Agenda - 12-01-1998 - 8c - Laserfiche WebLink

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t '~ Orange County Board of County Commissioners Action Agenda Item Abstract Meeting Date: December 1, 1998 Action Agenda Item No S-~ Subject: Forest Service Contract Department Budget Office Attachment(s) Agreement for the Protection Development and Improvement of Forest Lands in Orange County Public Hearing No Budget Amendment Needed No Information Contact Donna Dean ext. 2151 Telephone and Extension Number Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane (336) 227-2031 Purpose To approve the annual agreement between Orange County and the North Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Community Development (DNRCD) to support the NC Forest Service in Orange County. Background This agreement, received from the Orange County division of the Forest Service in October, provides for the continued maintenance by the DNRCD (through the NC Forest Service) of the protection, development and improvement of forestlands in Orange County. Responsibilities of the Forest Service include: • controlling forest fires in the County, • detecting and extinguishing fires that break out • investigating the origin of forest, woodland and field fires • enforcing State forest fire laws • taking preventative measures, educational and otherwise, as necessary, to prevent forest fires • developing and improving the forests through reforestation, promotion and practice of Forest Management practices. The State supports 60% of the Forest Service budget. For 1998-99 this amount equals $85,869. The County's share is 40 percent of the total, or $57,246. These funds have already been included in the approved 1998-99 budget. Recommendation The Manager recommends that the Board approve the annual agreement between Orange County and the Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, and authorize the Chair to sign. 1