BC 2003 04 30 - Laserfiche WebLink

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April 30, 2003 Page 114 (II) ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS (II-A) SEQL - Centralina Council of Governments Ms. Rebecca Yarbrough, Program Administrator with the Centralina Council of Governments (COG) presented an overview of the Sustainable Environment for Quality of Life (SEQL) Program. Centralina COG has received a $275,000.00 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to implement and expand regional efforts to protect quality of life in the region. The program's purpose is to promote regional cooperation on quality of life issues, provide implementation assistance to local governments on environmental issues, and analyze multiple air quality issues simultaneously while addressing transportation, water, land use, energy use, and economic development. Catawba Regional COG is assisting with the SEQL program that involves 15 counties in North Carolina and South Carolina. Mr. Jason Wager, Planner with the Centralina COG, explained how the SEQL works and how the program will benefit local jurisdictions. He discussed the action items relating to air, water and land-use (Smart Growth) measures for implementation across the region. Some of the action items included air awareness, enhanced ozone awareness, tree planting standards, uniform land use regulations, annexation agreements, greenway and open space master plan, long-term water supply plans and local sedimentation and erosion control programs. Ms. Yarbrough and Mr. Wager also addressed air quality issues, specifically the potential for the area becoming a non-attainment area that could result in the loss of federal highway funds for transportation/road building projects in the region. They discussed the Clean Air Act and efforts to improve air quality and ensure conformity with Environmental Protections Agency standards. Mr. Adam Hines of Voices and Choices of Central Carolinas commented on that organization's work involving environmental and quality of life issues. (II-B) Regional Open Space Initiative Mr. Marshall gave a brief overview of the Open Space Framework Plan prepared by Voices and Choices for open space in the central Carolinas. This plan includes strategies for a regional approach to the preservation and improvement of critical natural areas and open space. (II-C) Brownfields Consortium Mr. Marshall reported that County staff men%hers are working with staff from the cities of Kannapolis and Concord to identify brownfields (former industrial and commercial sites where redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived contamination) in the county. There are funding opportunities available for possible identification, remediation and potential reuse of those properties. (II-D) Phase II Stormwater Pro~ect Summar~ Mr. Marshall reported that the County is required to meet the provisions of the Phase II Stormwater regulations. Staff is currently working with Concord, Kannapolis, Harrisburg, along with a Steering Committee, on addressing those requirements. (II-E) Stream/Watershed Restoration Pro~ect. Mr. Lentz reported on the comprehensive watershed assessment that is being conducted in the Lower Yadkin / Rocky River Basin by the North Carolina Wetlands Restoration Program in cooperation with local governments within the area. The assessment will assist in the development of solutions for water quality and habitat protection and restoration. (III) TRANSPORTATION (III-A) NC Highway 73 Study Mr. Marshall reported on the Highway 73 corridor study in which Cabarrus County is participating with a number of other local jurisdictions, planning agencies, the North Carolina Department of Transportation and private developers. The goal of the study is to determine the future needs