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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-12-2013 - 2ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 12, 2013 Action Agenda Item No. 2 SUBJECT: Lands Legacy Action Plan for FY 2014 -17 DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No and Recreation (DEAPR) ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: A) Lands Legacy Program Overview David Stancil, 245 -2510 B) Draft Annual Action Plan (2014 -17) Rich Shaw, 245 -2514 PURPOSE: To consider and provide feedback on the draft Lands Legacy Action Plan for the three -year period (July 2014 — June 2017). BACKGROUND: The Board of Commissioners established the Lands Legacy Program in 2000. Through this program, Orange County seeks to protect its most critical natural and cultural resources through a variety of voluntary means. Over the first 12 years of the program, Orange County acquired land for seven new parks, conserved 16 active farms (1,700 acres), and protected nearly 600 acres of natural open space in the Eno River, Cane Creek, Little River, and New Hope Creek watersheds. Over that period, the County helped other partners protect an additional 1,544 acres of sensitive resource lands. Most projects are accomplished in partnership with other conservation entities, including the Triangle Land Conservancy, Orange Water & Sewer Authority, Eno River Association, the Orange NRCS /Soil & Water office, State and Federal trust funds, and neighboring local governments. With those partnerships, Orange County has been awarded over $5 million in grants for park acquisition or construction and for conserving farms and open space. The Lands Legacy Program is directed by the BOCC's adoption of an Action Plan. The proposed 2014 -17 Action Plan reflects acquisition priorities for the three -year period beginning July 1, 2014 and ending June 30, 2017. Action Plan development is aided by input from citizen advisory boards — Commission for the Environment (for natural areas, prime forest, riparian buffers, and open space /trails); Agricultural Preservation Board (for farmland preservation); Historic Preservation Board (for historic /cultural resources); and the Parks and Recreation Council (for parklands, open space /trails). This Action Plan comes at a time when staff is mindful of several new developments that will affect the County's land conservation actions and decisions: • An improving regional economy — an expected upturn following the Great Recession (2008 -12) should provide more conservation opportunities, but it may also result in higher land values. • No more NC Conservation Tax Credit — The NC General Assembly eliminated one of the important incentives for landowners to donate conservation easements or enter into bargain sales. The credit program will expire December 31, 2013. • Less funding from the State of NC — Although the state budget includes funding for land conservation, the amount of grant funds available to local governments from the State trust funds has been reduced significantly. • County parks master plan update — An updated parks and recreation master plan for Orange County will be completed in early 2014. The plan will help guide future Lands Legacy program acquisitions related to parks, open space and trails. • County funding for conservation easements — The BOCC approved an annual allocation of $125,000 in the Capital Investment Plan (CIP) for conservation easement purchases. These funds are expected to leverage outside funds from various sources. Most of the priority focus areas in the 2014 -17 Action Plan are multi -year projects repeated from previous action plans. A few potential new projects are offered for the Board's consideration. Details of each are provided on pages 3 -4 of the action plan. • Bingham Township Park • Upper Eno Preserve/ Mountains -to -Sea segment) • Farmland Easements • Jordan Lake Headwaters Preserve • Local Historic Landmarks Trail (Hillsborough to Seven -Mile Creek FINANCIAL IMPACT: Most of the funds available for the upcoming three fiscal years (2014 -15, 2015 -16, and 2016 -17) are existing funds from prior appropriations of the Board (2001- 2006). These include appropriations from the Lands Legacy Fund (voter- approved 2001 Parks and Open Space bonds converted to alternative financing in 2008 -09), the Lands Legacy Opportunities Fund (pay -as- you -go funds primarily 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). In addition, the Board allocated $125,000 annually for the Conservation Easement Fund as part of the CIP adopted in June 2013. 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 $3.8 million for conserving lands through Lands Legacy. Final funding decisions are made by the Board on a project -by- project basis, as potential purchases are presented for approval. Not all potential projects in the draft Action Plan will be pursued. In each case, separate project budgets and capital project ordinances with specific funding sources and amounts are considered at the time of project approval. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Interim Manager recommends the Board receive the draft Lands Legacy Program Action Plan and provide direction, comment and feedback. DEAPR staff will make refinements to the plan based on Board comments and bring the Action Plan back for Board adoption at a subsequent meeting. Attachment A Orange County Lands Legacy Program Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation Orange County's Lands Legacy Program was created by a board of commissioners' resolution on April 4, 2000. The purpose and mission is to work with willing landowners and other partners to protect and conserve the county's most important natural and cultural resource lands before they are damaged or destroyed. The program is administered by the Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR). Through Lands Legacy, the County has completed projects in all seven townships. That success was achieved with the help of many partners, including dozens of landowners interested in conserving their land through the granting of permanent conservation easements. Other key partners included Triangle Land Conservancy, Eno River Association, OWASA, Duke University, and other local governments. The County has 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. Over the first 12 years of Lands Legacy, Orange County acquired land for seven new parks, preserved all or portions of 16 active farms (1,700 acres), and conserved nearly 600 acres of natural open space in the Eno River, Cane Creek, Little River, and New Hope Creek watersheds upstream of public water supply intakes. A list of completed projects is attached. An evolving focus for the program Lands Legacy was established to protect the following types of land: • Parkland • Natural areas and wildlife habitat (including prime forests) • Riparian buffers (especially in public water supply watersheds) • Prime farmland • Historic and cultural sites During the first few years Lands Legacy focused on parkland acquisition, then shifted its focus to farmland preservation, responding to farmer interests and grants for purchasing conservation easements. More recently, the program has worked to conserve land along rivers and streams thereby helping to protect our public water supplies and securing areas for low- impact recreation. The cost of conservation Orange County's land conservation over the past 12 years cost the County $3,726 per acre —much less than 1% of the County's budget over that period. Those funds went toward the direct conservation of 3,030 acres by the County, plus an additional 1,236 acres acquired by the State for Eno River State Park and for the portion of Little River Park located in Durham County. K Over time the price of land has risen steadily in this region, and after the recent economic slowdown, prices are expected to begin to rise again. Some of the land the County purchased through Lands Legacy is "land banked" for identified future parks. In the meantime, that land is in stewardship, with much of it in use for agricultural production through temporary arrangements with nearby farmers. Part of a state and regional effort to protect vital resources Lands Legacy is part of a statewide effort to identify the most important resource lands and to distinguish them from areas more suitable for future development. Orange County was an active participant in the Triangle Greenprint and One NC Naturally, and is working with neighboring jurisdictions to extend the Mountains -to -Sea Trail through the central Piedmont. An award winning program Lands Legacy has been recognized for its successful efforts. In 2007 Orange County received the national Excellence in County Planning Award from the National Association of County Planners. The program was also 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 joint establishment of Little River Regional Park. And in 2007, the NC Soil & Water Conservation Society awarded Orange County the Local Government Conservationist Award. 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 maintaining a vibrant quality of life. With the Triangle Region expecting another 400,000 residents by 20151, and two interstate highways running through the county's midsection, the protection of these assets will reap countless benefits in the future. Those assets 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, a major part of the local economy. Lands Legacy has responded to the agricultural community's interest in preserving farmland, and in doing so helped 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. By 2015 the Triangle Region's population is expected to increase from 2.05 million (20 10) to 2.4 million people (Source: Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000 Census of Population. Esri forecasts for 2010 and 2015) 2 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. Oil 0 Lands Legacy Program: Completed Projects Pro j ect Acres Year Purpose 63 2000 Protect public water supply (Upper Eno watershed); McGowan Creek Preserve low- impact recreation Low - impact recreation & watershed protection; Little River Regional Park 136* 2000 Joint project with Triangle Land Conservancy, Durham County, and Eno River Association. Twin Creeks Park (Moniese Nomp) Future district park; co- located with schools & Educational Campus 193 2001 (now includes section of Jones Creek Greenway) 134 2001 Protect portions of natural heritage site; Seven Mile Creek Preserve nature preserve with low-impact recreation Agricultural conservation easement. Protects prime Walters Farm (I) 71 2001 farmland, Back Creek watershed and scenic vista Future park with historic farmstead, prime farmland, Blackwood Farm parkland 152 2001 natural heritage site, historic roadbed, scenic vistas Conservation easement donation; protects Cane Shy Conservation Area 45 2002 Creek watershed, prime farmland, and natural area Conservation easement for planned trail along New Hope Preserve 1 2003 New Hope Creek; links to Duke Forest trails. Agricultural conservation easement in Back Creek Walters Farm (II) 223 2003 watershed 24 2004 Conservation easement protects land adjacent to Volpe Conservation Area 5 2010 Eno River and tributary streams Conservation easement donation; protects portion Starfield Conservation Area 4 2004 of Currie Hill natural area; public trail corridor Expansion of facilities for the Northern Human Cedar Grove Park Expansion 12 2004 Services Center and park complex Conservation easement; protects prime farmland, Lemola Ayrshire Farm 77 2004 Morgan Creek corridor, Pickard Mtn natural area. Forested natural area on Bolin Creek; protected in Adams Preserve 27 2004 collaboration with Town of Carrboro 65 2004 Natural heritage site protected in partnership with Steep Bottom Branch Preserve the Triangle Land Conservancy Conservation easement; protects prime farmland Ward Farm 112 2004 in Back Creek and Upper Eno watersheds. 67 2004 Future park with farmstead and natural Millhouse Road Park 10 2007 heritage area Agricultural and watershed conservation easement, Lloyd Farm 125 2005 acquired jointly with OWASA Agricultural and watershed conservation easement; McPherson Farm 47 2005 acquired jointly with OWASA Protects portion of a natural heritage area with small Lewis' Heartleaf Preserve 10 2005 Population of rare plant endemic to NC and VA Conservation easement; protects arboretum and Keith Arboretum & Preserve 45 2006 mature forest adjacent to natural heritage site Conservation easement; protects prime farmland Fickle Creek Farm 60 2007 for local producers in the Cane Creek watershed * Little River Regional Park includes another 255 acres located in Durham County Project Acres Year Purpose Latta Dairy Farm 138 2007 Agricultural conservation easement; protects dairy and prime farmland in the Little River watershed New Hope Preserve ➢ New Hope Creek Trail 1 2005 Acquired for future park with parking, education, ➢ Hollow Rock Access 7 2006 nature trails and wildlife habitat along New Hope ➢ Penny / Hanging Rock area 22 2006 Creek. Joint project with Durham County, Triangle ➢ Dallas Branch Natural Area 27 2007 Land Conservancy, and State of NC. ➢ East side of Pickett Road 11 2011 McKee Farm 92 2007 Conservation easement; protects prime farmland and stream buffers in Cane Creek watershed Tate Farm 80 2007 Conservation easement; protects prime farmland and stream buffers in Back Creek watershed Conservation easement; protects prime farmland Lee Farm 62 2007 and stream buffers in Little River watershed Northeast District Park 143 2007 Future county park on Schley Road. Breeze Farm 295 2008 Conservation easement; protects prime farmland 2012 historic farmstead, streams in Little River watershed Conservation easement; protects farmland and Eno Confluence Nature Preserve 110 2009 stream buffers within Eno River nature preserve Seven Mile Creek Preserve 13 2010 Future public gateway to nature preserve Covey Creek Conservation Area 8 2010 Conservation easement; protects stream corridor u stream of Little River and natural heritage site Sykes Dairy Farm 160 2011 Conservation easement; protects prime farmland and stream buffers in Cane Creek watershed Brooks Farm 114 2012 Conservation easement; protects prime farmland and stream buffers in Upper Eno River watershed Thompson Farm 40 2012 Conservation easement; protects prime farmland in the Back Creek watershed Orange County contributed funds to the State of North Carolina's purchase of Poplar Ridge (134 ac.) and Eno Wilderness (808 ac.) for additions to Eno River State Park in 2003. Orange County contributed funds to the Botanical Garden Foundation's purchase of an addition to the Stillhouse Bottom Nature Preserve in 2010. Attachment B Lands Legacy Program Action Plan 2014 -2017 (For the period July 1, 2014 — June 30, 2017) Morgan Creek headwaters near Pickards Mountain DRAFT Orange County Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation P.O. Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278 www.co.orange.nc.us/deapr/index.asp E Lands Legacy Action Plan 2014 -17 DRAFT 10131113 For the period July 1, 2014 — June 30, 2017 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 land -uses activities. Much has been accomplished by the County and its many partners, but there are still many special places needing some level of protection. 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 for a park or nature preserve, consistent with adopted county plans. Most properties protected through the program are accomplished with a conservation easement -- a permanent, legal agreement between the County and the landowner, whereby the land remains in private ownership. To qualify for a conservation easement the property must have special Alconservation values," the protection of which will provide meaningful and lasting public benefit (e.g., water supply watershed, prime farmland, natural heritage area, historic or cultural site). In most cases the property possesses multiple conservation values. Most 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 three -year Action Plan that sets priorities for determining what projects to work on over the specified timeframe. The Lands Legacy Action Plan is prepared the DEAPR staff and adopted by the Board of Commissioners. Some projects are long -term efforts that span multiple action 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. Some of that discussion with advisory boards is still ongoing through the end of November. 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 County's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The following is the draft Action Plan is for the upcoming three fiscal years: 2014- 2017. Like the previous (current) action plan, this one focuses on fewer target areas. The reason for limiting the scope of projects is allow staff to complete one or more of the larger, multi -year priority projects. Staff is also adjusting to the reduced availability of state grant funds to local governments and the elimination of the NC Conservation Tax Credit (effective 12/31/13). The scaled -back plan will continue also enable the staff to tend to its land stewardship responsibilities of properties "land- banked" for future parks and preserves. 9 Lands Legacy Action Plan 2014 -17 DRAFT 10131113 The Action Plan includes current goals and a priority list of land conservation projects for the coming three 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 12 years (2000 -2012) 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. Complete management plans for all properties "land banked" for future public parks and preserves. 3. Natural Heritage Areas: Protect high - priority natural heritage areas contiguous with existing conservation lands, allowing low- impact recreation where suitable. 4. Joint Town /County Open Space: Continue collaborating with the towns and other entities in acquiring land for establishing or expanding public trails or greenways identified in town plans that tie together important county -wide open spaces. 5. 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 higher priority locations for completing conservation projects through the Lands Legacy Program. Details for each project are provided in the table below (Pages 3 -4). DEAPR staff recognizes, once again, all of these projects cannot be completed during the three -year timeframe for this Action Plan. Nevertheless, all are priorities and progress can be made in moving each of these projects forward. Completion of active projects and stewardship of existing properties remain overarching priorities. 1. Future Bingham Township Park 2. Upper Eno Preserve/ Mountains -to -Sea Trail (Hillsborough to Seven -Mile Creek segment) 2. Farmland Easements 3. Jordan Lake Headwaters Preserve S. Historic Landmarks (and historic easements) 10 Lands Legacy Action Plan 2014 -17 DRAFT 10131113 Priority Need Purpose/Use 1. Bingham Township Park Purchase new district park site (25- $600,000 from Lands Legacy Identify priority sites Pursue acquisition of park site in 74 acres) for active and low- impact Fund for acquisition costs (ongoing); negotiate Bingham Township. recreation consistent with County's depending on potential acquisition of future park site park master plan. collaboration with OWASA for closing by December 2014. 2. Upper Eno Preserve/ Preserve one the County's largest Total $1.5 to $2.0 million, Contact key landowners and Mountains -to -Sea Trail intact natural areas for a planned depending on total acres and perform site recon in 2014 -15. Acquire /protect additional nature preserve with trails, outdoor acquisition method. County Collaborate with partners in priority lands for riparian buffers education, and campsite. Partner share ( -33 %) from the Lands acquiring lands as feasible in and for the Seven Mile Creek with Eno River Association; Legacy Fund and Conservation 2015 -17. Pursue grant and component and for trail link to coordinate MST with NC Parks and Easement Fund. Pursue grants partner funding. This continues Hillsborough Riverwalk (future Friends of Mountain -to -Sea Trail. from State and others. multi -year initiative. Mountains -to -Sea Trail). 3. Farmland Easements Maintain a critical mass of active $400,000 from Lands Legacy Identify priority farm(s) for Acquire farmland conservation farmland and protect water quality CE Fund to be matched with annual grant submittal (FRPP easements in priority water by preserving riparian buffers on potential grants from federal and ADFP Trust Fund). supply watersheds (Cane Creek, farms. Partner with Orange NRCS/ (FRPP) or State (ADFP) Upper Eno, Back Creek, and Soil & Water District and state or farmland grant programs. Negotiate easement(s) for University Lake). federal farmland grant agency. closing by December 2016. 4. Jordan Lake Headwaters Protect remaining portions of an Multi -year project. Potential Continue discussions with Preserve important natural corridor that links cost -share with UNC, Chapel landowners and identify willing Expand current efforts to protect UNC lands (including Mason Farm Hill, Botanical Garden Fdn., sellers /donors by June 2015; more of the Mason Farm to Biological Reserve) with the New and NC trust funds. Total est. coordinate with partners, Jordan Lake connector and Hope game lands (Jordan Lake). long -term cost of $1.5 million. secure grants, negotiate any associated natural areas. Partner with UNC, Chapel Hill and County share ( -25 %) from closings by June 2017. the Botanical Garden Foundation. Lands Legacy Fund. * - Cost estimates are rough estimates based on expected per acreage land prices, and actual negotiations may produce different results. As acquisition opportunities are reviewed and evaluated, the cost estmates will be refined. 11 Lands Legacy Action Plan 2014 -17 DRAFT 10131113 Priority Need Purpose/Use 5. Local Historic Landmarks Designating local historic landmarks $15,000 ($5,000 /yr) from HPC to identify priority Augment current efforts to may be more effective way of Lands Legacy Fund matched landmarks and contact owners designate local landmarks for protecting high - priority historic sites, by landowner funds for farm(s) for landmark high - priority historic sites, and may lead to historic preservation consultants to prepare consideration. including sites on Study List for easements for selected properties. landmark application for National Register of Historic Partner with Historic Preservation HPC /BOCC consideration. Negotiate historic preservation Places. Commission. An additional $200 -300K easements when feasible. could be needed to acquire historic preservation easement on selected properties. 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 acquisition opportunities are reviewed and evaluated, the cost estimates will be refined. 12 Lands Legacy Action Plan 2014 -17 DRAFT 10131113 [Draft — not all comments received as of this writing] A. Commission for the Environment (CFE) Continue efforts to protect significant natural heritage areas within the Seven Mile Creek area (e.g., Sevenmile Creek Sugar Maple Bottoms) and Jordan Lake headwaters (e.g., Mason Farm Oak- Hickory Forest); 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. C. Parks and Recreation Council (PRC) Complete the acquisition of land for a future "White Cross Park" in Bingham Township as recommended in the Master Recreation & Parks Plan. Acquire land and trail easements for an Orange County segment of the NC Mountains - to -Sea Trail, with priority for linking Hillsborough Riverwalk to the Seven Mile Creek component of the Upper Eno Preserve. 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 Hollow Rock area (New Hope Creek), the Sevenmile Creek basin (road network, associated structures), and the Hillsborough Academy. Consider acquiring conservation easements that protect scenic /heritage road corridors. Establish an "archaeology emergency fund" for unanticipated costs for surveying /protecting historic roadbeds and archaeological sites. 13 Lands Legacy Action Plan 2014 -17 DRAFT 10131113 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 and establish a Jordan Lake Headwaters Preserve, including Mason Farm Oak- Hickory Forest (natural heritage area of state significance) • Work with the Eno River Association and others to conserve critical land for the Seven Mile Creek component of the Upper Eno Preserve, including Sevenmile Creek Sugar Maple Bottoms (natural heritage area 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 and #4 on the Priority Table (Pages 3 -4) B. Farmland Preservation 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 #3 on the Priority Table (Pages 3 -4) C. Parklands and Open Space • Acquire land for a future district park in the White Cross area (Bingham Township) consistent with the County's Master Recreation and Parks Plan • Acquire key parcels needed for a public pedestrian trail and wildlife corridor that would connect Hillsborough Riverwalk to the Haw River for the planned NC Mountains -to -Sea Trail— focusing in short -term on the link between Occoneechee Mountain and the Seven Mile Creek component of the Upper Eno Preserve • In all acquisitions, be cognizant of the potential for meeting other objectives of protecting riparian buffers, natural areas and historic /archaeological sites See #1 and #2 on the Priority Table (Pages 3 -4) 14 Lands Legacy Action Plan 2014 -17 DRAFT 10131113 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 • Work with the owners of the former Hillsborough Academy property to protect the remains of historic and archaeological resources associated with that site • Conduct archaeological surveys of county properties 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 -owned properties acquired for future parks (e.g., Millhouse Road park site) • Work with the HPC to pursue applications from high - priority candidates for local historic landmark designation ➢ See #5 on the Priority Table (Pages 3 -4) 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 and 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 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 and #4 on the Priority Table (Pages 3 -4) The first 12 years of the Lands Legacy Program saw tremendous strides in the protection of priority resource lands, with 3,031 acres permanently protected (as of December 2012) and several more projects in the works. The FY 2014 -17 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.