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Agenda - 02-15-2011 - 7a
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: February 15, 2011 Action Agenda Item No. 7 " ~ SUBJECT: Lands Legacy Action Plan for FY 2010-12 DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No and Recreation (DEAPR) ATTACHMENTS: 1) A Ten-Year Retrospective 2) Lands Legacy Action Plan (2010-12) 3) Map of Proposed Priority Areas 4) Status of Funding Sources (as revised) 5) Status of Site Access for Public Use 6) Top 10 Natural & Cultural Sites Proposal INFORMATION CONTACT: David Stancil, 245-2510 Rich Shaw, 245-2514 PURPOSE: To consider adoption of the 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 2,552 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 also assisted in the conservation of an additional 1,307 acres by other partners during that same timeframe. Most projects are accomplished in partnership with other conservation entities, including Triangle Land Conservancy, Orange Water & Sewer Authority, Eno River Association, the Orange NRCS/Soil & Water Conservation district, 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 - first presented at the Board's October 2010 work session). 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 address 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 to 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. Details of each project are provided on pages 4-5 of the Action Plan. • Bingham Township Park • Seven Mile Creek Preserve / Mountains-to-Sea Trail • Jordan Lake Macrosite • Upper Eno Riparian Buffers • Halls Mill and Faucette Mill Historic Sites • Stewardship of Existing Properties • Upper Bolin Creek Corridor • Farmland Conservation Easements Finally, along with this Action Plan, DEAPR plans to embark on a public outreach effort to follow-up on the 10-year anniversary. Attachment 6 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 in Orange County -places that are truly unique and help give the County its identity. Last year, Land for Tomorrow, a coalition that supports the preservation of North Carolina's land and water resources, completed a similar effort that identified "North Carolina's Ten Natural Wonders." The draft Lands Legacy Action Plan was presented to the Board at the October 12, 2010 work session. Staff received favorable comments on the plan itself and further direction in a number of related areas: 1) provide a list of Lands Legacy sites that are now open for public access, 2) provide more details about the available funding sources (allocated versus unallocated), and 3) respond to the Board's interest in updating the 1988 Parks and Recreation master plan (in house /low cost). * Minor edits have been made to the Action Plan, most noteworthy the removal of two tiers of priority for the different sites on Pages 3-5 of the document. * Attachment 4 (Funding Sources) has been revised as requested by the Board. * Attachment 5 identifies which Lands Legacy sites are open for public use. A follow-up report on plans for interim public access at future park sites is scheduled for Board consideration in March. Finally, a staff proposal for updating the 1988 Parks and Recreation master plan has been scheduled for Board consideration and discussion at a future work session. 