Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-12-2010 - 1ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: October 12, 2010 Action Agenda Item No. ~_ SUBJECT: Lands Le acy Action Plan for FY 2010-12 DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No and Recreation (DEAPR) ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Ten Year Retrospective David Stancil, 245-2510 Draft Annual Action Plan (2010-12) Rich Shaw, 245-2514 Map of Proposed Priority Areas Status of Funding Sources Top 10 Natural/Cultural Sites Proposal PURPOSE: To consider the draft Lands Legacy Action Plan for the current and upcoming fiscal years (FY 2010-11 and FY 2011-12). BACKGROUND: The Board of Commissioners adopted the Lands Legacy Program in April 2000. Through this program, Orange County seeks to protect its most critical natural and cultural resources through a variety of voluntary means. Since 2000, the County has conserved or acquired 2,547 acres for a variety of parks or conservation purposes such as new parklands, nature preserves, conservation easements on farmland and natural lands, cultural resources, and watershed buffer lands. The County assisted in the acquisition of an additional 1,307 acres by other partners during this same timeframe. Most projects are accomplished in partnership with other conservation entities, including the Triangle Land Conservancy, Orange Water & Sewer Authority, Eno River Association, the Orange NRCS/Soil & Water office, State and federal trust funds, and adjoining local governments. A summary of the accomplishments and evolution of Lands Legacy over its first 10 years is included as "A Ten-Year Retrospective" (Attachment 1). The Lands Legacy Program is directed each two years by adoption of a two-year Action Plan. The 2010-12 Action Plan reflects acquisition priorities for the 24-month period beginning July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2012. As in years past, the draft Action Plan was developed with input from citizen advisory boards (listed with their areas of expertise in parentheses): Commission for the Environment (natural areas, prime forest, riparian buffers, open space/trails), Agricultural Preservation Board (farmland preservation), Historic Preservation Board (historic/cultural resources) and the Parks and Recreation Council (parklands, open space/trails). This Action Plan comes at a time where, after 10 years of learning and maturation, the program finds itself in a different position. During the remainder of this current economic downturn, while the State's conservation trust funds are in short supply, DEAPR proposes scaling back on new acquisitions in order to tend to its ever increasing responsibilities for the lands acquired and "land-banked" for future parks and preserves. The following are some common themes for the approach to this Plan: • Focus on the stewardship of existing conservation properties • Acknowledge many long-term conservation needs exist, but recognize short-term financial constraints • Complete the projects already underway • Shift the program's emphasis on conserving significant natural areas Some projects listed in the 2010-12 Action Plan are already familiar to the Board, while other projects are multi-year projects repeated from previous action plans. Finally, a few potential new projects are offered for the Board's consideration. Details of each project are provided on pages 4-5 of the action plan. • Bingham Township Park • Halls Mill and Faucette Mill • Seven Mile Creek Preserve / Historic Sites Mountains-to-Sea Trail Stewardship of Existing • Jordan Lake Macrosite Properties • Upper Eno Riparian Buffers • Upper Bolin Creek Corridor • Farmland Conservation Easements The status of funding sources to pursue these projects is provided as Attachment 4. Finally, along with this action plan, DEAPR is planning to embark on a public outreach effort to coincide with this ten-year anniversary. Attachment 5 is a proposal to identify The Top 10 Natural and Cultural Sites in Orange County. The purpose is to help people recognize some of the special places we have here in Orange County -places that are truly unique and help give the County its identity. Earlier this year, Land for Tomorrow, a coalition that supports the preservation of North Carolina's land and water resources, announced a similar "North Carolina's Ten Natural Wonders" Contest. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Funds expended for priority projects over the two fiscal years (2010-11 and 2011-12) are existing funds from prior appropriations of the Board from 2001-2006. No new funds have been appropriated since July 2006. These include appropriations from the Lands Legacy Fund (2001 Parks and Open Space bonds converted to alternative financing in 2008-09), the Conservation Easements Fund (Board- approved financing and pay-as-you-go funds for conservation easements), the Lands Legacy Opportunities Fund (pay-as-you-go funds from 2000-2006 sales tax revenues), and Payment-in-Lieu Funds (funds generated by new subdivision activity for parks, recreation and open space acquisition and construction). Where identified, the proposed funding source is listed in the attached Action Plan. For many projects, DEAPR seeks grant funds from a variety of state and federal sources. Thus far the County has received 12 grants totaling $5 million for conserving lands through Lands Legacy -considerably leveraging and stretching County funds to date. Final funding decisions are made by the Board on aproject-by-project basis, as potential purchases are presented for approval. Not all potential projects in the draft Action Plan will be pursued. In each case, separate project budgets and capital project ordinances with specific funding streams and amounts are addressed at the time of purchase approval. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board receive the draft Lands Legacy Program Action Plan and provide direction, comment and feedback. DEAPR staff will make refinements to the Plan based on Board comments and bring the Action Plan back for Board adoption at a subsequent meeting. 3 ATTACHMENT 1 Orange County Lands Legacy Program A Ten-2~ear ~trospective This year marks the 10`~ Anniversary for the Lands Legacy Program. The program was adopted in 2000 with a truly ambitious mission: to work with willing landowners and conservation partners to protect Orange County's most important natural and cultural resource lands before they are severely damaged or destroyed. This anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on the program's successes, and to assess how it might to adapt to changing conditions. It was started ten years ago In 1999, while the world was counting down to the start of a new millennium, Orange County was developing an ambitious new program to help counter some alarming trends. While population growth, residential development, and land prices were rising steadily, the availability of parks and recreation facilities, farmland, prime forestland were declining. The county lost important natural and cultural heritage sites to land-use conversions. Although there had been excellent work by local land trusts and others to conserve special places like Duke Forest and Eno River State Park, and to protect water supplies at Cane Creek and University Lake, the rising tide of development was threatening to overwhelm those efforts. The Orange County Board of Commissioners decided to become a more active partner in conserving lands that help give the county its identity, places that would be sorely missed if they were erased from the landscape due to changes in land use. The board adopted the Lands Legacy program in Apri12000. A L.:a: Le><wo~ ~m for Or~a~e Coang as adopted by the Orange County Board of Commissioners Apri14, 1000 Orange Cowty. NC ~nrl.enm.n~ .