HomeMy WebLinkAboutCFE minutes 061013
FROM: Commission for the Environment
SUBJECT: Monthly Meeting Summary
DATE: June 10, 2013
LOCATION: Southern Human Services Center, Chapel Hill
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MEMBERS PRESENT: David Neal (Chair), Jan Sassaman (Vice Chair), May Becker, Loren
Hintz, Jeanette O’Connor, Steve Niezgoda, Gary Saunders
ABSENT: Lucy Adams, Terri Buckner, Peter Cada, Tom O’Dwyer, David Welch, Sam Yellen
STAFF: Rich Shaw, Tom Davis, Malcolm Munkittrick (DEAPR intern)
GUESTS: Donna Lee Jones (CFE prospect), Pat Davis (OWASA), Ruth Rouse (OWASA)
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I. Call to Order: Neal called the meeting to order at 7:32 pm.
II. Additions or Changes to Agenda – None
III. Introduction of New CFE Members – Neal welcomed three of the four new CFE
members appointed on May 21 (Jones, Niezgoda, O’Connor; Enoch absent). Jones has
yet to receive employer authorization; she remains a guest and will not vote.
IV. Approval of Minutes – The April 8 meeting summary was approved unanimously.
V. OWASA Forest Management – Shaw referred CFE to a summary of their May 2 tour of
the Cane Creek Mitigation Forest property and introduced Pat Davis and Ruth Rouse in
attendance to observe and answer questions. Davis and Rouse answered CFE
questions about how forest management affects wildlife habitat, water quality, forest
health. CFE members asked OWASA staff what the CFE could do to support OWASA’s
desire to manage its forestlands responsibly. Davis said he had already received
comments from the CFE and will consider them in revising the forest management plan
for the other OWASA-owned properties. Davis said he would welcome any further CFE
statement that identifies any specific concerns and what safeguards the CFE would like
to see before it could support a forest management plan. The CFE agreed to continue
this discussion and consider the OWASA staff’s request at the August meeting.
VI. State of the Environment 2014 – Shaw reviewed draft timeframe and introduced
Malcolm Munkittrick (UNC grad student/DEAPR intern) to discuss his ideas for the 2014
report. CFE members provided initial feedback on the contents and format of the next
SOE report, including references to relevant objectives in the Comprehensive Plan. The
CFE discussed its role as the steering committee and asked Munkittrick to prepare draft
2014 SOE report outline by July. Munkittrick will solicit feedback from CFE via email.
VII. CFE Liaison to the OUTBoard – The CFE voted unanimously to recommend Saunders
be considered for appointment to the OUTBoard as the CFE representative.
VIII. Updates and Information Items – CFE members received updates and information on
the following: a) a film about industrial hemp production, b) community solid waste
forum, c) “The Nature of Orange” photography contest, d) revised Orange Co. energy,
water & fuel conservation policies, e) the County’s energy, water & fuel performance
report for 2012, and f) recent UNC Sustainability newsletter.
IX. Adjournment – Sassaman adjourned the meeting at 9:34 pm.
Minutes by Rich Shaw, DEAPR Staff