3 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 funding sources 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 projects are presented for approval. Not all potential projects in the Action Plan will be pursued., In each case, separate project budgets and capital praject ordinances with specific funding streams and amounts are addressed at the time of purchase approval. RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends the Board adopt the Lands Legacy Program Action Plan for 2010-2012. ~-S tJrange County' Lands L~a~y Prag~ra~n ,~ ~'e~c-wear' retrospective 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 April.2000... A Laads Legacy Program for Oraage Coaaty _.. :~,~k_ ~: . __ _ ~'"~` . '. ~~ ; L..~ - ~° as adopted by the Orange Countg Board of Commissioners APp~ ., 2noo o<e„~,~~.~~ Rnvimomeni e~ Recouroe Couerration Depar:mem 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 Pickett roads. Further collaboration is underway for park construction and operation. 4 5 r<1{ n.'~ "cry r' ~; _:~ ~ ~ -.~ - ~„ -. h" x ~-,,` - ~ '~ ~~ ~ ,,~ ,.~-~ ~~ 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 1 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 ~. 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 yeazs cost the County $3,980 per acre-less than 1% of the County's budget over that period. Those funds went towazd the direct conservation of 2,547 acres by the County, plus an additional 1,453 acres acquired by the State for Eno River State Park and for the portion of Little River Park located in Durham County. 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 neazby 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 Th.c Chapel Mill. News i=~i~ay, .3uly ~.~, 2000 range cr~a~es a legacy o land County aims to save pristine foxes#s and piaoes to play. , I,ands.Lcgacy . ,~®~~n.recelves pant t®pr~se~e . coun~Y farn~l~d . BY IAPAtE MCGEE. e~~o wo5 918-1035 ~sgoR.OUGH-'P'fed~`a m~t~- fox more thatt three cptart~ . to PT~o~s ~ `~ acres ~ artm The great of $8`1S,G85 eon e~ch- DeP~~ ~ program ~ a~ lands Pro ~,stoPyrctt. edbp cayyt9 . ~ ds ieE~' ~~and B~~ghihe~ y ~~~ Progr~'-Tha ~ro~ aym~wableto five Y~ ~ ~~ of prlvatel9-O~~ ' presen' areas wtth the ~ervatzd on ass ~roftfie~tY's Dave Stanch, ~~ urn Gonserva' Envisouraent and drat ~ new ~~ ~r~ ~p forward far the pro' graam`' tyre is such a p~ Stan- 13Y SYEPHAAtd HARRIS e~A mg and^r~t~e~~ ~eldt?nd The News & Observer -...- - -~ -- .---- - - - Orange County env of~iciaLs have.begun an camgazgn to preserve of acres of land, hoping ~ .,~ ; ' .,, ~' ' "` ' z~ county's swaths of we ~< '.°.. ' ~ , ~~ ~`~'~` >-~ • r lands and open fields it k``~':: ,+'"! ~ .~ Tile Lands Legacy pT :. ~: Qom'' ' , Of OYiIV a 1.--- ey Brent tantrosier 'fames-News Mach of the land between Hillsborough and Mebane along t7.S 70 eouid be a hot area for development fa the nett fewyears, butrtot ail of it lust off the noisy highwal, east of Efland, is 83 acres of untonctted hardwood forest near the Eno River, aa,r -^- cials *~ ^-^- over McGowaas Creek [a We natare preserve. His answer "To profact a watetshed bat also to Protect some green space. There wilt be fewer and fewer of these areasleft° Duke University Dace owned the AfeGowaa Creek land aS part oC Duke Forest The ttnivv*°a... had plans to pens, but the ~/ .1~'v _ '. ,~ ~ in. Orange ®~-~-~ ~ ~,].1. ~ t0 ~ able t0 0,00o forkite s they will be eh was state be grandparents, were .acid. titer d when they 'tnrnedlnto HE, Stag W of today are ii}cety ere aroun with hiking gy ANNg BLS tie ch[idren rat areas that w Eno liiver now, when d and natty ~ borders, GH --Years from a farmian uisition of three a ~anP it ildren some of the sam HiLLSBORGV raved the aGG es. atlon alze, show their grandch issianers app Grail up on 329 act f Gomm '°s of fbe youngsters. -., county Board o neighborhoodswlti no `hernnn- _ +t,at new the Carl and Elizat~eth >g with $ this mon _~Al-Went on errlerit from dark p me During ~° meeting ~~ ass Mo ~ - ~~-acre ens ation Basemen NDAY juNE7 zoos niFCNAraN~uH~• . -°ar Hdlsborough• rORiver G011SeN ~ iaturat ' :~ ~~ e ~ the board apprO~ ~ warir~ On flee. in narthweSte' ~ .. - .. a»n Waiters 'farm tract a ~ ~~p~~~~e ze ez and Lori Volpe far a . 