P-0155 - A Lands Legacy Program for Orange County 04-04-2000

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The Implementation Recommendations section of the report uses the direction provided by the • Board to propose a means of formalizing this program. Using four operating principles as a guide, this section recommends that the Lands Legacy program have the following linchpins: t • The Lands Legacy program would be coordinated and administered as a County program, under the existing statutory authority held by counties in N.C. The Soil and Water District Board could be invited to participate in the holding of agricultural conservation easements, if desired. The other land management options that are multi-jurisdictional or more-complex (County local government land trust or Open Space Authority) will continue to be evaluated over the next few years, and will require lengthy future discussion among multiple parties along with inter-local agreements and resolution of other complicated issues. • A number of funding options are laid out for the Board's consideration, with the understanding that aggressive application for outside (grant) funding will be pursued. Opportunities for joint ventures with other local governments, authorities and land trusts would also be explored whenever possible. • An Annual Action Plan is proposed as the mechanism for generating annual priorities and reporting on activities in the previous year. This Action Plan, to be prepared each December for the Board's retreat, would involve input from the relevant advisory boards.into priorities, which would then be decided by the Board. The role of advisory boards in the Lands Legacy process is also addressed. An Interim Action Plan to cover the period from the present through June, 2001 is proposed to be developed. • Policies for land stewardship, use and access and public outreach are also addressed in the proposal Two sections of the document remain incomplete. The exploration. of potential resource land acquisitions through the development process is underway between the ERCD and Planning Departments, and a report on this method of land acquisitions is anticipated to be completed in May. A new set of criteria for farmland acquisitions is being developed by staff, using a points system based on programs in Durham and Forsyth Counties, and is also expected in May. A resolution that would implement the Lands Legacy program along the lines in the proposed report is attached. Since the first Annual Action Plan would not be developed until December, the Board could also direct staff to develop an Interim Action Plan for the period from the present through June, 2001. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The financial impact of engaging in the Lands Legacy land acquisition program will depend on the degree and speed of implementation. Existing funding sources, along with potential future sources and bond referenda, are suggested as option for the Board's consideration. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board address any changes or additional directions desired for the Lands Legacy program, discuss the potential funding options, and adopt the attached resolution making this program a part of County policy, and direct staff to develop an Interim Action Plan for the period from the present through June, 2001. Staff will report back on the two incomplete areas of the document in May, for potential inclusion into the program at that time.