Agenda - 09-12-2006-9f - Laserfiche WebLink

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(natural areas, prime forest, riparian buffers), Agricultural Preservation Board (farmland preservation), Historic Preservation Board (historic and cultural resources) and the Recreation and Parks Advisory Council (parklands). Highlights of the 2006-08 Action Plan are shown on the table on pages 10-12 (and illustrated in general on the large map within the document), and include: i= Acquire remaining unprotected portions of identified Natural Areas of National or State significance (Meadow Flats, Currie Hill, Mason Farm Oak-Hickory Forest, Sugar Maple Bottoms) with assistance from other conservation partners; - Acquire land for a future Bingham Township park, in conjunction with the adopted plan, working with OWASA; - Continue to acquire portions of identified Natural Areas and water quality critical lands for additions to the Seven Mile Creek Preserve° - Complete farmland conservation easements (with USDA and OWASA matching funds) on over 650 acres of prime farmland (already underway); - Continue to acquire land and easements for New Hope Creek public trail and wildlife corridor consistent with the New Hope Corridor Open Space Master Plan; - Formalize protection of natural areas owned by Duke and UNC, and partnering with those institutions on conservation projects of mutual interest; - Continue working with landowners interested in donating conservation easements in the Faucette Mill historic area along the Eno River; - Acquire options for conservation easements to protect riparian buffers in the Upper Eno and Little River watersheds; apply for state grants (Glean Water Management Trust Fund, others) to offset County costs A list of the accomplishments of the Lands Legacy Program over the first six years of the program is included, along with a map of those sites, as an attachment to the Action Plan. Three issue papers are attached to the materials that reflect policy topics that staff would like to bring to the Board's attention. Research into these issues is proposed for the next several months as a starting point for further discussion. The Board discussed the Action Plan at the August 31 work session, and with some minor clarifications asked that it be returned for adoption. The issue papers included as attachments would be discussed individually over the next few months at Board meetings. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Funds toward these priority projects over the two fiscal years (2006- 08) are present in the CIP (as both existing year and programmed future year expenditures). These include appropriations from the 2001 Parks and Open Space bond, alternative financing for conservation easements, and the Lands Legacy Opportunities Fund (pay-as-you-go funding). Where identified, the proposed funding source is listed in the attached Action Plan. For many projects ERGD seeks grant funds from a variety of state and federal sources.. Thus far Orange County has received 11 grants totaling $3.7 million for the acquisition of lands through the Lands Legacy Program. In some cases, such as conservation easements and potential new projects, adequate funding may not exist to accomplish all of the proposed projects, necessitating further prioritization and/or additional funding in future years.