could result in a potential total maximum reduction in revenue
from permit fees of about $600,000; however that level of activity is highly unlikely. He
said there have been only two applicants to date. Richardson said Town staff will try to
verify performance measures, likely through periodic field inspections.
Freedman and Richardson responded to questions from CFE members:
O'Connor asked if there were incentives for sustainable design of the outside portions of the
buildings, such as green roofs, xeriscaping, and onsite water retention. Richardson said
yes, there are standards for the outside as well.
Neal asked if Chapel Hill had looked at examples of like programs in other jurisdictions,
such as Catawba County. Richardson said they consulted NC State's DESIRE database for
suitable examples and found that Charlotte's program was most effective. The others
reported low levels of effectiveness.
Sassaman asked if the Town used other incentives in addition to the permit fee rebate.
Richardson said the State has authorized the rebate incentive. For buildings and
development outside of the Ephesus Church / Fordham district the Town uses other
standards and requirements for approving special use permits.
Sassaman asked if the Town applies these standards to its public buildings. Richardson
said the Town has, by ordinance, a LEED Silver minimum for all buildings. For example,
the Chapel Hill Library was built to LEED Silver standard.
Neal asked if these standards applied to single - family residential development, and might
the Town consider expanding the incentives to other parts of the town. Richardson said it
is only intended for commercial and multifamily residential, and said the council has not
discussed imposing these standards elsewhere.
Hintz asked how much less the cost of utilities might be for buildings in the Ephesus
Church / Fordham district than in other parts of the town. Richardson said it would
depend on the building type; the staff has run some calculations.
Richardson said the Town of Chapel Hill will reassess the pilot program at the end of the
first year and the staff will work with the town council on making adjustments if needed.
Neal noted the CFE has recommended to the BOCC and the Planning Board that Orange
County consider adopting similar incentives for sustainable development, but thus far
nothing has resulted from those discussions.
The CFE thanked Richardson and Freedman for their presentation.
MEMORANDUM
To: Orange County Planning Board
From: Orange County Commission for the Environment
Renee Price, Chair
David Neal, Energy Committee
Date: January 26, 2012
Re: Incentives for Energy Efficient Construction and Renovation in Orange County
The Orange County Commission for the Environment ( "CFE ") invites the Orange County
Planning Board to consider a Low Energy Construction Permitting Incentive ordinance in
2012. N. C. Gen. Stat.§ 153A -340 allows counties to charge "reduced building permit fees or
provide partial rebates of building permit fees for buildings" that meet or exceed recognized
energy efficient design and construction principals. Members of CFE are available to work
with the Planning Board and county staff to review similar ordinances enacted pursuant to this
statute (for example, from Catawba County) and from around the country, then to draft an
ordinance for consideration by the Orange County Board of Commissioners.
Neither the current level of carbon in the atmosphere nor projected increases in greenhouse
gas emissions are sustainable. Costly and potentially irreversible adverse climate effects are
likely unless mitigation measures — such as increased energy efficiency investments and
decreased fossil fuel consumption — are taken in the near future. In Orange County, we
cannot wait for policy changes at the state and federal level to encourage increased energy
efficiency. Steps taken now to improve efficiency and decrease or eliminate our reliance on
fossil fuels for energy production will help lock -in reduced energy use for years to come.
Since 2003, Orange County has been a member of Local Governments for Sustainability, an
international membership association committed to a sustainable future. Creating incentives
for energy efficiency in construction is consistent with Orange County's commitment to a
sustainable future. The 2005 Greenhouse Gas Inventory revealed that nearly fifty percent of
greenhouse gas emissions in Orange County come from residential and commercial buildings
(consistent with national data). Orange County, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro, in conjunction
with Hillsborough, are currently working on a revised inventory of greenhouse gas emissions
and attempting to identify reduction measures.
Making use of the authority granted by the General Assembly to incentivize energy efficient
construction is a straightforward way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the county level
for the long term. CFE would like to explore crafting an incentive program that would be
attractive to lower- income residents, for whom savings on utility bills would provide a
particularly important benefit.
' From Architecture 2030, buildings account for 48.7% of total energy consumption in the
United States (available at httL / /architecture203O.org/the _problem /buildings _problem why).
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To give an example of how such an energy efficient construction incentive might function,
below is a summary of the Catawba County incentives enacted pursuant to N. C. Gen. Stat. §
t 53A -340:
Catawba County is providing incentives to encourage the
construction of sustainably built homes and commercial
buildings. Rebates on permit fees and plan reviews are available
for certain qualifying structures and renewable energy projects.
Buildings designed and constructed in accordance with the US
Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED), NC HealthyBuilt Homes,
Energy Star, or the National Association of Home Builders'
Model Green Home Building Guidelines can receive a 25%
blanket permit fee rebate, not to exceed $500. Catawba County
will also rebate 50% of fees related to plan review or express
plan review for commercial buildings seeking LEED
certification.
Additionally, existing one and two family homes and
commercial buildings can receive a 50% rebate on the
permitting fees associated with the installation of geothermal
heat pumps, photovoltaic (PV) systems, solar water heating
systems, and gray /rain water collection for flushing fixtures.
Regular fees must be paid in full at time of plan review or
permit issuance. Fee rebates will be refunded upon project
completion and certification by third party inspection agency.2
Rebates or reduced fees for efficient construction could be structured on a sliding scale, with
zero energy construction receiving the most robust incentives. Given the current level of
permitting fees, rebates or reductions in Orange County could be designed here that could
provide a substantial incentive for efficient construction.
The CFE looks forward to working with the Planning Board on crafting an efficiency
incentive program for consideration by the Orange County Board of Commissioners. We
would appreciate the opportunity to have this item included on an upcoming agenda and to
work with you on completing a draft proposal in the next few months.
cc: David Stancil
Craig Benedict
From the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy & Efficiency (available at
<http: / /www.dsireusa.org /incentives /incentive.cfin ?Incentive Code= NC87F &re= 1 &ee =1 >)
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MEMORANDUM
To: Orange County Board of County Commissioners
Orange County Planning Board
From: Orange County Commission for the Environment
Date: June 5, 2015
Subject: Proposed amendments to Orange County's impervious surface rules
The Commission for the Environment (CFE) has considered the draft amendments to Orange
County's impervious surface limitations for development in water supply watersheds.
Michael Harvey and Craig Benedict provided an excellent overview of the proposed revisions
to the Unified Development Ordinance at the CFE's May 11 meeting, and we thank you for
the opportunity to provide comments.
Although the amendment is not intended or expected to increase runoff from developed
properties, whether it be pervious or impervious, it is the finding of the CFE that the
cumulative effects from a larger developed portion of the watershed could have adverse
environmental impacts. If only a handful of landowners chose to pursue this option then the
effects would be minimal. However, with widespread use there could be an incremental loss
of wildlife habitat and a decrease in carbon sequestration as a result of the loss of wooded
areas. And although the volume or quantity of storm water runoff may not increase as a result
of the proposed changes, the quality of water leaving a site could worsen.
The CFE does not object to the proposed amendment, but the CFE cannot endorse a rule
change that lessens protection of the natural environment. If the County adopts the proposed
amendment and allows for the installation of infiltration BMPs to offset additional impervious
area, then the CFE would agree with the proposed requirements for engineered designs,
recorded maintenance agreements, annual inspections, and a viable enforcement mechanism.
The County should also consider requiring a performance bond and the renewal of the permit
after some reasonable period of time.
Again, the CFE appreciates the opportunity to comment on this proposed change to the
Unified Development Ordinance.
Copies: Bonnie Haminersley, County Manager
David Stancil, Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation Director
Memorandum
To: Orange County Board of Commissioners
From: Orange County Commission for the Environment
Date: June 15, 2015
Subject: 2016 Bond Referendum
The Commission for the Environment (CFE) is concerned about the preliminary decision
by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to restrict the planned 2016 bond
referendum to funding for school improvements and expansion. In particular, the CFE
believes the BOCC should have proceeded with the process discussed at the November
19, 2014 Assembly of Governments meeting, which would have provided an opportunity
for the BOCC to hear from the public, relevant County- appointed citizen advisory
boards, including the CFE, and representatives of key County departments, such as the
Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation, on their areas of
expertise and /or concern.
The CFE is of the opinion that the BOCC's decision - making process would benefit
greatly by hearing comments from County residents, advisory boards, and departments
on the funding needs facing programs and activities that are essential to the quality of
life in the County. No doubt education is important, but equally important are parks
and recreation, affordable housing for low - income residents, and services for the county's
growing population of seniors, among other needs. For example, if the County could
provide $5 to $10 million for park development, it would be possible to develop and open
the long - planned Blackwood Farm Park as well as additional recreational facilities in
the northern part of the county. By developing Twin Creeks Park located next to Morris
Grove Elementary School, the County would provide recreational opportunities for both
school children and adults, helping to improve the quality of life for all residents as well
as making the county a more attractive area for new businesses that seek well- rounded
communities in which to locate their operations. Funding for parks and open space could
help preserve additional farmland and natural areas with permanent conservation
easements.
The CFE urges the Board of County Commissioners to reopen the bond referendum
process and provide a full opportunity for public and County staff comment. The CFE
would very much appreciate an opportunity to present its views on funding priorities
related to parks and open space land conservation to the BOCC.
Thank you for considering our views.
Copies: Bonnie Hammersley, County Manager
David Stanch, Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation Director
This is the second in a series of articles by the Orange County Commission for the Environment
(CFE). Each article highlights an environmental issue of interest to the residents of Orange
County. The CFE is a volunteer advisory board to the Board of County Commissioners.
Additional information can be found in the Orange County State of the Environment 2014 report
athLtp://www.orangecounlync.gov/departments/deqpr/commission _ for the environmenf.php
* * * * * * * * * **
The native butterfly weed attracts bees, butterflies and birds (Photo: Orange County DEAPR)
Why Choose Native Plants?
Orange County Commission for the Environment
While some of us value plants in our landscapes primarily for the beauty they provide,
we may not realize that plants are in fact critically important components of food webs
and essential to the life cycles of birds and insects. Author Doug Tallamy explains,
"almost all North American birds other than seabirds — 96% — feed their young with
insects." These insects require host plants on which to lay their eggs, plants with which
they have evolved over millennia. Replacing native plants (those species that have
evolved with surrounding plants and animals, each influencing the evolution of the
other) with species from other places can hinder the ability of some of these insects to
reproduce. One example can be seen in a comparison of the flowering dogwood
(Cornus florida), which is native to Orange County, and the kousa dogwood (Cornus
kousa), which is native to Korea, China, and Japan. The flowering dogwood supports
117 species of moth and butterfly larvae, while the kousa dogwood supports none.
Some gardeners point out that they also frequently observe insects on their non - native
plants. For instance, butterflies can often be seen drinking nectar from the flowers of the
non - native butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii). While this may be beneficial food for the
butterflies, unfortunately no species of butterfly native to North Carolina will use the
butterfly bush as a host plant on which to lay its eggs. Better choices to provide
breeding support for butterflies include oak -leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia),
redbud (Cercis canadensis), and fringe -tree (Chionanthus virginicus), to name a few.
Native plants are also important to our economy. Insects pollinate many of the foods we
enjoy eating. As of 2009, pollination of U.S. crops by native insects was valued at more
than nine billion dollars. Some individual species, such as the monarch butterfly, have
an estimated economic value in the billions of dollars. These insects will cease to exist
without the correct host plants on which to lay their eggs. In fact, researchers estimate
that the monarch butterfly population has declined by 80% over the past 21 years. The
decline is attributed in large part to the disappearance of the milkweed plants on which
the species relies, resulting in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service considering the
monarch butterfly for protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
In contrast to the high economic value of natives, many non - native species can be
economically and environmentally devastating; such species are categorized as
invasive by the federal government. They include English ivy, Japanese honeysuckle,
autumn olive, tree of heaven, and multiflora rose. Nearly half of the species listed for
protection under the ESA are in trouble due at least in part to invasive species. Far from
the economic good of natives, invasive species are estimated to cost the U.S. more
than 120 billion dollars in damages annually. It can take decades to determine that a
species is invasive, and such a finding does not automatically lead states to ban the
sale of the species.
While not all non - native plants are invasive or damaging to the environment, it is wise to
understand whether a plant is invasive or in some way damaging to pollinators. In
addition, it would certainly be good to avoid planting non - natives on a broad scale. A
number of resources exist to help residents figure out which native plants will thrive in
your yard or garden. The North Carolina Botanical Garden (http: / /ncbp.unc.edu /) offers
plant lists, classes, tours, family and youth programs, and knowledgeable people to help
you in your hunt (not to mention a beautiful garden to stroll through to see spectacular
natives year- round). In addition, from June to October 3, the Botanical Garden is
offering workshops, exhibits, talks and tours that highlight the importance of pollinators
and what can be done to help secure a stable future for them.
Plant lists and local nurseries that specialize in species native to our region can also be
found through the North Carolina Native Plant Society (http: / /www.ncwildflower.org /).
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PHOTOS BY MARK SCHULTZ - mschultz@newsobserver.com
^' W2-acre nomesTe—a--TTF)r Me puDAU774
says Fred Blackwood, second from left, top row.
0
A PARK APART C4, # 4pi4
By MARK SCHULTZ
mschultz@newsobserver.com
s7l,_401e ZY 2oiS-
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Location: 4215 N.C. 86, Hillsborough, NC
Hours: Blackwood Farm Park is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday only.
October - March 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., April and September 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., May -
August 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Amenities: Four miles of hilkingtrails, picnic shelter with tables, restroom,
pond with fishing area (no boating) -16 years or older, with valid fishing
license and artificial bait only- open fields, historic farmhouse, barn, smoke
house, corncrib and other outbuildings
But unlike most parks, there
will be no ballfields.
Instead, visitors will be able to
explore many of the farm's actual
buildings: the chicken house, or
"biddie house," where the Black-
woods raised young chick-
ens; the shed where five alt l;
cows at a time were milked
by hand until the farm
mechanized in the late
1930s; the weathered
wooden barn where the
mules, cows and horses Stra
were stalled and where
wheat, hay and corn husks were
stored in the large loft.
"Come sit on the porch, walk
the trails, explore the farm build-
ings," McKee said,
"Except for the fact that you
hear 1-40, this is the way it was
250 years."
Bob Strayhorn, the cattle farm-
er caddy-cornered from the
Blackwood Farm at N.C. 86 and
New Hope Church Road, also
spoke at the ceremony. His family
has been associated with
Schultz: 919-829-8950
;f !
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1312015 • S
THE NEWS OF ORANGE COUNTY
lo-i
commissioners move, forward with pi
solar,
BY AMANDA VAN DERBROEK
News of Orange staff writer
a.vanderbroek @newsoforange.com
Orange County is moving forward with ways to harness
the sun.
