HomeMy WebLinkAboutCFE agenda 081318AGENDA
Orange County Commission for the Environment
August 13, 2018
7:30 p.m.
Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill
Time Item Title
7:30 I. Call to Order
7:32 II. Additions or Changes to Agenda
7:35 III. Approval of Draft Minutes — May 14th and June 11th 2018
The CFE will consider approval of minutes from the May and June meetings. Action needed
(Attachments 1 and 2)
7:40 IV. Roadside Wildflower Conservation
The CFE will consider this request. Action needed. (Attachments 3 -9)
8:00 V. Committee Meetings
Following a brief presentation and consideration of formatting options, CFE Committees will meet
to discuss planning for the 2019 SOE, including reviewing possible indicators. (Attachments 10
and 11)
9:00 VI. Updates and Information Items
Staff and /or CFE members will provide updates on the following items:
➢ Continuing Action Items from previous CFE meetings:
➢ Updates:
➢ DEAPR Photo Contest Winners.,
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httos.•/ /www. flickr. com/ photos/ 60855337ON05 1albums/72157698511617955
➢ T700G Presentation Regarding the Town of Hillsborough's Clean Energy
Resolution:
https. / /www. hillsborou�go v/ media /documents /public /hillsborough- clean-
eneroy- resolution. odf
➢ Any other new information from CFE members and staff
VII. Adjournment
• Next Meeting: September 10th, Richard Whitted
Building, 300 West Tryon Street, Hillsborough
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
5. Strive to reach consensus first before voting
Activities the CFE expects to carry out in 2oi8:
• Continue to plan for and prepare the 2019 State of the Environment report
• Continue to prepare articles on environmental issues of importance to Orange
County, including climate change, energy conservation, and other important topics.
• Recommend ways to reduce the County's "carbon footprint" and ways to implement
the County's Environmental Responsibility Goal (BOCC Priority #10)
• Participate in a County effort to identify and preserve important landscape corridors
that connect significant natural areas and open space (BOCC Priority #1)
• Co- sponsor the annual DEAPR photography contest (The Nature of Orange).
• Participate in the County's annual Earth Evening event.
Concerns or emerging issues the CFE has identified for 2018:
• Water Supply — Strive to educate county residents about their source of water,
especially those residents utilizing groundwater for their supply.
• Request the BOCC sign on to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and
Energy, which includes committing to completing a greenhouse gas inventory within
a year. Upon signing, the committee will assist staff, as appropriate, with the
associated Greenhouse Gas inventory update and climate action planning.
• The CFE will continue to learn about environmental justice matters and incorporate
relevant information and considerations in the next State of the Environment report
(2019) and its other activities.
• Develop plan for researching potential environmental impacts of the rural buffer.
• Develop methodology for monitoring changes in forest cover /land cover in Orange
County and also tie into the "No Net Loss of Tree Canopy" petition.
Attachment 1
Orange County Commission for the Environment
Draft Meeting Summary
May 14, 2018
Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill
Present: Bradley Saul (Chair), Bill Kaiser (Vice Chair), Bill Ward, Will Stanley, Kim
Piracci, Alan Parry, Matt Crook, Jeremy Marzuola, Jody Eimers, Laura
Doherty, Jim Eichel, Carrie Fletcher
Absent: Bill Newby, Lynne Gronback
Staff: Tom Davis, Brennan Bouma
Call to Order — Saul called the meeting to order at 7:30.
II. Additions or Changes to Agenda — New members Jim Eichel and Carrie
Fletcher introduced themselves to the group. Saul provided a brief update on his
discussion with the BOCC at the Annual Advisory Board Work Session on May
3rd. Commissioners indicated they were in favor of receiving resolutions from the
CFE to consider. The Commissioners also provided feedback on their
preferences for the upcoming SOE report.
III. Approval of Draft Minutes from April 9, 2018. Saul offered one edit to the draft
minutes. Parry made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Marzuola
seconded. Approved unanimously.
IV. SOE 2019 Recommendations and Planning
Bouma provided some background on previous State of the Environment (SOE)
reports, including statement by D. Stancil 6 months ago that the SOE should be
updated. For last few months the CFE has been considering potential formats
for the report, and UNC capstone students have been working on a project to
evaluate potential environmental indicators to sue in the report. The
methodology the students used was discussed, including that they used 19
criteria to review potential indicators, compiled 71 candidate indicators and
whittled these down to 45 selected criteria, which included 18 that were used in
the 2014 SOE report. The CFE can now review the candidate indicators provided
by the UNC students and decide how to proceed.
The UNC students also looked at the formats used in 6 similar reports, and gave
some insight into what they liked and disliked about several of the reports. The
primary audience for the report is the county commissioners. There was some
discussion of specific indicators and Saul stated that the CFE committees need
to look at the indicators and consider their use or not. Bouma reminded the CFE
that there is one more meeting before summer break. Saul suggested that we
Attachment 1
consider the end point and work back from that point to figure out a timeline for
the development of the SOE. Historically the SOE has been completed in the
spring, around earth day.
