Orange County NC Website
1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: December 12, 2017 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 6-c <br /> SUBJECT: Lands Legacy Action Plan for 2018-2020 <br /> DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, <br /> Parks and Recreation <br /> (DEAPR) <br /> ATTACHMENTS: INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> 1. Lands Legacy Program Overview David Stancil, 245-2510 <br /> 2. Annual Action Plan (2018-2020) Kim Livingston, 245-2514 <br /> 3. Action Plan Map (2018-2020) <br /> UNDER SEPARATE COVER <br /> 4. Previous Action Plan (2014-2017) <br /> ONLY AVAILABLE AT: <br /> www.orangecountync.qov/departments/d <br /> eapr/lands legacyprogram.php <br /> PURPOSE: To consider adoption of the Lands Legacy Action Plan for the years 2018- <br /> 2020. <br /> BACKGROUND: The Board of Commissioners established the Lands Legacy Program in <br /> 2000. Through this program, Orange County seeks to protect its most critical natural and <br /> cultural resources through a variety of voluntary means. Over the first 17 years of the <br /> program, Orange County acquired land for eight new parks and nature preserves, <br /> conserved 20 active farms (1,930 acres), and protected nearly 1,500 acres of natural open <br /> space in the Eno River, Cane Creek, Little River, and New Hope Creek watersheds. Over <br /> that period the County helped other partners protect an additional 1,338 acres of sensitive <br /> resource lands. <br /> Most projects are accomplished in partnership with other conservation entities, including <br /> the Triangle Land Conservancy, Orange Water & Sewer Authority, Eno River Association, <br /> the Orange NRCS/Soil & Water Office, State and Federal trust funds, and adjoining local <br /> governments. With those partnerships, Orange County has been awarded over $5 million <br /> in grants for park acquisition or construction and for conserving farms and open space. <br /> The Lands Legacy Program is directed by the BOCC's adoption of an Action Plan. The <br /> proposed 2018-2020 Action Plan reflects acquisition priorities for the next three years. <br /> Action Plan development is aided by input from resident advisory boards: the Commission <br /> for the Environment (for natural areas, prime forest, riparian buffers, and open <br /> space/trails); the Agricultural Preservation Board (for farmland preservation); the Historic <br />