~ ~en.sr.t~ ~.~ How has Lands Legacy worked thus far? ' Through Lands Legacy, the County has completed projects in all seven townships. That success is due in part to many partners, including dozens of landowners interested in conserving their land through various means, including the granting of conservation easements. Other key partners included Triangle Land Conservancy, Eno River Association, OWASA, Duke University, and other local governments. The County also partnered with state and federal agencies that awarded over $5 million in grants for park acquisition construction and for conserving farms and open space. A Case Study in Partnership: New Hope Preserve .Orange County joined several partners in completing an important section of the New Hope Corridor Master Plan. The County, in collaboration with Triangle Land Conservancy, Durham County, Town of Chapel Hill, and Durham City, has assembled several land parcels for the New Hope Preserve, which will preserve open. space between Duke Forest and Jordan Lake. The partners adopted a joint master plan for the Hollow Rock Access Area-a future 75-acre park located at the intersection of Erwin and Pickettroads. Further collaboration is underway for park construction and operation. 4 Over the first 10 years of Lands Legacy, Orange County acquired land for seven new parks, preserved all or portions of 12 active farms (1,275 acres), and conserved 540 acres of natural open space in the Eno River, Cane Creek, Little River, and New Hope Creek watersheds upstream of public water supply intakes. In all cases, projects were chosen to address multiple public interests. A list of completed projects is attached. An evolving focus for the program During the first few years of the program, Lands Legacy focused on parkland acquisition to address the County's shortage of public parks, a finding of the 1999 Joint Master Recreation and Parks report. The County (for the first time) applied for State conservation trust funds and was awarded grants for parkland acquisition. The program then shifted its focus to farmland preservation, responding to farmer interests and federal matching funds for purchasing conservation easements. Through Lands Legacy, 9 farms granted easements that guarantee over 1,200 acres of prime farmland will remain available for agricultural use. Easements on two other farms (320 acres) will be completed in FY 2010-11. More recently, the program has worked to conserve open space and greenway trail corridors along rivers and streams-thereby helping to protect our public water supplies and securing new areas for low-impact recreation. That shift in emphasis helps to implement the BOCC's 2009 priority goal of protecting significant natural areas and wildlife habitat. The current economic downturn has also enabled staff slow down acquisition to focus on the stewardship of the properties acquired over the past decade, and in doing so, to help "recalibrate" the goals and objectives of the program. Why is it still important to conserve land? Through Lands Legacy, Orange County has made long- term investments in preserving its precious natural and cultural heritage-part of the county's foundation for future economic development and quality of life. With the Triangle Region expecting another 900,000 residents by 20201, and two interstate highways running through the county's midsection, the protection of these assets will reap countless benefits in the future. Those assets ' By 2020 the Triangle Region's population is expected to increase from the current 1.5 million to 2.4 million people (Source: Research Triangle Regional Partnership, 2010) 2 5 include our "green infrastructure"-a web of natural green space, vital for wildlife corridors, recreational trails, and protecting the many rivers and streams that supply our drinking water. Another critical part of that resource base is the county's prime farmland used to produce agricultural goods and services. Lands Legacy has responded to the agricultural community's interest in preserving farmland, and in doing so, helping to recapitalize participating farms with an infusion of funds and an opportunity to diversify their products to meet the demands of the strong local food movement-all without reducing the local tax base2. Finally, many important historic and archaeological sites, part of our cultural heritage that contributes to tourism, are being lost due to lack of information and adequate safeguards, and over 40 percent of the County's most important natural heritage areas remain unprotected. The cost of conservation Orange County's land conservation over the past 10 years has cost the County $3,980 per acre-less than 1°10 of the County's budget over that same period. Those funds went toward the direct conservation of 2,547 acres by the County and an additional 1,453 acres by the State for Eno River State Park (2003) and for the Durham County portion of Little River Park. Over time the price of land has risen steadily in this region, and after the current slow down prices will rise again. Some of the land the County purchased through Lands Legacy is being "land banked" for future parks. In the meantime, much of that land remains in use for agricultural production through temporary arrangements with nearby farmers. Part of a state and regional effort to protect vital resources Lands Legacy is part of a statewide effort to identify the most important resource lands and to distinguish them from areas more suitable for future development. Orange County was an active participant in formulating the Triangle Greenprint and One NC Naturally. We are also working with neighboring jurisdictions to extend the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail through the central Piedmont. Similar efforts are going on in Durham and Wake counties, and Chatham County is currently developing a countywide conservation plan. An award winning program Lands Legacy has been recognized for its achievements. In 2007 Orange County received the Excellence in County Planning Award from the National Association of County Planners. The program was twice runner-up for the national County Leadership in Conservation Award by the National Association of Counties and Trust for Public Land. In 2003 the Conservation Trust for NC recognized Orange and Durham counties with the Government Partner Conservation Award for their joint establishment of Little River Regional Park. And finally, the NC Soil and Water Conservation Society awarded the Local Government Conservationist Award in 2007. z Local property taxes were unaffected because the farms were already enrolled in the present use value program; more than half of the funds used to purchase easements were from state/federal grants and landowner donations. 