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

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3 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION Authorization to Accept a Conservation Easement from the Eno River Association for the Eno Confluence Property WHEREAS, Orange County has adopted goals promoting the preservation of natural areas, wildlife habitat, farmland and open space in the County; and WHEREAS, one component of the Lands Legacy Program is the acquisition of conservation easements on lands that include natural areas, wildlife habitat and riparian buffers within water supply watersheds; and WHEREAS, Orange County and the Eno River Association, a private non-profit land trust with similar conservation goals, have agreed to collaborate on the acquisition and protection of riparian buffers and aquatic habitat in the Upper Eno watershed; and WHEREAS, Orange County and the Eno River Association were awarded a grant from the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund to protect a 110-acre property located at the confluence of the East and West Forks of the Eno River ("Eno Confluence"); and WHEREAS, the Eno River Association intends to acquire the property and grant a conservation easement over the entire property to Orange County, which would protect the • property for future low-impact recreation and educational uses; and WHEREAS, Orange County and the Eno River Association have generally agreed on the language of said conservation easement to be granted to the County; and WHEREAS, the Eno River Association intends to execute a promissory note obligating the Association to repay the County's funds in the event that the Association fails to execute and record a conservation easement acceptable to the County; and WHEREAS, the joint acquisition and protection of this property is exemplary of the County's ongoing collaboration and partnership with the Eno River Association; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that that the County agrees to release funds in the amount of $250,000 for the purchase of the Eno Confluence property, which will be owned by the Eno River Association. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners agree to the acceptance of a conservation easement from the Eno River Association, with the understanding that said easement will be granted to the County on or before December 31, 2008. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners agree to execute an agreement with the Eno River Association that stipulates the specific terms of its collaboration on this project.