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New Hope Corridor Open Space Maser Pian I i Executive S In 1989 , in passing a common resolution , the governing boards of Chapel Hill , Durham , Durham County , and Orange County recognized the value of the New Hope corridor and took steps to preserve this open space as a natural asset . The 1987 Inventory of Natural. Areas and Raze Species of Durham County recognized as significant the New Hope Corridor itself and fic natural areas within the corridor . The New Hope corridor received Federal three Speci recognition when , in August 19901 the US Fish and Wildlife Service designated New Hope Creek as an " Important Regional Wetland . " _ This designation - may offer the possibility of receiving Federal. funding . Since October 1989 , an Advisory Committee representing each - of - the jurisdictions has worked with members of the planning staffs and a Consultant , Coulter Associates , Landscape Architects & Land Planners , to prepare a Master Plan for the preservation of the corridor . . The Consultant and the Advisory Committee were charged with : . . " . . . . creating an open space corridor linking the Eno River State Park , the New Hope Creek , Corps Lands , and the l growing communities of Durham and Chapel Hill for aesthetic , environmental , educational , and recreational-- purposes , and as a means of - — shaping the urban form of the area . " The New Hope Corridor Open Space Master Plan identifies the critical environmental areas to be protected to achieve those goals and recommends that the following land areas be acquired through purchase , acquisition of development rights , or donation : - - • The stream course ; • Adjacent floodplains , • Steep slopes (defined as 20 percent or greater) adjacent to floodplains ; • Larger tracts of particular historic , educational , or recreational value (open space anchors) ; and • The NC 751 Scenic Road (designation and some acquisition) . I i