Agenda - 10-13-2009 - 2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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0 Seven Mile Creek Preserve and east to connect the County's River Park with Eno River State Park. 4) How aggressively should ERCD prioritize MST land acquisition through the Lands Legacy program? ERCD is prepared to include MST corridor planning and acquisition in the 2010-12 Lands Legacy Action Plan, as has been the case in previous two-year plans, but guidance from the Board would be useful in determining how to prioritize this project among the other Lands Legacy projects. State grant funds for land acquisition and trail construction is available from the NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (the MST is now a top priority for PARTF grants), the State Recreational Trail Grant Program, and the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund. State Parks staff has indicated State funds for land acquisition will be earmarked for Orange Coun~,r (once the state budget situation improves) as part of the State's interest in "jumpstarting" the MST in the Eastern Piedmont section. The adopted CIP allocates $1.26 million for land acquisition for Lands Legacy/ Mountains-to-Sea Trail, beginning in 2013-14 and continuing to 2016-17. There is also $2.8 million remaining from the voter-approved 2001 Parks and Open Space bond (Lands Legacy portion) that is or will be available for acquisition of public accessible parks and open space lands. At this point Board direction on whether to consider this a high, medium or low priority will be useful as staff is developing the draft 2010-2012 Lands Legacy Action Plan. A lisfing of other priorities that have been identified to date is available at the Board's places. This draft plan is slated to come to the Board in early 2010, after receiving comments and thoughts from advisory boards. State grant funds are available for acquisition and construction of the MST, but the long- term operation and management of trail segments is a local responsibility. Although large portions of the MST through Orange County will be in Eno River State Park and the Hillsborough Riverwallc, most of the future trail would need to be operated and maintained by Orange County and/or partner entities. The Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (FMST) is anon-profit organization whose mission is to bring together communities and volunteers to build the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, a simple footpath connecting the state's natural treasures for the enjoyment and education of people. According to Kate Dixon, Executive Director for the FMST, volunteers now maintain over 480 miles of existing trail. ERCD has met with Kate Dixon to learn how the FMST could assist Orange County in the construction and maintenance of the MST using a systematic approach used across the state. See the letter from Kate Dixon provided as Attachment 6.