3 6 The, Chapel ~'~ill l~Tews Frtaay, Judy ~.~, 2000 range crates a legacy o~ land County a6ms to save pristine forests a;tid paces to play. . ~1r STE!'iiAl~d HAE2RE$ The News & Observer Orange County env officials have.begtzn an campaign to preserve o€ acres of land, hoping ';~ ~ ;~~•' ~' ' "' ~ ~'~ :+i S. v man s swaths of we °~ ~; : •t land as nil open fields it ~;y~'~;• • ~~~ ~.1; :F 'l'he Lands Legacy pn .. ~ °``` . ~ ' . _ Of OrilV a t+-" ~ - ~, EFCAH9 tR'aa,~slandeonservatioaman- - alter asked as he baked out fay Arent ianoaeter TimesNews Much of the fend between $iilsborough and Mebane along U.S. 70 could be a hat area for development in ffie next fewyears, but not all of it Just olC the noisy highway, east of Efland,is 88 acres of untovchacJ hardwood Corest near the Eno River, ar,~ ~^' vials in ^"'- over McGowan's Creek fn the nature preserve His answer. "To protect a watershed but ahw to protect some Been space. There will be fewer and fewer of these areas left" Duke University once owned the McGowan Creek Land as part of Duke Forest The unfvowj•- had plaa4 to ~r pens, but the 1.~1-~ l-O.L V _ z tTVE` t In. Orange ®~-~~ ~ scents, they vvi41 be able to ~~~ i randp were ° ~~ Writer to be g d when they ~tarnealnta Sno River gy ANNE gL`f THEE Staff ow' when tt'le chinddrea a natuaal a ens that were aroun with bflae~ is borders, Years from n e farmta of three s ass less OUCH "_ e of the ram the acquisition a than it HtLLSBOR l4dren ram roved on 329 acres. atioa sfae, show their grand' Commissioners apP Board of neighborhoods vi-14 not crop up youngsters. _„ county _ that new Elizabeth rl and rk paring two meetings this moc • • _ conseNatiion easements, as` ~NDAY,IUNE 7, 2004 r--1- On Dec.1, the board apps Walters farm in north`N ct and Lori Votpe far a tra _~Pment on the Ca eTnerit from Ma ~,~-acre caper Hillsborough. THE CtiAA9. NtLL HERALD • •. . ~IDY~P~~@d.~B. ~.~ ~ ~ .~ . .Y •~~~, ®®• . board apl ran&e ~OU°tYisn't what • ~r'~~^ On Dec.9, the ®~~~ata - tcaaedto.b~. ~~ ~~ ~~~~ acre port a«dlaanttv~al~an ~a The $3- 7aaddevotedto c6 of Cue bor0 ~ acrd cOntatns A ~~ ~ et~otds m~ble~°' °nd ~`'~ . ~ s .~C~ ~n~ fy eradr, eoup7od wttl, match ePortetYphoto time now,' oonservalfo~n eCtgd to allow tho wan t'w04dY lR the Pirat ofpher BA! R7llcox sated ~ t"~s, iavolvia wsoments on tLree ra~oro ~~ farmfn$ calied~ occas=oaa! setfes on b~'s Leads ~Y~ ~ ~ abouE S00 oddittona(a~ Ys tads Lae3s Padlits is D ~edds,^ d~'tmed row y~A•o8ram fs so imFortaaG IY wil! never be e~Pa~ ~ad$e COwtY ctear- -. aa2es Years moo' R~itcoxrepmte Ce Countq ?ha v~va~ress~y ~ w~e~ofap~~Br~fi is ~r.~ty a ~ ~ the ~e road to bdeeomt$n $. andnowtbetc fs sus. syerode ~~bha~tha ~~ ~ w°~tinae~ ~gp ThaXat~m- gSultthey~~e' everurbanixing7l~_ Sabvutlppp montsp~oEVOIupWOt'kthelangbetthe ouch msbfOranBoCoon ~" } -i `S:r °'R develoPmentnaf..th°p Pt~~anctions oil Pui~ roMS, In~a~dtmpbei• e~p aurlegaay, They are our Rich Shaw stands beside a large chirrmey on the 65 acres acquired bl'the Orange Countyi~oo ..,. ~ additloa ~ our hu ry, theyatso ~ our Legacy program. Shaw Is rmt sure of fhe age of the chimney but tMnks R would be a good stop walking trai~"w`fltT`@aolhar,v.a ... _. , , on a planned wa0dng trail through the nature preserve: ty paid 5280,000 for fhe parkland. ' ~a~.ds Legacy ~Progr~- receives ~~,nt to preserve . co~ntY farmed . 6Y jpM!'E Nl~~to35 FOR@h ~c -Afederatt~ for more thav;thr?e gnartat's oCotwt9 lion dollarswtll e°able Oran ~ farm to preserve abotrt 9fii1 acres ~ ~e grant of $845,b86 from e >~ ~ p~~ matched by eountY ri farmlan ~ t>?~hrou~ the lands Legacy ~ The proms'been abbel • ~eeSeYxv~e 714 acr°~p~ nth the farmland ~~ is °on~e~ dserxor ° c ~°a`' tiou Dep~~~ ~ ~~ ~•mnt is a significant step forward for'~e pro' agriculture is such attpiiity; Stan- economY and^~;,~.m~~bave heldlatld Editorial range County deserves credit for its spate of land acquisition:for parks and open space. Parks are nice now, and they'll 6e even more important in the future. The latest ac uisition is another Bern. The county wilt pay~2.1 million to the Blackwood Comity preserves park land pus of the 'he coua- rg wtth Triangle rnd the '1oa to River Tatural ng the uaty. works a Hiu ~~z ~. <4 ,. y ".Y..a.4 ~.. ~N4 of the Orange d. A proposed reek. The coun- 7 Preser 1A +dair~y ~areraireg ~aeniiy rra~ tairen oe~er by der~ei®pers Everett Cheek'sworkdaybeginsocs a.m. Ave days a week,8.-[5 if he sleeps in a little. The 80 year~oId farmer gets up and drives his atd blua Chevypick. up truck threa•quarters of a mile down Dalryland Road to the barns `•^hlnd his brother Lewis' house. ~4ros and open sheds, ^••ke power utgiiy -~•rugated M --`~ $4f ~ "Kr GQArgy` ~R~~V~cb~~ k a•~ ~ ~ro~~ 3'ear~ ~a~de'sotr~d ~,~ ~,uCh q~ eocrarog~° ~st°ri'ot `]'~~p~~.(, 'a~,.j' 6' 1,~~r ~aT 1'f' ~ "a"las °b'tast "GY ~ [[..(( p,D d W he ° .[ l l'1 ~gtbet4eaaag workye~ ~soto 0~0titbe j~s~a., 'eq '1ew~'a`r ~f~Ctet~~sen ~ ~~ °'~~ ` dt ~ `~1j ~',p &e ~%.Lety~ So~ ap Wn. °rn' • 1 ~~ea.) Otto e~kstt Ch,~._ `~ ,+n,',-`s78au'(y'`+[for- sn.- -•°_ _ ~ ~t -r e. cz : ~~~~~ ~~ ~ ~e ~°~' , ~e .~~ ~~® ~ ow how tobest ~ ~ . ~, en frustrating tO ~ helping the mangy ~ Tt is oft e and mone9 oux envuon ~ Spend our tsm and the world• d I gave decided ooddollar ~ husband ~ • mental ort ~,e pr~ange Coun'ryo~ tdo~ ~®r~h ®r~l~~~ to supp „ and•~ ~ ritine 'mss is a • park project, a trait . • Pro~~'er doing sexvation f b mr~ -rc to cons ~ land ~ ` e f ai. hu~na~t SerozeeS site pl¢•n . that acq~ to preserve ~ ~, ~„ a..:.~ 9 .~ -~ . Orange CouxitY e live. l~ds~pe ~ w'~nch 1 lmpO~~atbec • ~sy R08 S!lAPARD cM1hBr+erolb6un; 732.6397 Thy is p~,t~ular Y doubled in t Imasaoxoocx - ~ wnAtr, ~ ° tllatiox~ ~,$ Of T ss loolaag ac aadiaonai 2ecreatsbn Oo~des ~~ ~ousands ofd ~,~ fields e2id a waudog trod as posable uses for land dt the Northern• '• djands (natU~al area, ~d and gbCE ~a~r ecaa Grmanre.~ivicos Center .r~e ~~ '~~E 2he rnuaty purchased about 39 :_ resources, p~~e COrrldors) acres adjacent to the centerirc 1998 at ' for $IlO,tloO in park bond money. potenti ~ de~elopxaent. Fo ti "min ai , h`~d ~a ~a owth~ Ourcelan yaungertrees,anditsnorthernedga ' ~ OY'~antr~ adjoioaafarmiakehxanylmoweas . ~~ 7lnp Comptons Pond, acwrding m Bich COtintY' Sbaw, tha curmty's land eonserva• ~12>S, talbn as loop tcaR that would run aloagthe lake, pnttmg in a few ..._ .... ..... _ ~r:~.........._ 8 C1NAPE(- H/CC T(Et.Js e~ ~ ~ ypar, ~e o{ iyyt,W~erva/C/sun h~o~ nd recreation ~~~~ prod®sed . 'Ci>Ieir cared doesn't geC na xawosuv~+,u.~.H Rich Shaw, Orange CoucdYs kind conservation manager, arld Commissioner Margaret Brawn check out a. poterRisi park.site near .. Cedar Grove. . a ' Governor ~~ ~® ~~e`~1°~ ~~~ ~#~ ~~~ ~ ~ recomme Jm~ Hunt is ~~~~t •. riding to the Na#iooal pates SaR, .:~ land is ~...._ be expected #o ~~~ orr ~ . Working with•otlier local ,governments, Fail. Purchased this ~ 'S ~"z7-~~ f •environxnental experts and private local sfra The PrOPerty ~'OUn~y S~e~~he~t~s IOC~I ~ advocates, the commissioners' efforts line ddles the county have a15o lirought•to fruition a biennial east p f G Road ~,,; f uses e~vironYnentc~l e~orts state of the Environrilent report, which in Urar,n_ h 13s acres • data at aPocat ln~ pre~nt~environrna~•_• ~u~DAY sEa~R~`~~bs and 22~ Nether we are exploring the • ~,.