Agenda - 10-05-2010 - 4h - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 • Provision of mutual aid in times of emergency, and • Taking preventative measures, educational and otherwise as necessary, to prevent forest fires. In addition to their statutory responsibilities, the County and District offices participate in many public education efforts. For example, the Board of County Commissioners' 2009-10 Priority P-1 calls for the conservation of high priority natural areas, prime forests and wildlife habitat. Part of the strategy to address this priority is a public seminar series that includes a session later this year on `Sustainable Forest Management and Stewardship," in which the County and District offices plan to participate. In 2009-10, 76 forest management plans for 3,700 acres were created by the local offices and $6,530 in State cost-share funds were provided to Orange County landowners for tree-planting and pre-commercial thinning. Staff made 81 on-site visits to active logging operations within this time frame, and 208 acres of new forest were planted. The Forest Service addressed 22 forest fires on 26.40 acres of land which threatened 23 homes valued at 3.5 million dollars. Staff also completed five Community Wildfire Protection Plans (risk assessments) within the County's fire districts. To date 8 of 10 fire districts have now been completed. Forest Service staff also provided Wildland Fire Suppression training classes to Carrboro and White Cross Fire Departments. FINANCIAL IMPACT: As is done each year, the anticipated budget for the Forest Service contract is shared with the County prior to budget approval, and amounts budgeted accordingly and approved as part of the County budget in June. The approved FY 2010-11 Forest Service, budget is $161,600, with the County's share as per the proposed contract at $64,640, a decrease of $560 from last year. These funds are included in the adopted FY 2010-11 County budget. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the annual agreement between Orange County and the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources for FY 2010-11, authorizing the Chair to sign the agreement.