GSG Meeting Minutes
Monday, May 13 2024, 5:30 pm
Present: Gerry Anderson, Karl Brandspigel, Sharon Burtner, Nita Coleman, Jane Elfring, Annette Garthwaite, Woody Garthwaite, Laura Granado, Rachel Hines, Bobbi Hunsberger, Kurt Hunsberger, Marlene Greer, Rodney Johnson, Charles Jordan, Cody Marks, Hunter Michael, Sue Miller, Dana Parker, Jane Snyder, Steve Van Geisen, Terry X, Adam White, Sheila Wrenn.
Chair Report (Nita)
At last month’s meeting, we heard from our assistant county manager and two NCDOT employees on the subject of litter. Members were invited to submit recommendations regarding litter management. At this meeting, we reviewed and discussed the list of member recommendations received so far. The suggestions were endorsed by the members present, with minor modifications. Several additional suggestions were offered for inclusion. See list below. Attendees were invited to send any further comments/suggestions to the chair in the next week.
Per his request, member recommendations will be sent to Assistant County Manager John Shannon for consideration by the county’s litter management committee.
Earth Day on the Trail, After Action Review
Our first Earth Day Celebration was a very well organized and successful event! The students were interested and engaged. The macroinvertebrate session was a highlight. One volunteer reported that she enjoyed it even more than the kids did.
AWW Report and Paddle Trails Proposal (Rodney)
Rodney updated us on the planning process. The draft Paddle Trails map was presented. A 28-mile long trail on the Upper Pasquotank River, and a 10-mile trail on Knobb’s Creek will be proposed. Possible launch points are indicated by the yellow circles on the map. A written proposal for the commissioners is in progress.
Charles Jordan advised we present the proposal this summer, after the budget process is complete, in July. A meeting with MACU President John Maurice to discuss a possible launch site at MACU Park is scheduled for May 20.
College Park Improvements
No report
GSG Scholarship Plan
Jane and Jeanne are working on the plan. Their goal is to have it finalized, approved, and ready to roll out in early 2025.
Upcoming Events
Thursday May 16 5:30 pm -7:00 pm Resiliency Meeting at the Senior Center
Wednesday May 22 8:30 -9:45 am Wetland Walk with Grace Montessori students, Fenwick Hollowell Trail
Tues May 28, 9-11 am Macroinvertebrate Training Session with Erika Young, Sea Grant Coastal Education Specialist Fun Junktion
Saturday June 1, 9 am - 3 pm, Activate the Parks at Fun Junktion. Volunteers needed for water testing and macro study.
Summer Programs in the National Wildlife Refuges
Other Business
Information about the activities of the Wildlife Habitat Stewards of NENC was presented. They have designed and planted pollinator gardens in two state parks and the Dismal Swamp Welcome Center.
No June Meeting: Potluck Picnic at noon, Sat June 22. 111 Dances Bay Trail. Rain Date Sunday June 23. Pontoon Boat tours of the Little River. Bring your family, and a dish to share.
Green Saves Green’s Recommendations for the
Pasquotank County Litter Management Committee
ENFORCEMENT
Recommend the following county ordinances with enforcement provisions:
All trucks must secure their loads or be fined. Includes city and county trash trucks and contracted removal services.
Businesses must provide trash cans and cigarette receptacles and empty them regularly, including in their parking areas.
All businesses and vacant property owners must keep their property and road frontage free of litter. Parking areas included.
Require mandatory community service litter cleanup, even for first offenders. Minimum 4-8 service hours, more for bigger offenses.
The roads leading to the landfill (Body Rd, Simpson Ditch, Oak Stump) are heavily littered by trash blowing out of vehicles. Community service cleanups should be done on these roads. Quarterly contracted cleanups may be needed as well.
Establish and promote a Hotline to report illegal dumping, with designated investigators to identify culprits.
Update fines for littering, and work with law enforcement and the judicial system to support penalties. Consider weight-based and category-based fines that escalate to match the magnitude of the offense, and the number of offenses.
EDUCATION (Community)
Create a dedicated fund of littering and illegal dumping fines. Use for education campaigns and contracted cleanups.
Employ or appoint a local litter manager who is responsible for monitoring, education, and enforcement.
Produce an Annual Litter Report Card for the County.
Create and execute a county-wide litter prevention education campaign. Example: “Love your River: Don’t Litter”. Invite county residents to submit slogans and choose winner(s)to be used in the campaign.
Engage the community in organized group cleanups prior to special events.
Commission a large downtown mural or sculpture with visual impact, suitable for photographs. See examples below. Port Discover is planning a mural and might be interested in partnering on this project.
Use watershed maps and community art on trash receptacles to spread the message that litter washes into our rivers, blocks drainage, causes flooding, damages our water quality, and harms fish and wildlife. Engage community in the design process. Kids in summer day camps could participate.
Educate the community about the services available in our convenience centers. For example, disposal options for electronics, large appliances, and tires. Clarify what and how to recycle in the county.
EDUCATION (Schools)
All schools should have outdoor trash cans readily available on campus.
Teach students to respect and protect the environment. Add this to the Student Rights and Responsibilities booklet.
Invite students to suggest waste reduction strategies for their school. When feasible, implement those suggestions.
Students should do at least 2 hrs of litter cleanup on their campuses during the school year.
Incorporate information about harmful effects of litter into the curriculum, and offer extra credit for participation in campus and community cleanups.
Gift student drivers with a vehicle litter bag when they receive their learners permit and/or license.
INCENTIVES
Public recognition for businesses and organizations that keep their properties clean and take steps to reduce plastic waste.
Award “River-Friendly Business” decals for best practices (reusable plates and utensils, straws only on request, no styrofoam takeout containers, etc)
Eliminate disincentives. NCDOT should not be charged to dump litter collected in our county at our landfill.
ADVOCACY
Currently, the NC General Assembly prohibits municipalities from restricting or regulating the use of “auxiliary containers”: plastic bags, cups, and packaging. The county should advocate for state-wide legislation to reduce littering and plastic waste.
A state-wide Bottle Bill is strongly recommended. Bottle bills have reduced litter in the ten states that have passed these bills.
Localities should have the option to regulate items such as single use plastic bags, straws, water bottles, and styrofoam takeout containers if needed to manage litter.