On Monday, May 5, the Orange County Board of
Commissioners endorsed the development of a pilot solar
photovoltaic system within county facilities beginning
with the Rogers Road Community Center. The project
will also be included in the 2015 Orange County Solarize
campaigns organized by NextClimate.
The pilot program might also lead to using solar -
generated energy at the Cedar Grove Community Center,
which is currently under renovation.
Brennan Bouma, Orange County sustainability
coordinator, brought the project before commissioners
during his update on the county's solar initiatives.
Bouma said solar panels would go on the south side of
the community building.
"It would be somewhere around 24 kilowatts, and we
would cover somewhere between 80 to 100 percent of
the energy, the electricity usage of the building," he
said. "It would have a $96,000 initial cost."
Going it alone, the county would see $2,700 in annual
savings and a return on its investment in about 35 years.
"With the help of an investor, a private investor would
be able to take the tax benefits on the books and would
be able to recoup about two - thirds of their investment
through those tax benefits," Bouma said. "Instead of
annual savings, they would be able to sell the electricity
back to the grid with an estimated annual sales of
$1,350."
Bouma said with that scenerio in about five to seven
years, there would be a transfer to the county.
Rob Pinder, _executive director of NextClimate,
said the group is ready to help the county community
campaign like McDougle Middle School in Chapel Hill.
"Last year in October, we worked with McDougle
Middle School to provide technical assistance and
funding and help with fundraising to build a learning
installation there at McDougle," Pinder said. "... We
love to bring this technical assistance and help with
fundraising to a new project in Orange County and are
excited about the opportunity to do so at Rogers Road. "
Pinder said the idea behind Solarize Orange County is
to first give people information so that they can decided
whether or not solar is right for them and second to
make that switch to make it as easy for them as possible.
"In 2014, we had hundreds of people get solar
assessments across the county; some 90 homes have
made the switch in that campaign," he said. "And in
2015, we're really excited to be working on projects
in Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, Carrboro, countywide
and new projects with larger players in the Research
Triangle."
During discussion, commission vice chair Bernadette
Pelissier asked if there was any intent to do something
with solar at the Cedar Grove Community Center, which
is currently being renovated.
Jeff Thompson, director of asset management services,
said if the Rogers Road project goes well, then solar
panels will be an option for the Cedar Grove facility.
NCDA &CS News Release: Five counties join quarantine area for emerald ash borer Page 1 of 2
Public Affairs Home
News Releases
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Agricultural Review
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2015
In The Field Blog
CONTACT: Phillip Wilson, plant pest administrator
Photos and logos
NCDA &CS Plant Industry Division
Century Farm Family
919 - 707 -3753
Agricultural Hall of Fame
Durham, Graham, Johnston, Orange and Wilson counties
Sign -up for News
join quarantine area for emerald ash borer
Releases
Contact Us
RALEIGH — Five more counties have come under quarantine rules restricting the movement of hardwood
firewood, ash nursery stock and other ash materials following the discovery of more trees infested with
emerald ash borers. The addition of Durham, Graham, Johnston, Orange and Wilson counties brings the total
number of counties under quarantine to 12. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler signed an emergency
quarantine order allowing the expansion.
/p()ININIfE(' ll" w/
NClDA&/pS
Staff with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services found insects in Wilson County close to
Contentnea Creek and in several infested trees in the northeastern part of Orange County. No insects were
found in Johnston County, but distinctive galleries, or serpentine tunnels under the bark, in trees along the
Little River indicate the presence of EAB. No evidence of EAB has been found yet in Durham County, but the
close proximity to the county line of finds in neighboring counties has led officials to quarantine that county as
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well. A U.S. Forest Service employee found emerald ash borers in a trap in Graham County, marking the first
find in the Western part of the state.
"This is a devastating pest to ash trees, eventually killing the trees where the insects are found," Troxler said.
"We are continuing to monitor other counties for this highly destructive pest through trapping and visual
assessment of trees. We will be pulling traps in early August and it is possible we will find sites in more
counties when we do. We ask the public not to disturb the purple, triangle- shaped traps if they see them."
The beetle was first detected in the United States in Michigan in 2002. It is responsible for the death or
decline of tens of millions of ash trees across the country.
Under the state quarantine, all hardwood firewood and plants and plant parts of the ash tree -- including
living, dead, cut or fallen, green lumber, stumps, roots, branches and composted and uncomposted chips --
cannot be moved outside the county. Only firewood that has been treated by an approved U.S. Department of
Agriculture method, such as treating firewood in an approved kiln, can be moved outside the quarantine area.
The Plant Industry Division and the N.C. Forest Service are working in cooperation with the U.S. Department
of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Symptoms of emerald ash borer in ash trees include a general decline in the appearance of the tree, such as
thinning from the top down and loss of leaves. Clumps of shoots, also known as epicormic sprouts, emerging
from the trunk of the tree and increased woodpecker activity are other symptoms. The emerald ash borer is
not the only pest that can cause these.
Emerald ash borers overwinter as larvae. The adult beetle is one - fourth to a half -inch long and is slender and
metallic green. When the adults emerge from a tree, they leave behind a D- shaped exit hole. The larvae can
also create serpentine tunneling marks, known as feeding galleries, which are found under the bark of the
infested trees.
Home and landowners are encouraged to report any symptomatic activity in ash trees to the NCDA &CS Plant
Industry Division hotline at 1- 800 - 206 -9333 or by email at newpest @ncagr.gov. The pest can affect any of the
four types of ash trees grown in the state.
-aea -1
NCDA &CS Public Affairs Division, Brian Long, Director
Mailing Address:1001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699 -1001
Physical Address: 2 West Edenton Street, Raleigh NC 27601
Phone: (919) 707 -3001; FAX: (919) 733 -5047
http: / /www.ncagr.gov /paffairs /release / 2015 /fivecountyexpansionEAB.htm 7/30/2015
North Carolina Department of . . i icultu & Consumer Services
Steven w„ ° 'iroxlleir
CommussuoneMr
100!?C
To whom it may concern,
A.
Scott l3issette
Assustant Commussuoner
NC Forest Service, District 11 Headquarters
3314 NC 86 South
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Phone: 919 - 732 -8105
July 28, 2015
The North Carolina Forest Service of Wake, Orange and Durham counties are having informational meetings in
regards to Wake, Orange, and Durham counties joining the quarantine area for the emerald ash borer.
The Wake county meeting is scheduled for August the 18TH at (time). The meeting is being held at The Rural
Center located at 4021 Carya Drive in Raleigh.
The Orange/Durham meeting is scheduled for August the 201h at 9 am. The meeting is being held at the
Orange County Whitted Human Services Ctr. Building "A" located at 2nd floor room 230: 300 W. Tryon
Street in Hillsborough.
Information will be presented by the North Carolina Forest Service and NCDA &CS Plant Industry Division
about the emerald ash borer, management options, and the quarantine which effects the movement of ash logs
and all hardwood firewood. Below are the links to the news releases from the North Carolina Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services about Wake, Orange and Durham Counties being added to the emerald ash
borer quarantine.
Wake County
Orange and Durham Counties
Addition information about the emerald ash borer and the quarantine can be found at these websites.
http: / /www,ncforestservice.2ov /forest health/fh eabfaq.htm
1616 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699 -1616
Phone: (919) 857 -4801 • FAX: (919) 857 -4802 • www.ncforestservice.gov
An Equal Opportunity Employer
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ORANGE WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY
OWASA
A public, non-profit agency providing water, sewer and reclaimed water services
to the Carrboro- Chapel Hill community.
