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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, AGRICULTURE, <br /> PARKS AND RECREATION <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> To: Board of County Commissioners <br /> Bonnie Hammersley, County Manager <br /> From: David Stancil, DEAPR Director <br /> Christian Hirni, Land Conservation Manager <br /> Date: June 15, 2021 <br /> Subject: NC Mountains to Sea Trail Progress Report <br /> As an update on activity along the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) corridor, Land Conservation <br /> Manager Christian Hirni -working with our trail partner organizations—reports the following activity <br /> to further the MST project: <br /> Occoneechee Mountain to Seven Mile Creek(Phase 1) <br /> • County staff is working with Eno River Association to negotiate additional possible <br /> connections from Dimmocks Mill Road to Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area <br /> through either fee simple or trail easement options. Recent landowner interest in a <br /> combined conservation/trail easement has the real potential to make this connection. <br /> • The County received grant funding (with an extension through 2022) for acquisition of a <br /> significant property for the Seven Mile Creek Natural Area. The MST may cross through a <br /> section(s) of this property once purchased. <br /> • The County has also received a grant award for a conservation easement adjacent to Seven <br /> Mile Creek Natural Area. Final easement language is underway and will include a trail <br /> easement to further connection from Seven Mile Creek Natural Area to the east. <br /> • The State Property Office purchased a trail corridor with aid of Eno River Association and NC <br /> Connect Bond funds.The State Parks division will manage the land as part of Occoneechee <br /> Mountain State Natural Area and allow MST connection to the west(Hillsborough <br /> Riverwalk). <br /> • An additional letter of interest has been sent to landowner that could be the final piece <br /> needed to connect Seven Mile Creek Natural Area to the east. <br /> Cane Creek Reservoir Area (Phase 11) <br /> • Secured a trail corridor and trailhead acquisition along NC 54 that will allow a safer trail <br /> route by eliminating the need for the trail to run within the NC 54 right-of-way. Acquired a <br /> trail easement(donation)to connect the trailhead to the Mebane-Oaks/NC 54 Intersection. <br /> Provided extensive additional property boundary marking to mitigate any confusion of <br /> County/private boundary lines, including boundary tree/shrub plantings to allow for added <br /> privacy of adjacent landowner, and conducted first plantings. <br /> Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation <br /> PO Box 8181/306-A Revere Road <br /> Hillsborough, NC 27278 <br /> (919) 245-2510 <br />