HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-21-2004-9bORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: September 21, 2004
Action Agenda.
Item No.
SUBJECT: Lands Legacy Action Plan - FY 2004 -06
DEPARTMENT: Environment and Resource PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) If]
Conservation
ATTACHMENT(S):
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Draft Annual Action Plan 2004 -2006
David Stancil, 245 -2590
Maps of Proposed Priority Areas (2)
Rich Shaw, 245 -2591
List of Acquisitions (2000 -2004)
Questions & Answers (8/31 work
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
session)
Hillsborough 732 -8181
Chapel Hill 968 -4501
Durham 688 -7331
Mebane 336 - 227 -2031
PURPOSE: To consider adoption of the revised draft Lands Legacy Action Plan for fiscal
years 2004 -06, revised with Board comments from August 31 s� work session.
BACKGROUND: The Board of Commissioners adopted the Lands Legacy Program in
April 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 four years of
the program, the County has acquired 688 acres for new County parkland and nature
preserves, and protected another 446 acres of privately owned farmland and natural lands
with conservation easements. Many projects are accomplished in partnership with other
conservation entities, including Triangle Land Conservancy, Orange Water & Sewer
Authority, Eno River Association, and the Orange Soil and Water Conservation District
The Lands Legacy Program is activated each year by adoption of an Action Plan,
concurrent with the CIP process. This year, the Action Plan was withheld until decisions
about the CIP and bond sales were made, since these directly impact the Action Plan.
The Action Plan presented herein reflects acquisition priorities for the 24 -month period
beginning July 1, 2004 and ending June 30, 2006. Since the FY 2004 -05 fiscal year is
already underway, some of the priorities listed in the plan are already familiar to the Board,
such as the farmland easement projects. Other projects are multi -year projects that are
repeated from the previous action plan.
The draft plan was developed with input from citizen advisory boards (listed with their
areas of expertise in parentheses): Commission for the Environment (natural areas and
prime forest, riparian buffers), Agricultural Preservation Board (farmland preservation),
Historic Preservation Board (historic and cultural resources) and the Recreation and Parks
Advisory Council (parklands). The draft Action Plan is also consistent with the Lands
Legacy Long -Term Priorities document that was adopted by the Board in April 2001.
Highlights of the 2004 -06 Action Plan are shown on the table on pages 7 -9 of this abstract
package, and include:
➢ Acquire remaining unprotected portions of Natural Areas considered to be of State
significance (Occoneechee Mountain, Mason Farm Oak - Hickory Forest, Sugar Maple
Bottoms) with assistance from other conservation partners, such as Eno River
Association, State of NC, and the Botanical Garden Foundation
➢ Acquire lands for future park sites, in conjunction with adopted plan
➢ Continue to acquire portions of identified Natural Areas and water quality critical lands
for additions to the Seven Mile Creek Preserve
➢ Complete farmland conservation easements (with USDA and OWASA matching funds)
on over 650 acres of prime farmland (already underway)
➢ Acquire land or easements for the "missing links" needed for eventual Northern Chapel
Hill Township Rustic Woodland Trail
➢ Formalize protection of natural areas owned by Duke and UNC, and partnering with
those institutions on conservation projects of mutual interest
➢ Work with group of landowners interested in donating conservation easements in the
Faucette Mill and Halls Mill historic area along the Eno River
➢ Acquire options for conservation easements to protect riparian buffers in the Upper
Eno watershed /apply for grants from the state Ecosystem Enhancement Program and
Clean Water Management Trust Fund
➢ Pursue other opportunities as they arise
Changes to the draft Action Plan were made based on Board comments at the August 31
work session. These changes may be found highlighted in the Plan, and a question and
answer attachment is also provided to address other questions. Finally, a list of the
accomplishments of the Lands Legacy Program over the first four years of the program is
included as an attachment to the Action Plan.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Funds to accomplish the priority projects over these two fiscal
years (2004 -06) are present in the current CIP (both existing year and programmed future
years), including appropriations from the 2001 Parks and Open Space bond, alternative
financing for conservation easements, and the Lands Legacy Opportunities Fund (pay -as-
you•,go source). Where identified, the proposed funding source is listed in the attached
Action Plan. For many projects, ERCD seeks grant funds from a variety of state and
federal sources. Thus far, Orange County has received seven grants totaling $2.7 million
for the acquisition of lands through the Lands Legacy Program.
