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10 <br /> Seven Mile Creek Preserve, and east to connect the County's River Park with Eno <br /> River State Park. <br /> 4) How aggressively should ERCD prioritize MST land acquisition through the <br /> Lands Legacy program? <br /> ERCD is prepared to include MST corridor planning and acquisition in the 2010-12 <br /> Lands Legacy Action Plan, as has been the case in previous two-year plans, but <br /> guidance from the Board would be useful in determining how to prioritize this project <br /> among the other Lands Legacy projects. <br /> State grant funds for land acquisition and trail construction is available from the NC <br /> Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (the MST is now a top priority for PARTF grants), <br /> the State Recreational Trail Grant Program, and the NC Clean Water Management <br /> Trust Fund. State Parks staff has indicated State funds for land acquisition will be <br /> earmarked for Orange County (once the state budget situation improves) as part of <br /> the State's interest in "jumpstarting" the MST in the Eastern Piedmont section. <br /> The adopted CIP allocates $1 .26 million for land acquisition for Lands Legacy/ <br /> Mountains-to-Sea Trail, beginning in 2013-14 and continuing to 2016-17. There is <br /> also $2.8 million remaining from the voter-approved 2001 Parks and Open Space <br /> bond (Lands Legacy portion) that is or will be available for acquisition of public <br /> accessible parks and open space lands. <br /> At this point, Board direction on whether to consider this a high, medium or low priority <br /> will be useful, as staff is developing the draft 2010-2012 Lands Legacy Action Plan. <br /> A listing of other priorities that have been identified to date is available at the Board's <br /> places. This draft plan is slated to come to the Board in early 2010, after receiving <br /> comments and thoughts from advisory boards. <br /> State grant funds are available for acquisition and construction of the MST,but the long- <br /> term operation and management of trail segments is a local responsibility. Although <br /> large portions of the MST through Orange County will be in Eno River State Park and the <br /> Hillsborough Riverwalk,most of the future trail would need to be operated and <br /> maintained by Orange County and/or partner entities. <br /> The Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (FMST) is a non-profit organization whose <br /> mission is to bring together communities and volunteers to build the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, a <br /> simple footpath connecting the state's natural treasures for the enjoyment and education of people. <br /> According to Kate Dixon, Executive Director for the FMST, volunteers now maintain over <br /> 480 miles of existing trail. ERCD has met with Kate Dixon to learn how the FMST could <br /> assist Orange County in the construction and maintenance of the MST using a systematic <br /> approach used across the state. See the letter from Kate Dixon provided as Attachment 6. <br /> 3 <br />