- CARn1.it~A . new bike trails at Little "~-•i,A-suKltiultti~'~o~µ Park, or sitting . •ri-l~K~+ ~ ~ }~ ~~~ ~ ~jdean~;r outside the old courthousE, {. ~~(;1`C~,1 ~~ rtes for granted how lucky we a ~®~,~C~S '`~ ~~~oroethe ~n ha rounded by the pristine beat ®~~~~~ ~®~~ ~~ xsltn~''~'wae ~ ne ~e1`a ~~~~ 'mentsr Orange County.. ~ elteithsrecD d9a~~t whoh•~~P ~ad+ah~ `~ ~~ton,~~ yon o ~~ •~ yyor ' d the arbo to be wt down , In recent ears, Oran e Col oxleTS ate i~dsm ~ ~~'l~ ~~~g ~~~ano' r~ worx ~ ay ~ k ' merit has made a concentrate. ~~ pxeseTVPS azborettun is now ~d ~ ;3me- to eolleet ed. ~~, M e ~ n~Ys r y g ~~~~ of rotectedlam a mmblossom YeeXpressed B ro~bowm YP vats , Re- ensure that our beautlfnl sum ~}~07'et~I ~ ToHntshtP•, T~ ° edm ~ rn~~a ecl~b ~~~asitve ~ ag~nO~p has~abauY ="~o- •jr~nt will remain for generations to pxxvale Y caAx~~ ~°~"~,a~ios~ Smb~~~°w ~~`b mn ~ p~"`~. be~~h ~'o"`~., al~.a ~, ~_eg_ 5Y EM1-b~»wsu-tws ptaentfi ~ ~w ~ anndposeath~ ~.Rebeueves were starter by . Those efforts have, in large pa «~+d~ . ~ lead ea ~ q,artes 1`` tffit~ -, ~' ~ scarxaaw• STi3G~ T~'~~' sway ~eePs ~o owns lti. herbaceous P , ~ yvnre w ~plfl kaow~at~ok . spearheaded by the Board of C ~ypnawlnd~g~~~~cart'- ~"" earny ~~CB ~t ~~ d ~"`~`~~` ~1~~ COUnt COrFIIDiSS14neIS who i stthe ~ ~ a road t ~ of A wprldWitl d d1e world ittvaslve lu ate mtuke na" seidl5m'~~ adjacent to . Ve y = _ borosit5JD~d~~n~a~es. 'II•eesfrotn ~utJIIim-.amonkaY ~altanlm~ gs~`t~a~le~to seraed 1438~.`Ifsawondar- 7f yeazs, have created vazious gro~ t~ ~~ _il a• e%c~ ~,e,dhem ~ ~_ ~~•"zwanes~bid~rotlred ~eh?;s~°p initiatives to focus an enviranm ~ 'where try' S p everBrern °~ es not end ~°am~'=v rMha--- ~ ~-" ~ "F pine v~ Provi section. Tn the past decade, con b ~`°"SP~a d~~ b~~~'' ~t~y~°re a. ~~In,~o•~ •' tQ da for seleniifte to the dtc seen too m , ~G'Oltf ' ~ ere have.created a Commission 1 parpoaes, acoordittg '_`"`"•• '"' `"ue on pQbe2~ Environment, a Environment anc h0°~ - •: ~~ ule examples of the Board of Resources Conservation Department and; ~ • Orange County Commissioners and so many other groups and ixldivicluals, we most recently, a county-wide program f can ensure ~ bright future fo'r generations aimed'at the preservation of open space ~ to come. ' and natural azeas. ~ . • THE CHAPEL N[LL HERALD ~~y, ~,~ zoos.. ~®0V®RDd~9. .' • . . servation easements to the county for some of hey seem to Pop' up tike a Jack in the their land or sold pt'oPerty to a local copserva- Box, anew development here, another lion group. one there. The good news is that we are 2'hat means their land will be protected in one of the fastest girowing areas in the state; perpetuitq from development. The property owners have helped preserve farfniattd•along we are attractive Yo others and morn and more Dairyland Road and in Cedar Grove, and dif- people want to live here and enjoy the high fexent pieces of riverfront property along the quahty of life here. Eno }tiver•. That means more houses, more cottcrote. By doing so, all these landowners have made The new developments go up with~~ ~ ~ that sent residents oPorange Coun- reca4iagthe aaturalfeaturethey dtsP een space as they ~, ~ make way for the new homes or the new strtP to retain as much of the gr as well as our chip area that offers more malls can. will be able to en3oy. And our very attractiveness becomes the They do that through zoning and other ordi• than cement and siding. napt.es. But there is only ~ much local offi- ~ the landowners Probably could have reason we become denser, homogeptzed, less diverse, less attractive. uicldX cials can do without the help of local citizens. done better - at least rmancia}ly'by selling Orange County is subnrbanizhtg 4 ~ a few words of thanks are in order to theirpropertiestoadevelopexButrathea'than what had been, until fairly receptlY; a Predom- Everett and Lewis Cheek, Mark and Lori the quick proYit, they leoked to the long-'time inaptly rural county -once You got out of Vol Carl and Elizabeth wallets, and Glenn future -not just of themselves and their chit Chapel Bill, Carrboro or Hillsborough -has P ~ ~~da ~~, drep. but of their community to stay at been losing its farmland and its green space at TaPP ro er owners All of us who want Change County a steady rate. All these Orange County P B tY een are in their debt., It's why local governments have been hying have in recent days granted agricultarai con- least a Httle gr Couple dives timeless gift to county reside~rts Ca~•Z anti Eve Shy agree to grant n conse~~atitm easement that mill preserve their "magical" land By BQB SBAPARD r-zr~dZ chhG~'heratd-sun.com; 732-6397 F~~S ~ s .. faff kepo~ :•C On SeF~ 6; the • ' .'. .. .O'1 ;fa+ado~d °n easac~ n~~ba o~~ $o~ ~ and ~8 Ztt~a~, Tye' con not+lttves tO Froteq 78 n~ of a tins °g&~~.. tax 6enef R~o nclttd s C°untY's ~an~ as ~~' ~ of ~~ 6~ ~-'t~•d~Btant web Zand ~ ationti~ ~ USbq Fro !gam Sl2S.ZSO.~over tt,ohre Ptog~~r. Fad end a ~e'Tatea:; .. avaljaFilef~ o~~a. ~?]ISelF ~ ' ' °utrltase~n$O.Coo ttaiain8 38A~' .cons ty - ~ ~`'~4 0 B ~a leaders ~~~: and ~~- .~. >r ~ is 10 HILLSBOROUGH -Orange County. has `~: `~ ;~;' •'-' ~, r f, s ; .' .'.~`:,?~~~ , ~~ ~{~ secured its second conservation easement, ~ •~f'" t, ,~ ""'' f - donated by Carl and Eve Shy on about 45 acres ;~~"> •• _.'_~ ~'°ry , ~ •- near the Cane Creek Reservoir in the central ~-, ~ • - .-• ' ,~'~:~ r ~ .: ~ part of the county. a ~ "r .~ i ~~; - ~~.. `~.. ; ~ ~.~y ~~ With conservation easements, owners beep ry .~' . ,~'~ .. • .~~ ~•A~ ,. ' ~ .~ ~ y. the land but give up the right to develop it. Ease- marts also can yield tax benefits for the owners. Owners can pass slang or ~Pll ^-- •® ~~®1 ~,~. easemPh*~ '- - `~ ~~ ' of the' NA~• ass at~d • app xo- . .~" /r~•7 ~ cis,. chess. - - ' . we've beesi• fortunate top . - lion o£ pxioxitp natvxali - ~ -~• ids comm:tttee• o'beetl tect'impot Nam {~utute ,. ~'~ '~" ~ xesouxce.lands irl. ~p• ,: • . The program has als .land-bank The Oxarige.G~un ~ceived . ~ the ~Txust foz 'rage sites, p ace and ' ~gacy Pxogxam 200x' acid has since.pxotecfed • ,xecog~ed- by . axklands and o en. sP Couslti3l' S'.'~•- ~~7G~;aczes. - • ' ' ~~ ` Politic Land and the Natiana ' ~ ensure that pxsme and threat- . afiExcellence in o f ~~ ' be he=e fox -~g"avraxd. ~ "The success o£', ~ xo ° Association Pied farmland ~ said David ~e•I~at3.oaa1 Association .~gandisnplem~tattonp,.-: ,o~e'o£,two;z~1exs-u' ,.~cultux ~' I~lans1ex's last month act xesulti flf the °ha •~ ~,ul s envixoiz- o,~ :Goutity - fox • cess, is the tlix went :2007 .national' C ~unt P~jj~~11 ~':~pctox. e xo am ' '• commi.. , . , ,. I1~y~,s.c i xeco ed : th p ~ overivhelm~g . ~ - 'achievement in • Orange 'Cowin' t)Vrnaasoav, Qcroaen a, zoos • 3A, ~~~,i, o7xz e ' olitsfandu'g -__, ~,,p,G ;r of ~~ ~ ~~ t® we 'build upon the achieve- R~Se3 ~1~ Front Statf Reports merits of our ,trend-settiap & raspb Orange County's Lands 'i'h&a McKee pro ~' ~t"r' R®~~S ~rrte3 Legacy Program, in conjunction ppnme soils that had . be PrQ t0 0 with tlreUSDAFarm aad Raaeh farmed by several genexati fa C/l -ami range Land Protecdrnr Program a~ of the ]Birk family. 