Stated Goals/Work Plan

• Provide continued support on the development of a Sustainability Communications Plan for the Town of Cary and the development of a sustainability umbrella website to increase environmental awareness and stewardship.

Action: The EAB working with the Town’s Sustainability Manager provided significant input into the development of a Sustainability Communications Plan that was approved by the EAB in June 2013. The plan outlined goals, objectives, target publics, tactics, key messages, activities and related budget.

• Provide input to council and staff on the development of Town plans including, but not limited to, the Cary Community Plan, the Stormwater Master Plan, and the Long Range Water Resource Plan

Action: EAB hosted presentations and provided extensive oral and written comments to the Engineering Dept.’s Storm Water Master Plan.  The EAB served as the primary citizen sounding board for this master plan.

EAB hosted presentations and provided feedback to Town staff on the Public Works and Utilities Dept.’s Long Range Water Resource Plan and the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Dept.’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan

• Provide input on the implementation and evaluation of the Town’s Strategic Energy Action Plan

Action:  The EAB provided ongoing feedback regarding the plan implementation and reviewed impacts in relation to the Green House Gas Emission Study.  The EAB was heavily involved in the development of the plan that was adopted by Council in June, 2012.

• Provide input to council and staff, as needed, on natural gas development in shale (hydraulic fracturing)

Action:  The EAB established a Shale gas Development Subcommittee in February 2013.  The subcommittee, comprised of EAB members, identified six specific objectives to address with a final report scheduled to be presented at the November 2013 EAB meeting.

• Advise staff on additional opportunities to increase public participation in sustainability initiatives and activities

Action:  The EAB participated in both Spring Daze and Lazy Daze to inform the community of the Town’s activities under the Sustainability Manger’s direction as well as listen to citizens’ suggestions and ideas. EAB staff provided assistance in launching the Town of Cary’s Joule Bug initiative at Lazy Daze.

The EAB, in our ongoing interest in working with the Town’s citizen groups, were presented the results of a research study conducted by NCSU regarding stormwater management and citizen engagement in the Black Creek Watershed.

• Update and seek continued progress on the Board’s issues index

Action: The EAB established an Issues Index in 2009 as a means to identify and track issues and actions that the EAB has determined of interest to the Town staff and citizens.  The Index is reviewed on an annual basis and updated throughout the year.  This document, found on the EAB’s webpage provides citizens the opportunity to see the issues that the EAB is addressing on an ongoing basis.