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() 03 <br />Ranells asked if there was a map this lists farming locations in Orange <br />County. Stancil replied that there has not been a map of actively farmed <br />areas in the county and that ERCD along with Soil & Water and Farm <br />Services is in the process of producing a map by digitizing from aerial <br />photos. Ranells asked for information on the watersheds in the county <br />and their importance. Stancil explained the significance of the ten water <br />supply watersheds in the county and that almost 65% of the county is <br />within a water supply watershed. Watershed protection is a high priority <br />in the county. Mandell asked for information on OWASA financial <br />interest if we should choose land adjoining the Cane Creek watershed. <br />Stancil explained the Clean Water Management Trust fund allocation for <br />the Cane Creek watershed area, and OWASA's Cane Creek Report <br />recommendation to acquire 1300 acres to protect water quality. <br />Mandell asked about conservation easements. Stancil explained that it is <br />an agreement between property owner and an entity that will hold the <br />easement in monetary exchange for granting development rights for the <br />property. Easements may be tailored to the interests of the property owner <br />and the entity. Mandell asked who would hold the easement. Stancil <br />replied that there are preparations being made for a draft agreement <br />between the county and the Soil & Water Conservation office to hold <br />agricultural easements. <br />Strayhorn suggested putting efforts towards Hillsborough water supply <br />preservation in the Upper Eno, as a lot of active farming is continuing in <br />the northern part of the county. <br />Kleese asked if conservation easements require that farms continue to <br />actively farm and stay in agriculture. Stancil replied that this concern is an <br />issue in farm land easements, and it is planned to work with property <br />owners to tailor to their needs. Other transition steps such as managed <br />forestry or less intensive agricultural operations may be acceptable. <br />Kleese noted that if we focus on specific areas, how do we focus on areas <br />that we know are going to continue in agriculture. An idea to setup a <br />structure to help young farmers get into those farms, if the current owners <br />don't want to continue farming, and identify young farmers who may <br />want to go into farming was raised. <br />Mandell suggested an idea of farm trusts. Ranells noted that a Farm Link <br />program, where people can participate in a partnership on a farm and <br />slowly increase their equity in a reasonable way might be an idea. <br />Other discussion included term easements vs. perpetual easements, <br />importance of having a pilot project to show the citizens the program is <br />doable, bond packages, smart growth commission, farmland preservation <br />with watershed protection, guidance on agricultural preservation, and <br />DRAFT Page 2 of 5 <br />