Discussion ensued of using UNC journalism students to produce report. Bouma
reminded that the report needs to contain "actionable info for decision makers ".
He suggested that the CFE use existing committee structure to review candidate
indicators, look at available data, see if that naturally leads to some degree of
format, and then come up with a draft timeline on how to proceed. There was
interest in trying to use a student intern to help with the report. Ward suggested
the report could include actionable items for BOCC or citizens to proceed- maybe
include timetable for how to proceed? Marzuola suggested we could try to frame
all the action items according to climate change policy. Ward said we could
consider impact moving forward with regard to indicators and data and asked if
the CFE could maybe get feedback at some point in the process from the County
Manager or some other administrative staff to provide a litmus test concerning
the draft recommendations of the report. Eichel suggested that maybe the CFE
should target a few key points that can be updated more frequently than every 5
years. Saul recommended that the committees start looking into these ideas,
and proposed that the CFE draft a timeline of SOE steps by the next CFE
meeting.
V. Discussion of Draft Divestment Resolution
Ward led the discussion of the draft resolution; basically provides economic
arguments as to why the NC state treasurer should eliminate investments of
state funds in fossil fuel companies. He contacted someone with 350.org, but
they did not know of other communities that may have considered or adopted a
similar resolution. Representative P. Harrison provided him a draft resolution
that she may propose in NC legislature. Ward is not sure if similar efforts are
taking place elsewhere in the state. He also spoke with Sally Green, incoming
county commissioner about this. Crook suggested the resolution touch on the
core values listed on the state treasurers web site. Marzoula proposed
approving the draft resolution as written with the inclusion of some edits as
discussed by the group. This was seconded by Eichel and approved
unanimously.
VI. Anti - Idling Campaign Petition — Bouma provided some background information
on this petition from a member of the BOCC. He provided a list of possible steps
for the CFE to consider including who would be the target audience; would an
ongoing outreach effort be more productive than a short term campaign?
Education should be focus- possibly aimed at the use of drive thru lanes and
idling at local schools. CFE could also consider a policy that would target county
vehicles. Bouma reported that a previous idle reduction effort was not
successful, but the county could purchase and install devices to monitor idling on
individual county vehicles. He reminded the group that the deadline to report
back to the BOCC on this item is May 31 st. Bouma and Chapel Hill - Carrboro
City Schools staff recommended developing and then sending a letter about the
Attachment 1
consequences of idling vehicles to school parents, and obtaining signage to post
at schools. The CFE could also establish some county messaging as part of this
campaign, or put together a public service announcement to broadcast on a local
radio station during lunchtime. There are only 2 more BOCC meetings where an
item could be presented to BOCC for their consideration before the summer
break. There was considerable discussion of possible ways to proceed. Crook
suggested that the CFE could develop a challenge for schools to implement.
Perhaps school PTAs could undertake this effort in elementary schools, and
clubs could lead it in the high schools. Additionally, some sort of competition
amongst schools could be encouraged. The CFE could provide some relevant
science in support of this effort. Piracci moved that the CFE adopt the framework
compiled by Bouma and shown on a PowerPoint slide. This was seconded by
Parry and this framework was adopted unanimously. There needs to be some
was to measure the success of this effort. The CFE decided that Bouma should
lead the effort and the CFE should provide ongoing support.
VII. Roadside Wildflower Conservation — Given the late hour, a motion was made
by Ward to table this discussion. Seconded by Parry. Unanimously approved.
VIII. Committee Meetings — Brief committee meetings were held to discuss the draft
list of potential SOE indicators provided by the UNC capstone students.
IX. Updates and Information Items — information on the following items was
provided:
• New Solar Energy Rebates
• Political Candidates Not Accepting Funds from Fossil Fuel Companies:
http: / /nofossilfuelmoney.org /pledge - signers/
• Eno River Association Confluence Property Grand Opening May 5th 10:00
am
X. Adjournment — Marzoula motioned to adjourn, and Parry seconded. Unanimous
approval and meeting adjourned at 9:30.
Attachment 1
Orange County Commission for the Environment
Draft Meeting Summary
June 11, 2018
Richard Whitted Building, 300 West Tryon Street, Hillsborough
Present: Bradley Saul (Chair), Jim Eichel, Carrie Fletcher, Will Stanley, Lynne
Gronback, Laura Doherty, Emily Mixon
Absent: Bill Kaiser (Vice Chair), Kim Piracci, Matt Crook, Jeremy Marzuola, Bill
Newby, Bill Ward, Alan Parry, Jody Eimers,
Staff: Brennan Bouma, Kim Livingston
I. Call to Order — Saul called the meeting to order at 7:30.
II. Additions or Changes to Agenda —The approval of Draft Minutes from May14th
and The Roadside Wildflower item were both postponed due to the lack of a
quorum. Also a group discussion on State of the Environment (SOE) Indicators
took the place of Committee Meetings.