Final decisions on funding for land acquisitions are made by the Board on a project -by-
project basis, as potential purchases are presented for approval. As in previous
acquisitions, in each case separate project budgets with specific funding streams and
amounts will be addressed at the time of purchase approval.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adopt the Lands
Legacy Action Plan for fiscal years 2004 -2006, with revisions as needed.
rVj
For the period July 1, 2004 — June 30, 2006
The Lands Legacy Program was adopted by Orange County in April 2000. Administered
by the Environment and Resource Conservation Department (ERCD), the program's mission
is to help protect the county's most important natural and cultural resource lands before
they are damaged or lost to incompatible development activities. The program is guided by
an Action Plan developed by ERCD and adopted by the Board of Commissioners. The
biannual Action Plan guides Lands Legacy acquisitions and protection for the specified years.
The process of developing the Action Plan begins with staff identifying potential projects
and asking for initial guidance. Staff then meets with advisory boards for their input on
development of priorities for the upcoming years. Using the advisory board
recommendations, a draft Plan is prepared for distribution to the Board of Commissioners at
their annual goal- setting retreat. The Action Plan is finalized with the CIP process.
The following is a draft Action Plan for the fiscal years 2004 -2006. The plan incorporates
comments from four advisory boards, coupled with the continuation and completion of goals
and objectives from the previous action plan. The draft Action Plan contains goals, a
summary of advisory board comments, specific action objectives, and a priority list of land
acquisition and protection projects for the coming two years. Also attached is brief
Performance Report for the first four years of the Lands Legacy Program (2000 - 2004).
(Note: Plans to continue to pursue grant funding for County projects are implicit)
1. Upper Eno and Upper New Hope Riparian Buffers: Continue to protect riparian
buffers in the Upper Eno River watershed critical area (including additions to Seven
Mile Creek Preserve) and the Upper New Hope Creek watershed.
2. Halls Mill Historic Area: Acquire conservation easements to protect properties with
historic structures and archaeological sites in the Halls Mill area.
3. Agricultural Conservation Easements: Work with willing sellers (and partner
entities) to acquire agricultural conservation easements in priority watersheds, in
conjunction with the federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program.
4. New Park Sites: Identify locations for potential land acquisition to establish
community parks in the White Cross area (Bingham Township) and in north - central
Orange County-- the last remaining parks identified in the 1988 Master Recreation and
Parks Plan. Reassess specific park needs for the north - central region given the current
park development plans for the county's Northern Center Park (Cedar Grove
Township) and the new Little River Regional Park (Little River Township).
Lands Legacy Action Plan 2004 -06 Draft 911104 T
5. Natural Areas and Prime Forests: Protect the highest priority natural areas and
prime forests identified in the Orange County Inventory of Significant Natural Areas and
Wildlife Habitat(2004 update) and the Landscape with Wildlife. Partll(1999).
6. Complete Stewardship Plans: Develop stewardship plans for both County -owned
nature preserves (McGowan Creek Preserve and Seven Mile Creek Preserve).
7. Heritage /Scenic Corridor Pilot Easement: Complete the "pilot project" scenic
easement along a high - priority viewshed of the historic St. Mary's Road corridor.
8. Joint Town /County Open Space: Continue collaborating with the towns and other
entities in acquiring land for establishing or expanding rustic trails or greenways
identified in town plans that tie together important County -wide open spaces.
9. Continue working with Duke University and the University of North Carolina on
the protection of natural areas on university -owned property through state registration,
state nature preserve dedication, conservation easements or other means.
A. Commission for the Environment (CfE)
Continue efforts to protect Upper Eno riparian buffers (including Seven Mile
Creek), Mason Farm Oak- Hickory Forest (M10), and University natural areas.
