Outagamie County Sustainability Plan. September 2013

Transcription

1 Outagamie County Sustainability Plan September 2013

2 Outagamie County Sustainability Plan September 2013 Table of Contents I. Introduction. 1 II. Sustainability Plan Goals....2 III. Three Spheres of Sustainability. 3 Environment Economy Society V. Action Plan. 4 Prepared By: Outagamie County Planning Department 410 S. Walnut Street Appleton, WI (920) With Assistance From: Outagamie County Sustainability Committee and Sustainable Fox Valley

3 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY SUSTAINABILITY PLAN Introduction Outagamie County has been making concerted efforts to reduce expenses and improve efficiencies in the overall operations of the organization. The County has a long history of energy efficiency accomplishments ranging from the recovery of landfill gases starting in 1984 to the recent completion of an energy net-zero building at the Airport. However, sustainability is more than just energy conservation. It is an integrated approach that addresses environmental issues, economic issues, and societal issues, as illustrated by the three spheres below. Outagamie County Sustainability Plan Page 1

4 Although the County does get involved in environmental protection, economic development, and community development, it has not been orchestrated into a cohesive approach. This plan is an attempt to prepare an action plan that links these concepts. The development of this plan is based on the following sustainability definition; Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It also incorporates the American Planning Association s recommended sustainability strategy: 1. Reduce dependence upon fossil fuels, extracted metals, and minerals. 2. Reduce dependence on chemicals and other manufactured substances that can accumulate in Nature. 3. Reduce dependence on activities that harm life-sustaining ecosystems. 4. Meet the hierarchy of present and future human needs fairly and efficiently. The formation of this plan is based on the commitment to comply with all relevant environmental laws and regulations and to go beyond compliance by integrating the values of sustainability, stewardship, and resource conservation into the County s activities and services. The County will make decisions to improve the long-term quality and regenerative capacity of the environmental, social, and economic systems that support the organization s activities and needs. The County will engage in pollution prevention activities and will develop and promote practices that maximize beneficial effects and minimize harmful effects of operations and activities on the surrounding environment. The County is committed to the assessment of the environmental impacts associated with their activities and services, and will track the progress toward the goals outlined below. Sustainability Plan Goals The County will continue its efforts towards energy conservation that includes educational programs targeting both employees and residents. The County will develop partnerships with other units of government and organizations with the purpose of sharing information, sharing experiences, and coordinating in sustainability efforts. The County will promote and assist in the development of local economies that are economically viable, environmentally sound, and socially responsible. Outagamie County Sustainability Plan Page 2

5 Outagamie County will operate under the principle that humans and nature can exist in productive harmony that meet current and future needs. The County will encourage and promote life-long learning that incorporate the sustainability principles, concepts, and approaches that include health, nutrition, and responsible buying. Three Spheres of Sustainability As illustrated in the diagram on page 1, sustainability must incorporate a balance between the environment, the economy and society. It is within the areas of overlap between the spheres that we begin to integrate our activities and create win-win situations, as opposed to one area winning at the cost of another. When all three spheres are incorporated into an activity and a win-win-win situation results, sustainability is achieved. Environment Preservation and protection of the environment is essential to maintaining community sustainability. Everything we need for survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly on our natural environment. The air we breathe, the water we consume, and the ecosystems that we need to exist within all require that we respect the inter-relationships between man and nature to ensure long term health and availability. Renewable energy sources, reduction in all forms of pollution, and protection of wildlife habitat are just a few areas where we can work within the environmental sphere of sustainability. Economy Economic growth is critical for healthy communities. Sustainable economies include efforts that preserve natural resources, reduce waste, promote buying local, and work together to support both urban and rural needs. Society Ensuring that our residents are healthy and productive is a basic premise of a sustainable community. Sustainability principles need to be incorporated into formal and informal educational programs to create an environment of learning. Outagamie County Sustainability Plan Page 3

6 Action Plan Outlined below are activities that Outagamie County is proposing to undertake in an effort to meet the goals stated previously in this plan. The proposed activities are organized by when it is expected to be completed (Short Term = 1-2 years, Medium Term = 3-5 years, Long Term = more than 5 years out, or = requiring continuous effort). Guiding Principles Outagamie County will operate under the principle that humans and nature can exist in productive harmony that meets current and future needs. The County will develop partnerships with other units of government and organizations with the purpose of sharing information, sharing experiences, and coordinating sustainability efforts. Sustainability Objectives Code Description Energy Conservation EC The County will encourage energy conservation through education and initiatives targeting County facilities, employees, and the general public. Water Quality and Conservation WQC The County will encourage water quality and conservation through education and initiatives targeting County facilities and employees and the public. The County will encourage waste reduction through education and initiatives targeting County facilities and Waste Reduction Sustainable Economic Development Action Internal Actions Develop and adopt a green procurement policy WR SED Objective Code WR, EC, WQC employees and the public. The County will encourage sustainable economic development through education and initiatives that result in economic development that sustains environmental health and social equity. Outcome Measure Policy approved Responsible Party/Partners Sustainability Committee Timeline Short Term Outagamie County Sustainability Plan Page 4

7 Action Internal Actions Prepare wind assessments for suitable County lands Promote alternative commuting methods, including transit, bikes, walking, and car pooling. Evaluate the purchase of replacement vehicles that utilize renewable energy. Move to an electronic check stub Objective Code EC EC EC Outcome Measure Number of wind assessments prepared Increase the number of employees who report alternative commuting modes Purchasing policy adopted, membership in clean energy orgs. and timesheet process. WR Process implemented Review lighting needs at the County facilities for possible upgrades, as Lighting review technology advances occur. EC completed Parking lot Explore the potential for replacing replacement policy current parking lots with a pervious adopted, square feet material WQC implemented Responsible Party/Partners Solid Waste, Parks, Administration, Sustainability Committee Human Resources, Green Team, Wellness Committee Purchasing, Administration, Sheriff, Highway Administration, Finance Maintenance, Airport, Purchasing Maintenance, Airport, Highway, Purchasing Timeline Short Term Short Term and Short Term and Medium Term Medium Term and Long Term and Explore the potential for use of electronic signatures to further a paperless goal. WR Policy adopted, Process implemented Administration, MIS, Finance Long Term Outagamie County Sustainability Plan Page 5

8 Action Internal Actions Explore the potential for composting at County facilities, such as Brewster Village and the Justice Center where food services are available. External Actions Support and promote neighborhoodand small-community based approaches to public education and engagement with sustainability principles and practices Partner with other communities and organizations to promote sustainable education opportunities Objective Code WR EC, WR, WQC, SED EC, WR, WQC, SED Outcome Measure Feasibility study completed Demonstrated results across all objectives Number of education events offered in partnership and number of people reached Responsible Party/Partners Sheriff, Brewster Village, UWEX, Solid Waste Sustainability Committee, Sustain Fox Valley, The Neighborhoods Project Sustainability Committee, Outagamie County municipalities, Sustainable Fox Valley Timeline Medium Term Short Term and Short Term and Outagamie County Sustainability Plan Page 6