III. Approval of Draft Minutes from May 14th, 2018 - Postponed due to no quorum
IV. Roadside Wildflower Conservation - Postponed due to lack of quorum
V. Committee Meetings
Following a presentation on the 2019 State of the Environment (SOE) update process,
new CFE members chose the Committee's they would join. Staff encouraged new
members to consider committees with fewer members. Laura Doherty and Jim Eichel
selected the Air and Energy Committee. Emily Mixon selected the Water Committee.
CFE members discussed planning for the 2019 SOE. Saul shared the guidance from
the BOCC that he received on behalf of the CFE that the CFE create something brief
and clear and easy to update more regularly. Saul also interpreted a request by the
BOCC for the State of the Environment report to illustrate "local signs of climate
change." Saul said that they were looking for changes our local environment that you
can point to as impacts of climate change. An example of this would be an eruption of
certain kinds of bugs more common in warmer climate zones.
Several CFE members also expressed a desire to settle on a good set of indicators that
would be relevant in the future so that we could track changes over time.
Stanley commented that the choice of a format for the SOE will have a bearing on the
selection of indicators. Saul suggested that the CFE could have a larger report and /or a
larger set of screening indicators and then summarize further to a condensed product
that focuses on the most salient or actionable findings. Gronback reminded everyone
Attachment 1
that the Commissioners are interested in something brief, and that websites may be
helpful and reduce paper waste, but they still need to be created and maintained.
The discussion then focused on reviewing the list of possible indicators generated by
the UNC students the CFE worked with in the Spring. Each committee had met or
emailed in the interim between regular CFE meetings to select a few priority indicators,
and they reported on their discussions to be entered into the public record:
Water Committee:
Stanley reported that he had emailed with Kaiser to discuss indicators. They may be
interested in replacing groundwater level data with groundwater use if the data is
available. Fletcher mentioned that a well permit database is available.
They also said that Acid Deposition and Proximity to Waste Treatment facilities are not
top priorities in this County.
Other indicators not yet considered are stream flow, change in provision of water and
sewer service, the temperature of the water and air, amount of precipitation, and
potentially soil moisture.
Land Committee:
The members discussed their interest in removing the biosolids indicator and made a
comment that a portion of their indicators such as population change could be moved
into a general indicators section, and that there is some overlap with solid waste.
Air and Energy Committee:
Due to the minimal attendance of committee members, Saul led a review of the email
that this committee sent with their priority indicators. This committee had a specific
interest in removing the lead paint indicator and at least changing the energy prices
indicator and limiting to just a few that could be updated more frequently. Surveys could
be used to get a representative sample of some of the indicators they selected. They
also mentioned that there will also be a tool rollout in the Fall where the basic
information to input into the ICLEI ClearPath tool will be available across the Country.
[Additional detailed comments were added to the indicator spreadsheet attached
to these minutes.]
VI. Updates and Information Items
• CFE Idle Reduction Memo (Attachment 11)
Bouma gave an update on the No Idling Campaign Petition. Bouma said that the
CFE's recommendations had been passed back to David Stancil and he intends
to get Manager input as well before making a response to the Board of Orange
County Commissioners (BOCC).
VII. Adjournment — Saul adjourned the meeting at 9:44.
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To: Barry Jacobs, Chair
Board of County Commissioners
From: Hervey McIver and Johnny Randall, Co- Chairs
Date: December 4, 2006
Re: Comments from the Commission for the Environment Regarding
the Use of Herbicides in Utility and Roadside Rights -of -Way
In September, the Board of Orange County Commissioners referred to the
Commission for the Environment (CfE) for comment concerns raised by citizens
regarding herbicide use by Duke Power within their powerline rights -of -way
alongside a public road. This memo expresses the thoughts and recommendations
of the CfE on herbicide use in general and on the value of rights -of -way as wildlife
and native plant habitat.
In recent years, utility companies maintaining rights -of -way have moved away
from mowing to the use of herbicides for controlling woody vegetation. The NC DOT
(to a limited extent) and railroad companies also use herbicides to control woody
vegetation within their rights -of -way. The use of herbicides to control woody
vegetation is becoming more common because of cost (labor and equipment) and
logistical (steep slopes and vehicular access) issues.
In response to an inquiry into the Duke Power incident, a company
representative stated in an e-mail that, in the case in question, a combination of
Accord concentrate (diluted to 3.1 %) and Arsenal was used. Glyphosate is the
active ingredient in Accord and is non - selective in its lethal effect on plants.
Imazapyr, the active ingredient in Arsenal, is a broadleaf- specific herbicide that has
non - selective plant effects through soil activity.
The Commission for the Environment has concerns about herbicide use in all
rights -of -way since even broadleaf- specific herbicides affect non - target plants via
soil activity. The loss of vegetation on these sites has negative impacts on the
environment and natural diversity.
Our specific concerns are outlined below.
1. Roadsides and utility rights -of -way represent a documented refugium
for many common and rare native grasses and herbaceous plants that
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are adapted to the open habitats once maintained by fire and grazing.
Prior to European settlement much of Orange County was
predominated by prairie -like and open woodland ecosystems
maintained by frequent, low- intensity, fires and grazing (by buffalo).
Mowing has been the standard roadside management tool for over a
century and is still commonly used across the US, which to a large
extent mimics the effects of fire and grazing by removing woody plants.