'any ~,~~~~ ~. ::w . g the board aPl ~'~°~ gun ~ ~~~~~,~. ® ¢~ ty isn't what ft used to.be. ~~" 4.~ ~~ On {3eG• ~ of~ ~atltusedtot>crof Gheek.jhe 83-a~e P ;aaddarc°~ lsr~a'afar+eaawcl~,~~ :.-: CarrbOCO, and contains ~ rr ~ ~~.~1 w~a ~eerablra. e"d .io ate, ~~ ~nFied with gnat AsrepOrt~'~PhotgforsonratimenoA% getepayene ar8ect~dtoaypw~eco chtag tecentiyinthet~rfit~t~ot'PherEtIl ~ucoxnoted farms mvolynga~t88E°m~ oa three ~ 'tobacco term ~rowing gaoy Program k ~Portant7 .a= • •+ ~ sf ~m ins ids fadicg iao O o~ ~nds~ Formal font years a o~ sa ia: 11' x'iJl a ~ ~~ Ora°a~&'e C~oonrYckarr• ~` r.~x. PortaaG ~'er'bee ~d>hgPast" ~geCbun{y d~iEaedoxp g the we• h+geornmuaf < f'.2'": . acres. Yeats ~° 1k58coxr The ~y it do~ea ~ e~anpr9gram is ~~~ avita629 on the road to b ty amain' "~ ° , ~^~ andnow~dBV°ttaltoroba~~mabout2,3p0 ~emcorson LD~Yoonserv Rielanda PartbPthearerurbantzin Aga .'~_' .s _ ~. g eyes. dtet'eJslesstbagl~p~kabout ~ @~Placg' Dina kthe~~bat~t~ o+s~ ~Parmsbf0aan$e(~tYtax " ~+ r devoloAfie>K~ ProPetY3:aar1 °ntutrae T~ts,inPat2~ourlegaep p~~r 0f the Orange -. .~ -<-.- . -. Preserve ~ saber r,a~ They are fHCh Shaw steads beside a Large chimney on the GS acres acquired by the Orange Coumy tar r~ ,.a addlfioa IO oar history, ~, also at'e our reek.'Ih~a co~irrt Legacy program. Shaw is trot sure of the age of the chimney but thinks i< vrould be a good stop vwalldrsg tra(I`vrt~llTe"aa'Jurw,o ... _, , on a planned walking tang tlxoygh the nature preserve: ty paid 5280,000 for the parkland. ' Editorial ®range County deserves cxedit for its spate of land acquisition:forpnrks and open space. Parks are nice now, and they'll be even more important in the future. The latest acquisition is another gear, The county will Fay $2.1 minion to the Blackwood f~rr,Sir f .~ f.,,-...e« .~..:.... t.,...... ~...c.......... c n r / ::r ~ - s ;.:c gram's land conseivatiom mao- ~~._ _ r' "+,rF-,.~.Y.'~`F'+ _ ~''~:'ti . ~ •~ . ~,• ~~~ Ager asked a8 he looked Out ~~~ ~~~~~ ,~ ~~ rnaj~sO~ -o ~Ct~ ~~s~~of a d rd ce~,$ aa~°?~tanr qpe~ ,~ k '~'8~~~~- ~Icy~~ ~rkykaPto °n~the ae~` anal ~ ~~e tsae~ ~ t~~ 1~ Sn4..~aey~,wtfar°sn.=-•.,... mtQp~ ~ tjk`r~lY'`°~e ~ ti~a~ ° oft Na~~so~~,p p~'~t~. I~ 8e f~~•~ ~7 8 °n'~~ ~Nt~ ._- ~~~~ g to knov- how ~o bes ~ ~ 4 ~ ~ ~~~x~~ whelping them y ~ .~u~ ~'`~ Tt is ofte~e and money euvir~- ~ ~"~~' "'~ '"~, spend °~ ~ d the world. For our dad ~ '~ . ood causes ~°'m .band ~d I have deco. ~~a ~~~ .~ ~. mental dollars: mY hus r~dY •ko support ~'e Ore CountyY to ~ ~,~~ and X ~~~~ This is a' . • ~o~ to consider d ~ ~d ~~exva~on E :that ac~~~ ,~tY to Pxeserve ~e f a: ~ Oxang which we live.~tbec Iands~e ua •~~ly imp t 8 C'FtaPEL HELL PtEb.it' !-!~ -o y ro Q~ ~ arQr ~ °n fs ~ year ~ at` ~'-be Smtddlend ~rds~.~ °Oj,' ~o~t~ ®ran~o reoroation ~~te propo~od . Park project, t~rit7t ¢ tram arcd activityf•-teZtls, could s • 6y 608 SliAPAR6 ~ W,ea~ra~w; ru.sssv T>~ ~ ulationhas doubled ~soROVS>~-~ ~tF. County's pop ds of acx^es of ~ sella°Oa~°a ~ decades and tbous~ sand, eultti saes for Inns at rLe Nam. ,• ~~, natural aTe~r and ~(~ StrE ozange Haman Services Centex near Cedar Grove. :_ resources, p~"~e ~rridors} havf a~ ~a~ tr ~ ~8 ~_ ~ Pot~~ ~ elopment. Fortunat ~ ~ ~t'ra~x°'0i~ in park ~a money. iatgeip covered with a ~°~ ~ortant resource lands sti ~ a ~~ ~ ag~+ ,Cp~ty. shave, the cormlgs land. conserve- ' ~ - r ~t~a1Lng as ~ uaS mac wowd B Pn~B in a few ...........:._~~.t__._s_~-_:_......