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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 03-19-24; 8-c - World Water Day Proclamation 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: March 19, 2024 Action Agenda Item No. 8-c SUBJECT: World Water Day Proclamation DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR) ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Proclamation David Stancil, 245-2522 Wesley Poole, 245-2513 PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation designating March 22, 2024 as World Water Day in Orange County. BACKGROUND: In 1992, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted a resolution to declare the 22nd of March each year as "World Day for Water." In observing World Water Day, governments are invited to devote the Day to the promotion of public awareness, focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and the sustainable management of freshwater resources. This year, the theme for World Water Day is `Water for Peace.' As stated on the World Water Day website, "Water can create peace or spark conflict. When water is scarce or polluted, or when people struggle for access, tensions can rise. By cooperating on water, we can balance everyone's water needs and help stabilize the world. Prosperity and peace rely on water. As nations manage climate change, mass migration and political unrest, they must put water cooperation at the heart of their plans. Water can lead us out of crisis. We can foster harmony between communities and countries by uniting around the fair and sustainable use of water — from United Nations conventions at the international level, to actions at the local level." This year's campaign will urge people to realize that when everyone cooperates on water, we create a positive ripple effect — fostering harmony, generating prosperity, and building resilience to shared challenges (from https://www.un.org/en/observances/water-day). 2 Upcoming activities here in Orange County related to World Water Day include Orange County Creek Week that will be held March 16-23, 2024 (https://www.orangecountync.gov/2887/Creek-Week). FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable to this item: • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their dependents. Safe and abundant water is a critical component to preserving and growing the County's economy. • GOAL: ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE LAND-USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes and educational levels with respect to the development and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, policies, and decisions. Fair treatment means that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or policies. Celebrating World Water Day helps to acknowledge the various ways that Orange County residents value water in cultural groups, industries, and domestic lives, leading to a more complete understanding of water's importance and the need to preserve equitable access to it. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The following Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal impact is applicable to this item: • RESULTANT IMPACT ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND AIR QUALITY Assess and where possible mitigate adverse impacts created to the natural resources of the site and adjoining area. Minimize production of greenhouse gases. Celebrating World Water Day shows support for minimizing impacts on the water supply. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the Proclamation and authorize the Chair to sign the Proclamation on behalf of the Board. 3 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WORLD WATER DAY PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, the United Nations (UN) has declared March 2211 as World Water Day and has invited governments around the world to devote the Day to the promotion of public awareness of the importance of water and the sustainable management of water resources; and WHEREAS, the theme for World Water Day 2024 is "Water for Peace," highlighting that water can create peace or spark conflict, prosperity and peace rely on water, and water can lead us out of crisis; and WHEREAS, the intended goal of World Water Day 2024 is to realize that when we cooperate on water, we create a positive ripple effect — fostering harmony, generating prosperity and building resilience to shared challenges; and WHEREAS, today, water around the world is under extreme threat from a growing population, increasing demands of agriculture and industry, and the worsening impacts of climate change; and WHEREAS, according to UN estimates, 2.2 billion people around the world are living without access to safe water; and WHEREAS, climate change is and will continue to strain the availability, quality, and quantity of water for the basic human needs of potentially billions of people; and WHEREAS, the UN Sustainable Development Goals provide the clear goal of providing safe water and sanitation for all people by 2030; and WHEREAS, the United States uses 82.3 billion gallons per day of groundwater for public supply, private supply, irrigation, livestock, manufacturing, mining, thermoelectric power, and other purposes, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, and 55% of the population of North Carolina depends on groundwater for drinking water; and WHEREAS, water use has a direct link to overall monthly housing affordability when considering that ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and WHEREAS, Orange County recognizes that water and sanitation measures are key to poverty reduction, economic growth, and environmental sustainability; and WHEREAS, people around the world and in Orange County value water for its cultural, religious and spiritual meanings; and 4 WHEREAS, Orange County serves as the headwaters for three of the major NC river systems — the Cape Fear, the Neuse and the Roanoke; and WHEREAS, the County contains 15 different watersheds, 10 of which are used downstream for drinking water; and WHEREAS, Orange County has been working for decades to monitor and preserve water quality and quantity for residents though programs such as the Groundwater Observation Well Network and policies such as the Critical Watershed Protection Overlay Districts; and WHEREAS, Orange County residents are helping to protect water quality and quantity by practicing and supporting responsible agricultural practices, wetland protection and restoration, and innovative wastewater management and reuse programs; NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do proclaim March 22, 2024 as "World Water Day" in Orange County and challenge residents to celebrate the Day by sharing with each other the ways in which they value water. THIS THE 19TH DAY OF MARCH, 2024. Jamezetta Bedford, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Laura Jensen Clerk to the Board of Commissioners