HomeMy WebLinkAboutCFE minutes 100812
FROM: Commission for the Environment
SUBJECT: Monthly Meeting Summary
DATE: October 8, 2012
LOCATION: Environment and Agricultural Center, Hillsborough
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
MEMBERS PRESENT: Gary Saunders (Vice Chair), May Becker, Loren Hintz, David Neal, Bill
Kaiser, Jan Sassaman, David Welch
MEMBERS ABSENT: Lucy Adams, Peter Cada, Michele Drostin, Tom O’Dwyer, Renee Price
STAFF PRESENT: Rich Shaw, Tom Davis GUEST: Dan Derby, Logan Derby
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
I. Call to Order: Saunders (Acting Chair) called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.
II. Additions or Changes to Agenda – None
III. Approval of Minutes – The September 10 meeting summary was approved unanimously.
IV. Blackwood Farm habitat enhancement project – Shaw provided background information
about Orange County’s Blackwood Farm. Dan Derby, County Parks Superintendent,
described plans to convert a hayfield to a native grass meadow. He explained DEAPR
had assembled an advisory committee with a variety of professionals. Derby said he
plans to remove fescue grass (using herbicide treatment), perform a controlled burn, see
what plants respond naturally, and supplement with native plantings. He noted staff
would need to burn the site every two or three years. Derby hopes the site will become
a suitable habitat for quail and other native wildlife. The consensus of CFE members
was that the project was worthwhile and the CFE is supportive of this proposal.
V. CFE Annual Report and Work Plan (2012-13) – Shaw called attention to the BOCC
Clerk’s request for an annual report of the past year’s activities and plan of anticipated
tasks for 2013. He noted that the CFE Chair would be invited to attend the BOCC’s
January 2013 work session. Shaw offered to prepare a draft report for CFE
consideration at its November 12 meeting. The final report was due November 30.
VI. Proposed Alternative Energy Task Force - Saunders called attention to the BOCC
Chair’s letter in which she said the BOCC referred a request for the creation of an
Alternative Energy Task Force to the CFE to work through alternative energy issues.
Saunders suggested it would be appropriate for the CFE’s Energy Resources
Committee to consider alternative energy issues and report back to the CFE and BOCC
as needed. He suggested inviting other interested CFE members and outside experts
as needed. Saunders recommended the group be limited to five to seven members plus
invited guests. The CFE discussed the committee structure, member qualifications, and
the kinds of issues they envision for the committee’s purview. Saunders asked the
Energy Resources Committee to consider these matters and report back to the full CFE.
VII. Updates and Information Items – CFE members received updates and information on the
following issues: a) CFE memo re forestry impacts on water quality, b) revised CFE
policies & procedures, c) the upcoming election of new officers, and d) the status efforts
to establish a section of the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail through Orange County.
VIII. Committee Meetings – Three of the four committees met for 30 minutes. There were no
members of the Water Resources Committee present. The CFE reconvened and heard
reports on various work tasks from committee representatives.
IX. Adjournment – Saunders adjourned the meeting at 9:35 pm.
Minutes by Rich Shaw, DEAPR Staff