July 20, 2015
Dear Neighbor:
RE: UPDATE ON FORESTRY MANAGEMENT WORK AT OWASA'S 491 -ACRE CANE
CREEK RESERVOIR MITIGATION PROPERTY NEAR BUCKHORN ROAD
Thank you for your patience as OWASA implemented its Forest Management Plan (Plan) on its Cane
Creek Reservoir Mitigation Tract. Work for the most recent phase of the Plan has been completed. We
will continue to do small forestry management projects on the tract in accordance with the Plan and
recommendations from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Future work includes:
Replanting cleared pine areas — Our forestry contractor is evaluating the natural regeneration in
the small cleared pine areas this summer and fall. If needed, we will replant these sites with
shortleaf pine next winter. The replanting will be completed by hand and should have minimal
impacts to neighbors.
Pre - commercial thinning — The 25 acre area we cleared in 2010 and replanted with loblolly pine
in 2011 will be thinned in the next year or two. This thinning will be completed with brush
saws, and may take a couple weeks to complete. The trees that are cut will be left on site to filter
pollutants and return organic matter to the soil. There may be some noise impacts while this
work is being done.
We will continue to keep you informed about our forestry management activities and will notify you
before we begin the activities described above. If you did not receive e -mail notification (with this same
letter attached) but prefer to receive information by e -mail, please send me an e -mail (see below) and I
will add your name to our e -mail distribution list.
If you prefer not to be contacted about our activities at this site, please notify me and I will remove your
name from our list.
Please contact me at 919 -537 -4214 or at rrouseaowasa.or if you have any questions or would like
more information regarding our forestry management activities at the Cane Creek Reservoir Mitigation
Tract.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Ruth C. Rouse, AICP
OWASA Planning and Development Manager
400 Jones Ferry Road Equal Opportunity Employer Voice (919) 968 -4421
Carrboro, NC 27510 -2001 Printed on Recycled Paper uvuvuv.ou- asa.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2015
EPA Releases EJSCREEN, An Environmental Justice Screening and
Mapping Tool
Washington— Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released EJSCREEN,
an environmental justice screening and mapping tool that uses high resolution maps combined
with demographic and environmental data to identify places with potentially elevated
environmental burdens and vulnerable populations. EJSCREEN's simple to understand color -
coded maps, bar charts, and reports enable users to better understand areas in need of
increased environmental protection, health care access, housing, infrastructure improvement,
community revitalization, and climate resilience.
"EJSCREEN provides essential information to anyone seeking greater visibility and awareness
about the impacts of pollution in American communities," said EPA Administrator Gina
McCarthy. "EJSCREEN has been a valuable resource for EPA to advance our commitment to
protect Americans most vulnerable to pollution. I'm excited to share this tool with the public to
broaden its impact, build transparency, and foster collaboration with partners working to achieve
environmental justice.
"State environmental agencies appreciate EPA's collaborative work on the use and release of
this important tool," said Dick Pedersen, Director of Oregon's Department of Environmental
Quality and past President of the Environmental Council of States. "Citizens having access to
environmental and demographic data is extremely important in helping states implement
environmental programs and ensure public health and environmental protection for all. To that
end, EJSCREEN facilitates vital citizen engagement."
EJSCREEN can help governments, academic institutions, local communities, and other
stakeholders to highlight communities with greater risk of exposure to pollution based on 8
pollution and environmental indicators, including traffic proximity, particulate matter, and
proximity to superfund sites. These indicators are combined with demographic data from the
U.S. Census Bureau American Community 5 -year Summary Survey enabling users to identify
areas with minority or low- income populations who also face potential pollution issues.
EJSCREEN's capabilities could provide support for educational programs, grant writing, and
community awareness efforts so that users can participate meaningfully in decision - making
processes that impact their health and environment. While EJSCREEN is being shared publicly
to improve work on environmental justice, EPA is not mandating state governments or other
entities use the tool or its underlying data.
EJSCREEN does not direct EPA decisions; it does not provide a basis for identifying areas as
EJ communities, and it is not an appropriate standalone tool for making a risk assessment. As a
screening tool, its data may have levels of uncertainty, and is therefore incomplete in capturing
the total number of pollution problems people face.
Today's release of EJSCREEN initiates a stakeholder engagement period over the next six
months. EPA will collect feedback on the datasets and design of the tool – as well as how it
could be further enhanced – and will release a revised version in 2016.
Environmental justice is defined as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all
people, regardless of race or income with respect to the development, implementation,
and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. EPA's goal is to
provide all people with equal access to the environmental decision - making process to
maintain a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work.
To access the tool, visit: htts� / /v��nr�nr2.e�a.�ov /eiscreen
ORANGE COUNTY, NC
E)SCREEN
THE CLIMATE POST By TIM PROFETA [theclimatepost @duke.edu]
It's Official: 2014 Hottest Year on Record
Four independent global data sets registered 2014 as the warmest year on record, the Weather Channel
reported, citing an annual review by international scientists sponsored by the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and published in the Buulk,,6n of thy., Amy 6 a�n Me, . Oa)lkpgica1
The only major region of the world with below - average annual temperatures was Eastern North
America.
The review compiled by NOAA's Center for Weather and Climate and based on contributions of more
than 400 scientists found that atmospheric carbon dioxide levels reached a global average of 397.2 parts
per million, a 1.9 -ppm- increase in 2014; the global average was 354 ppm in 1990, the review's first year.
Other lxi gh1i�.1y s of the State of the Climate in 2014 report include
• Record highs for sea surface temperatures, particularly in the North Pacific Ocean, as well as
for global upper ocean heat (oceans absorb more than 90 percent of Earth's excess heat), and
global sea levels (oceans expand as they suck up heat);
• Continued Arctic warming and low sea ice extent;
• Highly variable temperature patterns and record -high sea ice extent in the Antarctic; and
• An above - average number of tropical cyclones.
Human activities are implicated in the record high. Deke Arndt, a NOAA climate scientist and one of the
report authors pointed out that 11 s..o c.,Q.'t1 l ;e il..c e„ that it's the lower atmosphere, rather than the upper
atmosphere, that's warming.
"The changes that we see in the lower part of the atmosphere are driven by a change in the composition of
the atmosphere," Arndt said. "If an external forcing —such as the sun or some orbital phenomenon —
would be driving the warming, we would see a warming across the board in most of the atmosphere. And
we don't."
Now it appears that 2015,,,,is will, on ias „w ; acp acpl g 201�9,;,,,,a s �the,,,,wa wannest on ��. °,c(,n j,. A strengthening El
Nino is transferring heat from the tropical Pacific around the globe, and the National Aeronautical and
Space Administration (NASA) and the Japan Meteorological Agency have reported that the global
warmth of June 2015 matched or exceeded any previous June in lr,iss.(,ni ;a;�;l,,,a;;c: °,�;;;,c�a;;ds.
Study: 2- Degree Target Unsafe
(,,w „_b�. °,s,ea�n;;�;;h says keeping within 2 degrees Celsius of pre - industrial temperatures —the target scientists
and global leaders agree represents a safe level of climate change —may be inadequate and "highly
Meeting the target, d.lrc ° s[.u;dy ,a;;�, could lead to runaway ice melt that causes rising sea levels
and ocean circulation changes far more serious than previous projections.
