Agenda - 04-20-2010 - 4e - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 The Intergovernmental Parks (IP) Work Group has also discussed the MST on several occasions over the past few years. On February 10, 2010 the IP Work Group recommended adding three trail "links" to one of the State's alternative trail routes. The proposed additions (shown on Attachment 2) would link the Chapel Hill and Carrboro trail networks to the New Hope Creek trail corridor that would someday link Eno River State Park to Jordan Lake. With those additions, the IP Work Group recommends approval of the State's preferred MST trail corridor. The Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough have also endorsed these changes to the plan. A draft resolution to endorse the State of North Carolina's preferred MST corridor (with the IP Work Group's suggested additional links) is attached for the Board's consideration (Attachment 1). The adjoining counties (Alamance and Durham) have already endorsed the State's planned MST trail corridor and are working with the State Trails Program, Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, and other partners to acquire land (and trail easements) and construct the trail. Alamance County is constructing two miles of trail per year. Durham County is working with Wake County and others to complete 46 miles of trail around Falls Lake. Finally, the Town of Hillsborough has also formally endorsed the MST route along the Eno River through its jurisdiction. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no impact associated with this action. Several follow-up actions, if pursued, would have financial implications. The approved FY 2009-2019 CIP (if funded) includes approximately $1.26 million from FY 2013-2016 for Lands Legacy/MST. If the planned NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail were constructed through Orange County, the costs of developing and maintaining a trail would likely be shared among various public and private landowners (including Orange County), along with volunteer assistance coordinated by Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Likely partners include the Town of Hillsborough, the State of North Carolina, and Classical American Homes Preservation Trust. State grant funds for land acquisition and trail construction is designated a top priority for the NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF), with additional funding from the State Recreational Trail Grant Program and the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund also possible. RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends that the Board approve the resolution, authorize the Chair to sign the resolution, and direct staff to work with the County's partners on the next stages of the project.