Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, AGRICULTURE, <br /> PARKS AND RECREATION <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> To: David Stancil, DEAPR Director <br /> From: Christian Hirni, Land Conservation Manager <br /> Date: October 181h, 2022 <br /> Subject: NC Mountains to Sea Trail Progress Report <br /> As an update on activity along the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) corridor, I have been working with <br /> our trail partner organizations and can report the following activity to further the MST project.To <br /> protect landowner confidentiality, properties are not referred to by 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. After a delay due to <br /> legal property ownership changes, all closing documents and easements will be or have <br /> been provided to the State for approval before closing. Pending State approval,the closing <br /> is estimated for late winter/early spring 2023. <br /> • Discussions have begun 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. A meeting was held in <br /> September with OWASA to this purpose. Staff has continued the process of working with <br /> Emergency Services,the Sheriff's Office, and other first response agencies to draft an <br /> Emergency Access and Management Plan for this proposes section of trails. Once these <br /> plans are in draft stage, work will begin to finalize the Memorandum of Understanding <br /> (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 /> • The Board approved, in November and December of 2021, two landowner-donated trail <br /> easements (Carl Shy and Ed Johnson). Recent landowner initiated changes to easement <br /> Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation <br /> PO Box 8181/306-A Revere Road <br /> Hillsborough, NC 27278 <br /> (919) 245-2510 <br />