HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2018-084 Resolution to approve conservation easement for Norman Walker i
RES- 201 & 084
i
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION
Approval of Conservation Easement
between P
Orange County and the Eno River Association
and I
Norman C . Walker
WHEREAS , Orange County has adopted goals that promote the preservation of natural areas , wildlife
habitat , prime farmland , and open space in the county ; and
WHEREAS , Orange County established the Lands Legacy Program for the purpose of protecting the
most significant natural and cultural resources through partnerships with landowners and other
conservation entities ; and
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WHEREAS , one component of the Lands Legacy Program is the acquisition of conservation
easements on prime farmland within water supply watersheds ; and
WHEREAS , the Walker Farm property includes approximately 77 acres in the Little River protected
watershed , consisting of a majority of prime agricultural soils , and includes 5 , 000 linear feet of the
North Fork Little River and one of its tributaries that drain to the Little River Reservoir—a drinking
water supply reservoir for the City of Durham ; and
WHEREAS , Norman C . Walker , the owner of the Walker Farm property , wishes to grant a permanent
conservation easement to Orange County and the Eno River Association , which will protect the prime
corn
that exist on the property ; and
farmland and riparian
WHEREAS , a conservation easement on this approximately 77 acres would ensure the preservation
of this farmland and stream buffers for future generations and help compensate the owner 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 conservation easement for land owned by Norman
c
C . Walker; 2 ) approve the execution of this conservation easement agreement with Norman Walker,
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 June 30 , 2019 ; and 4 ) authorize County staff
to sign any and all closing documents upon consultation with the County Attorney .
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board thanks Mr . Norman C . Walker for his civic- minded
granting of this conservation easement through
9 g h the Lands Legacy g g y Program .
This the 18t" day of December, 2018 .
1
Penny Rich , Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
Donna Baker , Clerk to the Board