"We conclude that continued high emissions will make multi -meter sea level rise practically unavoidable
and likely to occur this century,” James Hansen — NASA's former lead climate scientist and 16 other co-
authors w;ai;t;;c °,,,, a�,,,,;dlr,c: °,,,,arc °,w,. not - yet -peer- reviewed discussion paper due to be published in the journal
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. "Social disruption and economic consequences of such large sea
level rise could be devastating. It is not difficult to imagine that conflicts arising from forced migrations
and economic collapse might make the planet ungovernable, threatening the fabric of civilization.”
A better strategy, the authors say, is to return to an atmosphere with 350 pp. s N.p; -...million of carbon
dioxide —we've reached about 400 parts per million.
Pope, Mayors Urge Action on Climate Change
A month after the release of his (,,,Ec, clical on "the environment, Pope Francis urged world leaders to take a
"strong position" on climate change in advance of the United Nations climate talks in Paris later this year.
" I have great hopes for the Paris summit in December and hope a fundamental agreement is reached,"
a%alEj-. acis... at a two -day c;o,nf(,,n -em e, of mayors from nearly 60 cities around the world to discuss the
issues of climate change and fighting forms of modern slavery. "The U.N. needs to take a strong position
on this."
The mayors in attendance %, ;a ,c °al;a;;. l;c °,al;ze, stating that "human- induced climate change is a scientific
reality and its effective control is a moral imperative for humanity."
The meeting, the I(,) a.e e.- ind.:Me.yil reports, represents a fundamental shift in how the issue of climate
change is framed.
The Climate Post offers a rundown of the week in climate and energy news. It is produced each Thursday by Duke
University's Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policv Solutions and cross posted on the Hu in ton
Post and National Geographic News Watch. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to
our YouTube channel for more updates.
To be removed from this list, please send an e -mail to theclimatel2ost LcWuke. edu with "take off mailing list" in the
subject line. To subscribe, send an e -mail to theclimatepost(cOuke. edu with "add to Climate Post mailing" in the
subject line.
BY BRUCE HENDERSON
AND Jnvt MORRML
bhenderson@charlotteobserver.com
'morrillCa charlotteobserver.com
A Charlotte entrepreneur has
quietly launched a $175 million
campaign to convince his fellow
conservative Republicans that cli-
mate change is real and business
can fix it.
Jay Faison, a son of the late Char
lotte developer Henry Faison, made
his own fortune 18 months ago
when he sold audio - visual equip-
ment company SnapAV. Then he
went to work on what he calls "the
biggest risk and the biggest oppor-
tunity of our time."
ClearPath, the nonprofit founda-
tion he started with $165 million
from the sale, aims to demystify cli-
--fe science and seek market-
biggest problem we've ever faced.
Many countries have solutions and
are well past us, and doing it with-
out doing harm to their economies.
Americans can choose to do very
little or we can choose to lead."
Information campaign
Like his friend, ClearPath adviso-
ry board member Shannon Smith
believes in commercial solutions to
energy and environmental prob-
lems. Smith is CEO of Charlotte's
Abundant Power Group, which
helps buildings pollute less and op-
erate better.
The foundation's message "has to
be trustworthy and unbiased,"
Smith said.
"Republicans perceive the issue
as biased due to liberal overreach
over how to handle the issue gov-
ernmentally. We missed the signal
for the noise," he said.
Faison says he's "tired of political
rock throwing." But he seeded a
based solutions as a counterweight
to governmental approaches.
Its website, which went online
Tuesday, is packed with pieces on
energy efficiency, renewable ener-
gy, electric vehicles
and companies re-
ducing their carbon
footprints.
Carefully foot-
noted, it cites au-
ti thorities on the
Faison threats of higher
temperatures, rising
sea levels, dwindlingwater supplies
and global instability.
Faison, who is 47 and a Charlotte
native, glimpsed that future on
hunting and fishing trips that in-
creasingly took him into a warming
world.
"The ducks come South later in
wig
e
answered, •':;
f'
BOB INGLIS
REPUBLICEN.ORG
separate entity with $10 million to
allow for more political participa-
tion.
"I'm pretty active in North Caroli-
na now on what's going on in Ra-
' 1
the year, and the trout move up-
river. You just notice these changes,
and it doesn't seem natural," he
said. "People who live outdoors
notice, and these are changes that
have just happened over the past
decade or two."
Polls suggest ClearPath will
struggle to win over many conser-
vative Republicans.
A Gallup poll in April found only
37 percent think climate change
will occur in their lifetimes, Politico
reported. Forty percent predicted it
will never happen.'
But Republicans who promote
climate action insist conservative
voters are ready, after years of pola-
rizing debate, to listen to new ap-
proaches.
"If the question is posed — can
SEE CLIMATE, PAGE 8A
leigh that's been interesting," he
said. "There's a need for good, clear
information in Raleigh, and we're
helping with that."
Faison's $10 million would be
more than all but 13 super PACs
and other groups spent on the 2014
elections, says the Center for Re-
sponsive Politics, a nonpartisan re-
search group. NextGen Climate Ac-
tion Committee, started by billion-
aire hedge fund manager Tom
Steyer, spent nearly $66 million in
2014.
"There's no doubt (the money)
will make an impact," said state
Rep. Charles Jeter, a Huntersville
Republican. "If he wants to play in
legislative races, it will make an im-
pact on anybody who wants to have
these chairs."
The conservative - dominated leg-
islature this year moved to freeze a
green - energy standard that helped
make North Carolina a national
leader in solar power. It hasn't
SA Wednesday, June 10 2015
CLIMATE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE IA
free enterprise solve climate
change? — then it can be enthusias-
tically answered, `You bet we can,' "
said Bob Inglis, a former member of
Congress from South Carolina. "It's
all about showing them a solution
that fits with their values."
Inglis leads the online forum
republicEn.org, at George Mason
University in Virginia, which focus-
es on free - enterprise solutions to
climate change. He views Faison as
the ideal messenger.
"He's a businessman and a Re-
publican, he's handsome and artic-
ulate — it couldn't be better posi-
tioning to turn heads and change
minds on climate change," he said.
"This is not a San Francisco liberal
who's trying to dupe somebody into
something they don't believe."
Faison's own notion of success:
"American leadership solving the
AF The News & Observer+
viewed climate change as a press-
ing issue.
But some Republican members
side with Faison on the science.
"There's enough scientists say-
ing we've got a huge risk here, we
would be stupid not to protect our-
selves from that risk. Even if they're
wrong," said state Rep. Chuck
McGrady, a Hendersonville Repub-
lican who once led the national
Sierra Club.
Sen. Jeff Tarte, a Cornelius Re-
publican who is co- sponsoring a bill
to extend renewable energy tax
credits, said the facts are beyond
debate.
"To not believe in climate change
is to say that there were never dino-
saurs on the planet, that Columbus
sailed off the edge of the Earth and
that the moon landing occurred on
a back lot in Burbank," he said.
Henderson: 704-358-5051;
Twitter: Ca bhender
k
BY CATHERINE RAMPELL
BERLIN I'm in a different coun-
try, but sometimes it feels like I'm on
a different planet. I realize that's a
cliche, but in a way it's true. The
planet comes up in Germany a lot,
and it doesn't sound anything like
the one I live on in the United States.
At home, our planet is doing more
or less OK. And if it's not — if, in-
stead, the climate is slowly changing
— there's not much we can do about
it. A third of Americans say that cli-
mate change is not a serious problem
or not a problem at all, according to a
recent YouGov survey. Just one in 10
Germans feels the same way.
It's little wonder why.
