HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 03-07-24; 8-i - Orange County Creek Week 2024 Proclamation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 7, 2024
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-i
SUBJECT: Orange County Creek Week 2024 Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks
and Recreation (DEAPR)
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Creek Week 2024 Proclamation David Stancil, (919) 245-2510
Wesley Poole, (919) 245-
Lisa Pope, (919) 245- 2750
Kalani Allen, (919) 245-2518
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation declaring March 16-23, 2024, as "Orange County Creek
Week".
BACKGROUND: The first Creek Week in central North Carolina was observed in the City of
Durham in 2009 and is now observed by many communities across the state. Regional Creek
Week, started by the NC Clean Water Education Partnership in 2021, was a first step in leading
the way to foster appreciation of waterways. This special week saw local governments and
community residents work together to celebrate and conduct stewardship and maintenance of
local creeks and streams.
Orange County Creek Week flows out of these prior efforts, and celebrates the streams, lakes,
and rivers that connect communities through a series of activities such as a litter cleanup
challenge, community science BioThon, invasive plant removal, green infrastructure tours, and
more. These activities will be publicized by the partner organizations through social media and
other methods.
The third annual Orange County Creek Week is coordinated by the Towns of Chapel Hill,
Carrboro, and Hillsborough; the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA); the Orange
County Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation; the UNC Institute for the
Environment; Sustainable Carolina; UNC Department of Environment, Health, and Safety; the
Eno River Association; and the Haw River Assembly.
This year, partners will create and hold events — both during the March 16-23 and throughout the
month of March —that will positively impact water quality across the County to help protect creeks
and streams and inform community members on the importance of keeping waterways clean from
unnecessary waste and pollution.
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FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the
proclamation. Funding for Creek Week activities are included in partner budgets.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable
to this item:
• GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND
INEQUITY
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color;
religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or ethnic
background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic status.
• GOAL: ENABLE FULL CIVIC PARTICIPATION
Ensure that Orange County residents are able to engage government through voting and
volunteering by eliminating disparities in participation and barriers to participation.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The following Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact is applicable to this item:
• ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND WASTE REDUCTION
Initiate policies and programs that: 1) conserve energy; 2) reduce resource consumption;
3) increase the use of recycled and renewable resources; and 4) minimize waste stream
impacts on the environment.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the attached
proclamation declaring March 16-23, 2024 as "Orange County Creek Week".
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
CREEK WEEK CELEBRATION
March 16-23, 2024
WHEREAS, the first Creek Week in central North Carolina was observed in the City of Durham in
2009, and is now observed by many local governments across the state; and
WHEREAS, in addition to Creek Week, many local governments and organizations across central
and eastern North Carolina have conducted Big Sweeps and other efforts to clean up trash in waterways;
and
WHEREAS, Regional Creek Week, started by the NC Clean Water Education Partnership (CWEP)
in 2021, is a special week set aside where CWEP-affiliated local governments concurrently work together
to celebrate and steward local creeks and streams; and
WHEREAS, the third annual Orange County Creek Week is coordinated by the Towns of Chapel
Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough; Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA); the Orange County
Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation; UNC Institute for the Environment;
Sustainable Carolina; and UNC Environment, Health, and Safety; the Eno River Association; and the Haw
River Assembly; and
WHEREAS, this impact could be greatly magnified through the collective efforts of additional local
governments, organizations and individuals working together to educate about and protect our waterways;
and
WHEREAS, creeks, streams, rivers, and other waterways support outdoor recreation, fisheries,
healthy lifestyles, and safe drinking water supplies; and
WHEREAS, healthy waterways support biodiversity, natural beauty, and provide critical habitat for
aquatic wildlife; and
WHEREAS, municipalities throughout Orange County will celebrate Creek Week and bring
awareness to the importance of litter cleanup;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: that the Orange County Board of Commissioners
encourages all community members to celebrate Creek Week and support efforts to protect our creeks
and streams, and further encourages all community members to steward our waterways to promote the
well-being of this and future generations;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners hereby proclaims
the third week in March, March 16-23, 2024, as "Orange County Creek Week".
This the 7th day of March 2024.
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
ATTEST:
Laura Jensen
Clerk to the Board of Commissioners