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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-18-2012 - 8a 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 18, 2012 Action Agenda Item No. 8-a SUBJECT: Update on the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail — Orange County Section DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No and Recreation (DEAPR) ATTACHMENTS: INFORMATION CONTACTS: 1. Statewide MST Corridor Map David Stancil, 245-2510 2. Eastern Piedmont MST Corridor Map Rich Shaw, 245-2514 3. Orange County MST Corridor Map 4. Key Questions and Decision Points (2009) 5. OWASA Letter of Support (2009) 6. BOCC Resolution (April 2010) 7. Questions from 8/13/12 Open House 8. Frequently Asked Questions 9. Typical Views of the MST PURPOSE: To provide an update on the progress of establishing a section of the NC Mountains-to-Sea State Trail through Orange County, as directed by the Board in June. BACKGROUND: The NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail is a planned 1 ,000-mile trail that will traverse the state from the Great Smoky Mountains in western North Carolina to Jockey's Ridge State Park on the Outer Banks (Attachment 1). About 530 miles of the MST is completed and open for hiking, including recently opened segments of the trail along the Haw River in Alamance County and at Falls Lake in Durham and Wake counties. In 2000 the North Carolina General Assembly authorized the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) as part of the North Carolina Parks System. From 2005-2007, the NC Division of Parks and Recreation held stakeholder meetings to identify a suitable trail planning corridor through Alamance, Orange and Durham counties. Preliminary findings were reported to the BOCC in February 2006. Those meetings resulted in a map of the State's preferred trail planning corridor through the "Eastern Piedmont" (Attachment 2). The MST planning corridor through Orange County (Attachment 3) begins at the Haw River in the far southwest corner, then parallels Cane Creek northeast through Orange Water & Sewer Authority's (OWASA) Cane Creek Reservoir lands, and then northeast through the Seven Mile Creek Preserve and Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area. From Occoneechee Mountain the trail will follow the Eno River along Hillsborough's Riverwalk and through land owned by Classical American Homes Preservation Trust and Eno River State Park into Durham County. 2 In October 2009 DEAPR staff presented the proposed MST trail corridor to the BOCC and received feedback on a number of key decision points (Attachment 4), including where staff should focus initial efforts and when to collaborate with potential partners - OWASA and Town of Hillsborough. The Board directed staff to take the MST trail plan to three of its advisory boards (Intergovernmental Parks Work Group, Parks and Recreation Council, Commission for the Environment) for their consideration and recommendations. The BOCC asked DEAPR to meet with OWASA staff to discuss locating portions of the MST through OWASA's Cane Creek Reservoir lands. In December 2009 the OWASA Board of Directors offered its support of the project and directed OWASA staff to begin working with Orange County to identify a specific route for a trail through the OWASA property, provided there would be no compromise of water quality, no expenditure of OWASA funds, and that steps are taken to minimize any additional security risks associated with inviting hikers to use the property around the reservoir (Attachment 5). DEAPR staff reported back to the BOCC in April 2010. The Intergovernmental Parks Work Group recommended approval of the State's preferred MST trail corridor, but with the additional of three trail "links" from Chapel Hill and Carrboro to one of the proposed secondary (or "alternative") trail routes (Attachment 3). The Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough had also formerly endorsed the MST plan. On April 20, 2010 the Board adopted a resolution endorsing the State's preferred MST trail corridor through Orange County (Attachment 6). The adjoining counties (Alamance and Durham) had already endorsed the same plan through their jurisdictions and were working with the State Trails Program, Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (FMST) and other partners to acquire land (and trail easements) and construct the trail. Since 2010 DEAPR staff has followed up on the direction from the BOCC, including many days of fieldwork to identify a suitable MST trail route through the County's Seven Mile Creek Preserve, through OWASA's Cane Creek Reservoir property, and other privately-owned lands where willing landowners authorized trail reconnaissance. In the Seven Mile Creek Preserve area, staff is collaborating with State Parks, FMST, and the Eno River Association on locating the trail route on County lands and through some adjacent properties. Negotiations are currently underway to extend the trail on three other properties. Staff has also met with Town of Hillsborough and State Parks staff to consider potential trail links between Occoneechee Mountain and Seven Mile Creek. In southwestern Orange County, staff is collaborating with OWASA and FMST on locating a viable trail route through the OWASA Cane Creek Reservoir lands. Over the past 18 months, the field team has walked the land, flagged potential routes, explored alternatives, and re-flagged some areas. In spring 2012 some neighboring landowners observed signs of the reconnaissance work and began asking questions. DEAPR staff responded to questions and met with individuals and neighborhood groups to explain the process of identifying a potential trail route. Some neighbors continue to object to a potential trail segment through the OWASA property. Other neighbors are supportive and some await further information resulting from the trail reconnaissance, the identification of trail access points, and the development of rules for trail oversight and 3 operation. More fieldwork by the team is required before it can report its findings and recommendations to the OWASA staff and OWASA Board of Directors. Neighboring jurisdictions are also working with State Parks and FMST to extend the MST. For example: • In Durham and Wake counties trail partners recently completed 46 miles of the MST around Falls Lake. • In 2011 Alamance County received a $375,000 grant through the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) to help purchase land for a section of the MST along the Haw River in the southern part of the county. Alamance was previously awarded $400,000 from PARTF to develop the trail. Currently, over 10 miles of the trail exist or are in construction, including Swepsonville River Park and a new segment at Glencoe. • In June 2012 the Town of Hillsborough was awarded $425,000 from PARTF to continue work on Hillsborough's Riverwalk, which will be part of the MST. Hillsborough previously received over$900,000 for other sections of the project. • In November 2011 the City of Raleigh opened the first 6.5 miles of what will soon be a 28-mile Neuse River greenway trail and part of the NC MST. On August 13, 2012, DEAPR, along with State Parks and FMST, held an Open House for the public to learn more about the planned sections of the MST in Orange County and the process of identifying and constructing the trail. A summary of the questions raised at the August 13 Open House is included at Attachment 7. On September 7, 2012 staff met with representatives of a group that has expressed concerns about a portion of the MST near Cane Creek in Bingham Township. The group is concerned that initial planning occurred without community involvement and has questions concerning the safety and security of homeowners adjacent to the future trail. Enclosed are responses to "Frequently Asked Questions" about the MST (Attachment 8), and some typical examples of photographs taken along the MST (Attachment 9). In response to a Board member petition, the BOCC Chair has asked the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail to host another meeting this fall that will include a question and answer session and will involve County staff. Future public information meetings will be held as progress on MST planning continues. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no impact associated with this item. Several follow-up actions, if pursued, would have financial implications. There is no current funding for the MST trail construction. The adopted 2012-17 Capital Investment Plan (CIP) includes potential funding in FY 2013-14 through FY 2016-17 for the trail. These funds would need to be approved as part of future budget deliberations. The costs of developing and maintaining the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail through Orange County will be shared among various public and interested private landowners (including Orange County), along with volunteer assistance coordinated by the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Partners include the Town of Hillsborough, the State of North Carolina, and Classical American Homes Preservation Trust. Once the exact trail route is determined, negotiations with landowners along the route would be conducted, with participation on a strictly voluntary basis. State grant funds for land acquisition and trail construction is a high priority for the NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF), with 4 additional funding from the State Recreational Trail Grant Program and the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund also possible. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive this information and provide staff feedback and guidance as desired. North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail illividflailiii"SIMIRIPli -.quint-AO rpm (Lip'' , Winston 111 ♦ Salem ~Greensboro !' iiin? *pi am 410feilt `�- Jockey's Ridge tii Clingmans Dome 01111111 . 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Chatha �� 1VCy,'jJ♦ 4 �0 RALEIGH ��Central MST Plannin Re Ion i 'tY � From Lake Townsend to Falls Lake Dam T �4 rte; Proposed MST Route: g o :MORRISVILL a � {yr' Eastern Piedmont Section �I o Mountains to Sea Existing Trail _] County Central MST Planning Region 8 3 • a, CARYrC The following proposed routes will provide an O �"�_ 777777 `- �� Mountains to Sea Primary Route Q Municipality .t outstanding regional trail system vnth loop-trail options (� Mountains to Sea Alternative Route water Body for the Eastern Piedmont S= Alai: D; .�';Streams/Creeks prima Rate:From lake Townsend to Haw River _ v ter Initial Undesignated "" ^/ . IMM MST Route State Park;down the Haw RNer through portions of APEX P ++- Abandoned RR Rockngham and Gulford Counties and much of r �. \ I lifigiiilt. 1 Major Parks Namance Canty;up Cane Creek in Orange County to PITTSBOR•, �1 ,." ' f o 7 � Railroad and through Hillsborough;along the Eno River through _�� p Orange and Durham Counties;and along Falls Lake thror@h Durham and Wake Counties. >GARNER L. Alternative Rates: 1)Lake Townsend to the Haw � k*' - Nlles River,2)NE Guilford Pak to Lake Mackintosh and the y{1 0 �'r �4 5 2.5 0 s Haw River,3)Town of Haw River to Hillsborough;4) = 7i U L down the Haw River to Jordan Lake and then north to w[�l r the Eno River via the New Hope Creek or the American HOLLY SPRING , �/. � Tobaao Trail. ___ '�i i 1 e∎mss ■ ��iisi i�rei� ����� {ice -�� • NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail Corridor 7 Orange County Section 4 , gia v..._ le.. --7 . j e lir 1 le L. .." . 4 INIM ir ii-,h y+ filEiii ors IO ' 1 M N E r a ., I ' r 1 100 V '----......... Akt ,..„.„,a,,), �p yasnru i ��x. II iv ),,,, .. �� i us7 m eG � it use ;� loir set � � ,/ 'I,�\"�A rte- d = i ;or ..... . i ea 0 E ile • . i Ai- Pitilliir Turkey Hill Iv' 6, ` ' i4S I* Creek ���� E) i 0� 41INK‘ N r k A New Hope Creek � ��ry„Cane A. 't Creek ■ ��fj Reservr ��` � w� k a" Ili ,,,■ --z\ as, A di 4 j�►� CHAP`L HILL °, ) r ill , 4 Ir 11.14 ,..%) . c A AO CARRBOhO irp L A „ M organ Creek I ..-� ' Chatha r• '_ 41 saa h� • 11.1111 NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail(MST) - MST Primary route MI OWASA land MST Alternative route - Non-county parkland&open space 0 05 1 2 Miles Orange County parkland&open space t r r r t r r r Linkage to town greenway system - Other public land orange coany ■ ■ Proposed roadside alternative route ■ Reservoirs Dept.ar en�konreent, Ngriculture,Parks and Recreation - Towns Major Streams 0 2206 o to nometg�propiana? 't Streets reaonreevnmaea_o-i.mod •<., 8 October 13, 2009 Attachment 4 NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail Corridor through Orange County Key Questions and Decision Points Background The North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) is a planned 1 ,000-mile trail that will traverse the state from the Great Smoky Mountains in western North Carolina to the Outer Banks on the Atlantic coast (Attachment 2). The MST trail corridor has been defined in the eastern and western parts of the state for some time now, but the route through the more- populous eastern Piedmont had not been identified until recent years. In 2007, the State Parks office approved a proposed corridor for the "Eastern Piedmont" section of the MST as shown on the map (Attachment 3). The primary trail route would connect Haw River State Park north of Greensboro to Falls Lake in Wake County. In Alamance County the trail would follow the Haw River to the Alamance/Orange county line. The trail would then turn northeast along Cane Creek through OWASA-owned land at Cane Creek Reservoir, and then continue northeast through the County's Seven Mile Creek Preserve to Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area. From Occoneechee Mountain the trail would follow the Eno River along Hillsborough's Riverwalk and through Eno River State Park into Durham County. The general route for the MST corridor through Orange County is shown on Attachment 4. The proposed MST from Hillsborough east is largely through public lands and private conservation lands along the Eno River. Eno River State Park has already identified a specific MST route through the park. West and south of Hillsborough, however, the specific trail route is uncertain and complicated by the fact that more land is in private ownership. It is important to point out that all MST trail segments are considered "planned" or "proposed" routes until the trail is already constructed and formally designated part of the State Trail system. A government agency must submit a formal application for designation. Alamance County had one section of trail designated MST in 2008 and another section that is pending. Although discussed in previous years, Orange County has not yet endorsed the State's planned MST trail route through the county. Toward that end, Staff has identified the following decision points for Board discussion and feedback: 1) Is the Board ready to endorse the general alignment of the planned MST corridor through Orange County? The State's preferred route was identified in 2007 following a two-year stakeholder process that included involving Orange County staff, OWASA staff, land trusts, Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, and the staff from neighboring jurisdictions. The two points where the MST would enter Orange County from its western and eastern boundaries have been endorsed by the neighboring jurisdictions. Durham County approved the route as part of its City-County Greenways Plan adopted in 1 9 2001 . Alamance County approved of the route in 2006 as part of its adoption of the Haw River Trail. Both counties are now working with the NC Division of Parks and Recreation, Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and other partners to establish the trail in those jurisdictions. Alamance County received a 2008 grant from the NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund to acquire MST trail segments, and has been acquiring land and trail easements on private land at the rate of two miles per year. Durham County signed a memorandum of agreement with other partners in 2006 to complete the Falls Lake portion of the trail (46 miles). The Town of Hillsborough adopted a resolution in 2005 recommending that the selected route of the MST incorporate the Hillsborough Riverwalk from downtown Hillsborough to Occoneechee Mountain. Phase I of the trail was completed with the recent opening of Gold Park and Phase II is now underway with land acquisition for the rest of the trail completed earlier this year. Other jurisdictions have adopted resolutions to endorse or adopt the MST corridor and an example is provided here, for the Board's consideration for action at a future meeting (Attachment 5). If the Board approves the general MST trail corridor, Staff will incorporate the planned trail in the Orange County Comprehensive Plan, the existing Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and include it in an update to the County's parks master plan envisioned for 2010-2011 . This action will enable the reservation or acquisition of trail corridor as future development occurs and as conservation opportunities arise along the planned MST route. 2) How should the County coordinate with OWASA on the MST trail alignment? The proposed MST trail would pass through lands owned and managed by Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA). OWASA staff participated in the stakeholder meetings held by State Parks in 2005-2007 to identify the best trail corridor. Since then ERCD has met twice with the OWASA staff to discuss the proposed route. OWASA staff prefers to wait until the BOCC has given its preliminary approval of the proposed trail route before taking it to the OWASA board for consideration and approval. If the Board indicates its endorsement and takes subsequent action to this effect, staff could convey this to OWASA via a letter from the Chair. 3) May Staff collaborate with the Town of Hillsborough on identifying the MST trail link to the Town's Riverwalk? Hillsborough staff also participated in the stakeholder meetings held by the NC Division of Parks and Recreation to identify the best trail corridor. The Town adopted a resolution in 2005 recommending that the MST incorporate the Eno Riverwalk from downtown Hillsborough to Occoneechee Mountain. Since then, ERCD has participated in two informal meetings with Town staff and the Eno River Association to discuss the potential extension of the Riverwalk, including a proposed "Phase III" of the Riverwalk into the Town's extraterritorial jurisdiction. If the Board concurs, ERCD could work with the Town and others to identify potential trail routes to expand the Riverwalk west to connect Occoneechee Mountain with the 2 10 Seven Mile Creek Preserve, and east to connect the County's River Park with Eno River State Park. 4) How aggressively should ERCD prioritize MST land acquisition through the Lands Legacy program? ERCD is prepared to include MST corridor planning and acquisition in the 2010-12 Lands Legacy Action Plan, as has been the case in previous two-year plans, but guidance from the Board would be useful in determining how to prioritize this project among the other Lands Legacy projects. State grant funds for land acquisition and trail construction is available from the NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (the MST is now a top priority for PARTF grants), the State Recreational Trail Grant Program, and the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund. State Parks staff has indicated State funds for land acquisition will be earmarked for Orange County (once the state budget situation improves) as part of the State's interest in "jumpstarting" the MST in the Eastern Piedmont section. The adopted CIP allocates $1 .26 million for land acquisition for Lands Legacy/ Mountains-to-Sea Trail, beginning in 2013-14 and continuing to 2016-17. There is also $2.8 million remaining from the voter-approved 2001 Parks and Open Space bond (Lands Legacy portion) that is or will be available for acquisition of public accessible parks and open space lands. At this point, Board direction on whether to consider this a high, medium or low priority will be useful, as staff is developing the draft 2010-2012 Lands Legacy Action Plan. A listing of other priorities that have been identified to date is available at the Board's places. This draft plan is slated to come to the Board in early 2010, after receiving comments and thoughts from advisory boards. State grant funds are available for acquisition and construction of the MST,but the long- term operation and management of trail segments is a local responsibility. Although large portions of the MST through Orange County will be in Eno River State Park and the Hillsborough Riverwalk,most of the future trail would need to be operated and maintained by Orange County and/or partner entities. The Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (FMST) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to bring together communities and volunteers to build the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, a simple footpath connecting the state's natural treasures for the enjoyment and education of people. According to Kate Dixon, Executive Director for the FMST, volunteers now maintain over 480 miles of existing trail. ERCD has met with Kate Dixon to learn how the FMST could assist Orange County in the construction and maintenance of the MST using a systematic approach used across the state. See the letter from Kate Dixon provided as Attachment 6. 3 11 5) Does the Board agree with focusing initial efforts in the vicinity of the County's Seven Mile Creek Preserve? If the Board sees the MST as a priority, staff feels that the Seven Mile Creek Preserve may be a fitting place to start. Focusing initial attention on the MST segment in the Seven Mile Creek portion of the Upper Eno Watershed is suggested for several reasons: a) The County already owns nearly 300 acres for the Seven Mile Creek Preserve, and the planned MST corridor would travel through that property. b) ERCD is in contact with four landowners who are interested in selling or donating land for the Preserve. Three are key properties adjacent to County- owned land, and one of these priorities has been negotiated and is planned for the October 20 Board agenda. c) State funds for land acquisition are likely to be earmarked for Orange County once the state budget situation improves. State Parks staff has indicated a preference for the Seven Mile Creek area because the County has already acquired land in that area and is within reach of other public lands. d) As noted in the budget service reduction materials from last spring, while a lull in park master planning is anticipated during 2009-10, staff did anticipate the need to begin at least internal efforts toward developing a master plan for Seven Mile Creek Preserve, which would identify recommended future boundaries, access points, recreation sites, natural and historical points of interest, and the future MST corridor. Finally, as has been noted in previous Lands Legacy Action Plans, the Seven Mile Creek Preserve, when viewed in the larger context of preservation in the Neuse (Falls Lake) basin, offers an opportunity as a gateway for linking conservation areas to the north, potentially expanding the formal conservation of land northward along the Eno River to include several existing permanent conservation "nodes." ERCD staff will be available to answer questions and to provide additional information about these issues at the October 13 work session. 4 12 Attachment 5 ORANGE WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY OWASA Mgr A public, non-profit agency providing water, sewer and reclaimed water services to the Carrboro-Chapel Hill community. December 10, 2009 Valarie Foushee, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners Post Office Box 8181 Hillsborough,NC 27278 SUBJECT: MOUNTAINS-TO-SEA TRAIL Dear Chair Foushee: I'm writing to express OWASA's support for the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) initiative. We have met with Kate Dixon, Executive Director of the Friends of the MST, and we are confident that we can make the necessary arrangements that will allow use of OWASA's property in the vicinity of the Cane Creek Reservoir, consistent with our primary mission of providing safe and reliable drinking water for our customers. As such, conditional upon the Orange County Board of County Commissioner' approval of the initiative, our Board has directed OWASA staff to immediately begin working with Orange County Staff and the Friends of the MST to develop the necessary agreements and arrangements that will allow use of our property providing there is no compromise of water quality, no expenditure of OWASA funds and we are able to make the arrangements necessary to minimize any additional security risks associated with inviting hikers to use the property around the reservoir. Additionally, although it is not a condition of our support for the trail, OWASA has a long history of notifying and receiving feedback from the public before finalizing any changes to recreational activities at the Cane Creek Reservoir, and we are hopeful that the County's process would include some level of public involvement prior to finalizing the plans for the trail. We look forward to participating in this initiative and believe the MST will be a tremendous asset for all citizens of Orange County. Best regards, Randy Kabrick, P.E., Chair c: Mr. Frank Clifton, Manager, Orange County Mr. Roger L. Stancil, Manager, Town of Chapel Hill Mr. Steven Stewart, Manager, Town of Carrboro OWASA Board of Directors Ed Kerwin, Executive Director 400 Jones Ferry Road Equal Opportunity Employ or Voice(919)968-4421 Carrboro,NC 27510-2001 Printed on Recycled Paper www.owasa.org 13 Attachment 6 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS-TO-SEA TRAIL THROUGH ORANGE COUNTY, NC WHEREAS, the Mountains-to-Sea Trail is planned to provide a