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FROM: Commission for the Environment
SUBJECT: Monthly Meeting Summary
DATE: October 10, 2011
LOCATION: Environment and Agricultural Center (Hillsborough)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bill Kaiser (Chair), Renee Price (Vice Chair), May Becker, Peter Cada,
Loren Hintz, Michael Hughes, Tom O’Dwyer, Gary Saunders, David Welch
MEMBERS ABSENT: Chris Adams, Lucy Adams, Lynnette Batt (resigned), Michele Drostin,
Clay Hudson, David Neal,
STAFF PRESENT: Rich Shaw and Tom Davis
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
I. Call to Order: Kaiser called the meeting to order at approximately 7:35 pm
II. Additions or Changes to Agenda – None
III. Approval of Minutes – Hintz motioned to approve the September 12 meeting summary
as written; seconded by Saunders. The motion was approved unanimously.
IV. Committee Breakout – The four standing committees met in separate locations to work
on priority tasks. Kaiser asked members to report on progress following the discussions.
V. Committee Reports – Representatives from each committee reported on the status of
issues discussed and what could be expected from the committee in the coming months.
Saunders (Air Resources) reported on recent improvements in the Triangle Region’s
ozone levels prompting the EPA to designate Raleigh-Durham as an “attainment” area.
Cada (Water Resources) reported that his committee was nearly finished with a draft
annotated summary of the literature describing the affects of forestry activities on nearby
water quality. Hintz (Biological Resources) reported on the committee’s discussion with
Johnny Randall (NC Botanical Garden) on the subject of herbicides to manage
vegetation along roadsides. Hintz said the committee would present its findings and
recommendations to the full CFE in November. Hughes, O’Dwyer, and Becker reported
on four issues discussed by the Energy Resources Committee. O’Dwyer said in
November he would try to have suitable language for a potential ordinance requiring new
subdivisions to set aside a portion of the open space for energy production facilities,
such as a solar energy array or some other facility.
VI. Updates and Information Items – CFE members received written materials and brief
updates from staff on the following: Chapel Hill Festifall 2011, proposed urban archery
program for municipalities, annual report to BOCC, and November election of officers.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:35 p.m. Minutes by Rich Shaw, DEAPR Staff