Expand efforts to protect Jordan Lake Macrosite, as defined by NC Natural
Heritage Program. Work with partners to protect Sevenmile Creek Sugar
Maple Bottoms (E06), Occoneechee Mountain (E07), Bolin Creek corridor
(B01), and proposed Cane Creek to Crabtree Creek wildlife corridor. Explore
potential pilot project to reconstruct a piedmont prairie site. Protect all high
priority Natural Area sites and consider all opportunities to protect riparian
habitats and associated natural areas throughout the County.
B. Agricultural Preservation Board (APB)
Continue purchasing farmland conservation easements from willing sellers.
Focus on active farms in the Cane Creek, University Lake, Upper Eno, Little
River and Back Creek watersheds — working to build a critical mass of farm
easements in those watersheds. Augment County funds by pursuing grants
(e.g., FRPP) in cooperation with partner agencies (e.g., OWASA, NRCS /Sail
and Water Conservation District). Continue outreach to farm community.
C. Recreation and Parks Advisory Council (RPAC)
Acquire land for establishing community parks at the remaining areas
recommended in 1988 Master Recreation and Parks Plan: White Cross and
North.-Central Orange.
D. Historic Preservation Commission (HPC)
Work with the owners of the Holden -Hill House, Halls Mill House (particularly
dam and mill site), and the Faucette Mill area to protect the historic features
Lands Legacy Action Plan 2004 -06
Draft 911104 Is
on those properties. Pursue the protection of other important historic and
archaeological sites (e.g., Murphey School) whenever possible. Protect
"heritage corridors" and other areas of cultural /scenic value (e.g., St. Mary's
Road). Acquire sites with historic structures as long as Orange County can
allocate adequate funds to ensure proper stewardship of those structures.
Involve the HPC in matters concerning historic structures on County lands.
The following are more specific acquisition objectives developed from existing plans,
discussions with land 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
• Protect (through acquisition or other means) the higher priority Natural Areas as
identified in the Inventory of Significant Natural Areas (2004 update) and
classified by the NC Natural Heritage Program, including Mason Farm Oak -
Hickory Forest (M10), Occoneechee Mountain (E07), and Seven Mile Creek Sugar
Maple Bottoms (E06)
• Protect the highest priority prime forest areas identified in A Landscape With
Wildlife: Part2(Wiley, Ludington and Hall, 1999)
• Work with the Eno River Association and others to protect (through acquisition
and other means) critical land for the Seven Mile Creek Preserve and a wildlife
corridor that connects to the Cane Creek reservoir
• Work with the Eno River Association and others to protect (through acquisition
and other means) other priority riparian lands and upland habitats in the Upper
Eno River watershed critical area and lands adjacent to Eno River State Park
• Work with Triangle Land Conservancy and others to protect (through acquisition
and other means) priority riparian lands and central county 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 protect (through acquisition and other means) the Bolin Creek corridor (B01).
B. Farmland Preservation
• Work with the USDA /Natural Resource Conservation Service and Orange Soil and
Water District, and OWASA to identify and prioritize willing seller(s) and donor(s)
of conservation easements in Cane Creek, Upper Eno River, University Lake,
Little River and Back Creek watersheds. (Where possible, build a critical mass of
contiguous farm easements in these watersheds.)
• Preserve farmland that also contains riparian buffers to help meet multiple
conservation objectives
• Work with USDA /Natural Resource Conservation Service to secure grant funds
from the federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program for acquiring
conservation easements
Lands Legacy Action Plan 2004 -06
C. Parklands and Open Space
Drab 911104 6
• Using existing plans and the comprehensive resource database, identify potential
locations for future acquisition of park site in north- central Orange County for a
community park (re- assess the needs for this proposed site, previously titled
"Cedar Grove - Little River Park'j
• Acquire key "missing link" properties for proposed Northern Chapel Hill Township
Rustic Woodland Trail (linking Chapel Hill /Carrboro /County parks with the New
Hope Creek corridor, including Duke Forest, and eventually Eno River State Park)
• In all acquisitions, be cognizant of the potential for meeting other objectives of
protecting riparian buffers, natural areas and historic /archaeological sites .
