Environmental Advisory Board

Mission Statement
Recognizing that quality of life is linked to a healthy environment, the Environmental Advisory Board advises the Town in ways to reduce the use of and impact on our community’s natural resources through a comprehensive and continuous review of best practices and innovations.

Vision Statement
Cary strives to become a sustainable community of energized citizens and businesses motivated to conserve and enhance natural resources through comprehensive, innovative and measurable policies, programs and outreach activities.

Life Span Statement
The Environmental Advisory Board is a standing board, which meets monthly. Board members will reexamine their purpose every three years beginning in 2013.

Powers and Duties
The Environmental Advisory Board provides feedback and advice to council on policies, ordinances and administrative procedures regarding environmental protection and the conservation of energy and natural resources. The Board supports the Town of Cary’s Statement of Values, one of which states: “We will protect and preserve our environment. We will be good stewards of our finite natural resources.” They also demonstrate outstanding environmental stewardship and leadership.

The Board’s general scope of work is to identify and assess policy alternatives for the Council to consider as part of the Town’s strategy to expand leadership and implement cutting edge applications and standards of environmental stewardship.

Members will draw on the collective expertise and experiences of one another and Town of Cary staff. Hands on work will be required to research and assess the past to think creatively about the future.

Membership
The Board consists of nine members appointed by Town Council to serve staggered terms that vary in length up three years. Five of the nine members shall be appointed to serve as “At-Large Citizens”; four of remaining nine members shall be appointed to serve as “Technical Experts” or “Partners”. All members shall reside within the Town of Cary corporate boundaries.

Goals/Work Plan

1. Provide feedback on Town plans, to include: Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Master Plan; Stormwater Master Plan; Land Use Plan; Long Range Water Resource Master Plan; etc.

2. Provide input to council on natural gas development in shale (hydraulic fracturing)

3. Provide input on the Town’s Strategic Energy Plan and how it links to the greenhouse gas emissions study

4. Continued support on development of a sustainability communication plan to increase environmental awareness stewardship

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

Evaluation Criteria: The board will periodically review and evaluate effectiveness of their work plan, modifying as needed to meet goals.

Meetings
The board meets as follows at 5:30 p.m. in Conference Room #10035, 316 N. Academy St., Cary and requires approximately 2 hours per month for meetings and study time prior to meetings. Board members may be asked to participate in smaller work groups outside of their regularly scheduled meetings and may also spend several hours each month performing research.

2012 meeting schedule

Tuesday, January 17
Tuesday, February 14
Tuesday, March 6
Tuesday, April 3
Tuesday, May 1
Tuesday, June 12
No July meeting
Tuesday, August 14
Tuesday, September 4
Tuesday, October 2
Tuesday, November 20
Tuesday, December 18

All meetings of the Board shall be open to the public and will adhere to the Open Meetings Law and Public Records Law. More information on this commission can be found in its annual report or the EAB rules of order.

Please see the Town of Cary calendar to confirm meeting dates, times, and locations.

Questions concerning the Environmental Advisory Board should be directed to the Town Manager's office by calling (919) 469-4007 or by emailing emily.barrett@townofcary.org.

How do I Apply?
Applications are accepted each year from May 1 through June 30 for upcoming vacancies. Applicants applying for this board are required to complete a supplemental application. Current Town of Cary employees are not eligible to volunteer. Questions about the application process should be directed to the Town Clerk's Office by e-mailing karen.gray@townofcary.org or by calling (919) 319-4508.

Current Membership Roster
Minutes
Agenda

Additional Meetings (See the Town's Web calendar for a current list of meetings and notices.)

Shale Gas Development Task Force