OTHER-2024-093-Warranty Deed of conservation Easement for William Bruce Richmond

Browse Search

BK 6875 PG 2090 DOC# 30116168 McGowan Creek water quality, as well as the open space and rural character of Cheeks Township are collectively referred to as the " conservation values " of the Easement Area. The Grantor and Grantee agree that the current uses of and improvements to the Easement Area are consistent with the conservation purposes of this Conservation Easement. The conservation purposes of this easement, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, are also recognized by, and this Conservation Easement will also serve, the following clearly delineated governmental conservation policies : ( 1 ) the Orange County Board of Commissioners ' goal (adopted June 21 , 1999) to identify and coordinate the preservation of the County ' s most significant natural areas ; and (2) the Land Use Element of the Orange County Comprehensive Plan (adopted November 18 , 2008 ) with its goal of "Land uses that are appropriate to on-site environmental conditions and features, and that protect natural resources, cultural resources, and community character; " ( 3 ) the protection of similar Orange County properties designed to protect conservation and open space values through conservation easements granted to the Grantee and others in the vicinity of the Grantors ' Property; and (4) Article 17 of the North Carolina General Statutes NCGS 113A-24, entitled Conservation, Farmland and Open Space Protection and Coordination, otherwise known as the "Million Acre Initiative," which provides that the State of North Carolina shall encourage, facilitate, plan, coordinate, and support appropriate federal , State, local , and private land protection efforts so that an additional one million acres of farmland , open space and conservation lands in the State are permanently protected by December 31 , 2009 ; and (5) the North Carolina Land and Water Fund , North Carolina General Statute 143134 3 5 . 234 et seq . , which recognizes the importance of protecting riparian buffers in conserving clean surface water; and (6) Orange County is receiving a grant from the North Carolina Land and Water Fund (NCLWF Grant No . 2024D-00) that will facilitate the acceptance of this donation to Orange County; and (7 ) the Soil and Water Conservation Districts Act, authorized by NCGS § 139- 1 , et seq . , which provides for the preservation of farm, forest and grazing lands; and ( 8) the special present use value assessment of farm and forestland as set forth in NCGS § 105 -277 . 2 et seq . , which allows for lower property tax rates for land enrolled in active agricultural uses . The natural resources and natural habitat of the Grantors ' Property, and its contribution to Page 3 of 26 Book 6875