In the United States, where Re-
publican politicians compete to out -
doubt each other on the issue, we're
still fighting over
whether school-
children can be
taught that cli-
mate change is
real. In Germany,
children have
been learning
about sustainabil-
ity and climate
change for years.
And the efforts
are only intensify-
ing.
Take Emmy-
Noether- Schule,
an 800 - student
secondary school
in East Berlin I visited recently. Edu-
cators there consider climate change
so pressing that they integrate it into
just about every class you can think
of (including, when the instructor is
so inclined, Latin). About one -quar-
ter of the content in the 10th -grade
English textbook is about threats to
planet Earth. That means when kids
learn to use the conditional mood in
English, their grammar exercises re-
ly on sentences like this: "If we don't
do something about global warming,
more polar ice will start to melt."
IE
e change
6/i //is Al-0
plain the vast, vecaf network of con-
spiracy theorists who believe that 97
percent of climate scientists have
been hoaxing the world — and who
have created a parallel universe of
pseudoscience to prove it.
"That just seems unimaginable,"
another student declared.
It's easy to write off this reaction as
unique to crunchy - granola East Berlin,
which is kind of the Berkeley of Ger-
many. But the textbook I mentioned
is used throughout the country, and
this summer German education min-
isters will issue guidelines for teach-
ing sustainability in English, French,
Spanish, the visual arts, music, his-
tory, mathematics, biology, chemis-
try, physics and even phys -ed. And
similar efforts are underway in devel-
oping economies
such as the Do-
minican Republic,
South Africa, Viet-
nam, Kenya and
Mauritius, ac-
cording to Alexan-
der Leicht, UNES-
CO'S chief of the
Education for Sus-
tainable Develop-
ment section.
In France, as in
Likewise, in an tlth -grade geography
class dedicated entirely to sustainabil-
ity, students write poetry about "kli-
mawandel" (climate change). My fa-
vorite couplet, from an ode by stu-
dent Hannah Carsted: "The water
level rises/ The fish are in a crisis."
During my visit, Hannah and her
classmates asked me about U.S.
skepticism on an issue that, as far as
the rest of the world is concerned,
seems fairly settled. Why haven't
Americans been chastened by ex-
treme weather events, such as Super -
storm Sandy or the California
drought (yes, they knew about
both), that are predicted to prolifer-
ate if we do nothing to curb carbon
emissions? Why don't we believe
what scientists tell us? I tried to ex-
Germany, course
work on sustaina-
bility and climate
change has been
part of most
schools' curricula for a while — partly
the result of a 1992 U.N. treaty that
the United States also signed, then
ignored. And as France gears up to
host a major U.N. climate conference
Nov. 30 -Dec. 11, education officials
are exploring whether to require ev-
ery French school to conduct its own
model- U.N. -style simulated negotia-
tion in which students play -act inter-
national negotiations on emissions
targets, then learn what happens to
our (shared) planet as their efforts
succeed. Or, perhaps more likely,
stall.
The American public seems a bit
less interested in those U.N. pro-
ceedings, let alone in simulating
them in schools nationwide. The
French foreign minister warned re-
cently that the talks will be ham-
strung by the toxicity of the issue in
the United States. Which seems true
enough; in that YouGov survey,
which was conducted in 15 countries
across four continents, Americans
were not only most likely to express
indifference about climate change,
we were also most likely to say our
own government was already "doing
too much" to stop it.
What intrusive government inter-
ventions could these Americans pos-
sibly be referring to? That, dear
friends, remains unimaginable.
WASHINGTON POST WRITERS GROUP
How to W*1n the Battle of e Bugs
You don't need harsh chemicals to keep the biters at bay. We reveal new, safer options.
OULD YOU RATHER be eaten alive by mosquitoes
and ticks that can carry debilitating —and even
deadly— diseases or douse yourself in harmful
repellents full of potentially dangerous chemi-
cals? Almost three - quarters of Americans say
they worry more about insect - carried diseases,
such as Lyme and West Nile as well as newer threats like chikun-
gunya and Powassan, according to a recent Consumer Reports
survey of 2,011 U.S. adults.
Here's the real dilemma, though: Most people also say that
safety is key when they choose a repellent, but only about a
third think the products now on the market are safe for adults.
Even fewer -23 percent —think the repellents are safe for kids.
If you're conflicted about what to do, we have good news: For the
first time ever in Consumer Reports' tests of insect repellents,
new, safer products —made with milder, plantlike chemicals —were
the most effective. (See Ratings on page 36.) The top scorers
outperformed products that contained deet, a chemical that did
best in our previous Ratings but can cause serious side effects
(see the facing page). The active ingredients in the top repellents
are picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus, both chemically syn-
thesized compounds that are similar to or come from natural
ingredients. The secret sauce in best - scoring Sawyer Fisherman's
Formula is picaridin; in Repel Lemon Eucalyptus, it's oil of lemon
eucalyptus. They are not side -effect -free, but "those problems
are much less severe than deet," says Urvashi Rangan, Ph.D.,
executive director of Consumer Reports' Food Safety and Sus -
tainability Center. "Still, all repellents should be used sparingly
and only for the time you need them— especially on children
and older people."
That's why an effective bug- avoidance strategy requires a full
arsenal. Our new tests provide clarity on that, too, identifying
non - chemical approaches that offer some relief (setting up a fan
on your back patio, for example) and those that don't help much
if at all (think citronella candles, wristbands, and "all- natural"
products with geraniol, lemongrass, and rosemary oils).
The Swat Team Bares Arms
To find effective spray -on repellents, we went to an outside lab
and tested 15 pump sprays and aerosols. The products contained
34 JULY 2015 PHOTOGRAPH BY TRAVIS RATHBONE
deet, oil of lemon eucalyptus, picaridin,
a chemical called IR3535, and products
made with natural plant oils.
Our brave testers had a different repel-
lent applied to each of their forearms and,
30 minutes later, reached into an 8- cubic-
foot cage containing 200 disease -free,
female mosquitoes in need of a blood
meal to lay their eggs. We used culex
mosquitoes (the kind that transmit West
Nile and are most active between dusk
and dawn) and aedes (a variety that likes
to feed on humans, is active all day long,
and carries chikungunya). Our experts
watched and recorded bites every hour.
A repellent failed if a tester was bitten
two or more times in one 5- minute ses-
sion, or once in two consecutive sessions.
For ticks, we marked each tester's bare
arms with three lines, then released, one
at a time, five disease -free deer ticks to
crawl on them. The repellent failed if two
ticks crossed into the treated area.
What Bugs a Bug Most?
The top - performing products contained
20 percent picaridin (Sawyer Fisherman's
Formula) and 30 percent oil of lemon eu-
calyptus (Repel Lemon Eucalyptus). They
kept mosquitoes and ticks away for at least
7 hours. Two deet products also earned at
least Very Good scores, and the repellent
that was 15 percent deet (Repel Scented
Family) outperformed the 25 percent deet
product (Off! Deep Woods VIII), possibly
because of its inactive ingredients. The
IR3535 products, Coleman SkinSmart and
BullFrog Mosquito Coast, didn't make
our list of top sprays. Some of the plant -
oil products couldn't ward off the aedes
mosquitoes for even half an hour. To see
the bugs in action on our testers' arms, go
to ConsumerReports .org/cro / insectsO715.
Repellents: The Bottom Line
GO PLANTLIKE Look first for products
with 20 percent picaridin or 30 percent
oil of lemon eucalyptus; we think they're
safer than those with deet.