D. Cultural and Archaeological Sites
• Work with landowners in the Halls Mill area to protect the combination of historic
and natural features in that historic area
• Conduct archaeological surveys of county properties acquired for future parks
and nature preserves (e.g., Blackwood Farm, McGowan Creek Preserve)
• Work with the HPC and others to accomplish preservation of cultural and
archaeological sites associated with land acquisition projects
E. Watershed Riparian Buffers
• Work with the Eno River Association and others to protect riparian corridors in
the Upper Eno River protected watershed; pursue grant funds from NC Clean
Water Management Trust Fund and the Ecosystem Enhancement Program for
protecting specific high - priority buffer lands in this watershed
• Work with the Eno River Association and Triangle Land Conservancy to identify
and protect priority areas in the Little River watershed
• Work with New Hope Creek Corridor Advisory Committee and the Triangle Land
Conservancy to identify and protect priority areas in New Hope Creek corridor
• Work with the Morgan Creek Valley Alliance and others to identify priority areas
for protection in the Morgan Creek corridor
• Work with the Friends of Bolin Creek and others to identify priority areas for
protection in the Bolin Creek corridor
• Attempt to accomplish preservation of buffers in other water supply watersheds
through parkland acquisitions and agricultural conservation easement projects
0
m
O
N
7
'a
O
�ro Cp�w
R
.n ti
O
N
�
�
4
ow0
rq
d
o
CL
tD
Q
o
vi
o
v
-
>
b
P. h C
� %. O
J
Y
OL.
M
7
�ro Cp�w
U 'G
.n ti
O
ow0
rq
o
vi
O C.'y �O >, rU-..
cl,
ro N
'fJ O
P. h C
� %. O
° .a °
Y
L' p'�
cam^
o
°O
CV
aow'^
O
'c7 N 0... N N
p
V m°
o. N
ro
y N N A �O
o O
ON
�.�' to
h0
�r
O
O V bb w UU
°
y : bbo ._O, p /-r.
o p O
N~
o,'�
�.:C °N h... Q:�
U
R. N °U u
b 3
N° Q Z O
U O
C
W
40
�
j
°
o 0 'i C U
y o
bn
° 0 P•i
4 0 U
a� q W
to o� m
v�
o yx ° U w 8
°
c
o �v
°
O
a'U o 'C
�n
O
a
A 4
b b
aroi a N W 4i
N ,t1y�y
C,4
o
ro
O C
O
0. a o
U
0 0
o
N E
ro
o
C C V
O
O
C
?? U p E y N �j
ro P.
ro
° ~o
vpi ° V
ro 45 W
N C y 0
::.. ro
v C
b0 C O
v1
N W
o, O .fl C
O
C°�
G w C
O y h P, iC
v� -C
»�]V,o ouo W
O
E ow mZP.wu pq
2�
� o
o a
o aa�
F V
ro C
O
N C
C
C N
y
o O
W W N
o y o aZ m°
a 0.7
w
o " a
bu 3
3 0
ro
— o U o
°
o
N Y
o J--
t
o a
-°p_r
0 3
°o
b
.� ° Y
0 0
0
3 V, o
C
>
v u
eau_°°
0o:0
ov°°
auo
roan 5°
O
(n
ro
G
a
N
bG[I ro
a w b N
�J
Croon
pOO"°ro°
_
p
a. a1 aC7P
Guam
P. P4cWa
bN °Oo
P
o
lz
_
° p,
IZ
w N
a0i
73
yip
ro vi
W
� 'Cf N
° o
p: ro
y
vUi
w °
o °
ro
O
G
04
°
v a,
w w C U ro
ea o
O C
H
L '0
° o m
�
d
a � o
Uro���
a,
vro
cl
°a
�a�ro
"gib
XNa
0
�°
w°o�
z bony
pp
ro
N
o C :; ro
a o
°' v o
r G i
7
0
H
O
N
ZZ
4
O
Q
V
U
C G
y
C'bC9��N
V1 fY:G'
.0
.a
.Cb
0.
