Agenda - 09-02-2003-6b - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 or four crossings of the stream will be set (using primarily existing crossings) as part of a conservation easement that the County must grant to DWQ at the close of project construction. Staff has coordinated with the Purchasing and Central Services Director (to ensure consistency with the Justice Facilities expansion and Space Study), the Erosion Control Division of the Planning Department, the Recreation and Parks Management Director (Recreation and Parks will ultimately maintain this site as part of the adjoining RiverPark area) and the Town of Hillsborough Planning Department. While the conservation easement will generally be 50 feet on either side of the stream, the State has agreed to exclude the Government Services Center, County parking lots and the Occoneechee Village from the easement. The easement will provide for three to four bridge crossings of the stream, to be determined prior to the finalization of the easement (at a later date). Staffs and representatives of the involved parties are meeting this month to assess the existing bridges. Staffs involved in the project propose to also use this as an opportunity for environmental education, creating a signage plan to explain the nature of the project (and to discourage human activity in the sensitive areas) as well as explaining activities involved in stream restoration and habitat that has been created or restored. A map of the project area is attached, as are pictures of the existing stream corridor and other similar projects. A before/after cross-section perspective of the project has also been created by Open Space Design Specialist Kimberly Siran. Once the project construction is completed, a final report along with conservation easement will be presented to the Board for action, probably in November/December 2003. A sample of a conservation easement is provided for information only at this time. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The State Division of Water Quality is responsible for the cost of the project, anticipated to be $50-60,000. There are no County funds involved. An eventual conservation easement donation to NCDWQ will be required. The easement will ensure permanent protection for the project corridor and allow for designated stream crossings, as well as preclude incompatible activities within the easement and require that new vegetation for the stream restoration is left undisturbed. County buildings and other built areas will be excluded from the easement. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the information and provide any feedback as desired, with a final report and conservation easement to be brought back for action in late 2003.