LIMIT DEFT If you do opt for deet, avoid
concentrations of more than 30 percent
(which are potentially dangerous) or below
8 percent (which may not work as well).
SKIP THESE Don't bother with "all- natural"
plant -oil repellents. Skip wristbands, too.
Neither worked well in our tests.
We tried a candle, a diffuser, and a fan. Here's what worked.
TO FIND OUT HOW WELL area repellents
worked, we simulated a backyard barbecue
in a 25x30 -foot room and unleashed 250
aedes mosquitoes, known to be aggres-
sive biters. We suited up four testers in
protective suits and sat them at a "picnic"
table, where we lit an Off! Citronella Bucket,
$8.50, containing a candle with 0.5 percent
oil of citronella. Then we counted how
often mosquitoes landed on them. We
tested again with the Bug Band Portable
Diffuser, $20, which uses a battery -
operated blower to propel the scent of
20 percent geraniol, another plant oil.
Last, we cranked up an oscillating pedes-
tal fan to its highest speed to see whether
it could literally blow mosquitoes away.
What we found. Neither the citronella
bucket nor the geraniol diffuser kept the
mosquitoes at bay. But the fan showed
some promise: It cut mosquito landings by
45 to 65 percent, at least among people
sitting close to the fan. Our survey found
similar results: 45 percent of people who
used fans said they were especially helpful,
compared with 31 percent of those who
tried candles. What else can you do? Clean
out gutters and empty old tires and bird-
baths (where mosquitoes breed) and clear
away ivy and decaying leaves (where they
hide). For ticks, keep your lawn mowed,
remove leaves, and let in as much sun as
you can. Consider fencing, to keep out
deer and other animals that carry ticks.
The Scoop on Deet and Its Alternatives
DEFT (N, N- diethyl- meta - toluamide) has
been the go -to insect repellent since it was
introduced in the 1950s. But consumers are
still confused by it: 64 percent of people
we surveyed admit that they don't know
how much deet a repellent should contain
for it to be considered safe. And balancing
safety and effectiveness is tricky. Products
with 15 percent or more deet do work,
though concentrations above 30 percent
are no better, past tests have found. And
deet, especially in high concentrations, can
cause rashes, disorientation, and seizures.
That's why we say you should avoid repel-
lents with more than 30 percent deet and
not use it at all on babies younger than
2 months. But go too low —such as 7 per-
cent deet —and it won't stop bites for long.
PICARIDIN AND OIL OF LEMON
EUCALYPTUS —two repellents intro-
duced in the last decade —make good
alternatives to deet. Here's why.
They work. The repellents we tested
that contain 20 percent picaridin and
30 percent oil of lemon eucalyptus
(p- Menthane- 3,8 -diol) warded off
mosquitoes for at least 7 hours and kept
deer ticks away for at least 6 hours. But
the concentration is important: A spray
that contained just 5 percent picaridin
performed worse than the 7 percent deet
product we tested.
They're safer. Picaridin is made to
resemble the compound piperine, which
occurs naturally in black pepper plants.
Oil of lemon eucalyptus comes from
the gum eucalyptus tree. Both have
less serious side effects than deet has.
Oil of lemon eucalyptus can cause
temporary eye injury. The Food and
Drug Administration says it should not
be used on children under age 3. Of the
two, picaridin is a better choice for kids,
although it can cause some irritation of
skin, eyes, and lungs.
ILLUSTRATIONS BY OLIVER MUNDAY CONSUMER REPORTS 35
,}
TRY THESE
AVOID
,,
THESE
REPELLENTS
FNATURAL
ON'T DO THE JOBS
I
oducts with natural plant s, such as citronella, lemon -,
<.,
,
grass, and rosemary, often
have labels that talk a good
p1 Sawyer A2 Repel A3 Repel A4 Natrapel
y
A5 Off! A14 Off! A15 EcoSmart
game, with claims such as
"proven effective" or `repels
Ratings: Insect Repellents
mosquitoes for hours." But
Scores in context: Of the 15 insect repellents we tested, the highest scored 96; the lowest, 7.
don't believe it. Unlike
performance.
All products are listed in order of p
repellents with chemically
synthesized ingredients
p CR Best Buy E Recommended
Fair •
Excellent b Very Good O Good O Poor
(including picaridin and oil of
lemon eucalyptus), plant -oil
INSECT REPELLENTS
products are exempt from
y y y y y ti
scrutiny by the Environmental
9
T v dE
i- d5� d•5� my E};
1, Protection Agency. That's
E
a '- '- o n
'� •� PF
because the EPA considers
W
them "minimum risk." But none
D; a
of those products we tested
lasted more than 1 hour against
sawyer Fisherman's $8,25 2.06
1 `
96 Picaridin 20% Pump 8.0 80 8.5 O
aedes mosquitoes, and Some
Formula Picaridin
Oil of lemon Pump 7.0 8.0 73
failed almost immediately. In
Q✓ 2 Repel Lemon Eucalyptus $7 1.75
87 eucalyptus 30/
addition, the names of two
BabyganiCS Natural
�✓ ted Family $7.50 1.15
3 Repel Scen
82 Deet 15% Aerosol 5.0 8.0 8.5 Q
products-
and EcoSmart Organic -imply
Fv� 4 Natrapel Hour $8 1.33
81 Picaridin 20% Aerosol 7.8 8.0 6.0 Q
that they're organic. But
neither contains certified
R✓ 5 'Off! Deep Woods VIII $7 1.75
74 Deet 25/ Aerosol 8.0 8.0 4.9 ; O;
organic ingredients or bears
6 Coleman SkinSmart $s 1.33
69 IR353520/ Aerosol 3.1 6.0 8.2 O
the Department of Agriculture
organic seal.
7 'CutterSkinsations $4.50 0.75':
33 Deet 7% Pump 1.3 2.9 6.0 , O
WRISTBANDS
8 Cutter Natural $5.50 0.92
29 Plant oils Pump 0.9 0.6 79
ARE A BUST
9 Burt's Bees Herbal - $8 2.00
28 Plant oils Pump 1.0 , 1.3 ' 6.2 '
They're marketed as being
10 Babyganics Natural $9 1.50
25 Plant oils Pump 0.5 1.0 68
safer, because you don't have
to rub anything into your skin.
11 BullFrog Mosquito Coast $8 1.33
25 IR3535 20/ 'Aerosol -0.8 3.5 4.7 O,
But when our testers stuck
p Terrain Kids Herbal
All $9 2.25
23 Plant oils Pump 0.6 1.1 6.6 O
their arms into a cagefuf of
12
mosquitoes while wearing one
California Baby Natural $15.50 2.38
22 Plant oils i P 0.5 0.5 6.7 ;
of two wristbands -the Cole-
13 Bug Blend
man Naturals Insect Repellent
Off! FamilyCare II Clean $6 1.00
18 Picaridin 5% Pump 0.5 0.9 5.2
Snap Band (containing citro
nella oil) or the Super Band
14 Feel
15 EcoSmart Organic* $7 1.17
7 Plant otls ! Pump 0.5 0.5 1.3 ,
Wristband (containing geraniol
oil) -the bugs started biting
*Does not contain certified organic ingredients.
immediately. Given those
results, we've rated them as
Find the Best Insect Repellent for You
poor performers and recom-
mend that you skip them.
BEST ALL - AROUND
EucaI tus um was least likely to damage
yp pump
In February the Federal Trade
• 1 Sawyer Fisherman's Formula
or discolor materials. But it did take off
Commission charged another
Picaridin $8.25
nail polish.
p
maker of repellent wristbands,
Viatek, with deceptive market-
This pump spray stood out in several ways.