'the f li'II/%ar whjCl? CO(,ihl, ~, the local o#ftce of the Natural was gsed as a model for der t?ktt t0 ma n° `Y S n Resotuce Coaaervalion Service satating sort conservation nor mOSt Y t ~a dS ~ (NRCS):hasagreedtoacquirea, rites w other Orange C °n th@%rdlnarlly reS%den be all t ~egaC perpetual consatvatiaa ease- farmers antil recant Year IJ beb 9°od ~ bit at y t meat on,a 92-acre farm in the land Became falir elf and Wilj ~ Bingham Township that tics McKas. whd also 0 within the Cane Crcelc protected farm in LaRle River ? ether pe t rnpOrta!)~ h aO~s watushed.-the primary watei Nava improved the ASSO Ople WO!-k snppIy for Chapel FIrIl sad intend to bang it Clot/ ha y Catrboro. acrivease. p!'eSent On Of C e nOt%C The easement serves a dual Conservatloncos l~la ed °U/I},~ ed. 1- porpose of protecting pdmc land protectioq lac 1.. nnin9 a Zo~~ `Y Play ~e /Va farmland and protecting the txn0y protects la ruS Aiy FkC Her tlpn water quality of streartu adJa- .-------- or cnitural •tes qS t f°r P and t° Q'(Jen S reCQ a/ cent to a farm with a long rewrd. •~ McKee fatnfly has offered We county an easement an their prop• while •provid"mf sOGa ubI%C the pr Ce !n C ntl y of conservation management ~, on ttrudshaw Quarry Road to Ptotcctihe Cane Creak watershed, ~ ~r Le9a tj0/) O~ Cc~nd ah °9rdl~ °unty practices. y,h~, ~ the taabi wateriaS sonrca for Carrhoto and Chapel 1118 and is h , a a . The farm is owned by David located on Bradshaw tluarry Read. wet. e~ M~ Hatt°rtal°nC' ° f tW tint/FaS n t P J~at% n thQ O a O and Vickie bfcKee; and is locat- od oa Bzadshaw Quarry Road. wnscxvation easement is ?A04. '"The MalCeea, and before ba the-woo' °nSe!-ya °Uf/ty ~ ~n!?erS mE'Cr Cah Hal Cana Creek and its itibntary. .~, Lands .Legacy Ptograra them the Kirks. have caeried oa tion carer Year % tl°n eade Up f dS ' Hog Branch: icrve as the wet- applied for and received a grant the best.traditions of agdpuitme saes, and pt. n a r aWdr ~IJ% or tf7 era•aad eastern boundaries of from • the 1fSDA Fazm and is Orange Counry," said Baay coal 10 t °9/'a~ °IN the d. This p In E' the farm. Ranch Land protection Program Jacobs, Ora board of commis- fezms m l1 °n haS bra IS t 'For many Yeazsi the 92 acres to a for 50 cent of:We cost sinners chaitnran. "we arc wanted °! : been n9e C he SeC was a paR of a Iatge dairy farm P Y ~ operated and owned by the tau far •the casement acgmsrtron. indeed fommau to forge part- grants. rUnn ount hd 'the umhaee ce for the ease naships such as Ihls with tilt of ~ }~ Robert and tvfemtt Kul:. Roben went is ~ approximately longstanding stewards of pri- commeras4 Sena tFam J~ einam I/p f°r t ]{irk, Vickie McKee's father, SG00,000. vale property in our county as . cd3orial@news°t°r+nC°-~"~ list had initiated an iogtriry about a ATTACHMENT 2 11 DRAFT Lands Legacy Program Action Plan 2010-2012 (For the period 1u/y 1, 2010 -lone 30, 2012) Orange County Department of En vironinent, Agricu/tore, Parks and Recreation P.O. Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278 www.co.orange.nc.us/deapr/ index.asp Sign near future Hollow Rock Access Area on New Hope Creek Lands Lega~yAct/on Plan 2010-12 Oran 10/12/10 Introduction The purpose of Orange County's Lands Legacy Program is to help protect the county's most important natural and cultural resource lands before they are damaged or lost to incompatible activities. This is a highly ambitious mission, nevertheless over the first 10 years of the program the County and its partners have protected many of the county's truly special places for the enjoyment of future generations. Even so, much remains to be done. Lands Legacy works with landowners who are interested in conserving their land. All projects are voluntary. Some properties are purchased outright to serve a specific public purpose, such as a park or nature preserve, consistent with in an adopted county plan. Most properties that are protected through the program are accomplished by a permanent conservation agreement (i.e., easement between the County and the landowner, whereby the land remains in private ownership. To qualify for a conservation easement the property must have special conservation va/ues, the protection of which will provide meaningful and lasting public benefit (e.g., water supply watershed, prime farmland, natural heritage area, historic or cultural value). In most cases the property has multiple conservation values. Most of the projects completed through Lands Legacy are in partnership with other organizations, such as Eno River Association, Triangle Land Conservancy, Orange Water and Sewer Authority, Duke University, and other local governments. The County often uses state and federal matching grant funds to acquire land. or to construct facilities. The Lands Legacy Program is guided by a two-year Action P/an that sets priorities for determining what projects to work on over the specified timeframe. The Lands Legacy Action Plan is prepared every two years and adopted by the Board of Commissioners. Some projects are longer-term efforts and span multiple plans. The process of developing the Action Plan begins with staff identifying potential projects and asking the Board for initial guidance. Staff then meets with advisory boards for their input on development of priorities for the upcoming years. Comments from advisory boards are summarized on Page 6. Staff prepares a draft Plan and presents it to the Board of Commissioners for their consideration and feedback. The Action Plan is then finalized for Board approval prior to adoption of the CIP. ******* The following is the Action Plan is for the fiscal years 2010-2012. Unlike previous Action Plans, this plan focuses on fewer target areas. The reason for limiting the scope of program at this time is largely in response to the ongoing economic downturn. Funding from the State's conservation trust funds, which the County used to complete many projects .over the past decade, is in short supply as it is being used to fill the State's budget shortfall. The scaled back plan will nevertheless benefit the program in other ways. Fewer new projects will enable the staff to complete projects already underway and also tend to its stewardship of the lands acquired and "land-banked" for future public parks and preserves. 2 12 For the period 1u/y 1, 2010 -lone 30, 2012 Lands LegacyAction P/an 2010-12 Orati~ 10/12/10 The Action Plan includes current goals and a priority list of land conservation projects for the coming two years, followed by a summary of advisory board comments, and specific acquisition objectives. Also attached is a brief summary of the projects completed through Lands Legacy over its first 10 years (2000-2009) Previously-Approved Projects: Complete projects that were approved by the Board of Commissioners during the previous planning period, but have not yet closed. These include acquisitions that received final Board approval and other projects that are still being negotiated but have not received final approval for close out. 2. Site Stewardship: Make sure all properties have boundaries marked in accordance with the Department's land management policy. Prepare stewardship & management plans for all properties "land banked" for future public parks and preserves. 3. Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat: Protect high priority natural heritage sites contiguous with existing conservation lands, establishing nature preserves with designated areas suitable for low-impact public recreation and enjoyment. 5. ]oint Town/County Open Space: Continue collaborating with the towns and other entities in acquiring land for establishing or expanding rustic trails or greenways identified in town plans that tie together important county-wide open spaces. 6. Grant Funds: Continue to pursue state and federal grants to leverage existing County funds authorized for land acquisition, site stewardship, or park development. The following areas are considered as high priority locations for completing conservation projects through the Lands Legacy Program. Details for each project are provided in the table below (Pages 4-5). DEAPR staff recognizes a// of these projects cannot be comp/eted during the two- year timeframe for this Action P/an, Neverthe%ss, a//are priorities and progress can be made in moving each of these projects forward. Overarching Priority: Stewardship of Existing Properties First Priority 1. Future Bingham Township Park 2. Seven Mile Creek Preserve/ Mountains-to-Sea Trail 3. Jordan Lake Macrosite 4. Upper Eno Riparian Buffers 5. Halls Mill and Faucette Mill Historic Sites Second Priority 6. Upper Bolin Creek Corridor 7. Farmland Conservation Easements 3 13 Lands LegacyAction Plan 1010-IZ Draft 10/12/10 I. First Priori ;Previously approved and .multi-year projects 1. Bingham Township Park Purchase new district park site (25- $600,000 from Lands Legacy Underway. Negotiate Pursue acquisition of park site in 74 acres) for active and low-impact Fund for acquisition costs acquisition of future park site the White Cross area of Bingham recreation consistent with County's (includes purchase price, for closing by June 2011. Township, park master plan and further appraisals, survey and site guidance from BOCC. evaluations). 2. Seven Mile Creek Preserve/ Preserve one the County's largest Multi-year project. Pursue Contact key landowners and Mountains-to-Sea Trail intact natural areas with a goal of grants from State and others. perform site recon in 2010-11 Continue to acquire and protect creating a nature preserve with Total long-term cost of $1.5 to . Collaborate with partners in priority lands for the Seven Mile walking trails, outdoor education $2.0 million, depending on pursuing lands, as they are Creek Nature Preserve and fora key segment of the future areas, and possibly campsites. total acres, acquisition method. Partner with Eno River Association; County share (-33%) from the economically practical. Pursue grant and partner funding. This Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST). coordinate MST with NC Parks and Lands Legacy Fund and continues amulti-year initiative Friends of Mountain to Sea Trail. Conservation Easement Fund. (2001-2015). 3. Jordan Lake Macrosite Protect remaining portions of an Multi-year project. Potential Continue discussions with Expand current efforts to protect important natural corridor that links cost-share with UNC, Chapel landowners and identify other more of the Mason Farm to Jordan Lake connector and UNC lands (including Mason Farm Hill, Botanical Garden Fdn,, Biological Reserve) with the New and NC trust funds. Total long- willing sellersJdonors by May 2011; coordinate with potential associated natural areas. Hope game lands (Jordan Lake). term cost of $1.5 million. partners and secure grants, Partner with UNC, Chapel Hill and County shares (~25°l0) from negotiate for potential closings the Botanical Garden Foundation. Lands Legacy Fund, by June 2012. 4, Upper Eno Riparian Buffers Protect riparian buffers in a water Pursue grants from NC trust Identify priority tracts and Continue to acquire conservation supply watershed critical area. funds, NC EEP, and other willing sellers/donors by Jan easements to protect riparian buffers in the critical area of the Protect prime forest and wildlife sources. Total long-term cost habitat along upper stretches of the $500,000. County share 2011 and secure options by June 2011. Negotiate Upper Eno protected watershed. Eno River and Seven Mile Creek. (-50%) from Lands Legacy acquisitions for initial closings Partner with Eno River Association Fund and/or Conservation July 2011-June 2012. and the Town of Hillsborough. Easement Fund. J Lands LegacyAction Plan 2010-12 Draft 10/i2/10 5. Hall's Mill and Faucette's Protect archaeological sites, and in Ca $50,000 to $100,000 total, Continue discussions with Mill Historic Sites doing so also protect prime forest depending on the total acres interested landowners and Acquire conservation easements and wildlife habitat associated with a placed under easement and negotiate acquisitions for to protect the combination of relatively undeveloped segment of what portion are easement closings by June 2011. historic, archaeological and the Eno River. Partner with the Eno donations. Potential cost- natural resources in these areas. River Association, share with Upper Neuse Clean Water Initiative (UNCWI). ' • Cost estimates are rough estimates based on expected per acreage land pdces, and actual negotlatbns may produce dlfFereM resins. As acqulsldon opportunities are reviewed and evaluated, the cost estimates will be regned. II, Second Priority: Potential new or additional projects for 2010-12 6. Bolin Creek Corridor Preserve one of few remaining Unknown. Unknown Protect the Bolin Creek corridor wooded stream corridors in Chapel Would only be pursued with Meet with landowners in 2011 between Estes Road Extension Hill-Carrboro area to create nature Town andgrant/partner in attempt to secure option(s) and Homestead Road. preserve with recreation trails, funding assistance (corridor is and pursue grant funds in Partner with Town of Carrboro, inside town planning 2011-12. UNC, and Friends of Bolin Creek. 'urisdictions). 7. Farmland Easements Maintain a critical mass of active $200,000 from Lands Legacy Identify priority farm(s) for Acquire farmland conservation farmland and protect water quality CE Fund to be matched with 2011 grant submittal (FRPP). easements in priority water by preserving riparian buffers on potential grants from federal supply watersheds (Cane Creek, farms, Partner with Orange NRCS/ (FRPP) or State (ADFP) Negotiate easement(s) for Back Creek, University Lake Soil & Water District and state or farmland grant programs. closing by December 2012. and U er Eno), federal farmland ant a enc , Others as o ortunities arise. N/A Unknown Unknown rs Lands Legacy Action Plan 2010-12 Draft 10/12/10 A. Commission for the Environment (CfE) Continue efforts to protect significant natural areas/wildlife habitat within the Jordan Lake Macrosite (e.g., Mason Farm Oak-Hickory Forest) and Seven Mile Creek area (e.g., Sevenmile Creek Sugar Maple Bottoms); also along the upper reaches of the Eno River, New Hope Creek and Bolin Creek. All county parks and recreation facilities, including the planned Mountains-to-Sea Trail, should be designed to avoid sensitive natural areas and be constructed using environmentally