Orange County NC Website
3 <br />Contract Number: P06122 <br />MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING <br />BETWEEN CERTAIN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND <br />THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, <br />DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES <br />CONCERNING <br />THE HAW RIVER TRAIL CORRIDOR <br />March 1, 2006 -December 31, 2010 <br />WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina (hereinafter referred to as "the State"), has proposed <br />multi-use trail development and natural resource preservation efforts within a defined area along <br />the Haw River (hereinafter referred to as "the Trail Corridor"); and <br />WHEREAS, the State has proposed a paddle, hiking andlor multi-use trail connecting the Haw <br />River State Park to Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, (hereinafter referred to as "the Trail"), as <br />a component of the State Trails System, to make efficient use of public dollars and provide the <br />greatest benefit by linking key resources; and <br />WHEREAS, the Trail Corridor contains a wide range of outstanding and unique natural, cultural <br />and historic resources; and <br />WHEREAS, the preservation of resources within the Trail Corridor provides a wide range of <br />outstanding existing and potential recreational and economic development opportunities; and <br />WHEREAS, the preservation of lands within the Trail Corridor would support the multiple goals <br />of the Partners; therefore the width of the Trail Comdor for planning purposes should be at a <br />minimum of 500 feet from the top of bank (1000' corridor) where possible. The proposed use of <br />the Trail Corridor should be a balance of natural resource protection, recreation, water quality, <br />historical and cultural preservation, view. shed protection, and' economic development. As much <br />as possible, undisturbed natural vegetation within the Trail Corridor is preferred to meet the <br />maximum number of these goals; and <br />WHEREAS, the Haw River and its tributaries flow through multiple municipalities, counties and <br />four multi-county planning regions; and <br />WHEREAS certain portions of the Trail Corridor will traverse public lands owned by <br />municipalities, counties, the State of North Carolina, and may also cross privately held land <br />managed by private non-profit agencies or land under conservation easements, held by either the <br />State, municipal, county or private non-profit agencies; and <br />WHEREAS, The State has partnered with Alamance County, Guilford County, Chatham County, <br />Orange County, Rockingham County, the City of Burlington, the City of Graham, the Town of <br />