Orange County NC Website
P <br />MST is shown following the Eno River. Funding for the few acquisitions needed for Segment 12 <br />will come from State funds. <br />The attached map continues to show the Proposed Route (Segment 11) from the September <br />19, 2017 BOCC report, with one addition to reflect a proposed second access point into <br />Alamance County. The Proposed Route, from northeast to southwest, begins at Occoneechee <br />Mountain State Natural Area and crosses Interstates 85 and 40 to connect to the Seven Mile <br />Creek Nature Preserve (part of the Upper Eno Nature Preserve). This phase of the project is the <br />first scheduled for activity and funding, and work is now underway based on prior Board <br />direction. The trail continues southwest towards the upper reaches of Cane Creek and thence to <br />Orange Water and Sewer Authority ( OWASA) owned land and other properties north of Cane <br />Creek Reservoir. Finally, the Proposed Trail connects along NC Highway 54 and would cross <br />that highway at the Oaks intersection (which is to be signalized in the next few years), before <br />heading west toward Saxapahaw in Alamance County. <br />As has been noted in many prior discussions, the stretches of the Proposed Trail that would <br />traverse private property will be negotiated with willing landowners along the route. Since this is <br />a multi -year project, it is possible or even likely that the trail route may shift from the identified <br />line on the map based on landowner interest. Trail easements or other acquisitions for the MST <br />will be conducted only with willing landowners. In some cases, stretches of the trail may remain <br />incomplete for a period of time, with hikers using nearby roads to connect to sections of the trail <br />(as is currently the case in other parts of the state). <br />The December 4, 2017 petition to the Board — in addition to asking the Board to adopt a trail <br />route — also asked that the County accept offered easements in the Cane Creek Reservoir area, <br />and establish a relationship with the Friends of the MST for trail construction and assistance. As <br />noted in the December 12 memo, work is underway on both of these fronts. <br />In terms of other Board direction from September 19, 2017, the Manager and staff would note <br />that a meeting with the OWASA Executive Director and staff is being scheduled to discuss <br />OWASA conditions and expectations of how the MST construction would come to OWASA. In <br />terms of the "parallel track" discussion for the Multi -modal Trail concept, the County Manager <br />has initiated this by first convening as group of County department directors to research the <br />topic and review in the context of other related pedestrian needs, such as sidewalks. This <br />information gathering is underway. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with designating the Proposed <br />Trail route for the MST. Funding for the first phase of MST trail easements, construction and <br />associated equipment and appurtenances was included in the FY 2016 -17 budget as part of the <br />Capital Investment Plan (CIP). A portion of these funds would be from grants and other sources. <br />Grants for trail easements will be applied, and MST needs are a high priority for State grant <br />programs. Trail construction and maintenance is expected to include partnership with the <br />Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail organization, which may also lessen costs. Funding for <br />future portions of the MST are scheduled in the CIP for FY 2019 -20 and FY 2023 -24 or beyond. <br />SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There are no Orange County Social Justice Goals associated with <br />this item. While not inconsistent with the adopted Social Justice Goals, the designation of a trail <br />route does not overtly address the goals. The MST would provide an inexpensive and <br />accessible means of recreation for County residents. <br />