CFE 040802 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

The anticipated timetable for the rrj ect would be to a identify hi h - rlorit P 1 � g p y pa reels [ Ma r chlApol 2002] , b) contact landowners to discuss landowner interests and conservation options [March/April ) , c) develop potential conservation strategies for interested la n d ovine rs [April/ May] , and d ) submit th, a grant application [June 1 ] . If the state proceeds with the grant cycle , the awarding of grant would be in October 2002 . EC staff proposes subrrEltting an applitlon despite the uncertainty of state funding - ava i (abil Gty to the g ra nt p rag ram . Governor Ea 51ey recerrdy froze more than $20 rnll I ion of the CWMTF ' s $40 million budget to help cover the state ' s projected $ 900 million budget shortfall , Thirty-nine grants approved by the CVVMTF board in November , 2001 may now be at risk because of the freeze , On February 18 , the CWIVITF board of trustees announced that grant applications would be accepted for its next funding cycle , The deadline for applications for that cycle is ,tune 1 , 2002 . The CVVMTF board also stipulated that potential grant applicants be made aware that future approvals will be based on availability of funds. As shown on the attached Concept proposal . staff and ERA propose a grant submittal for $ 1 million — using some portion of the Lands Legacy Fund as a match please see below ) . It is worth noting that CWMTF grant funds and County matching funds toward this project could serve a dual purpose — acquiring conservation easements on farmland in the watershed , as well as protecting riparian buffers . If grant funds are not awarded for this project, a secondary approach may be to evaluate acquisitionsleasements for the highest - priority lands using funds from the County' s Lands Legacy Fund ( Ind uding proposed altemadve flnancling for conservation easoments ) . Acquisition of high -priority lands in the Lipper Eno Watershed is Mer� ified in the 2001 - 2002 Lands Legacy Annual Action Plan . Th a E RA Boa rd of Directors wi I I meat on M arch 14 tea can sid er wheth er ERA wou Id I ik,e to proceed with a joint grant application , The ERNS Land and Stewardship Committee is expected to recommend that they support this proposal - ' FINANCIAL IMPACT.b The proposed grant application is expected to be in the range of $ 1 , 000 ► 000 . The specific dollar amount wlII depend on the number of landownars express their interest ( by ,June 111 ) In pursuing a passible conservation agreement on their property. Although no fund trig match is � required , the likelihd of grant approval is greater if significant matching funds are offend . Matching funds for this prefect in the amount of $ 300, 000 could be available from Orange County Lands , Legacy Fund (current pay - as- you-go funds and proposed alternative finiancing for conservation easements ) , and potentially augmented by the 2001 County parks and open space bond funds fbr Lands Leg a ear . Thd total project cost would be , therefo re , a round $ 1 , 300 , 000 , RECC} Ar'JA ENDATION ( S ) : Thp Manager rammmcnds that the Marl authoriza the joint submittal of a grant application to the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund priorto the June 1 2002 deadline,