>
O,.�w °
0. QF
O C;O
.y ti:O
6
N.
O
bo
CL
° o
c ,
v
p o
O ,
F
0
a
>
>, _°O
N
co: oo
S a
N ��.
O o°
g
U Fa
U3o'
Q�HN�U.
cv
°N�Q
cw
C
v�
y
N w
C-0
C
w
OU
N H
C
O O
C 'C❑
C
V r
°
w
0
,-� C
CD 0
G
O
O
O
O
tl
O� O. >
N N
O 0 y
y
'D
O U
ow
y Y
> W
q G
N U 7
o au.�u
Q
°e
0 m caZ
° m
°p: 0 .°
o ie U c
O G
O. C p
5 >1
-C).�2
o o'bl)
°o..� °
O a 8
o � b 04. �
0 o
60
C) b H m o 0
0: v 0" •°.
° 'O 'o o m
o a o
Y
vi a, c t
m C. W P.
cCd m P. vC,
e3 id
s .'�. C) atdi
vu CL 3 b y
y 0.
U C
o °
O •..0
'3
o
'o
N
�'
o x o b y 0
❑
;
y V
0
GU�U>r�
,N
�•y •td P.Uau+aU+
Nu.0NN•apb
t::
Z Q
d N N L U
co O ;�
ON .U+
H R Y ro H
❑ U +U' Q
..0 y C11
°
L y H C
to
3 . U Y O L
J.0
,� °H C
C
• C ro (O Ll
p G '�
a'
pU
,>wO '..
Q
4
O U
.. y C
O
0.
O b
U
kN 7 .
.O
`
0..1
,tl ' m
H
C
.
Y ❑ °
y N
° O N U M
v
O 0. U
.0 _C
O C Q
omC
'
., U
o x 0 0 °
3
.
p m
b m
O
C p
N
0 = . W
V
N O S 3r uN
O N
a O 0
U O Si y I+•
�
Y b a! H C
Y2
Q1 U H O
U
U'. > In
p U
0
Y 0..0
° o c° a`
7 v❑
^O
L'c O
co
pOwS�MP.'��o°
°w °oP7d�uoa`00w
Erg
b 0 �
ro
y
mw
a y _
a
00
h w
C' gun Cr
ri v
U oz
o
O
L
^UC �
u
w b
O y
U 0 H
CL
c '..
>'
0 .
CL.- O
°
tV -
C
0
O
y+ 1U
O .u--. ^y
p N O
V (1" R•� ,Z
Cp.,.� [-� N
'G,
of
Z
U y 'c
ro
N
«
c°'
c
0' .,�.,
0
U
m
W '
3
0 3 YU
p0c �
0
b
O
o
b
0
.0 4 ty L N
O
O
C N
- y
O
U
P. aU
rn< W:c °.D�w
ro
W y -< Cd m
° c ca<C
0
0
ti
O
H
O
N
N
L
W
O
N �
c a
Q.
o C
Q �
O
v O
a a
N M
v M
p
Y
b
Ci
hC�bUw
.a ob �y
owe
3 � �w°
IS Q
�n
U N o
E
-0 W
b .P 0
U
ate+ O
N
N N
O O C
P G
a^ 0 '�
N ON
D
T D.
p N U 00,ti
to
w U Yo
O
00 ti
O N O
w obO.a
U U
� 3�
qq
dv�aa
N O O
'�-° abZ °P
u
O C
r
�[
o
U
p cOi 0
y
�l V 5 L04 C
C
�
O q •�
''..
N
E
Try W ti
D 69
'a CL C
O
"..
