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18 <br /> that the River Park portion of Riverwalk in Hillsborough has been formally accepted into the <br /> MST. <br /> In addition to community attendance and participation in meetings on Segment 11 planning, a <br /> staff working group was formed to help identify important components of the planned route. <br /> This group included representatives of the following departments and organizations: <br /> • OWASA <br /> • North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) <br /> • NC State Parks <br /> • NC Forest Service <br /> • Orange County Emergency Services <br /> • Orange County Sheriff's Office <br /> • Orange County Planning Department <br /> • Orange County Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation <br /> Additionally, professional facilitator Andy Sachs from the Dispute Settlement Center was hired <br /> to facilitate and help plan for the meetings. Consultation and advice was also provided by the <br /> County Manager, County Attorney and Risk Manager. <br /> Staff will present the following information at the meeting for the Board's consideration and <br /> further direction: • The results of the Segment 11 MST planning process • The Proposed <br /> Segment 11 MST Trail Map (with alternates) • A proposed course of action for beginning to <br /> acquire trail easements and trail construction and infrastructure, beginning with extension <br /> southwest from Occoneechee Mountain. <br /> Consistent with the wishes of the OWASA Board, the planned next steps for the MST, once <br /> approved, will be communicated to the OWASA Board and staff. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with the receipt of this report. <br /> Funding for the planned first phase of MST trail easements, construction and associated <br /> equipment and appurtances was included in the FY 2016-17 budget as part of the County's <br /> Capital Investment Plan. Grants for trail easement acquisition will be applied for to lessen <br /> County costs, and MST needs are listed as a high priority for State grant programs such as the <br /> Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. Trail construction and maintenance is expected to include <br /> partnership with the Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail organization. Allotments of funds for <br /> future sub-segments of the MST are scheduled in the County's Capital Investment Plan for FY <br /> 2019-20 and FY 2023-24 or beyond. <br /> David Stancil, Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR) <br /> Director, made the following PowerPoint presentation: <br /> Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) Segment 11 Plan and Next Steps <br /> The N.C. Mountains to Sea Trail <br /> • Part of the State Parks System <br /> • Clingman's Dome to Jockey's Ridge <br /> • Connects State Parks, Open Spaces <br /> • Much of Trail Exists — But Not Eastern Piedmont <br />