Agenda - 02-04-2003-8f - Laserfiche WebLink

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s Introduction The Lands Legacy program, adopted by Orange County in April 2000, is initiated each year by the creation of an Annual Action Plan. The Annual Action Plan guides Lands Legacy acquisitions and land protection activities for the specified fiscal year. The process begins in August of each year, with staff identifying potential projects and asking for initial guidance. Staff then meets with advisory boards for their input on development of priorities for the coming year. Using the advisory board recommendations, a draft Plan is prepared for distribution to the Board of Commissioners at their annual goal- setting retreat. The Annual Action Plan is then finalized concurrent with the CIP process each spring. * - Note; For FY 2002-03, the Annual Action Plan was withheld until decisions about the CIP and bond sales were made, since these directly impact the Action Plan. The result is a two- year plan, combining proposed actions for both FY 2002-03 and FY 2003-04 The past several months have seen a number of projects come to fruition, headed by the receipt of a $784,155 grant from the USDA Farmland Protection Program in September. The following is a draft Annual Action Plan for the remainder of fiscal year 2002-2003 and the upcoming year (please see note above). The plan incorporates comments from advisory boards last year, coupled with the continuation and completion of goals and objectives from the current action plan. The draft Plan contains goals, a summary of advisory board comments, specific action objectives, and a priority list of land acquisition and protection projects for the coming year. Also attached is Performance Report for the first two years of the Lands Legacy Program (2000-2002). (Note: Plans to continue to pursue grant funding for County projects are implicit.) 1. Upper Eno and Upper New Hope Riparian Buffers: Protect riparian buffers in the Upper Eno River watershed critical area (including additions to Seven Mile Creek Preserve) and the Upper New Hope Creek watershed. 2. Faucette Mill Historic Area: Acquire conservation easements to protect properties with historic structures and archaeological sites in the Faucette Mill area. 3. Farmland Conservation Easements: Work with willing sellers (and partner entities) to acquire farmland conservation easements in priority watersheds, in conjunction with federal Farmland Protection Program and NC Farmland Preservation Trust Fund. 4. New Park Sites: Identify locations for potential land acquisition to establish community parks in the White Cross and North-Central Orange areas-- the two remaining parks identified in the 1988 Master Recreation and Parks Plan. Reassess For the periodJu/y 1, 2002 -lure 30, 2004