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55 <br /> easements where ownership remains in private hands. Lands Legacy has also <br /> leveraged millions of dollars in state and federal grants, and worked with a variety of <br /> other conservation partner organizations. <br /> All of the above has been accomplished via voluntary conservation with willing <br /> landowners. This is one of the standards for the program throughout its 17 years of <br /> operation. All acquisitions and easements have been with the voluntary participation of <br /> the landowner. Many landowners have been able to secure conservation tax credits, or <br /> use the proceeds from their conservation transaction to reinvest in their farms. <br /> It is expected that this approach will continue to be used for MST easements or land <br /> acquisition. The Board of County Commissioners will be receiving a report with <br /> proposed follow-up actions and policy for the MST in Orange County, including planned <br /> continued use of voluntary acquisition methods, in spring 2017. <br /> Topic 4 — Signage, Trail Monitoring, Safety Measures, Other Operational Details <br /> Staff will develop separate operational plans as each segment of the MST is approved <br /> by the Board of County Commissioners, describing how acquisition of easements, trail <br /> infrastructure, signage, safety, construction and other operational details will be carried <br /> out. The following information describes the overall context within which the operational <br /> details for each segment will be developed: <br /> How will people access the Trail? <br /> There will be legal, managed access points along the trail, which will provide parking and trail <br /> information. Thus far there are formal access points in Eno River State Park and at River Park <br /> (downtown Hillsborough), Gold Park (West Hillsborough), and Occoneechee Mountain State Natural <br /> Area. Another access point will be developed at the County's Seven Mile Creek Nature Park (adjacent to <br /> historic Moorefields). Additional locations in southwestern Orange County will be identified and <br /> secured as the actual trail route (MST"trail alignment") is determined and constructed through that <br /> area.The initial section of trail focus will be Occoneechee Mountain to Seven Mile Creek Nature Park. <br /> How would trail users be rescued if injured? <br /> This trail will be built over a period of many years, planned to begin in sub-segments from north to <br /> south. It is important to note -an emergency preparedness plan must be in place prior to opening any <br /> new section of the MST in Orange County.This is a requirement of the MST and State Parks, and one <br /> with which County staff concurs.That plan identifies the locations where emergency vehicles (large or <br /> small) could access various locations along the trail. Conversations have already begun with Orange <br /> County Emergency Services about how this plan would be developed, and staff is confident they have <br /> the resources to help people most anywhere in the county, including hikers in remote areas. They <br /> recommend (and staff will propose) installing markers along the MST and other public park trails every <br /> 1/10th mile, so visitors can keep track of their location and report their location if lost or injured along <br /> the trail. Those markers are assigned an "address" identified by the 911 Center with high-level accuracy <br /> for emergency response. <br />