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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: April 16, 2024 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 6-a <br /> SUBJECT: Lands Legacy Action Plan for 2024-2027 <br /> DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks <br /> and Recreation (DEAPR) <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> 1. Lands Legacy Program Overview David Stancil, DEAPR Director, 919-245- <br /> 2. Lands Legacy Action Plan (2024-27) 2522 <br /> with Cover Memorandum Christian Hirni, Land Conservation <br /> 3. Conservation and Connectivity Maps Manager, 919-245-2514 <br /> Current Action Plan can be found at <br /> https://www.co.orange.nc.us/DocumentC <br /> enter/View/7662/Lands-Legacy-Action- <br /> Plan-2018-2020 <br /> PURPOSE: To consider adoption of the Lands Legacy Action Plan for the years 2024-2027. <br /> BACKGROUND: The Board of Commissioners established the Lands Legacy Program on <br /> April 4, 2000. Through this program, Orange County seeks to protect its most critical natural <br /> and cultural resources through a variety of voluntary means. Over the 24 years of the <br /> program, Orange County has acquired land for eight (8) parks and nature preserves, and <br /> secured 46 conservation easements, including 28 active farms, for a current total of 2,973 <br /> acres of farmland and open space in the Eno River, Cane Creek, Little River, and New Hope <br /> Creek watersheds. Over that same period the County helped other partners protect an <br /> additional 1,338 acres of sensitive resource lands. <br /> Many of these projects are accomplished in partnership with other conservation entities, <br /> including the Triangle Land Conservancy, Eno River Association, Orange Water & Sewer <br /> Authority, the Orange NRCS/Soil & Water Conservation District, State and federal trust <br /> funds, and adjoining local governments. With those partnerships, Orange County has been <br /> awarded over $6.1 million in grants for conserving farms and open space, and for park <br /> acquisition or construction. <br /> The Lands Legacy Program is directed by the BOCC's adoption of an Action Plan. The <br /> proposed 2024-2027 Action Plan reflects acquisition priorities for the next three years. <br /> Action Plan development is aided by input from advisory boards: <br /> • the Commission for the Environment (for connectivity between natural and protected <br /> areas, natural heritage sites, riparian forest buffers to benefit climate resiliency, <br /> cultural heritage sites, and the Mountains to Sea Trail); <br />