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_.T............ <br /> 8 <br /> . • . <br /> Proposal for New .Hope Creek Corridor Master Plan <br /> Presented to Orange County <br /> III May 18, 1989 <br /> The New Hope Creek is a special riverine system. . Unlike <br /> streams such as the Eno River, it exhibits a very wide hydrologic <br /> influence. Vast floodplains result in large land areas which <br /> III have been left in their natural state -- a corridor of land <br /> valuable for habitat. .stormwater filtration and absorption, -and • <br /> other open space needs, including recreation. But at the same <br /> a time, the New Hope Creek corridor enjoys little public awareness <br /> and appreciation because it is not often visible to the passing <br /> traveller. The corridor is a difficult phenomenon to visualize <br /> as it presently exists. but the tremendous potential remains. <br /> Rapid urbanization occuring in Orange and Durham Counties <br /> has made us more aware of the opportunities and problems <br /> associated with the New Hope Creek corridor. Public concern is <br /> focusing on the quality of our many waterways. Intense <br /> development pressures eminating from Durham and Chapel Hill are <br /> 1 causing these two cities to grow together. The World Class <br /> Region Land Use Advisory Committee of the Triangle J Council of <br /> Governments has targeted the New Hope Creek corridor as crucial <br /> to the large-scale network of regional open space needed for <br /> conservation and recreation. Increasingly, planners are <br /> factoring ecological considerations with transportation and <br /> .:., :. <br /> utilities as part of the infrastructure required to support <br /> quality growth and development. <br /> . . <br /> Why a Master Plan is Needed ' <br /> 1 • "Master Plan" is a term used to describe both a process and a <br /> product: • The major reasons this project should be undertaken . <br /> are - <br /> Ill -to culminate the lengthy period of inventory, study, --.. <br /> philosophies, and discussion in a systematic and meaningful way, <br /> III to show decision-makers the options which are available to them. <br /> Such a document will enable Orange County to take action on <br /> available policy choices, including regulations , preservation. <br /> and acquisition. <br /> -to serve as a forum among the many entities with interests in <br /> the future of the New Hope Creek corridor: local government <br /> agencies. conservation groups, developers, and land owners; <br /> -to balance the beneficial functions of land left in its natural <br /> state with the need to develop land for human activities in this <br /> corridor; .•,. <br /> -to aid in public visualization of the landscapes which comprise <br /> ill the corridor -- beyond scientific value as habitat, recreational <br /> value as open space -- a vast swath of land which few people <br /> presently see or comprehend. • <br /> 111 <br />