Agenda - 08-31-2004-4 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Introduction The Lands Legacy Program was adopted by Orange County in April 2000, Administered by the Environment and Resource Conservation Department (ERCD), the program's mission is to help protect the county's most important natural and cultural resource lands before they are damaged or lost to incompatible development activities, The program is guided by an Action P/an developed by ERCD and adopted by the Board of Commissioners. The biannual Action Plan guides Lands Legacy acquisitions and protection for the specified years. The process of developing the Action Plan begins with staff identifying potential projects and asking for initial guidance. Staff then meets with advisory boards for their input an development of priorities for the upcoming years. Using the advisory board recommendations, adraft Plan is prepared far distribution to the Board of Commissioners at their annual goal-setting retreat, The Action Plan is finalized with the CIP process, The following is a draft Action Plan for the fiscal years 2004-2006. The plan incorporates comments from four advisory boards, coupled with the continuation and completion of goals and objectives from the previous action plan. The draft Action Plan contains goals, a summary of advisory board comments, specific action objectives, and a priority list of land acquisition and protection projects for the coming two years. Also attached is brief Performance Report for the first four years of the Lands Legacy Program (2000-2004). to continue to pursue grant funding for County projects are 1. Upper Eno and Upper New Hope Riparian Buffers: Continue to protect riparian buffers in the Upper Eno River watershed critical area (including additions to Seven Mile Creek Preserve) and the Upper New Hape Creek watershed. 2. Halls Mill Historic Area: Acquire conservation easements to protect properties with historic structures and archaeological sites in the Halls Mill area. 3. Agricultural Conservation Easements: Work with willing sellers (and partner entities) to acquire agricultural conservation easements in priority watersheds, in conjunction with the federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program. 4, New Park Sites: Identify locations for potential land acquisition to establish community parks in the White Crass area (Bingham Township) and in north-central Orange County-- the last remaining parks identified in the 1988 Master Recreation and Parks Plan. Reassess specific park needs for the north-central region given the current park development plans for the county's Northern Center Park (Cedar Grove Township) and the new Little River Regional Park (Little River Township). For the period Ju/y 1, 2004 -June 30, 2006