Herbicide use, therefore, threatens these remnant ecosystems within
rights -of -way.
2. Application of herbicides, even those that target broadleaf and woody
plants, can kill grasses and other monocots through soil activity. In
addition to refugium disruption, soil erosion is greatly increased without
a consistent herbaceous plant cover.
3. Rights -of -way are vulnerable to invasive plant colonization, which is
compounded when gaps are created with herbicide use. Invasive
plants are a serious threat to native plant communities, and their
colonization and spread should be discouraged.
4. Herbicide application often results in unavoidable, inadvertent, or
careless drift onto non - target plants outside the right -of -way.
(Herbicide drift is the reason that the herbicide complaint was made to
the County Commissioners in the first place.) While applicators must
be State certified, there are inevitably mistakes made, such as
excessive drift and overspray.
5. Rights -of -way with dead or dying plants during the growing season are
an aesthetic concern. The NC DOT Roadside Environmental Unit's
mission is: "To provide roadside elements for a statewide highway
system that are safe, environmentally sound, attractive and responsive
to the public's needs." The Orange County CIE fully endorses this goal
and believes that a no herbicide policy best supports the Roadside
Environmental Unit's mission.
Recommendations: The CIE recommends that the County engage all
companies and public agencies that use herbicides to control woody
vegetation in order to determine: 1) what herbicides are used and in what
manner, 2) what are the limitations of returning to mechanical rights -of -way
clearing, and 3) the locations of rare plants, specialized plant communities,
and sensitive ecosystems (e.g., stream sides) that should only be maintained
with mowing or hand - cutting.
These discussions should seek to remediate our concerns and lead to
changes in woody vegetation control practices. These talks should be
coordinated, if possible, with any similar existing negotiations between
concerned governmental agencies such as the NC Natural Heritage Program,
INC Division of Parks and Recreation, NC DOT, and the various utilities.
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INFORMATIONAL ITEM
ORANGE COUNTY
COMMISSION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MEMORANDUM
To: Board of County Commissioners
Frank Clifton, Interim County Manager
From: Johnny Randall and Michelle Kempinski, Co- Chairs
Date: November 17, 2009
Re: Recommendation for Discontinuing the Spraying of Herbicides
on Roadsides and Utility Rights -of -Way in Orange County
Over the past year the Orange County Commission for the Environment (CFE) has
considered the use of herbicides to manage the growth of vegetation along roadsides
and utility rights -of -way. The CFE has also discussed the value of those roadsides
and rights -of -way as habitat for native plants and wildlife.
The attached resolution, adopted by the CFE, recommends that all use of herbicides
to manage roadsides and rights -of -way in Orange County be discontinued, and that
mowing be reinstated as the sole means of managing unwanted growth of trees and
shrubs in those areas.
This resolution is a follow -up to a December 2006 memorandum to the Board of
Commissioners in which the CFE provided thoughts and recommendations on the
use of herbicides on roadsides and utility rights -of -way. A copy of that memorandum
is attached for your reference (Attachment 2).
Members of the Commission for the Environment (CFE) are available to answer any
questions and are willing to present its recommendations at an upcoming Board of
Commissioners meeting.
Attachments
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ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
RESOLUTION
to Discontinue the Spraying of Herbicides
on Roadsides and Utility Rights -of -Way in Orange County, NC
WHEREAS the roadsides and utility rights -of -way of Orange County support
numerous plant species that occur in these open habitats; and
WHEREAS many of these plant species occur no where else In the county except for
roadsides (such as Indian paintbrush and yellow- fringed orchid); and
WHEREAS this particular vegetation assemblage embodies much of the remnant
Piedmont prairie flora and represents a historical pre- European settlement
vegetation; and
WHEREAS the roadsides of Orange County also create habitat for numerous animal
species, possess tremendous aesthetic value, and provide and a sense of place; and
WHEREAS vegetation management using herbicides is causing loss of this
distinctive vegetation and detracting from the aesthetic value of our colorful and
extraordinary roadsides; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Commission for the
Environment recommends to the Orange County Commissioners that all roadside
and rights -of -way management with herbicides be stopped and that mowing be
reinstalled as the sole means of management:
This the 10t" day of November, 2008.
J nny dall, Co -Chair chelle Kem inski, Co -Chair
ommission for the Environment Commission for the Environment
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 19, 2012
Action Agenda
Item No.
SUBJECT: Resolution of Approval — Conserving Native Wildflowers on Roadways
DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No
and Recreation (DEAPR)
ATTACHMENTS INFORMATION CONTACT:
1. Draft resolution David Stancil, 245 -2510
2. Photos of native plants in roadway Rich Shaw, 245 -2514
3. CFE memo & resolution (Nov. 2009)
4. CFE memo (Dec. 2006)
PURPOSE: To consider a resolution to approve of a plan to implement voluntary roadside
management practices that will increase the visibility, enjoyment, and conservation of native
wildflowers along some of the roadways in Orange County.
