Minutes 01-21-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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20 Who Should Be Involved • Landowners Along the Corridor • Interested Residents • OWASA • Friends of the MST (FMST) • State Parks • NC DOT • County Departments (DEAPR, Planning, ES, Sheriff) Possible Next Steps • Complete information gathering • Notify stakeholders • Schedule first community meeting (February?) PUBLIC COMMENT: John Silva read the following letter: Orange County Commissioners Thursday January 21, 2016 Opposition to the Mountain-to-Sea Trail through the Cane Creek Watershed If a motion is being considered this evening for segment 11 of the Mountain-to-Sea Trail, which would go through Bingham Township, the Thunder Mt. (TM), Mitchell Mt. (MM) communities in the Cane Creek Watershed, I respectfully request a tabling of the motion. The residents of TM and MM, the two communities in the township most impacted by such a motion, did not know a motion was being considered, and did not have an opportunity to review and discuss the motion. Just yesterday (January 21, 2016), Phil Duckwall and Brenda McCall of MM and Christine and John Silva of TM became aware that a request to reconsider the Cane Creek Watershed area has been initiated by a couple of individuals including one person who is not even a resident of either TT or MM (a Mr. Green). This process was not done in a democratic manner and was not open to TM and MM residents. A few years ago a similar attempt to locate a Mountain-to-Sea Trail through the TM and MM communities was vigorously opposed by the Citizens United to Protect the Cane Creek Watershed and this group will once again vigorously oppose any attempt to run the trail through the rural communities and the Cane Creek watershed. I am not opposed to the concept of the Mountain-to-Sea Trail. I have personally hiked the Appalachian Trail from Northern Virginia to Maine. I propose that the Orange County Commissioners require the presentation of alternate trail routes for segment 11 of the Mountain-to-Sea Trail that do not go through the TM and MM communities. It is my understanding that one alternate option would allow Orange County the immediate ability to put the Seven Mile Creek area (and points north and east) into service and continue the Mountain-to-Sea Trail on its current route along 1-85. That brings immediate value to Orange County residents and connects existing recreational areas and trails - including trails into Hillsborough and to the Mountain-to-Sea statewide trail. I am sure other viable routes can be determined that will be embraced by impacted residents or have minimal impact on sensitive residential and watershed areas. Thank you.