O
U
N b O .�
O y
co O
F
h
ro a
o 0 0C
a�
o o F h c
0 0 0 6n
Y
"
y O
G
-° bu G
o 3 -° ° W
ro b 3
bbo G
x
U
wo
C) ao 3 b° p
° av tl 0'�
T
'_'
0 0
O p, ❑
Ste° ro
o v 0
P�
oW
O U '� 0 U Pi
O Q
O U C P p
u
C 0 0 0
p b
«p. O
01 CO
N N� a7 W
y "O Uj
G
P
EH W P°
0 .-.
a°aU ow^
° N C O
w
O P. 7
.D Cl) w
>� ro o
:3.0 C
o ro Y
b
nAF i° o
ro o d
U a
G U Y U
p :d >
P
�� °� �°
oc1tli6 a°
3P°U
b30
o P 3 ro
c o m
a w
w° ti R a b
ro° 'ti
o 0 aPi
v 0�
m
C G b v a
o b C q b
a� y w
a v° a^0
°�� G� y>
a b ro G 0
cw
P' N
ti 0
0 �-. U O
°z W
U �^. U v P
w�wia
P4., mow° 0f�i
aw
a 3x v
Z
y cPa
p is
H
b w°
O p
0
U 0 d
A
O U
3 ro
Z>
P u °
r
G>
c pj
d° bU
C v,
0 H
N W
U
c do Z
9 b
L U o o
C
�,
O•C Pib
c`na P, w
,.�„ P
y
Pte' O..U+
CL
0 g
O p
d U h
o
G o
U o
y
o °
° p° x
.o -0
tom"! p R R7 a
wd a1�
n U P' ro
�1d ° �w
u U U 'b
Od OW
o
0.l 4, o m
.c
O
w
w
Lands Legacy Action Plan 2004 -06
In addition to specific acquisition
objectives, the following actions and
strategies will be needed to facilitate
long -term land conservation:
1. Work with advisory boards to
develop a Natural and Cultural
Systems Element to the
Orange County Comprehensive
Plan, incorporating the results of
the 2004 update to the county
Inventory of Significant Natural
Areas and Wildlife Habitat.
2. Convene Orange County Land
Conservation Alliance twice
annually to discuss progress and
potential opportunities for
collaboration with conservation
partners.
3. Explore potential pilot project to
restore /reconstruct a piedmont
prairie site on suitable lands in
partnership with others (e.g., NC
Botanical Garden, universities,
NRCS.).
4. Conduct outreach with civic
organizations, neighborhood
groups, and others to discuss
the Lands Legacy Program and
conservation options.
5. Compile land acquisition inquiries
and potential opportunities from
landowners and other partners,
and present to the Board's for
direction on whether to pursue
acquisition.
10
The first four years of the Lands
Legacy Program saw tremendous
strides in the protection of priority
resource lands, with 1,055 acres
permanently protected (as of June
30, 2004) and several more projects
in the works.
The FY 2004 -06 Action Plan will build
on projects from previous years, and
includes additional projects in each
of the Lands Legacy priority areas
(natural areas, parkland, cultural/
historic resources, prime farmland
and riparian buffers in potential
wildlife corridors and public water
supply watersheds.
This Action Plan will further the use
of 2001 parks and open space bonds
funds to protect high priority
resource lands in Orange County.
ERCD will also continue to pursue
grant funds from a variety of state
and federal sources.
0
V
11
b
0
0
tSA
C
tC
L.
m
U
c�
bA
O
U
Rt
bA
a
W
m
n
O
N
O
N
v
d
i-
d
•1�
N
H
c-
U
Q
i3
ro
Is.
N
y
ro
3
z o
U
w
n
y ro
o
N y
C M
p
T NN
o
Cd
4j
Cd
.�
U
G
O to
^
' G
O Q
O
r
Cd
'".. R,
b =
N
O 0
N
C
U oj x
0:r
o
Co
0
.v w
o
po
> �
c b
d
x a
o
0 ro
U
a v,
0 z
ro
P, 0
°
y
j
C,
a 3
o
CL
oN o
G 0
H
U
b
�Y A, o
,
aO
CL
W
b 0.0m p
PL ,
o O
Cd
, C
p ro
P, i
'
0 o
o
a,
,Oa.
v v
U
O �
C's O
�„ O"
O
3
hC' iYi
m
.0
y U �
c
abi > o U
abi "
b �?
° cpj m
N N CL
y
ro 0
ro
as a o
A C
ca •^
cl ::j
y RS Chi
,.
U
O cU
aJ N
0
0
cd
0
m
x
,
p, o°
a 2 o
1' `" P
m
m .
