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ATTACHMENT #2 <br />COUNTY OF ORANGE <br />ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCE CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT <br />MEMORANDUM <br />To: Agricultural Preservation Board <br />From: David Stancil, ERC Director <br />Rich Shaw, ERCD Land Conservation Manager <br />Date: May 12, 2004 <br />Subj ect: USDA Grant Application for Farmland Protection Funds <br />Earlier this month Orange County, in collaboration with the Orange NRCS/ Soil <br />and Water Conservation District applied for $846,000 in federal grant funds <br />from the USDA Farm and Ranch Land Preservation Program (FRPP). These <br />funds are available to local governments and land trusts to acquire conservation <br />easements that protect prime, agricultural lands. <br />➢ This is the 3rd year funds have been available from the FRPP. In 2002, <br />Orange County was awarded $784,000 of the $2.1 million allocated to NC. <br />Those funds are being used to protect about 400 acres of farmland in <br />Bingham, Cheeks and Cedar Grove townships. <br />➢ This year, Orange County has requested $846,000 of the $2.3 million <br />available in NC. The application was prepared by ERCD in cooperation <br />with the Orange NRCS /Soil & Water Conservation District staff. <br />➢ The $846,000 would be matched by $846,000 in County funds to protect 3 <br />active farms (about 580 acres total) located in Bingham, Cedar Grove and <br />Hillsborough townships. <br />➢ We've been informed that only 3 counties applied for funds this year <br />(Durham, Wake and Orange), in part because those counties have <br />allocated the required matching funds. Applications were also submitted <br />by land trusts. <br />➢ Notification of grant awards are expected by the end of May. <br />If you have any questions, please contact Rich Shaw or me at 245 -2598. <br />Environment and Resource Conservation <br />PO Box 8181 / 306 -A Revere Road <br />Hillsborough, NC 27278 <br />(919) 245 -2590 <br />