S ECD - Eno River Association purchase of Eno Confluence property & conservation easement

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• ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: December 3, 2007 Action Age ~a Item No. SUBJECT: Resolution of Approval -Contribution of Funds for Land Acquisition and Acceptance of Conservation Easement from the Eno River Association DEPARTMENT: Environment and Resource PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) Conservation ATTACHMENTS INFORMATION CONTACT: Resolution of Approval David Stancil, 245-2590 Location Map Rich Shaw, 245-2591 Site Map Draft Agreement (County-ERA) Draft Conservation Easement PURPOSE: To consider a resolution authorizing an agreement between the County and the Eno River Association for the County contribution of funds for the purchase of the Eno • Confluence property (110 acres) and the acceptance of a conservation easement for the same property. BACKGROUND: Orange County is collaborating with the Eno River Association on the acquisition and permanent protection of a 110-acre tract of land along the Eno River in northwestern Orange County. The property is located west of Highland Farm Road, approximately one mile south of the intersection with Efland-Cedar Grove Road. The owner is Ms. Joanne Stollings of Burlington. The "Eno Confluence Property" has 2.1 miles bordering the Easf and West Forks of the Eno River, and is recognized as a high priority site for conservation purposes. Sections of the river support aquatic habitat of national significance. In addition, the site includes remains of the former Smith Mill. Acquisition of high-priority lands in the Upper Eno Watershed critical area is identified in the Lands Legacy Action Plan adopted for FY 2006-08. In March 2007, the County and the Eno River Association submitted a joint grant application to the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) for state funds needed to purchase the Stollings property. The application included a pledge from Orange County to contribute up to $250,000 for the purchase. On September 10, the CWMTF awarded $685,000 toward the acquisition, including a portion of the transaction costs. The Eno River Association has negotiated a contract to purchase the property, using a combination of State, local government, and private funds. In addition to the CWMTF grant, the Association has been awarded $110,470 from the City of Raleigh through the Upper Neuse Clean Water Initiative. The Association requests $250,000 from Orange County and • will raise the balance of funds from its membership and other private sources.