_ Preserv ~& d~ilry f~r•ming ~~tBait~ pra taiceta ®~rer bg de~e9opes^~ Sverett Cheek's workday begins at8 a.u1 IIve days a week, 835if he sleeps hi a ilttle. The 80-}saazo~ faYmer geb up atal drives bit old blue Chevy pick up truck three~guarters of a mRe down Dairyland Read ffi fihe barns `^h)nd hLs brother Lewis' horse. ~Aros and open sheds, ~..ke Power utility --~tvgated ~n u3 rOVH~q~ "~aryq~ ~f~ ~ C~ their tao~d doesn't get ~~ Rich Shaw, o~at~e Gota~s te~ui conservation manager, arkl Commissioner Margaret Brown check out a.potentiat park.site near •. Cedar Grove- ~~~~~~ ~ _ • . ~ •. .~. N,,.,,: ~ o ~ ~ i7-~~ C©~n~y s~e~~he~s local e~viroazmen~l ef~orts bather we are exploring the Working with ~otlier local ova b~ purehase~rad fo 'einvirolltIIentai e ~ rnments, Fa1L The fhls ~pexts and private local advocates, the comrrizssiollers' efforts s#~ddle property have also brought•to fruition a biennial lilae Easf pf ~ertfY State of the Environment report, which In Oran....Roadj yt,;}h 13 ss looks at past anti present~enyiront„<..._: 6 acre data at a•local io-.-, -~{t;}ISDpY,SEPTEt~6ER3.2,zoDS afld 22S new bike trans at LnttlP n:_. '` - CAROLINA Park, or sitting . THE HEill+i-a'SUN ~ ti~i~, Nom . outside the old courthouse ~.~~ ~~~ i Stencil for granted holy lucky we a ~e~;~-~~ +~~ °~'Id~no rounded by the pristine beat ®~a~.~e ~~~~~ ~. ~ p_ Orange COUnty., Keid~saidlgswitewsatlu~e ~ n•°~~~oA~a ~ ha ~rl reCeIIt years, Oran a COt dtsstt,theybezan~q want ~ life's . g ~sioners' me5en ~ '``~""` i~t~ ~ ~e `~' ~, gents, Anent has made a concentrate. ~,~~ to the ~afalarge p ~rictobecotdwnxa~eTyo~ ' wprtt SBTV@3 ofP~~landinBtn6 ~CObiosw~'a°dthearboro- ~Fn S~k ~~ed- "IYs ~. ensure that olir beautiful sane move ~TTe Re- will remain for generations to p~aie arboretum ~,,, z„~l~p., ~ same p~~ b~ ~ t° re sY ¢MIiY CpAttt~ s ~ ~t°i~ ~ ~~'mcouldba~vaslvtse Ahas about, a may 'll~~f Pose efforts have, in large pa $$ T _ ~ a~e~ ad u ~ mow, ao mt~e~~' ~°~~Sebe ko~ w~ s~tarte~d bY~iodtviduals, ~~- Carotl- Court y Commissioners, who 1 at~u~e end ~~~~"~Of ~" r `~a ~a ~ t~c~~ ~~~ -'~ ~~a ~-i ~ ° ~°w `fit ~ ' borostt5Ai14i~~~ ~ A'g~amas°u~ndYthev~aa'Id hivasivo~ ~aremarY.ed treasuteexistsm w~baspro- yeats, have created various gr0' weesaadshrui~ y~canlya- growattiwarbor~a a:,~altms~~65makes ssv~ ~ ~~ adjaceot to Ve initiatives Yo focus Orl envlrOIIrn ~~ ~,~ ,sbrabs ~ ~P~ ~e ~oakaeo~ t+imo~•"~~ axe F;si~D~`-"``lea-. ~f tection. In the ast decal COm: h~'i~o~Isre`~ al a3apan a native ap~,~ not ~ndgoodtagswn„.,a„e,,,,,_.--~ - u~ ~~ d educatmn bark ems, ~ ~tymore; a pme DakeIInivw'"' -• t4 ers have.cieated a Commission i a nose~,^g~'~~'° S.`ea t°°>n (Co„~,• provide _.s..... Environixlent, a Environment anc ' - •r+u~ ale examples of the Board of ' u'p'on p~e2l Resources Conservation De grange County Co~ssioners and so most recently, a county-wide~Aelit and; trfany other grow aimed'at the preservation of o.Pe grpace ! can ensure ~ bright future for generations and. natural areas. ~ to come. . THE CHAAEL Fl(LL tiFllAL,D - ovv~ers hive benefited corn uni hey seem to pop up like a Jack in the Box, a new development here, another one there. The good news is that we are one of the fastest growing areas ire the state; we are attractive m oYhersandmore andmore people want to livefrere and enjoy the high quality of life here. That means more houses, more cxatraete- The new developments go np