BACKGROUND: Over the past few years the Commission for the Environment (CFE) has
examined the use of herbicides to control the growth of vegetation on roadsides and utility
rights -of -way, and the adverse effects of herbicides on certain roadsides that provide habitat
for a variety of native plants, some of which are rare in Orange County.
In 2009 the CFE adopted a resolution recommending that all use of herbicides to manage
roadsides and utility rights -of -way be discontinued in Orange County, and that mowing be
reinstated as the sole means of managing unwanted vegetation in those areas. That
resolution was a follow -up to a December 2006 memo to the BOCC in which the CFE
reported on this subject. Copies of those documents are attached.
After further consideration, the CFE is of the opinion that banning the use of herbicides on
roadsides and utility corridors is unlikely, and may not be warranted. Rather than protecting
all roadsides, regardless of their value as habitat for native plants, the CFE recommends a
more prudent approach would be to identify those areas that are uniquely important and work
with landowners and utility managers to conserve them.
The CFE will enlist help from professional biologists to organize a team of volunteers to
survey county roadsides at different periods of the 2012 -13 growing seasons (i.e., early
summer, mid - summer, autumn) to identify areas that are most worthy of protection.
The CFE and other volunteers would contact the landowners and the utilities to request their
cooperation in protecting these areas from herbicide use. They would ask that vegetation in
those areas be controlled by mechanical means (i.e., mowing), which is how all roadsides
used to be maintained. Mowing is currently used on county roadsides where owners have
asked that no herbicides be applied.
2
The CFE requests that the Board authorize the Commission for the Environment and DEAPR
staff to work with the NC Department of Transportation, utility providers, and landowners to
identify and protect high - quality, native plant habitat through voluntary means.
The CFE also requests that the BOCC to consider sending NCDOT and utility companies a
formal request that they refrain from using of herbicides on roadways in Orange County until
these special botanical areas can be identified and protected.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends that the Board consider this request and
provide feedback and direction to the Commission for the Environment and the DEAPR staff.
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION
Conservation of Native Wildflowers along Orange County Roadways
WHEREAS, the natural beauty of native wildflowers in Orange County can be enjoyed by
everyone, can attract guests, and benefit commerce, environmental health, and public well-
being; and
WHEREAS, enjoyment of native wildflowers is an occasion for all County and community
leaders to unite for the benefit of everyone; and
WHEREAS, many naturally beautiful species of native wildflowers, including Indian paintbrush,
yellow wild indigo, and Carolina rose, are already prominently displayed along Orange
County's state and county roadways; and
WHEREAS, increasing the visibility of native wildflowers in Orange County is consistent with
the vision of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan, and goals of many individuals, businesses, and
community-based organizations; and
WHEREAS, the presence of native wildflowers is essential to the fitness of native pollinator
species necessary for productive and profitable farms and forests; and
WHEREAS, it is desirable and attainable to experience the beauty of many more native
wildflowers by reducing the frequency and extent of roadside mowing; and
WHEREAS, State Road 1006 (Orange Grove Road) and State Road 1114 (Buckhorn Road)
are examples of roadways with pilot projects where native wildflowers have been conserved;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners
does hereby commit and encourage others to commit to the conservation of roadside native
wildflowers along the roadways in Orange County, and do hereby authorize the Commission
for the Environment and County staff to work with the NC Department of Transportation, utility
companies, and property owners to plan and implement roadside management practices that
will increase the visibility and enjoyment of North Carolina native wildflowers.
This the 19th day of June, 2012.
Bernadette Pelissier, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
Donna aker, Ctetk to the Board
NORTH CAROLINA
3L, BOTANICAL
GARDEN
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
Dear Orange County Commission for the Environment: November 1, 2017
I met with your advisory group on June 12, 2017, to discuss the efforts to -date on the identification of
Orange County roadsides that have significant native wildflower occurrences. The goal is to provide the Board of
County Commissioners (BOCC) with data to support the 2012 resolution on the Conservation of Native
Wildflowers along Orange County Roadways (attached). The resolution appropriately points out that in addition
to aesthetics, native wildflowers are "essential to the fitness of native pollinator species necessary for productive
and profitable farms and forests."
The Commission for the Environment (CfE), in 2012, recognized that the use of herbicides in the last
decade to control vegetation, rather than by the more traditional mowing method, was harming native
wildflowers. Mowing, even done at the "wrong" time of year (i.e., during flowering), is far preferable to the use
of herbicides. Mowing can actually benefit sun - loving plants (heliophytes) by reducing woody plant cover.
Herbicides, on the other hand, kill wildflowers even when the woody plants are the intended target, which
disrupts pollinator habitat and renders roadsides unsightly.
A recommendation was subsequently submitted by the CfE to the BOCC, who unanimously adopted the
following resolution on June 19, 2012:
The Orange County Board of Commissioners does hereby commit and encourage
others to commit to the conservation of roadside native wildflowers along the roadways
in Orange County, and do hereby authorize the Commission for the Environment and
County staff to work with the NC Department of Transportation, utility companies,
and property owners to plan and implement roadside management practices that will
increase the visibility and enjoyment of North Carolina native wildflowers.