friendly and sustainable methods. B. Agricultural Preservation Board (APB) Continue working with farms interested in protecting prime/active farmland with permanent agricultural conservation easements. Pursue state and federal grant funds to match County funds available for easement purchases. Suggest that the owners of easement farms participate in the local FarmLink program to keep these preserved farm lands in operation. Consider making more of the County's land-banked properties available for agricultural uses. Consider creating a special fund for citizens to make charitable contributions specifically for farmland preservation through the Lands Legacy Program. C. Parks and Recreation Council (PARC) Complete the acquisition of land for a future "White Cross Park" in Bingham Township as recommended in the Master Recreation & Parks Plan. Develop master plans for Seven Mile Creek Preserve and the future Millhouse Road Park. Acquire land and trail easements for an Orange County segment of the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail. ERCD and Parks and Recreation staff (now DEAPR) should continue working together to manage County-owned lands. D. Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) Continue efforts to acquire conservation easements to protect important cultural and/or archaeological resources, including the Hall's Mill and Faucette Mill complexes, the New Hope Creek corridor (Hollow Rock area), the McGowan Creek corridor (former mill and tobacco plug factory), and the Seven Mile Creek basin (road network and associated structures). Consider acquiring conservation easements that protect scenic/heritage road corridors. Establish an "archaeology emergency fund" for unanticipated costs associated with surveying/protecting historic roadbeds and archaeological sites. The HPC also welcomes the opportunity to participate in the protection of historic structures on County-owned properties and in public outreach programs on the maintenance and weatherization of historic homes/structures. Finally, the HPC would like to participate on any committees formed to plan the design and future use of County sites with historically significant structures. 6 16 Lands LegacyAction P/an 2010-12 Oran!` 10/12/10 The following are more specific acquisition objectives developed from existing plans, BOCC feedback direction, County staff knowledge, and discussions with other conservation partners; in some cases expanding upon or refining advisory board recommendations. These are not listed in priority order. A. Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat • Work with the Botanical Garden Foundation and other partners to conserve the Jordan Lake Macrosite, including Mason Farm Oak-Hickory Forest (a natural heritage site of state significance) • Work with the Eno River Association and others to conserve critical land for the Seven Mile Creek Preserve, including Sevenmile Creek Sugar Maple Bottoms (a natural heritage site of state significance) • Work with the Eno River Association, the Town of Hillsborough and others to conserve priority riparian and upland habitats in the Upper Eno River critical area • Work with Triangle Land Conservancy and others to conserve priority riparian lands and prime forest lands located in the Upper New Hope Creek watershed • Work with the Town of Carrboro, University of NC and the Friends of Bolin Creek to identify priority lands for conserving the Upper Bolin Creek corridor - See #2, #3, #4, and #6 on the Priority Tab/e (Pages 4-5) B. Farmland Preservation • Complete active conservation easement projects on farm(s) for which the County was awarded federal or state matching grant funds • Continue working with the Orange NRCS/Soil and Water Conservation District to identify and prioritize willing sellers and donors of conservation easements on prime farmland in priority watersheds • Continue working with the Orange NRCS/Soil and Water Conservation District to apply for grants from the NC Agricultural Development & Farmland Preservation Trust Fund and federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program for the purchase of agricultural conservation easements - See #7 on the Priority Tab/e (Pages 4-5) C. Parklands and Open Space • Acquire land for a future district park in the White Cross area (Bingham Township) the last remaining park site identified in the County's Master Recreation and Parks Plan (1988) • Acquire key parcels needed for a combination public pedestrian trail and wildlife corridor that would connect Occoneechee Mountain to the Cane Creek reservoir for the proposed NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail • In all acquisitions, be cognizant of the potential for meeting other objectives of protecting riparian buffers, natural areas and historic/archaeological sites - See #1, #2, #3, #4, and #6 on the Priority Tab/e (Pages 4-5) 7 17 Lands LegacyAction P/an 2010-12 Draft 10/12/10 D. Cultural and Archaeological Sites • Continue working with landowners in the Faucette's Mill and Hall's Mill areas to protect the combination of historic and natural features in those communities • Conduct archaeological surveys of county properties that were acquired for future parks and nature preserves (e.g., McGowan Creek Preserve, Seven Mile Creek Preserve, Millhouse Road Park, and Northeast Park) • Continue to stabilize, maintain .and renovate existing structures on county properties acquired for future parks (e.g., Millhouse Road park site) • Work with the HPC and others to accomplish preservation of cultural and archaeological sites associated with land acquisition projects - See #2 and #5 on the Priority Tab/e (Pages 4-5) E. Watershed Riparian Buffers • Protect riparian corridors in the Upper Eno River protected watershed; partner with the Eno River Association and others; pursue grant funds from the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund, NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program, and Upper Neuse Clean Water Initiative • Identify and protect priority areas in the Little River watershed; partner with the Eno River Association and Triangle Land Conservancy where appropriate; pursue grant funds from the Upper Neuse Clean Water Initiative • Identify and protect priority areas in Upper New Hope Creek corridor; work with New Hope Creek Corridor Advisory Committee and Triangle Land Conservancy • Identify priority areas for protection in the Morgan Creek corridor in cooperation with the Morgan Creek Valley Alliance and others • Identify priority areas for protection in the Bolin Creek corridor; collaborate with Friends of Bolin Creek, the Town of Carrboro, the University of NC, and others • Preserve riparian buffers in other water supply watersheds through parkland acquisitions and agricultural conservation easement projects - See #2, #3, #4 and #6 on the Priorify Tab/e (Pages 4-5) Conclusion The first ten years of the Lands Legacy Program saw tremendous strides in the protection of priority resource lands, with 2,547 acres permanently protected (as of September 2010) and several more projects in the works. The FY 2010-12 Action Plan builds on projects from previous years, and includes projects in each of the Lands Legacy priority areas (natural areas, parkland, cultural/historic resources, prime farmland and riparian buffers and public water supply watersheds). This Action Plan will continue the use of 2001 Parks and Open Space bonds funds to leverage grant funds from state and federal sources for protecting high priority natural and cultural resource lands. 