wsth names recalling the natural featare they displaced to make way for the new homes or the new strip to retain as much of the green space as theq meas. And our very amactiveness becomes the less homogenised reason we become denser can They do that through zoning and other'or&- , , less attractive. diverse ~~ out there is only so much local off4 , Orange County is suburbanizing qusckly. dais can da without the help of local citizens. Whathadbeen,unf~lfairlyt~entIy,apcedoan- ~. a few words of thanks are in order to inaptly rural county -once you got out of Everete and Lewis Cheek; Is~ark and I.ari Chapel IiiU, Carrboro or Hillsborough -has VoiPe, earl ana Elizabeth Walters, and Glsnn been losing its fatlnland and its green space at Tapp and Rhonda Long, a steady rate, Att these Orange County propertq ow~rs It's why local governments have been trying Have iA recent days granted agricuItnral con- nervation easements to the county for same of their land or sold property to alocal conserva- tion group. 11tat means their land will be protected in perpetuitq from development. The property owners have helped preserve farmtand•aiong Aairytand Road and in Cedar Grove, and dif . fetrnt pieces of riVerfront property along the Eno Riven By doing so, all these landowners have made certain tbatcutrentresidents oeOrange Coun- ty as well as our children ana grandchildren will be able to enjoy an area that offers mare than cement and siding. AfI the landowners probably could have done better=at least SnanciailY-by sailing their properties to a developer. But rather than the quick profit, they kroked to the longtime future -not just of themselves and their chii- drEn, but of their coauntutity. • All of ns who want Orange County to stay at least a little green are in their debt.. 10 residents Carl and Eve ,~h a ~nse~vati ~ cz~ree to grrcnt r"a easement that zerill~,r~~.,e their `magical"land Ily R08 SHAPARU r-zr"dZ ~1~cC~?heru~td-suri.com; T32-6397 H~I..LSBORflUGH _. Orange County. has secured its sa donated b cord canservatiorl easement, Y Carl and l;ve Shy an about ~5 acres nPart o£ ~e~~~ eek ~ervoir in ttie central With c°risezvation mcn~d butgive uP the~xight to d~evelo ~~ k~P p~ ~~0 can Yield tax benefits for the oc~ers_ easemP„r~ Pass ~~~ or cPn ..__ aoo~~'ssipn 6, tke - . .~~a~ u ~ aPPeu~g~e o~~ ~ thro~3e'coorenaox~~ut tO Pro a`aePtaa~d of ~d~.Sk tkc ~.$~~ ~ o~~ 7g b,°~p opa RaRe~ _u a 4 ~tj''s~je~+?cuTr~mas e'oA'fy V of _ _ '?tOta-r: ~.ttt"utEa_s mac ~~Pka.., - The Q,:ange County.Lands,; Lion- of pzioxity natt.:xal ;and . I?zanr-is,• chair: of the' N.ACP ess anti ~appzaved~ by v'otexs, . Z;egacy Pxogxam has xecerved cultvsal xesouzce lands in .Apzii `' av~axds cornmltte~ - - we've beesi• fortuflate to pxo- . axi Excellexice in County Plan- ~ 20t}~}` and has' since ~pzotecfed. " ~ The pxogxam has also been test ~s'mpnztrttit Natural Hexz ' 'rung award. Z,7b1; acres. _ ~ - , zecognized' by • the ~ Txust fo; 'tape sites, ~ land-bank futuxe . The: National. Association `"Tlie success of•~tk,is °plau= ' ,Public Land and the National. - : parklands axld open space and af:Couxityplaaxiex`slastmoath ring and;:unplemeritation'prci-. °Association ~of Coc~r •.~ as- ensure that pr-me and threat i zecogxuzed .the pxogiatn fox ' cess is`tlie dsreet~xesult~of tkie , otte ~of two~ruxinexs-u* meted fazrnland vain be here fox . • . ..,: '.=.~-• t . dutstanding - acltievt~tnent in overatheluung .. coznxnztment :2007 nanobal' Coutir Cha~~ ~azicultuxe;' said David .. ~• ~___, ..r.~~ to of .C3ran~e Caixntr arEUx •- b.