Agenda - 11-16-2004-6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION Approval of Agricultural Conservation Easement between Orange County and Ira and Hazel Ward WHEREAS, Orange County has an adopted goal promoting the preservation of farmland in the County; and WHEREAS, agriculture in Orange County is an important facet of the economy and way of life in the County; and WHEREAS, one component of the Lands Legacy Program is the acquisition of conservation easements on prime or threatened farmland within water supply watersheds; and WHEREAS, the Ward farm includes 112 acres in the Upper Eno and Back Creek protected watersheds, consists of a majority of prime soils, and is located in an agricultural community with access to farm markets; and WHEREAS, a grant in the amount of $210,750 was awarded to Orange County from the federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program to protect the future of this farm with an agricultural conservation easement; and WHEREAS, a conservation easement on 112 acres of this farm provides a win -win scenario - ensuring the preservation of this farmland for future generations and providing return on the property for the Ward family: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners does hereby 1) accept on behalf of Orange County the agricultural conservation easement to protect prime farmland owned by Ira and Hazel Ward; 2) approve the execution of this conservation easement agreement with Ira and Hazel Ward, in accordance with the terms of the proposed easement agreement, subject to final review by staff and the county attorney; and 3) authorize the Chair and the Clerk to sign the easement agreement on behalf of the Board, with a closing to occur on or about December 31, 2004. This the 16th day of November, 2004, Barry Jacobs, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board