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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: February 20, 2025 <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 interested landowners and can report the following activity to <br /> further the MST project.To protect landowner confidentiality, properties are not referred to by <br /> name: <br /> General News <br /> • Orange County provided funds to the Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail to hire an <br /> Orange County Ombudsman,who will work for the Friends and provide assistance in <br /> contacting and coordinating landowners along the trail route interested in pursuing trail <br /> easement and/or acquisitions with the County. Interviews have been completed and a <br /> part time Ombudsman will begin this winter 2025. <br /> • As the conservation and trail easements for the Draper-Savage Foundation (Moorefields) <br /> property adjacent to Seven Mile Creek Natural Area closed in April 2024, County staff is <br /> working closely with the State, Eno River Association (ERA) and Friends of the Mountains <br /> to Sea Trail (FMST)to coordinate trail routing and construction approvals.The final draft <br /> of a trail plan is pending approval by the State Land and Water Fund, and trail <br /> construction could begin this spring! <br /> • Staff applied for$120,450 to the NC Great Trails State Grant to match funds toward <br /> constructing a new trail system at Seven Mile Creek Natural Area which will act as an <br /> extension of the MST route, as well as double the length and open the western half of the <br /> park to public access. <br /> • Staff are in the final phase of gathering the closing documents necessary for final approval <br /> from the NC Land and Water Fund for an acquisition of a 20-acre parcel adjacent to the <br /> Moorefields property(previously approved by the Board of Commissioners).The parcel <br /> will be a dedicated nature preserve and act as a trail head for the MST as it travels west <br /> into Moorefields and Seven Mile Creek Natural Area. <br /> • The heir to a previously negotiated Trail Easement has completed the probate period and <br /> gained ownership of the property,which will allow the County to close on the previously <br /> approved easement this spring/summer,which is a vital connection to OWASA's Cane <br /> Creek Reservoir property. <br /> Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation <br /> PO Box 8181/306-A Revere Road <br /> Hillsborough, NC 27278 <br /> (919) 245-2510 <br />