JMRPWG agenda 102898 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Executive Summar y This study continues the work begun in the 1991 New Hope Corridor Open Space Master Plan by further defining corridor links in east central Orange County . The objective of the study is to link the Durham Division of Duke Forest with Eno River State Park with recreation trails and wildlife corridors . Analysis for the stud followed these e Y y es steps . • Identification of the links based on physical criteria ; • Assessment of each tink ' s relative merits and obstacles ; • Synthesis of the links into separate recreation trails and wildlife Y p e corridors ; • Analysis of trail / corridor feasibility based on potential implementation strategies ; and • Selection of final recreation trail and wildlife corridor . Recreation Trail I - The recommended recreation trail is a loop connecting Duke Forest and Eno River State Park . The trail I is proposed for low - impact , passive recreation uses . The loop runs along the Duke Power easement to its intersection with NC 10 , turns toward I- 85 , crossing US 70 , then travels parallel to 1- 85 and bend back to the intersection of NC 751 and NC 10 . The trail then follows the NC 751 right-of--way back into I Duke Forest . The recommended implementation strategy includes the following actions ;- _ • Purchase recreation easements ; _ • Site trails in setbacks required by the Major Transportation Corridor Overlay District ; I • Use NC -751 and proposed Eno Drive rights -of- way for trails ; • Locate trails along Duke Power easement ; and _ • Provide a pedestrian bridge across I- 85 or pedestrian lane along proposed Eno ' Drive , Wildlife Corridor The study recommends a separate 2004eet wide corridor for wildlife . The proposed corridor leaves Eno River State Park along Rhodes Creek , crosses under Interstate 85 at the US Highway 70 interchange , and runs parallel to the Southe - _ p rn Railroad right-of way into Duke Forest . The study recommends the following implementation strategies : Purchase corridor areas ; I_ • Provide a wildlife underpass at 1- 85/US 70 interchange • Y • Encourage development clustering for undeveloped or underdeveloped parcels ; and - • _ Acquire wildlife and floodplain easements where possible . - - Wildlife experts stress that a wildlife underpass at the 1- 85 /US 70 interchange is critical for wildlife ' s safe _ �- passage between Duke Forest and Eno River State Park . These experts recommend that the corridor not be implemented if safe passage is not assured . NC Department of Transportation does not currently plan to construct culverts of the dimensions recommended by wildlife corridor experts for wildlife underpasses . The chance to secure these corridors represents a unique and timely opportunity for Orange County . These trails and corridors will fulfill the goals of the New Hope Corridor Plan , and more importantly , will provide necessary space for public recreation and wildlife habitats in the area . Although implementation of this study ' s recommendations may be a challenging task, development pressures will only increase these difficulties as time passes . The planned improvement of I- 85 presents perhaps the only chance to provide for adequate passage of wildlife under this heavily traveled thoroughfare . It is hoped that Orange County will consider these recommendations to create a lasting , natural legacy for the County .