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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: .tune 23, 2004 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. 5_ r <br />SUBJECT: Fiscal Year 2003-2004 Forest Service Contract <br />DEPARTMENT: Budget PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />Agreement for Protection, Development <br />and Improvement of Forest Land in <br />Orange County <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Donna Dean, Budget Director 245-2151 <br />Jacob Presley, Forest Ranger, 732-8152 <br />TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br />Hillsborough <br />Chapel Hill <br />Durham <br />Mebane <br />732-8181 <br />968-4501 <br />688-7331 <br />336-227-2031 <br />PURPOSE: To approve the annual agreement between Orange County and the North Carolina <br />Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for protection, development, <br />reforestation, management and improvement of forest lands located in the County. <br />BACKGROUND: This agreement, made under authority of Sections 113-54 and 113-59 of the <br />North Carolina General Statutes, provides for continuation of active protection of Orange <br />County forestlands by the NC Forest Service. <br />Responsibilities of the Forest Service and County Forest Ranger include: <br />• controlling forest fires in the County, <br />• detecting and extinguishing fires that break out, <br />• investigating the origin of forest, woodland and field fires, <br />• enforcing State forest fire laws, <br />• taking preventative measures, educational and otherwise, as necessary, to prevent <br />forest fires, <br />• developing and improving forestlands through reforestation, promotion and practice of <br />Forest Management practices, and <br />• protecting forestlands from insects and diseases. <br />On December 4, 2000, the Board of Commissioners approved a memorandum of <br />understanding as a proposed supplement to the annual agreement provided by the State. The <br />memorandum outlined procedures far County and Forest Service staff to undertake and ensure <br />greater cooperation and understanding between the two parties regarding relevant forestry <br />management and land use matters. <br />Over the last three years, the Forest Service experienced staff vacancies that slowed progress <br />on collaborative efforts with the County. During the course of this fiscal year, the Forest Service <br />filled the vacancies with a new County Forest Ranger, Jacob Pressley, and a new District Water <br />