Agenda - 02-23-2006-abstract - Laserfiche WebLink

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In October 2005, representatives from Orange and Alamance counties met with the State Trails Coordinator (Darrell McBane) in Hillsborough to discuss potential MST alignment alternatives, A second workshop is scheduled for February 3. Participants from Orange, Alamance and Chatham counties will use base maps and base data to identify potential routes and to build consensus for a primary MST trail alignment and also some alternative or secondary trail routes. A map showing the more promising alternatives is attached, At this point, it appears likely that the Orange County portion of the MST trail would pass from Durham County to Hillsborough along the Eno River, including portions through Eno River State Park, West of Hillsborough, however, the trail route is more uncertain, One scenario is to run the trail from Hillsborough in a southwesterly direction along Seven Mile Creek, Crabtree Creek and Cane Creek to the Haw River, then (in Alamance County) follow the Haw River upstream to Burlington. A second scenario would have the trail go west from Hillsborough along the Eno River and McGowan Creek through Efland, then overland to Lake Michael in Mebane and into Alamance County along Back Creek to the Haw River. The proposed MST corridors described above were discussed at recent meetings of the Commission for the Environment (CfE) and the Intergovernmental Parks Work Group (IPWG), but neither body stated a clear preference for a recommended trail alignment, Representatives from both groups have been invited to participate in future meetings, On December 12, 2005, the Hillsborough Board adopted a resolution recommending that the State of North Carolina select a trail alignment through Hillsborough that would incorporate Hillsborough's planned Riverwalk along the Eno River, A copy of the resolution is attached. The Orange County Board of Commissioners received information from staff on the MST proposal at the Board's Febn~ary 9, 2006 regular meeting. Attachment 5-a -Map of Proposed MST Routes in Orange Counfy Attachment 5-b - 12/12/05 Hillsborough Board Resolution on MST 6. Items of Mutual Interest a) Eno River Confluence It has been proposed that a meeting of interested stakeholders and related interests be planned for a broad discussion of issues related to the Eno River, The meeting would bring together all parties interested in the preservation and protection of the Eno River, its watershed, and its tributaries for environmental, economic, public safety, and aesthetic reasons. The Boards may want to confer on the this proposal and the draft format far such a meeting, which is attached. Attachment 6-a -Draft Eno River Confluence b) Library Facilities in Hillsborough The Library Services Task Force (reconvened, 2004) expressed its support, within the context at that time of relocating the main branch to Waterstone as part of the DTCC-Orange campus) of keeping a library presence in central Hillsborough. Many central Orange residents and members of the Town Council were also concerned about the possibility of losing a library in the downtown area. The BOCC agreed to discuss with the Town how serious its interest was, using