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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COUNTY GOMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: October 17, 2006 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. ~~_ <br />SUBJECT• Stillhouse Creek Restoration Project <br />DEPARTMENTS: NRCS/Soil and Water District, PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />ERCD <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />1) Future Plans /Questions and Answers INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />2) Project Overview Brent Bogue, 245-2750 <br />3) Before and After Photos David Stancil, 245-2590 <br />PURPOSE: To receive a presentation on the. Stillhouse Creek Restoration Project, a joint <br />venture of Orange County, the N.C. Ecosystem Enhancement Program, and the U.S. Natural <br />Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) /Orange Soil and Water District. <br />BACKGROUND: The Stillhouse Creek restoration project was completed in May 2006. <br />Stillhouse Creek is a tributary of the Eno River that runs through the County governmental <br />campus in downtown Hillsborough. <br />The project restored a 1,000-foot section of the stream from Margaret Lane (behind the John <br />Link Government Services Center) to the Eno River. Substantial erosion had occurred along <br />this segment.of the stream during the past 20 years, and this project was needed to minimize <br />future erosion and to restore streamside vegetation. <br />The project was managed by the Orange Soil and Water Conservation District and USDA- <br />Natural Resources Conservation Service in conjunction with the State of North Carolina. The <br />project was funded entirely by the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP). <br />The restoration project was completed in May 2006. Activities to restore the stream included <br />re-establishing a vegetated buffer comprised of over 500 native trees and shrubs. Portions <br />of the stream were re-routed to decrease erosion and new offset "wetland pools" were <br />created to enhance aquatic habitat. The project design was coordinated with the planned <br />County courthouse expansion and River Park project. <br />The project agreement will require that Orange County grant a conservation easement to <br />State of North Carolina. The easement will ensure permanent protection for the stream <br />corridor (± 2 acres) while allowing for maintenance of stream crossings for walking trails and <br />utilities. ERCD staff is working with the State to prepare a draft easement agreement for the <br />