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RESOLUTION Approval of Agricultural and Watershed Protection Conservation Easement Between Orange County, Orange Water & Sewer Authority, and William McPherson WHEREAS, Orange County has an adopted goal promoting the preservation of farmland in the County; and WHEREAS, agriculture in Orange County is an important facet of the economy and way of life in the County; and WHEREAS, one component of the Lands Legacy Program is the acquisition of conservation easements on prime or threatened farmland within water supply watersheds; and WHEREAS, the McPherson farm includes 46.54 acres in the Cane Creek protected watershed, consists of a majority of prime soils, and is located in an agricultural community with access to farm markets; and WHEREAS, the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) has agreed to collaborate on the joint acquisition of a conservation easement that will protect the prime farmland and riparian corridors that exist on the McPherson farm with a conservation easement; and WHEREAS, a conservation easement on this entire farm provides awin-win scenario - ensuring the preservation of this farmland for future generations and providing return on the property for the McPherson family; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners does hereby 1) agree to accept on behalf of Orange County the agricultural conservation easement to protect prime farmland owned by William McPherson, Jr. and his son William McPherson III; 2) approve the execution of the Offer to Purchase and Contract of Sale and the Deed of Agricultural Conservation Easement with the McPhersons, in accordance with the terms of the proposed Offer to Purchase and Contract of Sale and the Deed of Agricultural Conservation Easement, the final form and terms of which to be approved by ERCD staff and the County Attorney; and 3) authorize the Chair and the Clerk to sign the Offer to Purchase and Contract of Sale and the Deed of Agricultural Conservation Easement on behalf of the Board, with a closing to occur on or before December 31, 2004. This the 5th day of October, 2004.