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THISTHE 4th DAY DF FEBRUARY, 2003. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />c. Resolution of Support for "Ena Wilderness" Project <br />The Board considered a resolution of support for the consideration of the "Ena <br />Wilderness," a project by the N. C. Office of State Parks and the Eno River Association to acquire 815 <br />acres of identified national heritage lands in eastern Orange County. <br />Environment and Resource Conservation Director David Stancil said that back in 1989 <br />Orange County conducted an inventory of natural areas and wildlife habitat. Among the 64 sites that <br />were identified 14 years ago were same of the places along the Eno River. The State has acquired an <br />option to purchase the property. Some monies have been committed. He introduced Lari Olsen, <br />Executive Director of the Ena River Association. <br />Lori Olson said that the Eno Wilderness project is 815 acres. It is half of a 1,600-acre ar <br />greater tract. There are over two miles of river frontage on the Eno and there are already 5.4 miles of <br />existing trails. There are three miles of intermittent streams. <br />Commissioner Gordon read the resolution. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to <br />approve and authorize the Chair to sign the resolution as stated below: <br />A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE ENO WILDERNESS CAMPAIGN <br />WHEREAS, Orange County has along-standing commitment to the preservation of natural and <br />cultural resource lands; and <br />WHEREAS, the County formalized this commitment in April 2000 with the creation of the Lands <br />Legacy program; and <br />WHEREAS, a priority of the Lands Legacy program is the partnership with and support of other <br />agencies and non-profit conservation organizations toward the protection of critical resource lands; <br />and <br />WHEREAS, the property know as the "Dubose Tract" has long been recognized as an important site <br />of natural resource significance, signified by its inclusion in the N.C. Natural Heritage program and its <br />proximity to the Eno River and the Eno River State Park; and <br />WHEREAS, the expansion of the Eno River State Park in this area is consistent with the park master <br />plan and the Orange County Comprehensive Plan; and <br />WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina and the Ena River Association have joined efforts to acquire <br />the "Eno Wilderness", containing critical natural resource lands, and are seeking funds to acquire the <br />site; <br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners endorses <br />the Eno Wilderness project and the efforts of the N.C. State Parks and the Eno River Association <br />toward that end. <br />BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners commends the grant <br />submittals to the Clean Water Management Trust Fund and the Natural Heritage Trust Fund, and <br />asks that those agencies look favorably on the acquisition of this land of Statewide natural resource <br />importance. <br />This, the 4t" day of February, 2003 <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />