HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2003-080 Resolution of Approval and Acceptance of Grant - Agricultural Conservation Easement with Everett and Lewis Cheek~~~ ~q~~.
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION
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Approval of Agricultural Conservation Easement between
Orange County and Everett and Lewis Cheek
WHEREAS, Orange County has an adopted goal promoting the preservation of farmland in
the County; and
WHEREAS, agriculture in Orange County is an important facet of the economy and way of
life in the County; and
WHEREAS, one component of the Lands Legacy Program is the acquisition of conservation
easements on prime or threatened farmland within water supply watersheds; and
WHEREAS, the Cheek farm includes 82.6 acres in the University Lake protected watershed,
consists of a majority of prime soils, and is adjacent to other natural resource lands already
protected by conservation easements; and
WHEREAS, a grant in the amount of $235,255 was awarded to Orange County from the
federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program to protect the future of this farm with an
agricultural conservation easement; and
WHEREAS, a conservation .easement on this farm provides awin-win scenario -ensuring the
preservation of this farmland for future generations and providing return on the property for
the Cheek family: 1
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners
does hereby 1) accept on behalf of Orange County the farmland preservation conservation
easement in the property owned by Everett and Lewis Cheek that is described in the
conservation easement agreement; 2) approve the execution of this conservation easement
agreement with Everett and Lewis Cheek, in accordance with the terms of the attached
easement agreement, subject to final review by staff and the county attorney; and 3)
authorize the Chair and the Clerk to sign the easement agreement on behalf of the Board,
with a closing to occur on or about January 31, 2004.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board accepts the grant award of $235,255 from the
federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program, and- authorizes the Chair to sign the grant
agreement.
This the 9th day of December, 2003.
Barry Ja hit '
Orang County
Donna Baker, erk to the Board
missioners