Orange County NC Website
BK 6866 PG 694 DOC# 30111878 <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 Easement <br /> Area are consistent with the conservation purposes of this Conservation Easement. The conservation <br /> purposes of this easement, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, are also <br /> recognized by, and this Conservation Easement will also serve, the following clearly delineated <br /> governmental conservation policies: <br /> (1) the Orange County Board of Commissioners' goal (adopted June 21, 1999) to <br /> identify and coordinate the preservation of the County's most significant natural areas; and <br /> (2) the Land Use Element of the Orange County Comprehensive Plan (adopted <br /> November 18, 2008) with its goal of "Land uses that are appropriate to on-site environmental <br /> conditions and features, and that protect natural resources, cultural resources, and community <br /> character;" <br /> (3) the protection of similar Orange County properties designed to protect <br /> conservation and open space values through conservation easements granted to the Grantee and <br /> others in the vicinity of the Grantor's Property; and <br /> (4) Article 17 of the North Carolina General Statutes NCGS 113A-24, entitled <br /> Conservation, Farmland and Open Space Protection and Coordination, otherwise known as the <br /> "Million Acre Initiative,"which provides that the State of North Carolina shall encourage,facilitate, <br /> plan,coordinate,and support appropriate federal, State,local,and private land protection efforts so <br /> that an additional one million acres of farmland,open space and conservation lands in the State are <br /> permanently protected by December 31, 2009; and <br /> (5)the Clean Water Management Trust Fund,North Carolina General Statute 113- <br /> 145.1 et seq., which recognizes the importance of protecting riparian buffers in conserving clean <br /> surface water; and <br /> (6)the Soil and Water Conservation Districts Act, authorized by NCGS § 13 9-1,et <br /> seq., which provides for the preservation of farm, forest and grazing lands; and <br /> (7) the special present use value assessment of farm and forestland as set forth in <br /> NCGS § 105-277.2 et seq., which allows for lower property tax rates for land enrolled in active <br /> agricultural uses. <br /> The natural resources and natural habitat of the Easement Area, and its contribution to the <br /> protection of the [[e.g.j open space and rural character of Bingham Township are collectively <br /> referred to as the "Conservation Values" of the Easement Area. <br /> Page 3 of 17 <br />