Agenda - 09-20-2022; 8-b - Acceptance of NC Agriculture Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund Grant

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2 aforementioned federal RCPP. In the meantime, acceptance of the NCADFP State grant is needed, requiring the County Manager's signature. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The State ADFP grant to be accepted is $189,645 toward the project cost. Once the status of the federal grant is known, the project will be presented to the Board for a final decision/approval. With approval of the federal grant, the County's contribution would be primarily for transaction and closing costs, which would come from existing appropriations in the Conservation Easement Fund SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to this item: • GOAL: ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE LAND-USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes and educational levels with respect to the development and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, policies, and decisions. Fair treatment means that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or policies. The project will provide protection of natural and agricultural buffers to the benefit of a multitude of environmental and cultural values, in an area which has been traditionally in BIPOC ownership and under recent developmental pressure. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The following Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal impact is applicable to this item: • RESULTANT IMPACT ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND AIR QUALITY (Assess and where possible mitigate adverse impacts created to the natural resources of the site and adjoining area. Minimize production of greenhouse gases.) The easement will provide a permanent protected natural and agricultural buffer in an area under heavy development pressure. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board accept the N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund grant as detailed above, direct staff to complete the necessary paperwork, and authorize the County Manager to sign the funding offer contract and other related documents. (Note: Acceptance of the grant does not commit the County to the easement acquisition).