HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-09-2006-9cORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: February 9, 2006
Action Agenda
Item No. Q -G
SUBJECT: Proposed Orange County Section of the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail
DEPARTMENT: Environment and Resource
Conservation
PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT
Map of Proposed MST Routes
Town of Hillsborough Resolution
INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Stancil, 245-2590
Rich Shaw, 245-2591
PURPOSE: To consider the possibility of a section of the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail being
planned through Orange County.
BACKGROUND: North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) is planned for a nearly
1,000-mile route from Glingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to
Jockey's Ridge State Park by the Atlantic Ocean, As planned, the trail would pass through
37 counties, including in the Piedmont (from west to east) Guildford, Alamance, Orange,
Durham, Granville, and Wake counties,
The MST is currently a combination of old foot trails (some centuries old), trails constructed
in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and by more recent outdoor groups such as
the Carolina Mountain Club, Many miles through the center of the state follow the road
shoulders of bicycle trail routes, In 2002, there were about 530 miles of the MST on foot
trails and about 445 miles on back roads,
The State of North Carolina is currently working with the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea
Trail, lacal governments, land trusts and other entities to identify a preferred MST corridor
through Orange and Alamance counties.
In October 2005, representatives from Orange and Alamance counties met with the State
Trails Coordinator (Darrell McBane) in Hillsborough to discuss potential MST alignment
alternatives. A second workshop is scheduled for February 3, Participants from Orange,
Alamance and Chatham counties will use base maps and base data to identify potential
routes and to build consensus for a primary MST trail alignment and also some alternative or
secondary trail routes, A map showing the more promising alternatives is attached.
At this point, it appears likely that the Orange County portion of the MST trail would pass
from Durham County to Hillsborough along the Eno River, including portions through Eno
River State Park, West of Hillsborough, however, the trail route is more uncertain, One
scenario is to run the trail from Hillsborough in a southwesterly direction along Seven Mile
Creek, Crabtree Creek and Cane Greek to the Haw River, then (in Alamance County) follow
the Haw River upstream to Burlington. A second scenario would have the trail go west from
Hillsborough along the Ena River and McGowan Creek through Efland, then overland to Lake
Michael in Mebane and into Alamance County along Back Creek to the Haw River.
The proposed MST corridors described above were discussed at recent meetings of the
Commission for the Environment (CfE) and the Intergovernmental Parks Work Group
(IPWG), but neither body stated a clear preference for a recommended trail alignment.
Representatives from both groups have been invited to participate in future meetings,
On December 12, 2005, the Town of Hillsborough adopted a resolution recommending that
the State of North Carolina select a trail alignment through Hillsborough that would
incorporate Hillsborough's planned Riverwalk along the Eno River, A copy of the resolution
is attached.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None at this time,
if the proposed Mountains-to-Sea Trail were constructed through Orange County, the costs
of developing and maintaining a trail would be shared among the various public and private
landowners, Depending on the chosen trail route, Orange County might be a partner along
with the Town of Hillsborough, Eno River State Park, Preservation North Carolina, Orange
and Water Sewer Authority, and others,
The State Recreation Trail Grant program would be one source of matching funds for future
easement acquisition and trail construction.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive and discuss
this information about the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail, and to provide guidance to staff for use
in the ongoing discussions of where to locate future trail corridors through Orange County.
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4
RESOLUTION OF THE HILLSBOROUGH TOWN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SUPPORTING TWO POTENTIAL ROUTES FOR
THE MOUNTAINS TO SEA TRAIL IN ORANGE COUNTY
WHEREAS, the Mountains to Sea Trail is planned to provide an exciting cross-state recreation
and tourism resource for all North Carolinians; and
WHEREAS, the Trail is planned to cover nearly 1000 miles of this state, when all spurs and
side trails are included; and
WHEREAS, the Trail will highlight a wide vaziety of historic and natural resources across the
state; and
WHEREAS, two potential trails through the Piedmont would include the proposed Riverwalk
and travel through Hillsborough; and
WHEREAS, by including the Riverwalk, trail users would be able to visit Occoneechee State
Natural Area, the highest point in Orange County with unique flora and fauna;
and
WHEREAS, by including the Riverwalk, trail users would be able to visit downtown
Hillsborough, the summertime colonial capital of North Carolina, with its rich
heritage tourism program; and
WHEREAS, the Town is pursuing construction of the Riverwalk with due diligence;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Hillsborough Town Board of Commissioners,
that the Board recommend that State and the Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail select one of
the two proposed routes that incorporate the Hillsborough Riverwalk to the benefit of al] North
Carolinians,.
This the 12`h day of December 2005
Tom Stevens, Mayor
Town of Hillsborough
Dorura F, Arn~brister
Town Clerk