North Carolina Botanical Garden Conservation Department staff and University of North Carolina
Biology Department faculty created a roadside inventory check sheet (attached) that provides a target list of native
wildflowers. A "watch for" list was also prepared for the rare and extirpated plants of Orange County that might
be found on roadsides. Percent cover of each species was also collected as a way to evaluate relative abundance.
North Carolina Botanical Garden Conservation Department biologists took primary responsibility for
collecting these data between 2012 and 2017. Because the detailed roadside inventory was very time consuming,
NCBG staff began a more qualitative approach by driving Orange County roads when target wildflowers were in
bloom.
The inventory groups determined that virtually ALL of the roadsides in Orange County contain
significant stretches of native wildflowers. The inventory groups also saw a notable decrease in wildflower
occurrence over the 5 -year inventory directly attributable to herbicide use.
The NC Department of Transportation appears to use mowing as the primary management tool, whereas
the power companies tend to use herbicides. Although possibly difficult to coordinate, we recommend that
NCDOT partner with the power companies and return to mowing Orange County roadsides.
NCBG Conservation Department biologists are happy to assist with the plans that might be developed to
maintain and celebrate the natural beauty and ecological importance of Orange County roadsides. Thank you for
forwarding this information to the Board of County Commissioners. I am happy to speak with the CfE, Orange
County staff, and BOCC members.
Sincerely,
Johnny Randall, PhD
Director of Conservation
CAMPUS BOX 3375 - CHAPLL HILL, NC 27599 -3375 • 919 -962 -0572 • NCBG.UNC.LDU
Orange County Roadside Wildflowers — Johnny Randall responses to CfE questions
1) Regarding data collection, why try to inventory Orange County roadsides? Why not take a sampling
based approach? E.g. sample from a frame of 500m roadside segments (whatever can be manageably
surveyed). One could stratify by road direction (N -S, E -W), distance to stream, presence of parallel
utility right of way, and so on. This approach could result in a more manageable data collection
process and yield valid estimates roadside wildflower metrics (question 2).
The original roadside inventory plan was to determine where the high - quality (i.e., greatest botanical
diversity) occurs along Orange County roads and rights -of -way. From these data, the BOCC was going to
have an objective means of establishing "no- mow -no- spray' areas. BUT— because we at the Botanical
Garden and our "roadside warriors" found that the vast majority of roadsides left to grow "wild" (i.e.,
not part of someone's yard or business) contained a fabulous array and display of wildflowers. We were
particularly distressed over the effects of herbicides on these areas. Herbicides are killing our
extraordinary roadside wildflowers and transforming these areas to stands of horribly unattractive dead
vegetation.
Your suggestion for a sampling -based approach is certainly one way to gather data on the plant diversity
along roadsides, we do not have the time and resources for further data collection. We therefore
request that the BOCC, through a recommendation from the CfE, help to set up meetings with the
appropriate staff from NCDOT, Duke Energy, Piedmont Electric, and other rights -of -way managers to
discuss alternatives to herbicide use.
And to answer Question 3 here: Yes — the Botanical Garden would consider being the OC staff, DOT, and
utility company liaison. I personally look forward to having this discussion as soon as possible.
2) What are the metrics that would be used to measure the success of a roadside wildflower program?
area sprayed with herbicide? species diversity? abundance of invasive?
3) If the CFE could get the Board of Commissioners to update the 2012 resolution to expand its
commitment to also reduce the use of roadside herbicides, would the NCBG consider being the OC
staff, DOT, and utility company liaison? The current resolution puts the CFE in that position. I don't get
the sense that the CFE has the bandwidth or resources to manage such relationships.
4) 1 really like the idea of "wild roadside" program that could perhaps tie into other scenic routes in
the county. I could see the local tourism organization supporting such a program. Do you have ideas
for routes?
We can certainly recommend "wild roadside" scenic routes. I imagine that there are ways to create an
application with a narrator who describes these wildflower sections as the driver /bike- rider /walker
approaches these areas. We would love to brainstorm such idea.
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION
Adopt Best Management Practices for Roadsides and Utility Rights -of -Way that Benefit
Pollinators and Native Plants in Orange County, NC
WHEREAS, in a June 19, 2012 resolution, the BOCC committed "to the conservation of
roadside native wildflowers along the roadways of Orange County;" and
WHEREAS, the roadsides and utility rights -of -way of Orange County support numerous plant
species that occur in these open habitats; and
WHEREAS, locally rare plant species such as Indian paintbrush and yellow- fringed orchid have
only been documented on county roadside; and
WHEREAS, the vegetation in roadsides and utility rights -of -way are an important resource for
maintaining biodiversity in native pollinators such as wild bees; and
WHEREAS, many scientific studies, including a 2014 North Carolina State University study,
support the conclusion that wild pollinator biodiversity enhances agricultural productivity; and
WHEREAS, the roadsides of Orange County also create habitat for numerous animal species,
connect fragmented habitats, possess tremendous aesthetic value, and provide a sense of
place; and
WHEREAS, improper vegetation management, such as poorly timed or indiscriminate use of
herbicides may harm some rare plant species, reduces pollinator and wildlife habitat, and
detracts from the aesthetic value of our colorful and extraordinary roadsides; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Highway Administration in conjunction with the Xerces Society for
Invertebrate Conservation have published "Roadside Best Management Practices that Benefit
Pollinators "; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of Commissioners
recommend that all roadside and rights -of -way be managed using best practices that benefit
native pollinators and native wildflowers, such as minimizing the use of herbicides, and do
hereby authorize the Commission for the Environment and County staff to work with the North
Carolina Botanical Gardens to encourage NC Department of Transportation, utility companies,
and property owners to plan, implement, and study roadside and rights -of -way management
practices that enhance habitat for native wildflowers and pollinators.
