HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2003-060 Resolution - Purchase of Steep Bottom Branch Conservation Easement~,~'-~- 2oa3 - 4~G
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION FOR THE PURCHASE OF A CONSERVATION
EASEMENT TO PROTECT STEEP BOTTOM BRANCH NATURAL
HERITAGE SITE
WHEREAS, one of the primary goals of the Orange County Lands Legacy
program, established by the Board of County Commissioners in Apri12000,
is the protection of identified natural areas that are part of the N.C. Natural
Heritage Program, and
WHEREAS, Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC), a private, non-profit land
trust with like conservation goals, acquired 29 acres of the Steep Bottom
Branch Natural Heritage site in 1997 to help protect this site, and
WHEREAS, in 2001, Judge and Mrs. Stanley Peele began discussions with
Triangle Land Conservancy and subsequently Orange County regarding
preserving an adjoining 35-acre tract in their ownership that also contained a
portion of the Natural Heritage site, and
WHEREAS, in 2002, TLC and the County agreed to jointly purchase the
Peele property at a bargain sale price, and
WHEREAS, TLC and the County agreed to allow TLC to purchase the Peele
property in late 2002 with a subsequent conservation easement granted to
Orange County to reflect the joint and strengthened protection for this site
and the County's participation in the purchase, and
WHEREAS, Orange County and TLC have generally agreed on the
language of said conservation easement to be granted to the County, which
will be executed following the final installment payment for the Peele
property, and
WHEREAS, the joint acquisition of this property is exemplary of the
County's ongoing collaboration and partnership with Triangle Land
Conservancy and other conservation organizations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of
Commissioners agree to the future purchase of a conservation easement
from Triangle Land Conservancy on 64 acres owned by TLC and known as
Steep Bottom Branch Preserve, to be completed and executed after the final
installment payments of the property.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, recognizing the need to fulfill its
financial obligations for the purchase of said easement, the County agrees to
release funds in the amount of approximately $84,000 designated for this
project, contingent. on the receipt of said easement from Triangle .Land
Conservancy subsequent to the final installment payments.
This, the 2nd day of September, 2003 ~f~
Margaret W. Brown, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
ATTEST
,:
Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board