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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7 itself, and 2,200 -feet are on tributaries of the Eno. There are a number of trails on the property previously used by third parties for hiking and fishing and some motorized vehicle trail riding. The Eno River Association plans to maintain the property as conservation open space and will continue to make it available for public use, but will eliminate the use of motorized vehicles on the trails. The Hobgood Property, owned by Sam and Lynn Hobgood, is located on both sides of Highland Farm Road, Hillsborough (Cheeks Township). The property is mostly wooded and completely undeveloped. The 22.66 -acres on the south side of the road, which would be purchased by the Eno River Association with the requested grant and matching funds, contains two subdivision lots. The Hobgood Property, which is already under contract with the Eno River Association, 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 Eno River Association, 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 would become part of that natural area scheduled to open to the public for passive recreation in spring 2018. The Hobgood land on the north side of Highland Farm Road, which includes the additional conservation easement donation, lies on both sides of the East Fork Eno River and stretches almost all the way up to Lake Orange. The 19 -acre donation easement, consisting of 3,700 - feet of linear stream frontage, will include the 100 -year flood plain on both sides of the river. Both the Iski and Hobgood properties are located on a stretch of the Eno River classified by the NC Department of Water Resources as Water Supply II, High Quality Waters, Nutrient Sensitive Waters, and as Drinking Water Assessment Area Susceptibility Rating of Higher. Both sections of the river are classified by the State's Natural Heritage Program as the Eno River Aquatic Habitat due to the presence of rare and endangered species. The Eno River Association has secured matching funds for both projects from the City of Raleigh's Watershed Protection Program (Upper Neuse Clean Water Initiative). Draft letters to the Clean Water Management Trust Fund are attached that would express the County's commitment to providing the funding assistance requested. Grant agreements addressing the terms of the funding for each project are attached. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The Iski Property purchase price was $337,860. The value was determined by an appraisal by Kirkland and Associates. The total project cost including transaction costs is $353,970. Orange County's proposed share is $63,655. The Eno River Association proposes the following funding sources for the Iski property: Orange County (Lands Legacy) $ 63,655 (18 %) Eno River Association 62,029 (17 %) City of Raleigh (Upper Neuse Clean Water Initiative) 69,830 (20 %) Clean Water Management Trust Fund 158,456 (45 %) $ 353,970 The Hobgood Property purchase price is $350,000 which is $10,000 below the value determined by an appraisal by Kirkland and Associates. The total project cost including transaction costs is $377,890. Orange County's proposed share is $121,200.