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ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: January. 24, 2012 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. g--G2 <br /> SUBJECT: Resolution of Approval —Conservation Easement for the Brooks Farm; and <br /> Approval of Budget Amendment#5-C <br /> DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks . PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br /> and Recreation (DEAPR) a <br /> ATTACHMENTS INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> 1. Resolution of Approval David Stancil, 245-2510 <br /> 2. Location Map Rich Shaw, 245-25.14 <br /> 3. Site Map Gail Hughes, 245-2753 <br /> 4. Draft Conservation Easement <br /> PURPOSE: To consider a resolution to approve the purchase of and acceptance by Orange <br /> County of an agricultural and watershed protection conservation easement for the Brooks <br /> farm; and approve Budget Amendment#5-C. <br /> BACKGROUND: The acquisition of conservation easements to protect highly important <br /> natural and cultural resource lands in Orange County is a longstanding goal of the Board of <br /> Commissioners, and is a priority of the Lands Legacy program. Since 2001, the County has <br /> partnered with landowners to protect 1,875 acres of prime farmland and riparian buffers with <br /> conservation easements. <br /> Over the past several months, DEAPR has worked with the Eno River Association and the <br /> Soil and Water Conservation District on a project to conserve highly significant land and <br /> water resources at the Brooks farm. The Brooks farm is located south of Ben Johnston Road <br /> west of Hillsborough (Cheeks Township). The farm is owned by Dennis and Linda Brooks, <br /> who raise beef cattle and operate the Rocking B Saddle Shop. <br /> The 114-acre farm is located in the critical area of Upper Eno Protected Watershed, a priority <br /> watershed for acquiring agricultural easements in a dual effort to protect prime farmland and <br /> drinking water quality. Sevenmile Creek and Rocky Run flow through the farm to the nearby <br /> Lake Ben Johnston Reservoir— a drinking water intake for the Town of Hillsborough. <br /> The Brooks intend to grant a permanent conservation easement that will restrict future <br /> development to protect prime farmland and protect scenic views from Ben Johnston Road. <br /> The easement would allow two future home sites in two-acre "residential envelopes". All <br /> other non-agricultural development rights will be extinguished through the conservation <br /> easement. Future farm activities will be in accordance with a Conservation Plan prepared for <br /> the farm by the Orange Soil & Water Conservation District. <br /> The planned "agricultural and watershed protection conservation easement" would be held <br /> jointly by Orange County and the Eno River Association. The easement would expand and <br />