-~,~r+.,. j~~ ~~~,n_ty's~eno on_ sswv, Ocroe4t q, 2408.3A ~ LVS Cp ~~"~'.Ct OraAge C.outttys Landa wt "build ' ~BaaY Program, in aoniuactioa meats of'=Pon she uhieve- fi'o$ ~l with the USDAr~armand Ranch @ Y~'y Land Proseation Pro ~~ aa}' Yro6~m." Ong S ~ rd r ~a~ °e° u~ ~ ~ ~eaMe ~ p ~tea~ ~R~~~s S~6err~es ~~ tel: has agroed ~ hY several ga,era6 ~r tp p Paspccuat co a of me Kirk ramily. The f fdrtli/t dhl, ~, `~°+Ig~ t meat en a 92~atTa on ~~_ was used as a mvael for der gingham "Townshi ~m is strafing sots cosuervati~ ~'ktr Br tp htCtJ ~oCf witiria tin ease erc~CP ale ~a °Ces t° °t6er orange f on aorcyt dos ~`~y h~Y's watershed- We pram iha ,~ d Mme iaIIe t~e/r bnari/y t reslty ~Ot ,be Ld h~S suPPIY' for Chapel H~rII~a~ caafiarb, M~ ~~ ~ 7 Ot ehalf gOOO' an~~s but // thd~ e9a~, The easement s Parposa of e~ a anal 6ava hnprovca she her d ! 6y farmland and y~~% prime tutmd to brie it 'qss pe4 fi~0 hfC/T aunt W att~~ of ~ea~ms ~ . acttC"v~e use. g Aresoe/ado p/a ha r1-aht does farm withalodgrecord, «roatiottcas (3/d en~e f1 pf ~enp ~Ork A oa toc aoascrvatiott m ~ fl n d C t e iasaaaces. an~gament nmaee rots oRered the cauMy an easement on~Nb~""a ~ acnt~ ~ is ~ f 1! 9 d C7o CU/Ti jC Q; The farm is owned by David efifeh Isis the ~' Raad to proitct the Cam t~ee# ~~ a'kile . ~ St f ~W$r ~~ F ~ pta ~h@ ed on 8radsha~' and is local- tarafed oc 8sadaherr t( stay ~~ far Cassiioty aad Ohapet Rip pad is retutn an [heir i and Vickie M matrr'wateti ~ PLOV'i~II+t Le S°ctatlop~'b/tcd tQ the e/%h eers %atrOri t Gne Ckeek ~' Read. lang. The 9a n L c i e a dad its trihataty aansarvahoa vata owoarshi h ~ O}' '~l? pr0 ~ nt Hog BtancJs, terve as Oae west- Thr• Lands ~emetu iri 2004, '"1La McKees, and before Tfx MCKe e3tk7h O'7e O COU d ahd 9rd~ CO4/l/,/~ ear' aad rattem boundaues of ~PPiiad f~ and greeea~i'ved a ~t ~ b~ ~~. Lava aasiad on a~ ~ Corse `~/ C~~ f tbyp ntil~ the ~ a/la `~' me famy yrar w soa ~ of a $, eta 9z acres Ranch tLa~na ProDseAaion,P o aad in prmgettaCOU~~,of a~8gauttnre ~~, aaa 'y~dr t ~'~tt~ ~t~ ( ~h/j n~~Ie ~attt)ly t'he Raopb~daa~ owa~eb~ late forpaY~for56peradoraFthe~ ~u~ ~~ of ~,~ tfa~10- pro9,rah a r0 f1,q~a e8de~ers_eRd (dha o! T~Ieuia ~. itubgt The aSe'°7C°t acgnisifion, indeed fasmaate ro ~` raaniad r?oIl or X77 h~ ~ to Q! T-~ hi/j rn or. th Vickie McKee's father, mene~h$Oe Psis fm the use tterships aurh as this grants. S /j ~' O ~ Is ~ e bad initiated an inquiry about a 3600.000. rs aPPraximatciy Iangstandmg stewards of p L - ~ Pr°Pasy in nur denary as , ?~~o-mafk Qen ~~n~~ UQCJ/?tvseCOha ~' for that ~ ~ 12 Lands LegacyAction Plan 2010-12 Final2/15/11 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 For the period 1u/y I, zOlo - rune su, ~ul~ 13 Lands Legacy Action Plan 2010-12 Final2/IS/11 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) 1. 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. 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 al/ 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 1. Future Bingham Twp Park 2. Seven Mile Creek Preserve/ Mountains-to-Sea Trail 3. ]ordan Lake Macrosite 4. Upper Eno Riparian Buffers 5. Halls Mill and Faucette Mill Historic Sites 6. Upper Bolin Creek Corridor 7. Farmland Conservation Easements 3 Lands Legacy Action P/an 2010-12 Final 2/15/11 1. Bingham Township Park Purchase new district park site (25- $600,000 from Lands Legacy Underway. Negotiate Pursue acquisition of park site in active and low-impact 74 acres) for 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 October 2011. Township. park master plan and further appraisals, survey and site uidance from BOCC. evaluations). Seven Mile