Orange County NC Website
Rich Shaw said that he got advice from the Conservation Trust of North Carolina. He <br />said that the language in this forest management section is more detailed and rigorous than <br />other conservation easements of this kind. They refined it even further with the County <br />Attorney and OWASA to make it even more specific with regard to no crossing of streams and <br />entering into wetlands, etc. Even with the language, he agrees that it should be flagged for a <br />little more conscious oversight. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked if the County could have prior notification of any cutting <br />and if representatives from the County or OWASA could be present during the cutting. Geof <br />Gledhill said that this could be done. He made reference to page 20 and that the forest <br />management activities must be in accordance with the written forest management plan <br />prepared by a professional forester and approved by the grantee. Orange County and <br />OWASA are the grantees. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that he cannot support this because he is not comfortable <br />with it. <br />Chair Jacobs said that if the County is going to be involved, then it should model the <br />behavior that it has been advocating. For instance, the County has been advocating that <br />notice be given to neighbors prior to forestry cutting practices. He asked if this was stipulated <br />anywhere in the agreement and Rich Shaw said no. <br />Chair Jacobs asked if there was something in the agreement about leaving visual <br />buffers and not cutting right up to property lines. Rich Shaw said that on page 20-i., it speaks <br />to aesthetic and recreational considerations, including impacts on views from public roads. <br />Chair Jacobs said that the Board has talked about establishing a mechanism for <br />neighbors to buy timber rights to an easement or buffer along the property line. He would like <br />to work toward this. If the staff could work on interpreting the agreement along those lines, he <br />would feel more comfortable. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that it sounds like more work should be done on this before <br />it is approved. She applauds the owners for their honesty. She thinks the Board should direct <br />the staff to be more descriptive in the language so that the forest management plan details are <br />not left to be negotiated later. <br />The Board agreed that the staff would come back as soon as possible with a modified <br />agreement that reflects the comments made. <br />Commissioner Carey asked about OWASA's action on this and Rich Shaw said that <br />they have approved the purchase contract, but not the conservation easement language. <br />Chair Jacobs said that they appreciate the Lloyd's willingness to work with the County <br />in putting their property into a conservation easement. <br />e. Resolution to Amend the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement Establishing the <br />Orange-Person-Chatham Local Management Entity (LME) <br />The Board considered a resolution that amends the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement <br />(ICA) that established the three-county public entity to serve as the Local Management Entity <br />(LME) for ensuring mental health, developmental disability, and substance abuse services <br />(MH/DD/SA) in the Orange, Person, and Chatham Counties catchment area. <br />John Link said that this amendment allows the three counties to effectively deconstruct <br />the OPC area authority and construct the LME. The statutory language is very restrictive. The <br />amendment gives the flexibility to carry out the process in a prudent and measured way. <br />Commissioner Brown said that this is the most important thing the County has done <br />since the State mandated how they had to get rid of most of their programs. This amendment <br />allows the County to continue services as Orange County government until an agency can <br />come forward to provide the same quality of services. <br />