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5 <br /> 1 and other entities to protect 2,244 acres of significant natural areas and prime farmland with <br /> 2 permanent conservation easements. <br /> 3 <br /> 4 Over the past several months, DEAPR has worked with Geoffrey and Jane Gledhill and the <br /> 5 Eno River Association on a project to conserve the Gledhill's 30-acre property located across <br /> 6 from their farm at 1319 Carr Store Road (Cedar Grove Township). <br /> 7 <br /> 8 The Gledhills intend to grant a permanent conservation easement that restricts future <br /> 9 development, protects forest and water resources, and helps maintain rural character along <br /> 10 this stretch of Carr Store Road located just 1/3 mile from the Cedar Grove Rural Crossroads <br /> 11 Historic District (listed on National Register of Historic Places). <br /> 12 <br /> 13 The land is entirely forested and contains a section of Lick Creek and two feeder streams <br /> 14 that drain to the East Fork Eno River and Lake Orange. A conservation easement would <br /> 15 help protect Lake Orange by restricting future land uses on the property that could increase <br /> 16 runoff, sedimentation, and pollution. The easement will prohibit future subdivision and <br /> 17 agricultural uses. Forest stewardship is allowed, but forestry activities will be restricted to areas <br /> 18 outside of wide buffers (up to 300 feet wide) along nearly 6,000 linear feet of streams. <br /> 19 <br /> 20 DEAPR Staff and the County Attorney have worked with the Eno River Association and the <br /> 21 landowners to prepare an agreement that meets their needs and the County's interests. <br /> 22 There are no structures on the 30-acre property, but the easement will allow the construction of <br /> 23 a cabin in a designated upland portion of the property. All other development rights will be <br /> 24 extinguished through the conservation easement. DEAPR and Eno River Association staff will <br /> 25 monitor the property on an annual basis. A copy of the draft easement agreement is attached <br /> 26 along with maps showing the property outlined in red. <br /> 27 <br /> 28 The planned conservation easement would be held jointly by Orange County and the Eno River <br /> 29 Association. The Eno River Association secured matching funds for this project from <br /> 30 the City of Raleigh's Watershed Protection Program (Upper Neuse Clean Water Initiative). <br /> 31 <br /> 32 FINANCIAL IMPACT: The easement purchase price is $71,250, which is 75 percent of the <br /> 33 easement value ($95,000) as determined by an appraisal by Kirkland and Associates. The <br /> 34 landowners will donate 25 percent of the easement value ($23,750), meaning they will forgo <br /> 35 that amount and, instead, will be eligible for federal income tax benefits. <br /> 36 <br /> 37 DEAPR worked with the Eno River Association to identify the following funding sources: <br /> 38 <br /> 39 Orange County (Lands Legacy) $ 34,125 (36%) <br /> 40 City of Raleigh (Upper Neuse Clean Water Initiative) 37,125 (39%) <br /> 41 Landowner donation 23,750 (25%) <br /> 42 $ 95,000 <br /> 43 <br /> 44 Funds for the easement purchase would come from Orange County ($34,125 purchase price <br /> 45 plus $8,500 for boundary survey and closing costs) and the City of Raleigh's Watershed <br /> 46 Protection Program ($37,125 purchase price plus $16,280 for easement stewardship costs). <br /> 47 <br /> 48 The County's share of funds ($42,625)would come from existing funds budgeted and approved <br /> 49 for the Lands Legacy program (Land Legacy Fund). <br /> 50 <br />