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5 <br /> • Staff began discussion with a new landowner on Cane Creek Reservoir.This owner is <br /> interested in granting a trail easement on land recently acquired adjacent to the reservoir. <br /> Discussions will continue after landowner has completed other needed actions for the land <br /> and its management. <br /> • After a lengthy review, conservation easement amendments have been finalized and <br /> recorded for OWASA and the Clean Water Management Trust Fund (now the NC Land and <br /> Water Fund) on pre-existing easements that exist on an interested landowner's property. <br /> This landowner has stated an intention to grant a trail easement to connect OWASA lands at <br /> Cane Creek to a public road along the adopted route. Final trail easement is under review by <br /> County legal staff. <br /> • Final easement language is under County legal review for an additional landowner donation <br /> trail easement. <br /> • OWASA has secured complete ownership of a tract of vital connection along the Reservoir <br /> route. County staff has been in conversation with OWASA staff regarding the route and <br /> particular easement language. Site (scouting)visits and potential routing are being <br /> suggested in the near future. <br /> Eno River State Park(ERSP)to Durham County <br /> • Note:State Parks, the Eno River Association and the FMST are coordinating in this segment <br /> from Hillsborough Riverwalk eastward. <br /> • The FMST and State Parks worked to secure a pedestrian walkway on the proposed new <br /> NCDOT bridge over the Eno River at Pleasant Green Road. The new bridge is expected to be <br /> completed around 2025 (before recent DOT budget issues) with a sidewalk. This will allow <br /> nearly 4 additional miles of trail through Eno River State Park. <br /> • FMST and OC staff worked to ensure the trail path be included underneath the newly rebuilt <br /> Hwy 70 bridge north of Hillsborough <br /> • FMST is following up with landowners to connect two portions of ERSP. <br /> Next Steps: <br /> • Follow-up with interested landowners in Cane Creek and Occoneechee/Seven Mile Creek <br /> areas. <br /> • Review of potential requests to OWASA regarding conditions for the MST on OWASA-owned <br /> land. Discuss specific trail location and construction details with OWASA staff. <br /> • The FMST is posting road routes to allow hiking connections between existing and proposed <br /> trail segments on their website. <br /> In closing, it is important to note that negotiations of all trail easements involve a series of <br /> discussions with landowners,their attorneys, and the County's environmental and legal staff and <br /> management.The County must perform due diligence in any negotiation for acquisitions using <br /> public funds.As such,there are occasions where conversations and information-gathering is <br /> underway and necessary but not always visible to all interested parties, until the time for official <br /> action (as per State statutes). <br /> Please let us know if we may provide additional information. <br /> Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation <br /> PO Box 8181/306-A Revere Road <br /> Hillsborough, NC 27278 <br /> (919) 245-2510 <br />