Agenda 8-j - Resolutions of Approval – Conservation Easements on Two Eno River Association Properties and Approval of Budget Amendment #8-C

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The Iski Property is located on Lebanon Road in Cheeks Township, a short distance downstream from the confluence of the East and West Forks of the Eno River. This confluence and the Upper Eno River corridor north and west of Hillsborough has long been a top priority for conservation in the Lands Legacy Program. The site is just upstream of Corporation Lake, near Duke Forest and other Orange County conservation lands. The Iski Property is entirely forested and has two small sheds, but is otherwise undeveloped. The property contains over one mile of stream frontage, of which 3,600 feet are on the Eno River itself, and 2,200 feet are on tributaries of the Eno. ERA plans to maintain the property as conservation open space and will make it available for public use. The Hobgood Property is located on Highland Farm Road, Hillsborough (Cheeks Township). The property is mostly wooded and completely undeveloped. The Hobgood Property has 800 feet of frontage on the east side of the East Fork Eno River. This property is significant as it is adjacent to 180 acres directly across the river owned by the ERA, and known as the Confluence Natural Area. Orange County already holds a conservation easement on 100 acres of the Confluence Natural Area between the East and West Forks of the river. The Hobgood Property has become part of that natural area scheduled to open to the public for low-impact recreation in May 2018. DEAPR Staff and the County Attorney have worked with ERA to prepare conservation easements that meet the needs and interests of both parties. Both easements will allow for a small parking area to be constructed outside of designated stream buffers. The Iski Property easement allows for a small building envelope surrounding the existing structures on the property. All other development rights will be extinguished through the conservation easements. DEAPR staff will monitor the properties on an annual basis. Copies of the draft easement agreements are attached along with maps showing the properties outlined in red. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The County’s financial participation in both projects was approved by the Board in June 2017, with payment to be made when the properties closed and the County received conservation easements. On June 6, 2017 the County agreed to provide $63,665 for the Iski purchase (and concurrent easement), and $121,200 for the Hobgood property (and easement). The County’s share of funds (a combined $184,855) as previously approved comes from existing funds budgeted and appropriated in the Lands Legacy program (Land Legacy Fund). With this allocation, approximately $2.76 million remains available in the Lands Legacy Capital Project. The following Budget Amendment #8-C provides for the use of the above mentioned funds, and amends the following Capital Project Ordinances: Lands Legacy Capital Project (-$184,855) - Project #20011 Revenues for this project: Current FY 2017-18 FY 2017-18 Amendment FY 2017-18 Revised Alternative Financing $3,103,972 ($184,855) $2,919,117 From General Fund $42,697 $0 $42,697 Donations $1,000 $0 $1,000 Appropriated Fund Balance $9,337 $0 $9,337 Total Project Funding $3,157,006 ($184,855) $2,972,151 2