ORD-2018-016 Resolution of Approval – Conservation Easements on Two Eno River Association Properties and Approval of Budget Amendment #8-C

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ORD- 2018 -016 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 1, 2018 Action Agenda Item No. 8-j SUBJECT: Resolution of Approval — Conservation Easements on Two Eno River Association Properties and Approval of Budget Amendment #8 -C DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR) ATTACHMENTS 1. Resolution of Approval - Iski 2. Resolution of Approval - Hobgood 3. June 6, 2017 Agenda Abstract and Excerpt from June 6, 2017 Approved BOCC Minutes 4. Location Map 5. Site Maps 6. Draft Conservation Easement - Iski 7. Draft Conservation Easement - Hobgood INFORMATION CONTACT: David Stancil, 245 -2510 Kim Livingston, 245 -2514 Rich Shaw, 245 -2510 1 PURPOSE: To consider resolutions to approve the acceptance of conservation easements from the Eno River Association for two conservation properties that the Board agreed to help fund in June 2017, and approve Budget Amendment #8 -C. BACKGROUND: The acquisition of conservation easements to protect highly important natural and cultural resource lands in Orange County is a longstanding goal of the Board of Commissioners, and is a priority of the Lands Legacy program. Since 2001, the County has partnered with landowners and other entities to protect 2,313 acres of significant natural areas and prime farmland with permanent conservation easements, leveraging over $3 million in outside funding and grants toward these easements. In June 2017, the Board approved County funding assistance for two purchases by the Eno River Association (ERA). ERA was awarded funding from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund for two fee - simple acquisitions of lands along the Upper Eno River corridor; the 56.3 -acre Iski Property, and the 22.7 -acre Hobgood Property. On June 6, 2017, a grant agreement between Orange County and the ERA was executed, awarding ERA $63,655 for the Iski Property purchase and $121,200 for the Hobgood Property purchase, contingent upon the closing of the properties by ERA, and agreed upon terms of conservation easements to be held by Orange County. ERA has now closed on both properties and as per the June 2017 grant agreement, ERA intends to grant permanent conservation easements on both properties to Orange County that restrict future development, protect forest and water resources, and help maintain rural character.