PLEASANT SCENT AND FEEL
ing of its Mosquito Shield Bands,
It protected for 8 hours against mosquitoes,
® 2 Repel Lemon Eucalyptus $7
which the FTC says contain
including the aggressive ones that spread
. 4 Natrapel 8 Hour $8
mint oil. The FTC says the
chikungunya. And it protected for more than , 5 Off! Deep Woods VIII $7
company's claim that the bands
8 hours against ticks. It also has less serious
When it comes to scent and feel, these stood
protect against mosquitoes
side effects, especially for kids. The only
It's a little pricey, and it discolored out. The Repel had a mostly eucalyptus scent
wasn't backed up with scientific
negatives:
leather vinyl and removed nail polish.
with a hint of lemon, and it was slightly oily.
evidence. The case will be
and
The Natrapel had a floral perfumey aroma,
decided by a U.S. District Court;
b
LESS LIKELY TO STAIN
and it was oily. The Off had a mild aroma that
the FTC seeking penalties
• 2 Repel Lemon Eucalyptus $7
was mostly floral and a little fruity. It left a
and consumer refunds.
Of the top repellents, the Repel Lemon
thin, dry coating.
36 JULY 2015
Don't Spray It on Your Face, and ter Tips
Proper use is essential, even with safer
repellents. That means:
• Apply repellents only to exposed skin or
clothing (as directed on the product label).
Never put it on under clothing. Use just
enough to cover and only for as long as
needed; heavy doses don't work better.
• Don't apply repellents over cuts, wounds,
or irritated skin.
• When applying to your face, spray first on
your hands, then rub in, avoiding your eyes
and mouth, and using sparingly around ears.
• Don't let young children apply. Instead, put
it on your own hands, then rub it on. Limit
. Danger ■ Bite
MOSQUITO -BORNE DISEASES
West Nile was reported in 47 states last year
and killed 85 people in the U.S. Chikungunya
isn't as widespread — yet —or as deadly. Of
the almost 2,500 cases reported in the
continental U.S. since January 2014, there
were no deaths, and only 11 cases were from
bites received in the continental U.S. (all in
Florida). The rest were brought back from the
Caribbean, Asia, or Africa. But experts worry
that chikungunya may be prone to large
outbreaks in urban settings. The mosquitoes
that carry it bite all day long. Plus, roughly
70 to 90 percent of infected people develop
symptoms, compared with 20 percent of
those infected with West Nile.
WHAT TO DO See a doctor if you develop
signs of either disease: fever, headache, and
body aches for West Nile; and fever and joint
pain for chikungunya. Both are viral, so anti-
biotics won't help. But over - the - counter pain
relievers can ease symptoms.
TICK -BORNE DISEASES
Lyme disease affects about 300,000 people
each year, mostly in the Northeast and Upper
Midwest. But that geographic reach is expand-
ing, and doctors in new areas may be less familiar
with the disease. Other tick - related diseases in-
clude Rocky Mountain spotted fever, most often
in North Carolina, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennes-
see, and Missouri; babesiosis, in the Northeast
and Upper Midwest; ehrlichiosis, in the Midwest
and South; and an emerging virus, Powassan,
mainly in the Northeast and Great Lakes region.
WHAT TO DO See a doctor if you develop a
bull's -eye rash accompanied by flu -like symp-
toms, which indicates Lyme. Prompt treatment
can stop the infection and prevent more seri-
ous complications, such as joint pain and facial
paralysis (Lyme disease); heart, joint, or kidney
failure (Rocky Mountain spotted fever); blood
clots and bleeding (babesiosis); difficulty
breathing or bleeding disorders (ehrlichiosis);
and neurological problems ( Powassan).
use on children's hands, because they often
put their hands in their eyes and mouths.
• Don't use near food, and wash hands after
application and before eating or drinking.
• At the end of the day, wash treated skin
with soap and water, and wash treated cloth-
ing in a separate wash before wearing again.
SKIP
COMBO
PRODUCTS
Repellents
with sun-
screen aren't
a good idea.
The Deal With
Skin So Soft
How did a bath oil develop
a reputation as an insect
repellent? Avon's Skin So Soft
makes no repellent claims,
and its ingredients — mineral
oil and emollients —are purely
cosmetic. But because it had
so many fans, we tested the
pump spray —in 1993 —and
found that it did not fend
off mosquitoes at all. Other
Skin So Soft products are
now marketed as repellents.
One, Skin So Soft Bug Guard
Plus IR3535 Expedition,
combines a repellent with
sunscreen. But we think
such products are a bad
idea: Sunscreens should be
applied liberally and often,
so the combo could lead to
unnecessarily high doses of
the repellent. We haven't yet
tested Avon's stand -alone
repellent, Skin So Soft Bug
Guard Plus Picaridin, but
we plan to include it in our
next round of testing. That
product contains just 10 per-
cent picaridin. In our tests
of similar products, the two
with 20 percent picaridin
performed very well, and the
one with 5 percent didn't.
CONSUMER REPORTS 37
r ,
r
Voeante 6, Naxt6er 2
IN THIS ISSUE ...
"Are Stormwater BMPs a
Source of Mosquitos? .......... 1
"Aquatic Insects Can Indicate
Water Quality ......................2
NEWS & EVENTS...
Festival for the Eno
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 4 -5
For more information, visit
www.enoriver.org/festival/
Eno River pilot study using
herbicide to treat invasive
plant hydrilla began May 29
For more information, visit
http://nc-ipc.weebly.com/eno-
river- hydriIla- project. html
This is a publication of the ...
Town of Hillsborough
Stormwater Management
Program
Issues available online at
www. ci. hillsborough. nc. us.
Our Storntwater Draims
to tie 49No River!
Jaey 2016
Are Stormwater BMPs a Source of Mosquitos?
By Haley Moser, Stormwater Intern
Citizens often believe that
engineered stormwater con-
trols — or "best management
practices" (BMPs) — are
breeding grounds for mosqui-
tos.
"I get asked about this a
lot," Stormwater Program Man-
T
ager erry Hackett says.
"While BMPs can foster an en-
vironment for mosquitoes, those that are designed and maintained correctly gener-
ally do not have any issues with the insects."
The BMPs that foster mosquito growth are designed to hold permanent water,
such as retention ponds or underground basins. The stagnant water in these envi-
ronments provides an ideal breeding location since mosquitoes require a minimum
of four consecutive days of uninterrupted still water for larvae to hatch to adult-
hood. To combat mosquito growth, design features can be implemented into BMPs
as a proactive measure against mosquitos. The most common design feature is
the use of a deep pool, a water body with a minimum depth of 18 inches. The
depth of such pools allows for predators, such as the mosquito fish, which survive
by finding and eating mosquito larvae in the four -day development period. Another
benefit of deep pools is they can aid in water flow if spread throughout a BMP.
Moving water deters mosquitos from breeding as it creates an unsafe environment
for the larvae.
Mosquitos continued on Page 2
Mosquitos continued from Page I
So what about town -owned stormwater BMPs? Recently, town storm -
water staff conducted aquatic sampling surveys of the stormwater wetland at
Gold Park. Different areas throughout the wetland were sampled, and the
species found were recorded along with their relative abundance. Results are
provided in the table on Page 1. No mosquito larvae or pupae were found
during the survey.
For more information, visit: www.ci.hillsborough.nc.us /content /stormwater-
management.