This the day of , 2018.
Mark Dorosin, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board
Updated SOE 2019 Timeline:
2018
2019
Pre- june 11 August 13th 2018
FLI
- Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Jan Feb Mar April
Solicit feedback on historical use of report J
Review similar reports /materials J
inalize Indicators
Committee considerations after review of I
SOE2014: v
Update Indicator Data and Graph
Format of report? Data sources and
availability?
Consider Format Alternatives
Consider purpose of report?
Produce Report
Indicators to consider for inclusion?
Consider, Select, and Plan Event Event
0
Event: April 22 Earth Day (Monday),
April 26 Earth Eve /Last Fridays (Friday)
June 5 World Environment Day
(Wednesday)
SOE 2019 Candidate Indicators
* This would be a good opportunity to add indicators on Environmental Justice beyond just energy prices
a Indicator Name
Definition
2014
soE
Staff Comments
Data Sources /links
Data Update
Data
Estimate of "Action- ability"
Schedule
Quality
by BOCC
Point Source Emissions
Aggregate measurements of NOX, VOCs,
Yes
2014 report did not include GHGs
Annual
Some- via zoning
and other GHGs
Daily Vehicle Miles Traveled
Total daily vehicle miles traveled
Yes
Considerable
Overall Emissions Estimates
Aggregate measurements of NOX, VOCs,
Yes
2014 report did not include GHGs
Some- via zoning
and other GHGs
Facilities with Air Permits
Number of facilities with emissions permits
No
DEQ
Some- via zoning
Innovations in Energy Conservation by OC
Qualitative report of innovation in energy
Yes
Brennan
Annual
Considerable
Government
conservation
Renewable Electrical Energy Supply
Supply of energy from renewable sources
No
NC Solar Energy Assoc
Annual
Considerable on county -owned
properties
Energy Usage Intensity (EUI) is a good standard
Energy Usage Efficiency
Efficiency of energy usage
No
measure here and baseline might be found on
Duke Power and Piedmont Electric
Monthly /NA
Some
EUI through the Energy Star program
Household Energy Usage
Avg energy usage per household
No
Not available. Would need to be estimated
Annual?
Minor
through GHG inventory
Lead Paint
Energy Prices
Safe Wastewater Management
Acid Deposition
Proximity to Waste Treatment Facilities
(TSDFs)
Eutrophication
% of housing units built before 1960, as a
measure of lead paint exposure
Price of conventional energy
Describes ability to effectively and safely
dispose of wastewater
Precipitation that includes acidic components
# of TSDFs within 5 km
Concentration of N and P
Eliminated Indicators
No All NC Piedmont lakes eutrophic. DWR basin reports
NLCD and GAP use 2011 data. Only
Could influence through land
Land Cover
Land cover type index
5 years
Fair
updated every 10 years?
hips: /Aw .mrlc.nov /nlcdll data.php
use requlation and zoninq
Could influence through land
Land Use
Land use type index
Same dataset as above. Most recent 2011
5 years
Fair
httos: / /— rnrlc.aov /nlcdil data.phg
use regulation
Status of Rare and Endangered Plants and
Negligible- though supporting
Categorical ranking or density
Yes
Available
yearly
Good
Animals
httos:// www. ncnho.om /data/species- commgngy: search
Lands Legacy helps
Could possibly get # of known invasive
Could influence through
Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Annimafs
Categorical ranking or density
a
real -time
Fair
species but not cover
/a
httos: / /www.eddmaos .pro /toolsistatereoort.cFm ?id =us nc
invasive species regulation
Application of Biosolids
Acres of land utilized
Yes
Available, overtime
unsure
?
