HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2016-049 Resolution of Approval of Agricultural Conservation Easement between Orange County and the Eno River Association and Robert and Gail Pope RES-2016-049
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION
Approval of Agricultural Conservation Easement between
Orange County and the Eno River Association
and
Robert and Gail Pope
WHEREAS, agriculture in Orange County is an important facet of the economy and time
honored way of life in the County; and
WHEREAS, Orange County has an adopted goal promoting the preservation of farmland in
the County; and
WHEREAS, one component of the Lands Legacy Program is the acquisition of conservation
easements on prime farmland within water supply watersheds; and
WHEREAS, the Captain John S. Pope farm includes approximately 73 acres in the Back
Creek protected watershed, consists of a majority of prime agricultural soils, and is located in
an agricultural community with good access to farm markets; and
WHEREAS, Orange County and the Eno River Association have agreed to collaborate on the
joint acquisition of a conservation easement that will protect the prime farmland and riparian
corridors that exist on the Captain John S. Pope farm with a conservation easement; and .
WHEREAS, matching funds have been awarded for this project from the North Carolina
Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund to help purchase the
agricultural conservation easement; and
WHEREAS, a conservation easement on this approximately 73 acres would ensure the
preservation of this farmland for future generations and help to compensate the owners for
this long-term commitment;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners
does hereby 1) accept on behalf of Orange County the agricultural and watershed protection
conservation easement to land owned by Robert and Gail Pope; 2) approve the execution of
this conservation easement agreement with Robert and Gail Pope, in accordance with the
terms of the proposed easement agreement, subject to final review by staff and the County
Attorney; 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 July 31, 2016; and 4) authorize County staff to
sign any and all closing documents upon consultation with the County Attorney.
This the 21st day of June, 2016.
Earl McKee, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
Don Baker, Clerk to the Board