3
O
b
y
a H
a
3 m
U a
U
w°
w°
P.
ON
40 Q
p
O
O
~O
N
O
ar
D
p
vi
a
`l
En
=+
W
Cd
U
PO
co
H CZ
u
fcd
b
H
o
co
ago
�
3
0
U
::3
>
1
[3 W
rig
f�
cn
i3
0
bA
b
v
Q
Q
i
O
a
a
7A
Q
b
Q
Q.
Q
O
Q
C
U
Ctt
.n
CCt
O
b
c�
G64
W
N
m
.d
R7i ri
°o
N
O };
a�
o �
U � �
U
cd
Q y a)
d >
cOd O W
� � O
U V'1
ro 69 O
� a) 7C
N O �
O
�
U N
O w.
7 cct cli
Ln
0 00
.0
a W O
:3
y o
Z
14
o c
° N
° r.,
U
3
� j
.c
G
o
Q)
yO
U °
CL
a
oZ
U O
b
+%
N.�
w
°
°
a 3
0
°° °
°
o
_
o
x°
W
o o
w
a
7
'O
a'
k
0
G
° as
a)
a
El ro
b ro
Q
O
U w.
,
o
° '
O-
°
CU
O
o o
o 3
O
P
a
U
Cc ro�
m v . Ry
n °
G °
'o 'b
° p
U
°
o
a)
G Q °°
o°
al
O
-0
0
�a) •(p!
GJ'+
U Cd
o
m w
v
'd
o
>
o D
Q)
�✓
abi
aroi
a3i
�
o
�b �
w
„ro 3.al
al
�Y
�
N
GC
b
a) r.
O
N
..J G N
O
O
O
O
>
p N
U
wO
U
W
a �
rn
m0
q
It
d
N
Naa
N
N
co
10
W
'—'
N
N
�
Qi
N
�
ro
y
cli
N
W
cq
x
co
y
W
A
N
bA
b
v
Q
Q
i
O
a
a
7A
Q
b
Q
Q.
Q
O
Q
C
U
Ctt
.n
CCt
O
b
c�
G64
W
N
m
.d
R7i ri
°o
N
O };
a�
o �
U � �
U
cd
Q y a)
d >
cOd O W
� � O
U V'1
ro 69 O
� a) 7C
N O �
O
�
U N
O w.
7 cct cli
Ln
0 00
.0
a W O
:3
y o
Z
14
15
Lands Legacy Action Plan 2004 -06
Board Questions /Comments from 8/31/04, with staff responses in italics
Jordan Lake Macrosite
a. How much land is protected now?
b. Is Chatham County doing anything to protect the lands in Chatham?
The portion of the Jordan Lake Macrosite within Orange County that is protected is .5.5 %,
or .51.3 acres.
Efforts to protected natural areas in Chatham County have been speaheaded by the
Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC), which completed the county's first inventory of
natural areas in 1992 In 200.3 TLC collaborated with Duke University and the State of
NC to establish the Lower Haw River State Natural Area (1,000 acres). TLC is also
working to protect land along the Deep River, Chatham County administers a voluntary
agricultural district program and recently adopted a Compact Conimuanities Ordinance
to help, in part, protect identified natural areas affected by development projects. The
Haw River Assembly is very active in environmental education in Chatham County.
2, Seven Mile Creek Nature Preserve
a. Show protected lands in next presentation
The lands protected by various entities in Orange County are now shown on Map 2
(following Map 1 of the proposed target areas)
3. Future Park Sites
a. Origin of proposed park in Eno Township?
b. Which park site was staff asked to re- evaluate?
The Parks Element of the Comprehensive Plan is proposed for update in 200.5 as part of
the Natural and Cultural Systems Element (tire discussion of which is planned to occur oil
an upcoming agenda). The existing 1988 Parks Element does not show a community park
in Eno Township, other than one in the general area of University Station. Since the
Little River park was eventually sited f urther north, and the f iture New Hope /Blackwood
Fawn park has limited potential for active recreation, staff identified the concept of a
park in Eno Township as all emerging need in advance of the plan update. The increase
in dwelling units since 1988 in the St. Mary's Road area (like Fox Hill Fawns and
Churton Grove) also was a factor in the development of this concept.
