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�A Iv . Review - Evaluation of OWASA Mitigation Lands Stancil noted that a report prepared for the Intergovernmental Parks Work Group ( IPWG ) was included in the CFE agenda packet . Over the last few months the IPWG has been interested in looking at the possibility of someday using some of the OWASA owned land in Bingham Township for parks and recreational purposes . OWASA has indicated a willingness to consider , on a site - by - site basis , the provision of parklands provided the intended uses would not compromise water quality in Cane Creek Reservoir or the Authority ' s ability to have sufficient land for biosolids application . The IPWG created an OWASA Lands Subcommittee to evaluate the potential use of OWASA lands for public park purposes . The so - called " Mitigation Tract " may provide one such opportunity . As the property has a natural resource component , Stancil asked Shaw to review the report for the CFE . Shaw described the 490 - acre Mitigation Tract , located between Buckhorn Road and Mt . Willing Road in Bingham Township . The site is located outside of the watershed critical area and is not needed for biosolids application . OWASA purchased the tract in 1982 to help compensate for the loss of wildlife habitat resulting from the creation of Cane Creek Reservoir . The acquisition was a condition of the federal permit to construct the reservoir . The staff analysis of this property focused on the potential use of the property for a park site that would be compatible with OWASA 's ( and the County ' s ) interest in protecting the rural character and hence the water quality in Cane Creek watershed . The Mitigation Tract is part of a proposed network of wildlife corridors and " rustic woodland trails " that would link Cane Creek to the Eno River system . The large size and high quality of this nearly unfragmented tract makes it a significant wildlife habitat . A large portion of the property was identified in a 1999 study as a core area for wildlife in Orange County . As parkland , the site would continue to further County goals of protecting key open space lands within Cane Creek watershed , identify prime forest/ wildlife habitat and the rural character of Bingham Township . Unlike other properties evaluated by the Lands Legacy program , this tract does not need to be acquired for protection . OWASA purchased the site to protect its conservation values , including watersheds protection value and high - quality wildlife habitat . The issue now is whether to make all or a portion of the tract available for public recreation and , if so , for what kinds of uses . Shaw reviewed initial findings , unresolved issues and an assessment of the tract using adopted criteria for evaluating potential parkland acquisition . CFE members discussed pros and cons of the property being used for recreational purposes as well as being left undisturbed as is and raised questions regarding possibility of existing covenants or other legal status implications such as management issues and game land provisions . Stancil noted that that this project was identified in the Annual Action Plan for the Lands Legacy program and is consistent with a Parks & Recreation Advisory Council objective of establishing a park in Bingham Township . Stancil mentioned that there may a requirement that the site be open for hunting . He discussed a Mecklenburg County park that is closed for a certain amount of time while hunting goes on to meet an obligations to provide hunting on the property . The Mitigation Tract is probably not conducive to active recreation ( i . e . , playing fields ) , but might serve well for nature / hiking trails/ picnic areas and other low impact recreation uses . Staff was asked if is there a compelling reason to promote low impact recreation rather than just leaving it as open space . Stancil said driving reasons are coming from a parks and recreation standpoint because there is an identified need for parks in Bingham Township . Shaw reported that biologist Bruce Sorrie will evaluate the Mitigation Tract as part of his investigation of new sites for consideration in the update to the County ' s inventory of natural areas and wildlife habitat . Draft Summary 3 / 11 /02 Page 2 of 4