Negligible
httos:// www .owasa.ordbiosoiids-recvding- grogram
htto: //w .omngecountync .aov /departmentsiolanning and insoections/cens
us demooraphics.oho AND
httos : / /www.census.gov /quuickfacts/ fact / table /omngecountynorthnrolina /PST
Population Change
% change in population
Yes
Available- census
10 years
Exc
Negligible
045217
Considerable through Lands
Protected Land Areas
Total acres of protected land
Yes
Same as indicator below?
quarterly
Exc
httos: / /ncnhde.natureserve,org/ AND Orange County DEAPR
Legacy Program
Solid Waste Management: Waste
Tons of waste recycled, and increase of
Yes
Same as indicator at base of section?
yearly
Exc
Considerable
Reduction and Recyclinq
decrease in tonnage
httos : / /dea.nc.aov /aboutfdivisions/ waste -Mama MenVsw /data /annual - reports
C Toxic Chemical Waste Reduction
Toxic reduction improvement program
Toxic reduction improvement program
http, /tv .oranaecountync .aov /departments/solid waste management/stati
yearly
Exc
?
sucs.g_hg
Lonsiaeraoie via zoning
Urbanization
Building footprints
Percent impervious data may be available
5 years
Fair
(impervious surface)
htt os: /Iwww.mdc.aov /nlcdti data.oho
Could influence through land
Forest Extent and Type
Forest type index
Again- would use Land Cover Data (2011)
httos: / /- .landfire.(iov /vegetation,PhD
3 years
Fair
use regulation
Waste Generation
Tons
May
Disposal data available
htto: //www.orangecountmc .aov /departmentslwlid waste management/stati
yearly
Exc
?
stics.ohg
be
Considerable through support
Biodiversity - Species (Vertebrates)
Total number of species
No
2011 data
https: / /gisl.usgs.gov /csas /gap /viewer /species /Map.asox
5 years?
Fair
of wildlife corridor land
protection and regulation
Considerable through Lands
Acres of Protected Land
Total acres of protected land
Yes
Data available, but define protected
Natural Heritage Program and Orange County
biannual
Exc
Legacy Program
Acres of Protected Natural Heritage Sites
Total acres of protected land
Yes
Available
httos: / /ncnhde.natumsery .am/
biannual
Exc
Considerable through Lands
Legacy Program
Acres in Voluntary Agricultural Districts
Total acres of protected land
Yes
Available
Orange County
upon request
Exc
Considerable
Acres in the Present Use Value Program
Total acres of protected land
Yes
Available from OC tax office
Orange County
?
Exc
Negligible- State guidelines
Waste Reduction and Recycling
Effectiveness of program
Yes
Available
htto: //w .orangecountvnc .aov /deoartmenstics.phQ ts/wlid waste manaaement/stati
yearly
Exc
Considerable
Water Usage Per Capita
Per capita usage
Yes
Derive from utility data
Annual
Good
Negligible
Groundwater Quantity
Y
mount of water resent underground
P g
Yes
Difficult to estimate. Groundwater levels
httos: / /www.ncwater.oru/?Paae= 537 &imp= &countyname- &search= &tl =l &aa
Bimonthly
?
Considerable via zoning
uifer= &sta8on= &net = orange &inactiw =
available
(housing density) requlations
Surface Water Quality: Specific
Monthly or
Conductance
Measure of surface water quality
Yes
data available at a few sites
better
Good
Considerable but indirect
Very limited info available. Unable to
http:t/nc- ipc.weebly. cam /eno- dyer- hvdrilla -pm ect.html
Annually, but
Action ongoing but limited to
Invasive Aquatic Plants
Presence of aquatic invasives
Yes
spatially
Var.
determine trend
limited
Hydrilla in Eno
Toxic Contaminants
Concentrations of heavy metals and organic
No
DWR report, and ?
Negligible
compounds
Includes household, industrial and
May be available from utilities, some ag
A °' ht o:/ /www.naaar.aowstata anvimnmantal wu2ols.pdf
Billed Water Consumption by Sector
No
Ag- annual
Fair
Negligible
agricultural
consumption estimates may be available.
County's ability to handle flood threats and
FEMA flood maps available on individual
httos: / /ais.omnoewuntyne. aov :8443 /omnaencuis /default.htm
Flood Risk
identifies areas that are susceptible to
No
Unk
Exc
Not certain but likely negligible
floodinq
parcel basis, but indicative of what?
Aquatic Life (Benthic Macroinvertebrates in
Number of organisms
No
Available at limited # of DWR sites
httos : // deg.naoov/ about /divisions/water msources/water msources-
Good
Negligible
data /water- sciences-home-paae /bioldoul I- assessment- bmnch/dwr-benthos-
Wadeable Streams)
T icall
YP Y
every 5 years
httos : / /dea.nc.00v /about/divisions/ water- msources/water- resources-
data/water- sciences- home - page /ecosystems-branchtrish- stream - assessment
Fish Faunal Intactness
Track intactfulness offish fauna
No
Available at limited # of DWR sites
Good
Negligible
py
No DWR data for Orange County streams.
Track tissue contaminants including mercury
Lake monitoring (not fish tissue) done every
httos: / /dea.nc. aov / about / divisions /water msoumes/water-resources-
Lake Fish Tissue Contaminants
and PCBs
No
5 yrs. Last assessment: 2014 for CF basin,
N/A
N/A
data/ water - sciences -home -paae/ intensive -survey- bmnch/fish- tissue -data
2016 for Neuse.
High and Low Stream Flows
Describes changes that impact stream flow
No
USGS stream gages and TAWSMP report
Considerable via zoning
(impervious surface) regulations
Watershed Protected Area
Watershed area that is designated as
No
Current status available. No trend
Water supply Watersheds spreadsheet on T:\
N/A
Exc
Negligible
protected