Agenda - 06-21-1999 - 10d - Laserfiche WebLink

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20 5/26/99 has asked the local governments that requests regarding recreation use be made on specific parcels (please see Appendix F). OWASA's primary objective of water quality protection will determine their policy decisions regarding appropriate intensity of use on specific holdings. The Carrboro Board has recently asked OWASA to consider environmentally - sensitive low - impact public recreation uses on all OWASA properties. Finally, OWASA has acquisition plans for nearly 1300 acres in Cane Creek watershed, which may offer another potential opportunity for partnership with local governments for the provision of low- impact recreation. G. Coordination Opportunities with Duke University Duke Forest is private land owned and managed by Duke University as an outdoor educational and research facility. Comprised of seven tracts of land, the Forest covers nearly 8000 acres of woodlands and fields. Within the Forest there are a variety of forest ecosystems, stand ages, plant species, wildlife, soils, topography, and past land uses. Orange County contains five Duke Forest tracts (or 'divisions') and almost 5000 acres in the County. The Duke Forest is fully accessible through an established network of roads and footpaths. Although not expressly invited, the public is permitted to use the maintained road and trail system for recreational purposes. Permissible uses include hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, and, picnicking, with horses and mountain bikes being restricted to the access roads. These uses are allowed where they do not conflict with teaching and research activities. The public in Orange County has received a substantial benefit from Duke Forest resources. A 1990 survey estimated Duke Forest visitation at 273,000 visits per year. Following a 15 percent increase in the county's population since that survey, it is likely that Forest =wide use currently exceeds 310,000 visits per year. Since many of the Duke Forest roads and trails are in Orange County, it is probable that current use by residents of Orange County exceeds 235,000 visits per year. Public use of the Duke Forest has the potential to cause conflicts with ongoing research and teaching, in addition to creating concerns related to maintenance and liability. In recent years, an increasing amount of Duke Forest staff time has been spent in response to problems caused by improper public use and over -use. Attempts have been made to reduce liability and conflicts between academic and public uses by directing the public to less sensitive areas, restricting permissible activities, and educating the public about the academic mission of the Duke Forest. However, in light of increasing public demand for natural area recreation, reduction in conflicts with the academic mission of the Forest will only occur with the addition of public facilities provided by the surrounding counties and municipalities. In light of this, the future appears to offer opportunities to work with Duke to address mutual interests.