Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: December 11, 2012 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 7-b <br /> SUBJECT: Support for Hillsborough to Clayton Segment of the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail <br /> DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br /> and Recreation (DEAPR) <br /> ATTACHMENTS: INFORMATION CONTACTS: <br /> 1. MST Statewide Planning Corridor Map Kate Dixon, 919-698-9024 <br /> 2. MST Map — Hillsborough to Clayton Rich Shaw, 919-245-2514 <br /> David Stancil, 919-245-2510 <br /> PURPOSE: To provide an update on the progress of establishing a continuous section of the <br /> NC Mountains-to-Sea State Trail from Hillsborough to Clayton (Wake County). <br /> BACKGROUND: The NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) is a 1,000-mile trail that traverses the <br /> state from the Great Smoky Mountains in western North Carolina to Jockey's Ridge State Park <br /> on the Outer Banks (Attachment 1). Approximately 530 miles of the MST is completed and <br /> open for hiking, including new sections of the trail around Falls Lake in Durham and Wake <br /> counties. <br /> Opportunities exist to complete a 150-mile section of the MST from Hillsborough in central <br /> Orange County to Clayton in southeastern Wake County. Along that entire length there are <br /> only two "missing links," and both are located in Orange County. Efforts are underway by the <br /> Friends of NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail (FMST), Eno River Association and others to secure <br /> voluntary agreements for the future trail. The County is not expected to participate in any <br /> acquisition of land or trail easements. <br /> Kate Dixon, FMST Executive Director, will provide an overview of the efforts underway to <br /> complete this 150-mile section of the MST and ask the Board for its support of this endeavor. <br /> A similar request will be made of the Town of Hillsborough Board of Commissioners. <br /> Note: These actions are intended to advance the MST east of Hillsborough, and do not <br /> involve or affect any portion of the planning process or schedule for the MST planning <br /> corridor located in Bingham Township. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item. The costs of <br /> developing and maintaining the MST through eastern Orange County will be shared among <br /> various public and private landowners with volunteer assistance coordinated by FMST. The <br /> County has not been an active partner for completing this section of the trail. <br /> RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive this information <br /> and provide feedback and guidance as desired. <br />