HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-13-2007-5mORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 13, 2007
Action Agenda
Item No. ~- n'1
SUBJECT: Resolution Authorizing the County to Administer a Potential Grant from the
NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund -Upper Eno Watershed
DEPARTMENT: Environment and Resource PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
Conservation
ATTACHMENT:
Resolution
INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Stancil, 245-2590
Rich Shaw, 245-2591
PURPOSE: To authorize Orange County staff to execute and perform the obligations
required of a grant recipient should the County be awarded a grant from the NC Clean
Water Management Trust Fund:
BACKGROUND: The County and the Eno River Association have submitted a joint grant
application to the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) for land acquisition.
The requested grant funds would be used to purchase a 110-acre tract owned by Joanne
Stollings of Burlington. The property is located west of Highland Farm Road, less than one
mile from the intersection with Efland-Cedar Grove Road. The site has 2.1 miles bordering
the East and West Forks of the Eno River, and is recognized as a high priority for
conservation purposes. Sections of the river support aquatic habitat of national significance.
In addition, the site includes remains of the former Smith Mill. Acquisition ofhigh-priority
lands in the Upper Eno Watershed critical area is identified in the Lands Legacy Action Plan
adopted for FY 2006-08.
The CWMTF Board is expected to make a decision in September 2007. If the funds were
awarded for this project, the Association would take the necessary steps to purchase the
property using a combination of State, County and private funds. The Association would
grant a conservation easement to the County, which would prohibit future development of
the site outside of facilities needed for low-impact recreation and education. The State
would also hold a conservation easement to protect the 300-foot stream buffers.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The grant application requests $668,314 to be matched with up to
$250,000 from Orange County (Lands Legacy Fund) and up to $250,000 from the Eno River
Association. The total project cost would be approximately $1,168,193.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adopt the resolution
authorizing the Manager and staff to execute and perform the obligations required of a
recipient of a grant from the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund should grant funds be
awarded for acquisition of the Stollings property.
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION
Authorization to Administer a Potential Grant from the
NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund
WHEREAS, Orange County has adopted goals promoting the preservation of natural
areas, wildlife habitat, farmland and open space in the County; and
WHEREAS, one component of the Lands Legacy Program is the acquisition of
conservation easements on lands that include natural areas, wildlife habitat and riparian
buffers within water supply watersheds; and
WHEREAS, Orange County and the Eno River Association have agreed to collaborate on
the acquisition and protection of riparian buffers and aquatic habitat in the Upper Eno
watershed; and
WHEREAS, Orange County and the Eno River Association have submitted a joint
application for a grant from the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund to acquire and
protect a 110-acre tract of land located at the confluence of the East and West Forks of the
Eno River ("Eno Confluence"); and
WHEREAS, if the requested grant were awarded, then the Association would acquire the
property and grant a conservation easement over the entire property to Orange County,
which would protect the property for future low-impact recreation and educational uses;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Orange County Manager and the
Orange County staff at the direction of the Orange County Manager are hereby authorized
and directed to execute and to perform all of the obligations required of a Grant Recipient
as set out in any grant agreement that may result from an application made by Orange
County and the Eno River Association to the Clean Water Management Trust Fund.
This the 13th day of March, 2007.
Moses Carey Jr., Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board