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3 <br />Stillhouse Creek Stream Restoration Project <br />Questions and Answers /Future Plans <br />The Orange Soil and Water Conservation District and USDA Natural Resource <br />Conservation Service, working with the Orange County Environment and <br />Resource Conservation-Department, are working to protect and ensure the <br />integrity of the recently completed Stillhouse Creek Stream Restoration Project <br />area and easement in downtown Hillsborough on the Orange County Main <br />Campus. The following provides answers to some recently asked questions, and <br />lists planned next steps the Stillhouse Creek site. <br />What Is the Project Designed to Do? <br />This is a stream restoration project, funded by the North Carolina Ecosystem <br />Enhancement Program (EEP). The purpose of the project is to address <br />significant stream erosion along this segment of the creek by stabilizing the area <br />with new native vegetation, which also creates an area conductive to habitat for <br />native flora and fauna. <br />How Can I Help Protect the Project Area? What Should County Employees <br />Do or Not Do? <br />As the years go by, the newly-planted trees, shrubs and vegetation will mature. <br />There are three crossing points over the project, the Link Governmental Services <br />Center Bridge, The Governmental Services Annex Bridge, and the Occoneechee <br />Village Bridge. Employees and visitors will be asked to cross the stream project <br />in these areas and leave the other portions of the project undisturbed, to optimize <br />and protect the new plant and wildlife habitat. <br />When Will the Construction Fencing Come Down? Will There be a New <br />Fence? <br />The orange construction fencing is still up to delineate the restoration area <br />activity. As the growing~season ends and the plan and wildlife species in the <br />area begin to move into winter, the construction fence will come down. To <br />maintain the "natural" setting and protect the vegetation in the easement area, a <br />permanent fence will need to be placed along the border of the easement. Staff <br />proposes asplit-rail fence, which will preserve the riparian buffer while allowing <br />for a maintenance boundary. Access points will be designated to allow access for <br />educational opportunities and stream monitoring. Staff members are currently <br />working on grant applications for funds to buy materials and install a fence. <br />What Other Activities Are Planned? <br />Environmental Education as Part of the Future River Park: An educational <br />platform with signs and information about the stream restoration project to be <br />sited. This would be accessible by visitors to the future RiverPark (between the <br />project area and Churton Street) <br />