Agenda - 08-22-2006-5l - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: August 22, 2006 Action Ager~ Item No. SUBJECT: Forest Service Contract for Fiscal Year 2006-07 DEPARTMENT: Budget PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): Agreement for Protection, Development and Improvement of Forest Land in Orange County INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Dean Coffey, Budget Director 245-2151 PURPOSE: To approve the annual agreement between Orange County and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for protection, development, reforestation, management and improvement of forestlands located in the County. BACKGROUND: This agreement, made under authority of Sections 1 13-54 and 113-59 of the North Carolina General Statutes, provides for continuation of active protection of Orange County forestlands by the NC Forest Service. Responsibilities of the Forest Service and County Forest Ranger include: • Developing and improving forestlands through reforestation, promotion and practice of Forest Management practices, • Protecting water quality, • Protecting forestlands from insects and diseases, • Controlling forest fires in the County, • Detecting and extinguishing fires that break out, • Investigating the origin of forest, woodland and field fires, • Enforcing State forest fire laws, • Mutual aid in times of emergency, and • Taking preventative measures, educational and otherwise, as necessary, to prevent forest fires. The Forest Service in Orange County, staffed by District Forester John Howard and County Forest Ranger Jacob Pressley, has been very cooperative in working towards mutual agreement on other items that each party can address. Local Forest Service staff have been particularly responsive in assisting volunteer fire departments and Emergency Management in dealing with brush fires, especially earlier this season when drought conditions were particularly pronounced.