Agenda - 06-05-2001-5b - Laserfiche WebLink

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i ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 1 ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: June 5, 2001 Action Agend Item No. ~~ SUBJECT: Resolution of Su ort -Stillhouse Creek Stream Restoration Pro'ect DEPARTMENT: ERCD, Soil and Water PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Draft Resolution David Stancil, 245-2590 Memorandum with Easement Aerial Gail Hu hes, 245-2753 Photo TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Map and Photos of Site Hillsborough 732-8181 RiverPark Concept Plan Chapel Hill 968-0.501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To consider a resolution supporting a stream restoration project with the Orange Soil and Water District and the N.C. Division of Water Quality for Stillhouse Creek an County- owned lands behind the Government Services Center. BACKGROUND: At the Board's March 29"' work session, the potential for stream restoration on Stillhouse Creek was discussed, related to the RiverPark planned for County-owned lands behind the Courthouse and Government Services Center in Hillsborough. Stillhouse Creek flows south into the Eno River, directly behind the Govemment Services Center. Over the last 20 years, significant erosion has occurred along the banks of this stream due to increased runoff. To address this issue concurrent with the RiverPark planning, County Recreation and Parks staff and Town of Hillsborough staff engaged the Soil and Water District's assistance in 1999. The primary restoration work needed along the stream is "bioengineering", or the planting of new vegetation along the~stream corridor and the placement of rock or log weirs in the stream channel to stabilize the area and improve water flow. Soil and Water staff identified this as a potential project for the N.C. Division of Water Quality Wetlands Restoration Program. NCDWQ staff have reviewed the project and determined that they would fund the entire restoration project. However, to obtain State funding for the project, the County must grant a conservation easement along the stream corridor to ensure long-term streamside conservation and water quality protection. The natural character of the creek would. be maintained as much as possible, and staff has met to coordinate with the nearby Occaneechi Village and any future space needs resulting from the County Space Study. To proceed, the County must consider and grant a conservation easement, generally of 30 to 50 feet on either side of the stream, to the State. Easement language must be agreed to in principle before the State will commit any funds. The northwest corner of the Government Services Center is within this corridor, but will be excluded from the easement. The