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1 <br /> ORD-2019-026 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: June 4, 2019 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 4-f <br /> SUBJECT: Resolution of Approval — Conservation Easement on Holden-Roberts Farm and <br /> Approval of Budget Amendment #10-C <br /> DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks <br /> and Recreation (DEAPR) <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> 1. Resolution of Approval David Stancil, 245-2510 <br /> 2. Location Map <br /> 3. Site Map <br /> 4. Draft Conservation Easement <br /> PURPOSE: To consider a resolution to approve the purchase of and acceptance by Orange <br /> County of an agricultural conservation easement for Holden-Roberts Farm, and approve Budget <br /> Amendment #10-C. <br /> BACKGROUND: The acquisition of conservation easements to protect highly important natural <br /> and cultural resource lands in Orange County is a longstanding goal of the Board of <br /> Commissioners, and is a priority of the Lands Legacy program. Since 2001, the County has <br /> partnered with landowners and other entities to protect 2,647 acres of significant natural areas <br /> and prime farmland with permanent conservation easements, leveraging over $3 million in <br /> outside funding and grants toward these easements. <br /> Over the past several years, DEAPR has worked with Nels and Nancy Anderson on a project to <br /> conserve approximately 57 acres of Holden-Roberts Farm located on St. Mary's Road in Eno <br /> Township. <br /> The farm property is located in the Lower Eno Protected Watershed, a priority watershed for <br /> acquiring agricultural easements in a dual effort to protect prime farmland and drinking water <br /> quality. The farm has over 2,500 feet of stream frontage on tributaries to Buckwater Creek, a <br /> major tributary of the Eno River, which supply drinking water for the City of Raleigh. <br /> The Andersons intend to grant a permanent conservation easement that will restrict future <br /> development to protect prime farmland and streams, as well as scenic views of the farmland <br /> from St. Mary's Road. All non-agricultural development rights will be extinguished through the <br /> conservation easement. Future farm activities will be in accordance with a Conservation Plan <br /> prepared for this farm by the Orange Soil & Water Conservation District. <br />