Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Environmental Review topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Tree commission to prepare comments on Cape Fear River dredging EIS and county comprehensive plan
Summary
Commissioners discussed potential tree and wetland impacts from the U.S. Army Corps' dredging environmental review, agreed to draft coordinated comments and to check with the city attorney about whether the Commission may submit comments as a body before the public deadlines.
Commission members used the Nov. 19 meeting to flag potential environmental impacts from a proposed deepening of the Cape Fear River and to plan a coordinated response. City engineering staff and commissioners noted that an environmental impact statement prepared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is available for public review and that written comments are being accepted in December (transcript references include a specific Dec. 20 date and broader references to "December").
Commissioners expressed concern about possible effects on trees and wetlands and discussed whether the Commission can submit formal comments as a civic body. Staff said they will check with the assigned city attorney to confirm whether the Commission may act collectively and, if so, how to proceed. Members agreed to compile individual input and asked Rhonda Waterhouse to collate submissions; she said she could assemble a draft after Dec. 3 to meet Corps and county comment windows.
Travis Henley also reminded the group that the city's Greater Downtown Plan draft is posted and accepting feedback through Dec. 30; members discussed preparing comments referencing Code Canopy guidance. The Commission agreed to coordinate with the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees and to plan a special meeting or electronic review if a formal vote is required before submission.
No formal Commission-level comment was filed during the Nov. 19 meeting; members set a work plan to gather and collate input, confirm legal authority with city attorneys, and circulate a draft for review prior to any filing.
