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8 <br /> C. To the extent practicable, the Grantor and Grantee wish to maintain the Easement <br /> Area as a combination of woodland and open space suitable as habitat for the native flora and <br /> fauna of the North Carolina Piedmont, and to protect the water quality of Collins Creek and other <br /> perennial streams that flow through this land and eventually to the Haw River and Jordan Lake. <br /> The grant of this Conservation Easement will further said wish, and will serve the following <br /> "Conservation Purposes," as such that term is defined in Section 170 (h)(4)(A) of the Code: <br /> The Easement Area contains a natural area that has not been subject to significant <br /> development, which provides a"...relatively natural habitat of fish, wildlife, or plants, or similar <br /> ecosystem," as that phrase is used in P.L. 96-541, 26 UCS 170(h)(A)(ii), as amended, and in <br /> regulations promulgated thereunder. <br /> The Easement Area contains complex natural communities including: bottomland <br /> hardwood forest dominated by hardwood wetland trees; Collins Creek and two feeder streams; <br /> upland forest dominated by beech, oaks, hickories, and large pines; a diverse forested habitat for <br /> several species of birds; and natural depressions in low-lying areas that provide breeding sites for <br /> salamanders. It is a primary purpose of this Conservation Easement to protect the undeveloped <br /> nature of the Easement Area and, in doing so, to support and help protect the natural area and <br /> wildlife habitat associated with this area. <br /> The Easement Area also contains an intact segment of Collins Creek,which the State of <br /> North Carolina identifies on its list of"303(d) impaired streams." It is a specific objective of <br /> Orange County in its 2030 Comprehensive Plan, to reduce the number of 303(d) impaired <br /> streams by minimizing impacts of non-point and point source pollution. Another primary <br /> purpose of this Easement is to protect the undeveloped nature of the Easement Area and, in <br /> doing so, helping to protect the water quality associated with Collins Creek. <br /> The Easement Area also contributes to the open space and rural character of this section <br /> of Bingham Township. Portions of the easement area have been or will be developed for the <br /> benefit of low impact recreation for the tenants of the Array development. It is a further purpose <br /> of this Conservation Easement to help to protect the rural character and open space of Bingham <br /> Township. <br /> The natural habitat of the Easement Area, and its contribution to the protection of Collins <br /> Creek water quality, as well as the open space and rural character of Bingham Township are <br /> collectively referred to as the "conservation values" of the Easement Area. <br /> The Grantor and Grantee agree that the current uses of and improvements to the <br /> Easement Area are consistent with the conservation purposes of this Conservation Easement. <br /> The conservation purposes of this easement, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained <br /> herein, are also recognized by, and this Conservation Easement will also serve, the following <br /> clearly delineated governmental conservation policies: <br /> Page 2 of 17 <br />