Creek Preserve/ 2 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 areas, and possibly campsites. total acres, acquisition method. economically practical. Pursue key segment of the future Partner with Eno River Association; County share (~33%) from the 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 UNC lands (including Mason Farm Hill, Botanical Garden Fdn., willing sellers/donors by June Jordan Lake connector and Biological Reserve) with the New and NC trust funds. Total long- 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%) from negotiate for potential closings the Botanical Garden Foundation. Lands Le ac Fund. b June 2012. 4. Upper Eno Riparian Buffers Protect riparian buffers in a water Pursue grants from NC trust th EEP d Identify priority tracts and sellers/donors by Feb willin Continue to acquire conservation easements to protect riparian supply watershed critical area. Protect prime forest and wildlife er o , an funds, NC sources. Total long-term cost g 2011 and secure options by buffers in the critical area of the habitat along. upper stretches of the $500,000. County share c L L d f % June 2011. Negotiate uisitions for initial closings ac Upper Eno protected watershed. Eno River and Seven Mile Creek. ega y an s rom ) (~50 q Partner with Eno River Association Fund and/or Conservation July 2011 -June 2012. and the Town of Hillsborough. Easement Fund. * -Cost estimates are rough estimates based on expected per acreage land prices, and actual negotiations may produce different results. As acqulsltion opportunities are reviewed and evaluated, the wst estimates wIA be refined. f Lands Legacy Action Plan 2010-12 Final 2/15/11 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 Sept 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). 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 and grant/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. jurisdictions). 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 Upper Eno). federal farmland grant agency. Others as opportunities arise. N/A Unknown Unknown * -Cost estimates are rough estimates based on expected per acreage land prices, and actual negotiations may produce different results. As acqulsltlon opportunities are reviewed and evaluated, the cost estimates wiU be refined. j 16 Lands Legacy Action P/an 2010-12 Final Z/15/11 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 DEAPfi7 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 17 Lands Legacy Action Plan 2010-12 Final2/15/11 ~ - ~ ~ • • ~ 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 key areas within 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 18 Lands LegacyAction Plan 2010-Y2 Final 2/i5/i1 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 Priority Tab/e (Pages 4-5) The first ten years of the Lands Legacy Program saw tremendous strides in the protection of priority resource lands, with 2,552 acres permanently protected (as of December 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 ATTACHMENT 3 19 LANDS LEGACY PROGRAM FUNDING STATUS JANUARY 1, 2011 1. Lands Legacy Fund /Lands Legacy Opportunities Fund Balance 1-1-2011 $ '1,856,26'1 Projects Underway /Encumbered $ 750,000 Remaining Available Balance $ 1,106,261 Identified Priority Projects Mountains-to-Sea Trail (with NC State Parks) $ 1,000,000 Upper Eno Nature Preserve (Seven Mile Creek Preserve, riparian buffers) $ 1,500,000 Jordan Lake Macrosite (with UNC) $ 1,700,000 New Hope Creek Rustic Trail $ 300,000 Joint Town/County Open Space Projects (Bolin Creek Corridor?) $ 250,000 _ . _ , . ~ , i.S:+a...:o,+2~I10+~i «Y1'tr. r-.. '71r .2`S':33~G~rrM1i6~Et'A1'R7:...1 »Li .:.is•ny;.3 &i~ut'~KS1itS~ ~;~ «sk ....