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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: December 14, 2004 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. ~_ <br />SUBJECT: Forest Service Contract for Fiscal Year 2004-05 <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, ext 2151 <br />John Howard. District Forester, 732-8105 <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 forestlands 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 />During the course of fiscal year 2003-04, the Forest Service filled key staff vacancies including <br />a new District Forest Ranger, Jacob Pressley, and a new District Water Quality Specialist, Mark <br />Bost. County ERCD, Planning, Tax Assessor and Budget staffs have met with representatives <br />from the Forest Service on several occasions to discuss a memorandum of understanding <br />drafted in 2000 as a proposed supplement to the annual agreement provided by the State. The <br />memorandum outlined procedures for 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, Commissioners Jacobs and Halkiotis joined with staff in <br />meeting with Forest Service representatives on November 30, 2004 to further discuss and <br />review opportunities for cooperation and collaboration. These meetings will continue and staff <br />