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Background information for the Board to consider each of these decision points is <br /> provided as Attachment 1. This includes information on the MST support <br /> mechanisms, operation and maintenance of the trail, and follow-up items that would <br /> be brought back for subsequent Board action. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no impact associated with this item. Several follow-up actions, <br /> if pursued, would have financial implications. The approved FY 2009-2019 CIP includes $1.26 <br /> million from FY 2013-2016 for Lands Legacy/MST. <br /> If the planned NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail were constructed through Orange County, the costs <br /> of developing and maintaining a trail would likely be shared among various public and private <br /> landowners (including Orange County), along with volunteer assistance coordinated by Friends <br /> of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Likely partners include the Town of Hillsborough, Eno River <br /> State Park, Preservation North Carolina, Orange Water and Sewer Authority, and others. <br /> State grant funds for land acquisition and trail construction is designated a top priority for the <br /> NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF), with additional funding from the State <br /> Recreational Trail Grant Program, and (only recently) the NC Clean Water Management Trust <br /> Fund also possible. <br /> RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends that the Board receive the staff report and <br /> provide feedback and direction to staff for bringing action steps back to the Board at a future <br /> meeting. No formal action is requested at this time. <br /> Environment & Resource Conservation Dept. <br /> October 13, 2009 <br /> NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail <br /> October is Mountains-to-Sea Month <br /> What and Where is the MST? <br /> •Concept in 1973 (proposed trail thru 37 counties) <br /> •Authorized by Gen. Assembly 2000 (NC Park System) <br /> •1,000-mile footpath (Great Smoky Mtns to Outer Banks) <br /> •Nearly 500 miles open for use (15 miles built in 2008) <br /> •Eastern Piedmont section is challenging <br /> NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail <br /> thru Orange County (map) <br /> Discussion / Feedback: <br /> •Endorse the planned MST route? <br /> •Coordinate with OWASA? <br /> •Collaborate with Hillsborough? <br /> •Priority for Lands Legacy program? <br />