~~.~i'~~fti.,, .da4:4.. -t>,..+. .... ..u... ~n ~. .~ .. ... , .. .. .. .••. 2. Conservation Easement Fund Balance 1-1-2011 $ 925,576 Projects Underway /Encumbered $ 500,000 Remaining Available Balance $ 425,576 Future Projects Owners of 32 farms totalling 2900 acres have expressed interest to date in conservation easements. Projected cost of purchasing 85% of these lands is around $9.0 million. The ratio of County funds to outside (grant) funds to date is 52.5% - 47.5%. Assuming this ratio $4.46 million would be needed in County funds to acquire easements on all interested farms. There is also pending conservation easement for Halls Mill/Faucette Mill area, which will require $50-100,000. Lands Legacy Funds Status 1-1-2011.x1s, 2/4/2011 N 0 LANDS LEGACY PROGRAM FUNDING STATUS JANUARY 1, 2011 3. Payment-in-Lieu Funds* Balance 7-1-2010 $ 455,048 Projects Underway /Encumbered $ - Remaining Available Balance $ 455,048 * -funds are collected by four parks districts and must be expended in the district collected. As of 7-1-2010 Northern District $ 57,878 Cheeks/Hillsborough District $ 96,866 Bingham District $ 177,95$ Chapel Hill Township District $ 122,346 Payment-in-Lieu funds may be used for land acquisition or facility construction for parks, recreation and open space within the district. Lands Legacy Funds Status 1-1-2011.x1s, 2/4/2011 N f Orange County Lands Legacy Program Current Status of Lands Legacy Properties Tanuary 2011 Slte Name Year. ~ Acquired'; Acreage Adopted Master Plan Public Access Needed for Public Access I. Parks Little River Regional Park 2000 134 Yes Yes O ened 2004 Twin Creeks (Moniese Nomp) Park 2001 96 Yes Partial Jones Creek Greenway to open in 2011 (Phase I of Twin Creeks park); Additional funds needed for future (Phase II ark construction/o eration Cedar Grove Park 1999/03 52 Yes Yes O ened 2008 II. Future Park Sites Blackwood Farm 2001 152 --- --- Planning underway for potential interim use; funds needed for park construction/operation Millhouse Road Park 2004/06 79 --- --- Master plan; funds for park construction/operation Northeast District Park 2007 138 --- --- Master plan and funds needed for construction/ operation (Currently leased for agricultural use) Nature Preserve/O en S ace. McGowan Creek Preserve 2000 63 --- --- Master plan; funds for facilities construction Seven Mile Creek Preserve 2001/09 303 --- --- ~ Master plan; funds for facilities construction New Hope Preserve (including Hollow Rock Access Area 2004/06 58 Yes --- Limited interim use provided (staff participation); Funds needed for park construction/operation Lewis' Heartleaf Preserve 2003 10 --- --- Planned for limited access for environmental education Conservation Easements (Farm) 12 farms (privately owned) 2001-08 1,277 N/A N/A N/A Conservation Easements (Natural) 9 properties (privately owned) 2002-10 176 N/A N/At N/A ~- N ' Some of the sites are or will be open for public use (Adams Preserve is open, Keith Arboretum & Steep Bottom Preserve by appointment; Confluence in future) N 23 Attachment 6 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 14 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 - Moorefields and adjoining Seven Mile Creek natural area - Pickard Mountain/Dairyland agricultural corridor - St. Mary's Road Corridor Staff received favorable feedback from the Board of Commissioners at its October 2010 work session. DEAPR intends to move forward following adoption of the 2010-12 Lands Legacy Action Plan.