major cross-state transportation, recreation and tourism resource for all North Carolinians; and WHEREAS, the Trail is planned to cover nearly 1,000 miles of the State when all spurs and connectors are included; and WHEREAS, the Trail will highlight a wide variety of historic and natural resources across the State and within Orange County; and WHEREAS, the Trail would contribute towards improved quality of life and provide economic benefits from the associated recreation and tourism; and WHEREAS, the proposed Trail corridor is a recommended project from the Orange County Recreation and Parks Advisory Council, the Orange County Commission for the Environment, and the Intergovernmental Parks Work Group; and WHEREAS, the creation of the Trail is a joint venture among the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA), the Town of Hillsborough, the Eno River Association, Classical American Homes Preservation Trust, and Orange County; and WHEREAS, the proposed segments of the Trail in Orange County include existing and planned trails at Eno River State Park, the Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail, Poet's Walk at Historic Ayr Mount, Hillsborough's Riverwalk and Kings Highway Park, Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area, Orange County's Seven Mile Creek Preserve, and OWASA's Cane Creek watershed protection lands; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners endorses the Mountains-to-Sea Trail plan, with its primary and alternate trail routes, as delineated on the attached map. ,5/\-- - This the 20`" day of April, 2010. 444 44.,, Valerie Foushee, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners Don a raker, lerk to the Board 14 MST Orange County Open House August 13,2012 (Hillsborough) Attachment 7 Questions and Concerns The following are a list of questions and concerns that were raised by some of the people who attended the August 13 Open House. Staff has grouped them into four broader categories. Why MST and Why Now? • Is it wise to spend public funds on this project during this poor economic period? Will this increase my taxes? • Do we need more trails? What are the benefits of trails? • Will the trail affect the value of my property positively or negatively? • Who will pay for this trail,including land acquisition, construction,maintenance and management? Where is the MST to be located in Orange County? • What is Orange County's specific MST plan? • Please share the plan with the public! • Please share the plan with the landowners within the one-mile planning corridor! • How wide a corridor is needed/desired for this trail? • Why does the planning corridor follow waterways? Why does the County want to acquire land bordering our waterways? • We want to know what landowners will be approached! • The planned county-wide survey about the MST is a waste of time and tax payer money Legal Issues • Will the County use eminent domain to acquire the public use rights to land for this trail? • Will I need additional liability and property insurance to protect my property-trail on my property-or on adjacent property- concern here is liability for trail users trespassing,and causing property damage? • If I sell or give public use rights to my land for the MST-will the county hold me harmless from all legal actions -liability and property? • What agency will respond to concerns for trespass,vandalism? • How will the trail affect landowners'access to surface waters (i.e.,streams) if the trail is constructed along or near streams? • Will the presence of the trail (or trail easement) require farmers on neighboring property have to fence their livestock out of waterways? Management and Responsibility • Who will hold the public interest in property acquired for this segment of the MST? • Who is responsible for the construction and management of this trail? • Who is responsible for law enforcement on the trail? • What are the plans for facility development-including parking areas and/or trail heads planned-and restrooms planned? • Will there be toilet facilities for people using the trail? • What happens during hunting season? Will gun rights be restricted in areas with trails? 15 September 2012 Attachment 8 NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail through Orange County What is the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail? The NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) is a 1,000-mile trail that will traverse the state from the Great Smoky Mountains in western North Carolina to Jockey's Ridge State Park on the Outer Banks. Partners across the state are helping to plan and build the trail that will link communities and serve as the backbone of a growing system of land and water trails in North Carolina. In 2000 the NC General Assembly authorized the MST as unit of the North Carolina Parks System. A map showing the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail across North Carolina is available at: http://orangecountync.gov/deapr/nat cul resources/mst.asp How many miles of the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail are finished? About 530 miles of dedicated trail — roughly half the planned length— has been completed to date and is open for hiking. A series of interim roadway connectors (bicycle routes and back roads) have been identified by the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail organization that knit together the completed sections of the MST across the state. Some examples of completed trail in this area include the following: • In Durham and Wake counties there are 60 miles of completed trail around Falls Lake • In Alamance County there are 10 miles of the trail open or under construction, including Swepsonville River Park and a new trail segment at Glencoe • Raleigh recently opened the first 6.5 miles of what will soon be a 28-mile Neuse River greenway trail and part of the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail Where will the Trail go through Orange County? The MST planning corridor through Orange County (from west to east) begins at the Haw River in the far southwest corner of the county, then parallels Cane Creek to the northeast through OWASA's Cane Creek Reservoir lands, then further northeast through the Seven Mile Creek Preserve and Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area. From Occoneechee Mountain the trail will follow the Eno River along Hillsborough's Riverwalk and through land owned by Classical American Homes Preservation Trust and Eno River State Park into Durham County. A map of the MST planning corridor across Orange County is available at: http://orangecountync.gov/deapr/nat cul resources/mst.asp How was the planned Trail corridor chosen? From 2005-2007,the NC Division of Parks and Recreation held stakeholder meetings to identify a suitable MST planning corridor through Alamance, Orange and Durham counties. Trail planners began by identifying existing trails on public lands and connected them to key natural features across the region. The result of that effort was a MST Trail Planning Corridor for consideration by local governments. The Orange County Board of Commissioners endorsed the MST Planning Corridor in April 2010 following review by advisory boards (Intergovernmental Parks Work Group, Parks and Recreation Council, Commission for the Environment) and town boards of Hillsborough, Chapel Hill and Carrboro. 1 16 September 2012 Attachment 8 County staff are working in collaboration with the State Trails Program (a section of the NC Division of Parks and Recreation), Eno River State Park, the Town of Hillsborough, the Friends of Mountains-to-Sea Trail (FMST), and others to develop specific plans for the MST in Orange County—thereby transitioning the trail planning corridor to an actual "trail alignment." The initial focus has been on determining the trail alignment through the County's Seven Mile Creek Preserve and linking the Preserve with Occoneechee Mountain and the Hillsborough Riverwalk. A secondary focus is working with the Orange Water and Sewer Authority(OWASA)to identify a potential trail alignment through OWASA's Cane Creek Reservoir lands in the southwestern part of the county, and then linking the Reservoir lands with the Alamance County section of the MST along the Haw River. Are there any sections of the MST already completed and open in Orange County? Yes. Sections of the MST are open in Hillsborough within River Park and Gold Park. East of Hillsborough, there are designated sections of the MST open in Eno River State Park. Finally, a section of the MST was also recently completed (although not yet dedicated) east of the Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail on lands owned by Classical American Homes Preservation Trust. Will the Trail be located on public or private property? Several initial sections of the MST in Orange County will be constructed on public land, including Eno River State Park, Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area, Hillsborough's Riverwalk, and Orange County's Seven Mile Creek Preserve. Other sections may be on privately-owned land where the owner has granted a trail easement. For example, a section of MST near Hillsborough was constructed on a trail easement granted by Classical American Homes Preservation Trust to State of North Carolina. Is it true that trail planners trespassed on private property while marking the future Trail? No. Trail planners have been very careful to stay off all private property unless invited by the landowners. Earlier, some people said they had found survey flagging on their property, but they have since agreed that the flagging was on the adjacent property or along their property boundary. If persons were on private lands for MST purposes, it was unauthorized and unknown to any of the MST partners. Will there be any condemnation (or"taking")of private land for the Trail? No. All lands for the future MST in Orange County will be acquired through voluntary means. Who will build the Trail? In Orange County, the MST will be planned, constructed, managed and maintain by partnerships involving local governments, land trusts, private landowners, local citizens, the NC Division of Parks and Recreation, and Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Overall, the MST is an official part of the State Parks system, however due to its statewide expanse, many segments of the trail are managed by different agencies and local governments. Local communities help connect the trail through links to greenways and urban trails. Land trusts and other interested parties help acquire land using a combination of public and private funds. The Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail organization provides volunteers, public support, and serves as a clearinghouse for trail information. How is the Trail marked? The blaze designating the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail is a white circle approximately three inches in diameter. This mark is sometimes used in conjunction with other trail blazes if the trails overlap. 2 17 September 2012 Attachment 8 What will I see as I walk the Trail? The MST will pass through a variety of landscapes in Orange County. Depending on the section of the trail, you may see rolling Piedmont farms, weathered tobacco barns,the Hillsborough historic district, a former textile village, country churches, flowing streams, hardwood and pine forests, and lake views. Who will use the Trail? Will it be for hikers only, or will it be open for biking and horseback riding? The MST is intended primarily for backcountry hiking, but the landowner or land management agency responsible for a particular section of trail will decide on the types of uses that are allowed. The vast majority of the MST will be natural surface trail with only a three-foot-wide tread and to 6-8 feet of clearance through forested areas. In some places, the MST will pass through urban areas (including Hillsborough)where the trail is a paved greenway used by walkers, runners, cyclists, strollers and people in wheelchairs. How will people access the Trail? There will be legal, managed access points along the trail, which will provide parking and trail information. Thus far there are formal access points in Eno River State Park and at River Park (downtown Hillsborough), Gold Park (West Hillsborough), and Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area. Another access point will be developed at Seven Mile Creek Preserve (adjacent to historic Moorefields). Additional locations in southwestern Orange County will be identified and secured as the actual trail route (the MST"trail alignment") is determined through that area. How can I learn more about the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail in Orange County and across the state? • Orange County Dept. of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation Rich Shaw, Land Conservation Manager rshaw @co.orange.nc.us or 919-245-2514 http://orangecountync.gov/deapr/nat cul resources/mst.asp • N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation—State Trails Program Darrell McBane, State Trails Program Manager darrell.mcbane @ncdenr.gov or 919-707-9315 http://www.ncparks.gov/About/trails mst.php • Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail Kate Dixon, Executive Director kdixon@ncmst.org or 919-698-9024 http://www.ncmst.org/ How can I find the Trail? For information on the NC Mountains-To-Sea State Trail, please see the NC Division of Parks and Recreation website at http://www.ncparks.gov/About/trails mst.php The Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail website (http://www.ncmst.org/) has general descriptions of trail sections with mileage and information about available guidebooks. 3 18 September 2012 Attachment 8 When will the entire Mountains-to-Sea Trail be completed? The NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail remains a work in progress. With the help of more volunteers, the pace of progress has picked up in recent years. More than 24 miles were completed in 2009. Land along some sections of the trail corridor remains privately owned, and acquisition or easements will be needed to extend the trail. The goal is a 1,000-mile trail from Clingmans Dome to Jockey's Ridge. How can I get involved? • An online survey is being developed and will be available in late August 2012 at: http://orangecountync.gov/deapr/nat cul resources/mst.asp • You can volunteer to build trail by contacting the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail at http://www.ncmst.org/or contact Rich Shaw, Land Conservation Manager with Orange County DEAPR at<rshaw @orangecountync.gov> • You can sign up for the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (FMST) e-mail newsletter to keep informed of progress and opportunities to get involved. You can also become a member of the FMST—a non-profit organization that promotes the trail, coordinates trail building activities and serves as a clearinghouse for information. 4 19 Attachment 9 Typical views of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail � "p. _ A . ��,._ i "� � yi �:�� ' ^ ':0' ,t .t — z 4 - ∎a i A \ .. _ ..V.„,,...,- i"S- • ■ \\AZT \ysi ,i ;eJ i _ _ i ,..k.., c„.jr-- . . , 4 .. ., ,..... ... ....,,,...,,. . , .. .. , , ._...... .... . „...1 -- -4.'"----- " Photo by Sharon Meeker• ' ..as ;, -/a�: ..'C. Tom _:` —_ Photo by James Marquardt Leach 's � I ', ' ` �,i-4 t • • 3 s 'C 1l•~ _ XS c K Photo by Miranda Knox `;-- .. iik...,10444u, ::10...___.,,,,sk.":::440,,,,,ii, • ;.K max tttk....._ -!,p,„'-'-''''' Photo by Eric Rogers 3 i �, � Photo by Allmuth Purzel