Agenda - 02-15-2005-10a - Laserfiche WebLink

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Historic Blackwood Farm - Interim Stewardship Plan (DRAFT) IQ County that there was an obstruction in the pond's overflow pipe that was causing other problems for the dam. [The darn has since been repaired.] Dan: Repairs The lazge pond is held in place by an earthen dam located at the western end of the pond. The dam includes an overflow pipe and an emergency spillway to accommodate high rainfall events. After an alert from the farmer who tends the fields, unusually high water levels were observed in the pond, leading ERCD to call on experts from the Orange NRCS/Soil & Water Conservation office to evaluate the dam, S&W staff confirmed that the overflew pipe was blocked, and called in their district engineer for further evaluation. The engineer recommended removing the obstruction, relocating the emergency overflow spillway, and clearing all trees and shrubs from the face of the dam. ERCD worked with the County Engineer, Erosion Control Division, and Recreation and Parks staff to develop a scope of work for the necessary repairs. After obtaining approvals from the appropriate State and Federal agencies, ERCD hired a local contractor (Roy Wilkerson) to make the recommended repairs and improvements in accordance with an NRCS guidance document from the S&WCD engineer. The repairs were completed in December 2004. Forest Management and Stewardship Plma In 2003 ERCD had a Forest Management Plan and a Forest Stewazdship Plan prepared for Blackwood Farm by the NC Forest Service and consulting forester Stephen Daniels. Both plans were coordinated and paid for by the NC Forest Service. The detailed plans identify same short-term needs, including controlling exotic species, thinning a 30-acre pine stand, and repairing a damaged culvert. Long-term recommendations include developing foot trails, erecting nest boxes, and improving the composition of trees in sections of the property. None of these activities have been pursued to date. Cultural Interpretation Over the past three yeazs ERCD has gathered a good deal of information about the Blackwood Farm property from vazious sources, including farm records, land ownership records, and old maps and aerial photos. Much of this information will be useful for site interpretation once the pazk is open to the public. There are also many tangible pieces of history leftover from the farm. When the property was acquired in 2001, the Blackwood family "loaned" many of the old farm tools and machinery to Orange County for an indefinite period. Those items remain stored in the house and outbuildings for future site interpretation, Some of the items were on display during the Agricultural Heritage Festival in September 2003. In 2002, ERCD enlisted the help of the UNC Southern Oral History Program to conduct an oral interview of Nannie Blackwood. Ms. Blackwood sat for two hours describing her family and their experiences nn Blackwood Farm and in the New Hope community. [Nmmie Blackwood passed away in late 1004.] An excerpt from Ms. Blackwood's interview is provided as Attachment H. Robert Strayhom was also interviewed because 6