The Committee on the Environment (“COE”) considered and approved several significant projects that will have an effect on the campus for years, and likely decades, to come. Possibly the most important action COE took this year was to approve the Comprehensive Management Plan for Lullwater, which is the result of a collaborative effort between members of COE and members of the Lullwater Task Force. The Plan provides a rich history of Lullwater, and it examines the health of many aspects of Lullwater, including the streams and lakes, native plants, invasive species, wildlife, and teaching, recreation and residential areas. The plan makes specific recommendations aimed at restoring, protecting, and preserving Lullwater so it can continue to be a special and central place on our campus.

Another Lullwater-related project approved by COE is the construction of a low-impact suspension bridge over the South Fork of Peachtree Creek that will connect Lullwater with the forest behind the Veteran’s Administration complex. There is a small trail, which will be improved and restored, on the VA side of the creek, and this bridge will allow the Emory community to access and enjoy the forest. The bridge will also allow those from the VA community to have easy pedestrian access to the Emory campus. COE provided input concerning improvements to the trail, limitations on use of the trail (i.e. no bicycles and that it will never become an official cross country trail), improvements in security measures, and the requirement that this newly accessible forest be managed according to the Lullwater Comprehensive Management Plan.

Another noteworthy project approved by COE is the shuttle road connector that will run between Haygood and Ridgewood Drives. COE’s recommendations on this road included requiring sidewalks and bike lanes, saving as many trees as possible, documenting the many large trees that were removed, and replanting trees so as to create a buffer between the road and the adjacent homes. COE also encouraged Facilities Management (“FM”) to resolve an ongoing dispute with the Druid Hills neighborhood concerning the distraction caused by shuttles driving by Druid Hills High School on the existing shuttle road. To resolve this dispute, Emory has agreed to build a wall and plant an evergreen screen between the road and the high school.

Other projects approved by COE include the placement of a telecommunications cable through Wesley Woods to the Wesley Woods complex, the new pediatrics building, the relocation of Fishburne Road, and the pedestrian and stormwater improvements to Peavine Creek Drive. COE required that the telecommunications cable, 1) be installed deep underground with no impact to the woods; and 2) be replaced from the ends or abandoned instead of fixed from the surface if it ever malfunctions. Regarding the pediatrics building, COE encouraged the architects to make good use of the greenspace around the building. Regarding Fishburne Road, COE requested FM perform additional studies to determine the acoustical and air quality effects of the road on the occupants of the Rich Building and Woodruff Library. And regarding Peavine Creek Drive, COE insisted that the stormwater improvements occur along with the pedestrian improvements.

Finally, COE would like to celebrate the selection of Dr. John Wegner as Emory’s new Environmental Officer. John was a natural choice, as he is the best advocate for the natural elements on our campus.