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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date:. September 19, 2007 <br />Action Agenda', <br />Item No. __ `~_ <br />SUBJECT: Forest Service Contract for Fiscal Year 2007-08 <br />DEPARTMENT: Budget PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />Agreement for Protection, Development <br />and Improvement of Forest Land in <br />Orange County <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Mike Tapp, Fire Marshal, 968-2050 <br />PURPOSE: To approve the annual agreement between Orange County and the North Carolina <br />Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for protection, development, <br />reforestation, management and improvement of forestlands located in the County. <br />BACKGROUND: This agreement; made under authority of Sections 113-54 and 113-59 of the <br />North Carolina General Statutes, provides for continuation of active protection of Orange County <br />forestlands by the NC Forest Service. <br />Responsibilities of the Forest Service and County Forest Ranger include: <br />® Developing and improving forestlands through reforestation, promotion and practice of <br />Forest Management practices, <br />• Protecting water quality, <br />• Protecting forestlands from insects and diseases, <br />• Controlling forest fires in the County, <br />• Detecting and extinguishing fires that break out, <br />® Investigating the origin of forest, woodland and field fires, <br />• Enforcing State forest fire laws, <br />• Mutual aid in times of emergency, and <br />• Taking preventative measures, educational and otherwise, as necessary, to prevent <br />forest fires. <br />The Forest Service in Orange County, staffed by District Forester John Howard and County <br />Forest Ranger Jacob Pressley, has been very cooperative in working towards mutual <br />agreement on other items that each party can address. As a result, all parties gained a better <br />understanding of responsibilities and limitations of each agency/entity. <br />FINANCIAL- IMPACT: The State supports 60 percent of the total Forest Service budget of <br />$157,373, an increase. of $11,310 from the 2006-07 contract total. For fiscal year 2007-08, the <br />State's share equals $94,424 (an increase of $6,786) while the County's 40 percent share totals <br />$62,949 (an increase of $4,524). The County's match is included in the County's 2007-08 <br />BOCC approved budget.. <br />