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Protect remaining portions of an important natural corridor that links UNC lands <br />{including Mason Farm Biological Reserve) with the New Hope game lands (Jordan <br />Lake). Partner with UNC and the Botanical Garden Foundation. <br />Estimated cost of $300,000 from Lands Legacy Opportunities (LLO) Fund and/or <br />alternative financing. Potential cast-share with Botanical Garden Foundation and <br />Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP). <br />Timetable is to resume discussions with landowners carried over from previous year. <br />Identify other willing sellers/donors by December 2004. Negotiate for potential closings <br />by May 2006. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that he would like to know if Chatham County is doing anything <br />with this area also. <br />Upper Ena Riparian Buffers <br />- Acquire conservation easements to protect riparian buffer land in the critical area of the <br />Upper Eno protected watershed. <br />- Protect riparian buffers in a water supply watershed critical area. Protect prime forest <br />and wildlife habitat along upper stretches of the Ena River and Seven Mile Creek. <br />Partner with Eno River Association. <br />- Estimated cost of $500,000 from LLO Fund and for alternative financing far conservation <br />easement purchases. Apply by January 2005 for grant from Clean Water Management <br />Trust Fund or Ecosystem Enhancement Program {EEP). <br />- Timetable is to identify priority tracts and willing sellersldonors by July 2004. Secure <br />options by December 2004, if passible. Negotiate acquisitions for closings by June <br />2005. <br />Farmland Easements <br />- Acquire farmland conservation easements in priority water supply watersheds (Cane <br />Creek, Back Creek, University Lake, and Upper Eno}. <br />- Maintain a critical mass of active farmland and protect water quality by preserving <br />riparian buffers on farms. Partner with Soil and Water District/NRCS and OWASA. <br />- Estimated cost of $750,000 from alternative financing and LLD to be matched with <br />$600,000 grant requested in June 2004 from U. S. Department of Agriculture (Farm and <br />Ranch Land Protection Program). <br />- Timetable is to identify priority farms for June 2004 grant submittal (FRPP}. Collaborate <br />with Agricultural Preservation Board and Soil and Water District/NRCS. Negotiate <br />easements for closing by June 2005. <br />Bolin Creek Corridor <br />- Protect the Bolin Creek corridor between Estes Road Extension and Homestead Road. <br />- Preserve one of few remaining wooded stream corridors in Chapel Hill-Carrboro area <br />and natural area, to create nature preserve with recreation trails and outdoor education. <br />Partner with Carrboro, UNC, and Friends of Bolin Creek. <br />- Estimated cost unknown -funds could came from 2001 Parks and Open Space Bond, <br />LLO Fund, or subdivision payments-in-lieu. <br />- Timetable is to identify key properties with partners for purchase, dedication, and <br />easements by November 2004. Contact owners and negotiate acquisitions for closing <br />by June 2006. <br />