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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: May 3, 2022 <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.To protect landowner confidentiality, properties are not referred to by <br /> name: <br /> Occoneechee Mountain to Seven Mile Creek Natural Area (Phase 1) <br /> • County staff continues to work with the Eno River Association to negotiate final connections <br /> from Dimmocks Mill Road to Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area,through either fee <br /> simple or trail easement options. Recent landowner interest in a combined <br /> conservation/trail easement has the real potential to make this connection. Staff continues <br /> discussions with State and private nonprofit partners to confirm this route and connection. <br /> • After preliminary review by the State,the Board approved in January final easement <br /> language for the acquisition of a conservation and trail easement from the Draper-Savage <br /> Foundation (Moorefields), adjacent to Seven Mile Creek Natural Area. Survey work was <br /> delayed but is now scheduled that will include a trail easement to connect from Seven Mile <br /> Creek Natural Area to the east,which will require final State approval before closing. <br /> Pending State approval,the closing is estimated for the late spring/early summer this year. <br /> • Contact has been made with another landowner that could be the final piece needed to <br /> connect Seven Mile Creek Natural Area to the east. <br /> Cane Creek Reservoir Area (Phase 11) <br /> • Staff continues to work with OWASA staff and the Friends of the MST(FMST)to determine <br /> the optimal trail route through OWASA Cane Creek Reservoir lands. Staff has begun the <br /> process of working with Emergency Services, the Sheriff's Office, and other first response <br /> agencies to draft an Emergency Access and Management Plan for this proposes section of <br /> trails. Once these plans are in draft stage, work will begin to finalize the Memorandum of <br /> Understanding (MOU) with OWASA for the trail. <br /> • Staff is also in 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 /> and along the trail route. Discussions will continue after landowner has completed other <br /> needed actions for management of the land. <br /> Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation <br /> PO Box 8181/306-A Revere Road <br /> Hillsborough, NC 27278 <br /> (919) 245-2510 <br />