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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: September 19, 2000 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. $ <br />SUBJECT: Forest Service Contract for Fiscal Year 2000 -01 <br />DEPARTMENT: Budget /Planning <br />PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Agreement for Protection, Development <br />Donna Dean, Budget Director 245 -2151 <br />and Improvement of Forest Land in <br />Craig Benedict, Planning Director, 245 - <br />Orange County <br />2592 <br />Staff Memorandum of Understanding <br />Brad Bowling, Forest Ranger, 732 -8152 <br />Forest Service Activity Report <br />TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br />Hillsborough 732 -8181 <br />Chapel Hill 9684501 <br />Durham 688 -7331 <br />Mebane 336 -227 -2031 <br />PURPOSE: To approve the annual agreement between Orange County and the North Carolina <br />Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for protection, development, <br />reforestation, management and improvement of forest lands located in the County. <br />BACKGROUND: This agreement, made under authority of Sections .113 -54 and 113 -59 of the <br />North Carolina General Statutes, provides for continuation of active protection of Orange <br />County forestlands by the NC Forest Service. <br />Responsibilities of the Forest Service and County Forest Ranger include: <br />• controlling forest fires in the County, <br />• detecting and extinguishing fires that break out, <br />• investigating the origin of forest, woodland and field fires, <br />• enforcing State forest fire laws, <br />• taking preventative measures, educational and otherwise, as necessary, to prevent <br />forest fires, <br />• developing and improving forestlands through reforestation, promotion and practice of <br />Forest Management practices, and <br />• protecting forestlands from insects and diseases. <br />Staff from the County and the Forest Service met recently to discuss areas of collaboration and <br />cooperation that can help both parties advance their mutual interests in protecting and <br />preserving forestland and the environment, consistent with applicable State and County laws <br />and regulations. Toward this end, a memorandum of understanding to supplement the annual <br />agreement has been prepared to lay out procedures for County and Forest Service staff to <br />ensure greater cooperation and understanding about relevant forestry management and land <br />use matters. For informational purposes, Forest Service staff have prepared the attached <br />activity report of their annual accomplishments. <br />