8 18 ATTACHMENT 3 19 R 4 ,o ORANGE COUNTY LANDS LEGACY PROGRAM STATUS OF AVAILABLE FUNDS - oCTOE~ER 200 The County's award-winning Lands Legacy Program celebrates its 1Ot" year of existence in 2010. To date, the LLP has conserved or otherwise protected 2,547 acres (or 1 % of the County's total land area) of natural or cultural resource lands -and has participated or facilitated the conservation of an additional 1,307 acres by conservation partners. This has been accomplished by funding from Orange County voter-approved bonds, alternative financing approved by the Board of Commissioners, charitable donations, and over $5 million in grants from State and federal agencies. Fundina Sources -Past and Present Beginning with the 1997 Parks and Open Space bond, .up through pay-as-you-go funds in 2006, the LLP has used a variety of different sources to fund conservation efforts. The following is a brief synopsis of these sources: 1997 Parks and Open Space Bond -This $6 million bond was approved by County voters in November 1997. Half of the bond amount went for park facility construction and half for parks and open space land acquisition. Most of the $3 million from this source was expended to purchase the 193-acre Twin Creeks (Moniese Nomo) Park and Educational Campus in May 2001. All of these funds have been expended. Pay-As-You-Go Funds and Donations -Between 1999 and 2006, the Board of Commissioners made appropriations of `pay-as-you-go' capital funds for Lands Legacy acquisitions. Initial CIP's projected $500,000 per annum, but the 2002 State budget crisis and other needs required changes to this plan. Charitable donations or around $10,000 have also been received. To date, a total of $1,943,250 has been received from this source.' To help address the budget crisis and necessary department reductions in spring 2010, $450,000 of this amount was transferred back to the County's General Fund effective July 1, 2010. 2001 Parks and Open Space Bond (later converted to Alternative Financing) - In November 2001, County voters approved a $20 million Parks and Open Space bond. Of this amount, $7 million was designated for the Lands Legacy Program (for acquisition of parks and publicly-accessible open space). However, within six months, the State budget crisis of 2002 was in full swing, and the An additional $350,000 in pay-as-you-go funds was specifically designated for conservation easements in 2005 and 2006. these funds are accounted for in the Conservation Easement Fund. allocation of funds from the 2001 bond was spread out, eventually over a period of several years to minimize impact of property tax rates. In 2008-09, the remaining unissued bond funds were converted to alternative financing. As of July, 2008, a total of $4.6 million of the $7 million for Lands Legacy has been appropriated, with $2.4 million remaining to be issued at some future date. 2002 Alternative Financing (Conservation Easements Fund) -Upon the determination of bond counsel in 2002 that the 2001 bond funds could not be used to acquire land or interest in land that was not intended for parks or public open space use, the Board of Commissioners acknowledged the significant landowner interest in conveying conservation easements for agricultural and other purposes by approved an issue of $3.0 million for "conservation easements." This was later augmented by two appropriations of pay-as-you-go revenues of $350,000 for a total of $3,350,000.' To date, the County has acquired 11 conservation easements, with an additional three in the works, using these funds. Payment-in-Lieu Funds -From 1985 and continuing at the present day, new subdivisions in the County jurisdiction must either dedicate land for public parks and open space use, or pay an amount based on a formula into one of four district funds identified by the 1988 Master Recreation and Parks Fund (as per 1991 local legislation). In most cases, the County has opted to receive the payment-in-lieu, collected by district and used by district. (for more details, please see the August 20 memorandum on the payment-in-lieu program). To date, a total of $1,286,552 has been collected from this source. All funds must be expended in the district where they were collected. School/Park Reserve Fund -Beginning in 1995, one-cent on the County's property tax rate was allocated to a reserve fund for schools and/or park projects to provide funding for collocation of schools and parks. This amount was changed to 1/3-cent in 2000-2002. Funding for this source was discontinued in 2003. Of the $3,434,831 collected in this fund, $3,043,549 was expended for school/park projects in 2000-2002. The remaining balance of $391,292 was transferred to the Efland sewer project in 2005. Status of Funding Sources -October 1 2010 Fund Lands Legacy Fund Lands Legacy Opportunities Fund Conservation Easements Fund Payment-in-Lieu Funds Unencumbered Available Funds2 $ 270,568 $ 370, 765 $ 287,897 Varies by district, $240,626 total3 2 This amount excludes funds "held back" for projects that are currently in negotiation or in process. It reflects only the portion of funds currently appropriated that is "available." These funds must be expended within the district (4) in which they are collected. 21 Aif~..,~,~ 5 2z Top 10 Natural and Cultural Sites in Orange County To help mark the 10`~ Anniversary of the Lands Legacy Program, DEAPR proposes embarking on a public outreach effort to identify The Top 10 Natural and Cultural Sites in Orange County. The purpose is to promote land conservation by helping people recognize some of the special places we have here in Orange County-places that are truly unique and that help give the county its identity. DEAPR would utilize newspapers and other popular forms of social media (e.g., Facebook and Twitter) to generate interest in its search. It would also ask its advisory boards (Commission for the Environment, Historic Preservation Commission, Agricultural Preservation Board, and Parks and Recreation Council) to participate by submitting recommendations and helping with the public outreach. What would you put on the list? The following are some initial candidates that DEAPR staff is considering (in no order). We know there are many more candidates out there and look forward to learning about them. - Occoneechee Mountain - Eno River State Park - Duke Forest - Mason Farm Biological Reserve - Davie Poplar at McCorkle Place - University Lake - Occoneechee village archaeological site (at Eno bend) - Cedar Grove Historic District - Ayr Mount - New Hope Creek Slopes (including Hollow Rock heritage area) - Cane Creek Reservoir - The Forest Theater - Seven Mile Creek natural areas (including Moorefields) - Pickard Mountain/Dairyland Agricultural Corridor - St. Mary's Road Corridor Requested Action At this time, we are asking the Board for any feedback and guidance before moving forward with this idea.