Agenda - 09-14-2021; 7-b - Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) Update

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4 ORANGE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, AGRICULTURE, PARKS AND RECREATION MEMORANDUM To: Board of County Commissioners Bonnie Hammersley, County Manager From: David Stancil, DEAPR Director Christian Hirni, Land Conservation Manager Date: September 14t", 2021 Subject: NC Mountains to Sea Trail Progress Report As an update on activity along the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) corridor, Land Conservation Manager Christian Hirni, working with our trail partner organizations, reports the following activity. To protect landowner confidentiality, properties are not referenced by name: Occoneechee Mountain to Seven Mile Creek(Phase 1) • County staff continues to work with Eno River Association to negotiate additional connections from Dimmocks Mill Road to Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area, through either fee simple or trail easement options. Recent landowner interest in a combined conservation/trail easement has the real potential to make this connection.A recent site meeting has confirmed this landowner's interest in pursuing a trail easement. Staff is in discussion with State and private nonprofit partners to confirm this route and connection. • The County received grant funding for acquisition of an addition to the Seven Mile Creek Natural Area that the MST may cross through. Final discussions with the landowner are underway and should be completed this fall. • The County has also been awarded a grant for a conservation easement adjacent to Seven Mile Creek Natural Area. Final easement language is under review by the State, and will include a trail easement to connect from Seven Mile Creek Natural Area to the east. • The State Property Office purchased a trail corridor with aid of Eno River Association and NC Connect Bond funds. State Parks will manage the land as part of Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area and allow MST connection to the west and the Hillsborough Riverwalk. • Letters of interest have been sent to another landowner that could be the final piece needed to connect Seven Mile Creek Natural Area to the east. Cane Creek Reservoir Area (Phase 11) • Secured a trail corridor and trailhead along NC 54 that will allow a safer trail route by eliminating the need for the trail to run within the NC 54 right-of-way. • Acquired an adjacent trail easement (donation)to connect the trailhead to the Mebane- Oaks/NC 54 Intersection. • Staff is working with OWASA staff and the Friends of the MST(FMST)to discuss specific trail location possibilities, and whether changes will be needed to OWASA provisions and adopted conditions. Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation PO Box 8181/306-A Revere Road Hillsborough, NC 27278 (919) 245-2510