Meet the candidates: New Hanover soil and water conservation district supervisor
Three candidates are running to become a supervisor with New Hanover County's soil and water conservation district.
The soil and water conservation district aims to protect and enhance the soil and water of New Hanover County. The district offers environmental education, assists land owners with stormwater management and helps the community in open lands preservation and conservation.
The district is run by a five-member, nonpartisan board of supervisors. Three of supervisors and two are appointed by the North Carolina Soil and Water Conservation Commission. All five supervisors serve four year terms of office. The top two finishers will be elected.
Voters in New Hanover County have three options to cast a vote in this year's municipal election. Residents can vote before Election Day by mailing in an absentee vote or casting their vote during the One-Stop or Early Voting period, which begins Oct. 20 and ends Nov. 5.
Voters can also cast their ballots on Election Day, which is Nov. 8.
Lance Capps
Age: 47
Occupation: High school special education teacher
Family: I'm the oldest of two. My parents and younger brother are all residents of Southeastern North Carolina.
Education: B.A. in sociology from University of North Carolina at Pembroke in 2017
Political affiliation: Libertarian
Evan Folds
Age: 44
Occupation: Regenerative business consultant
Family: Two children, Blythe and Dylan
Education: B.S. in biology from UNCW
Political affiliation: Independent
Frank Meares
Age: 39
Occupation: Vice President of Better Basket
Family: Wife Christy, sons Christopher and Ashton
Education: Cape Fear Community College, Covenant Theology Seminary
Political affiliation: Republican
What are the top three issues facing the soil and water conservation district?
Capps: Protecting water quality is an ongoing mission that we have to take seriously as residents of New Hanover County. In recent years, the addition of so many new residences (and lack of wetlands) has caused severe water runoff issues that contributed to the flooding issues during Hurricane Florence. While New Hanover County is small in space, we have to protect the limited undeveloped land as it all contributes to the health of our developed communities.
Folds: The biggest challenge we face is elevating the imagination of our ideas. How do we think bigger, through a lens of systems thinking and with the understanding that our quality of life starts in the soil and water? The landfill is running out, and more than 50% of the waste stream can be diverted through large-scale bulk, school, and residential composting. There is a massive return on investment here. Finally, not only does Soil and Water champion unique issues within local government, we work directly with the public on conservation projects. Raising our profile is always a priority.
Meares: The future of Community Conservation Assistance Program Funding, continuing to improve conservation education, and adding and updating best management practices.
What actions would you take to improve water quality?
Capps: Advocating for stricter regulations about what can and cannot be poured into our rivers and streams is of the highest importance. Working with lawmakers to regulate and create stricter measures will be a priority during my time as Soil and Water supervisor.
Folds: One way is to formalize a high-level vision and plan for urban and regional regenerative agriculture. New Hanover County is highly populated with no farms, surrounded by massive conventional farming operations that have a huge impact on our poor water quality. The Cape Fear River is one of the more polluted rivers in the United States, and it is not just PFAS pollution. It is the glyphosate sprayed on Roundup-ready crops, and the highest density of CAFO (concentrated animal feeding operation) farms of any other place on earth in the Cape Fear River basin. We need to be a voice in this conversation.
Meares: I would continue to increase the education programs that we offer to the public as well as grant programs based on best management practices focused on treating the many different water quality issues.
As more land is developed, what steps will you take to protect wetlands and open space?
Capps: New Hanover County has limited undeveloped space. We have to regulate the use of what little land we have remaining and increase incentives for businesses and communities to provide more natural space to ensure the flood damage from storms can be minimized.
Folds: Development is a constant balance between need and want. Ecosystem services are a way for landowners to generate revenue other than development. Undoubtedly, we cannot survive without a healthy environment, yet our accounting discludes this reality in the form of what are called “externalities,” such as Chemours not paying to clean up the PFAS pollution. With the maturation of carbon markets there is now a mechanism to bring balance to the economic incentives of development at all costs to retain more land in conservation. More people should be aware of this opportunity. We need a pilot project.
Meares: I would continue to work with the board in promoting protective measures for locations such as Eagles Island as well as speaking with other officials and voting on resolutions like our GenX bill I helped to create.
If elected, what is one thing you want to accomplish during your term?
Capps: When elected, I look forward to being part of the team that has been helping clean our water for decades. I look forward to speaking up against those who would pollute our rivers, and poison our future.
Folds: The Soil and Water Board has previously supported the natural park pilot currently underway in Olsen Park. I was able to generate a grant to cover any additional expenses of ending the use of synthetic inputs and beginning the use of regenerative methods in the park. In other words, we are going to grow the soil, not just the grass. The conventional approach of trying to kill the symptom, results in us spraying known carcinogens on playgrounds. There is a better way. The goal is to expand the program to all parks and schools, and ultimately to all public land.
Meares: I strive to raise awareness of proper hydraulic soil management.
What makes you the best candidate?
Capps: As a lifelong resident of southeast North Carolina, I have seen our county grow, almost uncomfortably to the point where it's almost like living on one of those sci-fi planets where there are no trees. As someone who doesn't want Wilmington to resemble the landscape of Blade Runner (although flying cars would be sweet), I will work tirelessly to ensure our future is clean and green!
Folds: We cannot solve dynamic problems with linear thinking. By seeing the ecosystem in things, appreciating that we are agricultural beings, and organizing in our agency, we can protect and enhance the quality of our soil and water. This is my life’s work, and, with your vote of support, I would be honored to continue to serve. If we are courageous, and if we work together, we can right the wrongs that we recognize, and the resonance of our spirit and action will result in a healthier and more beautiful world that our hearts know is possible.
Meares: I’m the best candidate because of my eight years of experience as an elected board member. I have the knowledge of New Hanover County soil and water issues and how we work within the county and state. I currently serve on the North Carolina Soil and Water Association Education board, which works on furthering conservation education. I also have the understanding of different grant programs and financial resources needed to help the public and what needs to be done to further improve them. Most importantly is my dedication to the will of the people of New Hanover County.
Reporter Emma Dill can be reached at 910-343-2096 or edill@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: New Hanover elections: Soil and water conservation district candidates
