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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-05-2005-5jORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: SUBJECT: Draft Environmental DEPARTMENT: Environment and Resource Conservation December 5, 2005 Action Agenda Item No. -~ Goal PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): 1. Commission for Environment Proposed Environmental Responsibility Goal 2. Wake County Environmental Stewardship Committee INFORMATION CONTACT: David Stancil, Environment and Resource Conservation Director, Telephone 919-245-2590 PURPOSE: To receive the recommendation of the Commission for the Environment on a draft Environmental Responsibility in County Government goal and consider adoption of the goal. BACKGROUND: At the Board of Commissioners' annual retreat, the Board asked the Commission for the Environment (CfE) to draft an Environmental Responsibility goal far the Board's consideration to identify basic guidelines for County government to act in an environmentally responsible manner and provide "leadership by example." Draft Goal Development Upon completion of the State of the Environment report, the CfE began discussing the framework for this goal, It was gtaickly noted that many of the areas to be addressed cut across a number of departments and government functions. As such, over the next several months, the CfE completed a process for developing the goah This included two brainstorming sessions with department heads and advisory board representatives. At these brainstorming sessions (November 2004 and June 2005), participants were asked to inventory current County activities toward environmental responsibility, and identify possible future objectives, actions or policies for the different areas and functions of County government. Between the first and second brainstorming sessions, the CfE refined the ideas generated and sorted them into categories.. In September, a draft goal was created and reviewed by the CfE, based on the principles and ideas from the reviews and brainstorming sessions. This consists of a goal statement and a set of 10 objectives. Through this the CfE has attempted to identify general areas of current and new activities to be continued or undertaken. Board of Commissioners' Consideration This draft Environmental Responsibility goal is being provided to the Board for its consideration and direction. If the Board desires, it may proceed to adopt the goal. Goal Summary In summary, the draft Environmental Responsibility goal proposes 10 objectives that would become the principles or general milestones for County government to work toward, including: • Creation of an Environmental Leadership Policy, and creation of a County Environmental Action Committee as an internal mechanism to promote and monitor progress toward environmental responsibility (Attachment 2 is an example of such a committee in Wake County), • Energy conservation and lowered consumption, including use of recycled products, renewable energy and reduced waste stream, including reduction of paper, • Expanding the use of green building standards for new projects and eco-friendly deconstruction that minimizes impact on the environment, • Monitoring and improving local and regional air quality by promoting public transportation, alternative-fuel vehicles and other alternative transportation, • Sustainable and eco-sensitive forestry practices on County awned lands with a goal of no net loss of woodlands, • The use ofenvironmentally-sensitive cleaning materials and chemicals (Green Seal) and an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, • New technologies to conserve and protect ground water and indoor air quality, • Direct future growth to areas where it can be accommodated without compromising natural and cultural resources, and • Energy conservation through electronic and alternative communication media Next Steps General: The CfE suggests that once the Board approves an Environmental Responsibility goal that departments and agencies be solicited far draft action strategies to implement the objectives (one such initiative is already underway with Energy Conservation). To help with this task, the results of the brainstorming sessions have been collated and retained for this subsequent purpose. Energy Conservation: While work on the Environmental Responsibility Goai was underway, dramatic changes in energy prices and the more immediate need to address County operational costs necessitated the formation of an ad hoc Energy Conservation Work Group comprised of staff and Commissioner Halkiotis. Over the past four months, this group has met on several occasions to discuss measures that could be taken to address energy conservation in County buildings, The immediate steps as to the energy conservation initiative are as follows: At the October 18 Board meeting, the Board approved an Energy Conservation Manager appointment and the search is now underway for an employee to assume these responsibilities. • At December 5 Board meeting, staff will present far the Board's consideration: / A draft Energy Conservation Policy designed to reduce energy consumption in County government facilities and improve energy efficiency both as a cost savings measure and to protect the environment, / A report on County building energy costs, energy consumption and possible performance measures far tracking progress, / A draft vehicle fuel conservation policy for the Board's consideration to address the need to promote fuel efficiency and fuel cost savings, / A report on vehicle fuel costs, consumption and possible performance measures for tracking progress, FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact of adopting the Environmental Responsibility Goal. The action strategies that would be created to implement the goal may have financial impacts that are not yet known. In terms of the energy conservation initiative, a primary consideration is to reduce energy costs and/or mitigate energy cost increases. Costs associated with specific equipment, system improvement or system replacement will be addressed through the Capital Improvement Plan process. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss and adapt the attached draft Environmental Responsibility Goal, with changes as desired, 4 Attachment 1 Draft Goal Environmental Responsibility in County Government Goal Statement: Perform all County governmental functions, bath internal and external, with a sensitivity and ethic that promotes environmental responsibility and leadership, and an understanding of the actions of government activities as they affect the natural and cultural resources of the County, region, state, nation and world. Objectives (suggested departmental responsibility) 1. Develop a Countywide Environmental Leadership Policy, and institute a standing Orange County Environmental Action Committee as an internal mechanism to periodically monitor and assess the County's progress toward meeting the objectives of the environmental responsibility goal, (ERCD, with representatives from all departments); 2. Initiate policies and programs that conserve energy, reduce fuel/utility/resource consumption, increase the use of recycled products and renewable energy services, and minimize waste stream impacts on the environment. (Public Works, all departments); 3. Continue to aggressively pursue waste reduction/recycling efforts, including the reduction of paper. (soud waste, ir); 4. Continue, expand and formally adopt the use of green building standards; construct new facilities/deconstruct outdated facilities in a way that is eco- friendly, utilizes energy conserving measures, and minimizes impacts on the enVlCOnment. (Purchasing, Public Works, Planning, Recreation and Parks, Solid Waste, ERCD, among others); 5. Implement programs that monitor and improve local and regional air quality by promoting public transportation options and incentives within the County that increase connectivity and decrease dependence on personal vehicles, and by selecting alternative fuel and low emission fuels/vehicles for the County's VehlCle fleet. (Purchasing, Public Works, ERCD, Planning, Personnel, among others); 6. Conduct sustainable and eco-sensitive forestry practices on County-owned lands with a goal of no net loss of woodlands. Promote and encourage eco-sensitive forestry practices on privately held lands within the County. 5 (ERCD, Soil & Water, R&P); 7. Promote the use of environmentally-sensitive chemical and materials, including a) the use of "Green Seal" chemicals and cleaning products in daily operation and maintenance of County facilities; b) utilize an IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Program for County facilities that minimizes use of chemical compounds; and c) require that County events and services (including those involving outside vendors) use eco-friendly and biodegradable materials wherever possible. (Purchasing, Public Works, R&P); 8. Consider innovative new technologies for conserving and protecting ground water, indoor air quality and wastewater, to lessen impacts on the natural environment, and promote water conservation, collection and reuse in both current and future County facilities. tHeaitn, ERCD, Engineer); 9. Implement growth management policies and procedures within the County so that development is directed toward areas where it can be accommodated without compromising the County's goals for protecting natural and cultural resources. (Planning, ERCD); and 10, Develop an Information Services policy that promotes energy conservation through the use of electronic and alternative media of communication. (Il'). Possible Action Strategies Each department, advisory board and/or organization should be asked to develop specific action strategies based on the 10 objectives listed above. The possible action strategies should be collated and compared far consistency and coordination, and then incorporated into the goal. Example of an Action Strategy Objective 5 (Implement programs to monitor and improve local and regional air quality: by promoting public transportation options and incentives within the County that increase connectivity and decrease dependence on personal vehicles, and selecting alternative fuel and low emission fuels/vehicles for the County's vehicle fleet) Action Strategy A: Acquire 3-5 alternative-fuel vehicles (AFV's) per year, based on evaluation of proposed vehicle purchases and the "fit" with available AFV options, as funds permit. WakeGov.com -Environmental Stewardship Network Environmental Stewardship Network Attachment 2 The Environmental Stewardship Network is a committee made up of employees from several departments within Wake County Government. The Environmental Stewardship Network provides a wide variety of environmental education and environmental information to employees. Ultimately, the Environmental Stewardship Network envisions Wake County employees and officials becoming role models for environmental stewardship by adopting practices and initiatives that protect the environment in their workplaces, homes and communities. Please choose from the list below for more information on the ESN initiatives and activities: Buy Recycled Employee Commuter Benefits ESN In The News ESN Members ESN Subcommittees Green Office Ideas Initiatives Internal Recycling Program Links Wake County's Environmental Stewardship Agenda Please email any questions or comments that you have to the Wake County Environmental Stewardship Network. http://www.wakegov..com/environmenUesn/default.htm 10/25/2005