ORD-2017-031 Resolution of Approval – Conservation Easement for High Rock Road Farmland; and Approval of Budget Amendment #4-A

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ORD- 2017 -031 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: December 12, 2017 Action Agenda Item No. 8 -d SUBJECT: Resolution of Approval — Conservation Easement for High Rock Road Farmland; and Approval of Budget Amendment #4 -A DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation ( DEAPR) ATTACHMENTS 1. Resolution of Approval 2. Location Map 3. Site Map 4. Draft Conservation Easement INFORMATION CONTACT: David Stancil, 245 -2510 Kim Livingston, 245 -2514 Rich Shaw, 245 -2511 1 PURPOSE: To consider a resolution to approve the purchase of and acceptance by Orange County of an agricultural conservation easement for High Rock Road farmland, and approve Budget Amendment #4 -A. BACKGROUND: The acquisition of conservation easements to protect highly important natural and cultural resource lands in Orange County is a longstanding goal of the Board of Commissioners, and is a priority of the Lands Legacy program. Since 2001, the County has partnered with landowners and other entities to protect 2,298 acres of significant natural areas and prime farmland with permanent conservation easements. Over the past several months, DEAPR has worked with the owner of farmland located on High Rock Road on a project to conserve a 15 -acre property located adjacent to Center Stream Farm Addition which is under an Orange County agricultural conservation easement located on High Rick Road (Cedar Grove Township). The owner leases the land to Fickle Creek Land Company, LLC which raises beef cattle on the property. On November 20, the Board approved a conservation easement with Fickle Creek LLC on 25 acres of adjacent farmland. The 15 -acre farm property is located in the Back Creek Protected Watershed, a priority watershed for acquiring agricultural easements in a dual effort to protect prime farmland and drinking water quality. The farm drains to Back Creek, which supplies drinking water for the City of Mebane. The owner intends to grant a permanent conservation easement that will restrict future development to protect prime farmland and streams, as well as scenic views of the farmland from High Rock Road. The easement would allow one future home site in a one -acre "residential envelope ". All other non - agricultural development rights will be extinguished through the conservation easement. Future farm activities will be in accordance with a Conservation Plan prepared for the farm by the Orange Soil & Water Conservation District.