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29 <br /> CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION (CP) <br /> Description <br /> Lands in this category are permanently protected from future development by <br /> conservation easements;effectively preserved through the nature of their ownership, <br /> type of stewardship,and current use; or protected for a certain timeframe. Conservation <br /> easements are voluntarily established by the landowner through donation to or <br /> payment from a holding entity,which may be Orange County,a land trust, or some <br /> other conservation-based organization. Preserved lands include either active or passive <br /> open spaces, parks,and undeveloped lands that are not expected to develop,although <br /> they do not have legal protections in place. Examples of Conservation and Preservation <br /> lands include publicly accessible places such as Eno River State Park, Duke Forest,and <br /> local parks,and others that are not open to the public and are held by organizations <br /> such as OWASA(Orange Water and Sewer Authority),which owns them for the purpose <br /> of permanent water supply protection. <br /> Character, Pattern, and Land Use Vision <br /> • The intent of these areas is to protect, maintain,connect,and increase open space, <br /> valuable and unique habitats and natural landscapes,agricultural opportunities, <br /> and rural character that together serve to support the ecological, recreational, <br /> aesthetic,and historical attributes of Orange County. <br /> • Establishment of future lands will remain a priority across the county,with <br /> emphasis on the most sensitive biological habitats, riparian zones,areas adjacent <br /> to Special Flood Hazard Areas(SFHA),and prime farmland,as identified by <br /> the County and its public and non-profit partners,with consideration for even, <br /> accessible distribution that serves all residents. <br /> • In some cases, limited development on these lands may occur to support their <br /> uses,such as visitor accommodations at parks,as a stipulation of an easement,or <br /> applicable farm-related uses on working agricultural land. <br /> 26 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT <br />