Vice Chairman Joeseph Jackson called the meeting to order at 6:15pm. Members in attendance were Jerad Bales, Ed Harrison, Steve Hiltner, David Kirkpatrick, Joseph Jackson, Brian Morton, and Marion Johnson-Thompson. Other staff in attendance were Sue Burke, Tom Glenn, Terry Rolan, and Glen Whisler. Allen Dearry requested an excused absence. Jim Conner and Freddie Putney were absent. Jackie Brown was a visitor.

Landfill Closure Project: Tom Glenn gave an overview of the landfill close-out process. State regulations required the unlined landfill to be closed by December 1998. Several projects were required to seal the landfill and control the release of methane gases. A temporary gas collection and flare system was installed followed later by a permanent gas collection and flare system. Monitoring and maintenance for the gas wells, and flare operation, along with checking the landfill cap for integrity, and ground water monitoring are currently in progress. Revegetation, reclamation and reuse of the landfill area were also discussed. Terry Rolan stated control, maintenance and reuse of land were their concerns.

The main concern raised about landfill closure--the reason why the subject was placed on the EAB agenda--was that exotic pest plants are being used in the revegetation of the landfill and adjacent borrow area. Specifically, the use of Sericea lespedeza, listed by the state as a threat

to natural areas, was questioned. It was reported that this invasive exotic, customarily used only on steep slopes for erosion control, was even applied to flat portions of the borrow area. Concern was raised that the use of Sericea, along with other exotics such as tall fescue and bush honeysuckle, represented an introduction of biological pollutants into the area, and would hinder future efforts to utilize the borrow area in a manner consistent with the relevant Small Areas Plan.

Board members expressed concerns related to health and safety issues.

David Kirkpatrick offer the following motion: The EAB recommends that the City of Durham consider the use of native species on the borrow area around the landfill (including temporary cover) consistent with the Small Area Plan, the Master Plan for Parks and Recreation, and potential future uses. The EAB supports the application of the City for a WHIP Conservation grant to support this work and also would like to support cost-effective long term maintenance strategy, i.e. less or no mowing. Also the EAB fully supports productive use of methane recovery from landfill. The motion was seconded by Ed Harrison. All ayes except Marian Johnson-Thompson who abstained.

Natural Resource Protection Amendments: David Kirkpatrick, who attended the Zoning Commission Public Hearing along with other EAB Members, expressed concern about the public process. He reported that the Zoning Commission sent ahead to the City Council and County Commissioners the Tree Protection and Land Disturbance amendments. May 13, 1999 is another scheduled Public Hearing by the Zoning Commission on the remaining Resource Protection ordinance changes. Jane Korest and Keith Luck were asked to keep EAB informed subsequent activities related to Resource Protection amendments.

Natural Aquifer: A citizen, Mary Golby, contacted Joe Jackson asking if a report on the natural aquifer related to development density and recharge of the water supply could be placed on the EAB agenda.

Meeting adjourned at 7:45pm

Prepared by Alex Waddell, March 24, 1999