However, it is also worth noting that the Northeast Park (sometimes called the North -
Central Park or Walnut Grove Park), if located in the right area, could serve both the
areas north of Hillsborough and eastern Orange County (Eno Township), as all
alternative. This park, shown on the 1988 map in the general area of Walnut Grove
(between Cedar Grove and Caldwell), was proposed to be sited closer to Hillsbarough in
the 2001 Lands Legacy Long -Term Strategies (2001 -2011) Plan. This is also the site that
the Board asked about in 2002 when the 2003-04 Action Plan was adopted. Further
assessment of the service area ingy be warranted to determine the actual need. This
would be part of the 200.5 plan update.
16
4. Bolin Creek Corridor
a. Additional information on this new proposed item
The concept of working with Chapel Hill, Carrboro and UNC on the acquisition of
important lands in the Bolin Creek Corridor was first identified in the 2001 -2011 Long -
Tern: Strategies plan. The 2003 report "The Adams Tract and Bolin Creek
Corridor... Toward a Possible Corridor Master Plan " also notes the potential for
coordinated preservation efforts. The Lands Legacy Action Plan draft is usually the place
where new acquisition priorities are presented and discussed, hence its inclusion in the
draft discussed at the August .31 worksession. This is a new concept for the Board's
consideration and can be included for the next two years or deleted as the Board sees ft.
5. Halls Mill Historic Area
a. Is this the only historic /cultural project through 2006?
(Other issues for a different time — management of buildings acquired, caretakers)
It is the only new specific priority, for historic /cultural sites (the Faucette Mill area work
is ongoing and was not listed in the August 31 draft — it is in the revised version dated
Sept. 1), although there have been several occasions in previous years when other
acquisitions have also accomplished historic1cultural goals, such a the Blackwood farm
and the Cate farmstead. There may also be other sites of significance that would be
acquired through other Lands Legacy components (parklands, etc)..
6. Lands Legacy Priority Items Table
a. Should these be prioritized?
b. Re- format to identify new projects from multi -year or carry - forward projects
The question of whether to internally prioritize the itenu.s listed in the Action Plan table
has been discussed by staff for a few years now, Our inclination has been not to do so, as
it is difficult to compare and contrast different (and sometimes competing)
objectives... although such a dilenuna was anticipated in the Lands Legacy Program
document adopted in April 2000, and several criteria were offered as ways to assess
competing priorities. At this time, the table that is provided includes the priority projects
in random order, not ranked If the Board prefers, staff could assess priorities within the
priorities using the 2000 criteria after adoption of the Action Plan.
University —owned Natural Areas
a. Duke to announce on October 14 the registering of natural areas within Duke
Forest with the N.C. Natural Heritage Program
b. BOCC representatives should meet with Chancellor Moeser or representative
to discuss issues of mutual interest — including protecting natural areas within
UNC lands
Because UNC owns significant portions of Natun al Areas ill Orange County (Mason
Farm area, within Bolin Creek corridor, and around University Lake), a meeting with
UNC representatives akin to those held with Duke would be helpful to coordinating
fixture preservation activities.
17
The total acreage of identified natural areas (using the new Natural Heritage program
boundaries) within Duke Forest and UNC lands is 2,077 acres, with 1,169 acres in Duke
Forest and 908 acres owned by UNC.
8. Farmland Conservation Easements
a. Funds currently available are allocated — 25 farms now on interest list
The August 31 draft of the document included a very general estiniate of the total cost
(not including grants) of acquiring conservation easements on the 1.5, fm °1115 on the
Interest List. It was noted on the .31"' there are now 25 farms on the Interest List,
however 5 of those 2.5 have been selected for easement projects (acquisitions underway)
so there are actually .20 fauns oil the current List..
Making the same assumptions about amount of land and average cost per acre, the total
cost of acquiring easements on the 20 farms on the Interest List is in the range of
$5,514,000 - $6,892,500.