HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-29-2001-5ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WORKSESSION AGENDA ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 29, 2001
Action Agenda
Item No. ~ ~
SUBJECT: Lands Le ac Annual Actian Plan 2001-2002
DEPARTMENT: ERCD PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
Cover Memo
Annual Action Plan 2001-2002
INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Stancil, 245-2590
Long~Term Priorities 2002-2010 TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968.501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To consider the Lands Legacy Annual Action Plan for fiscal year 2001-2002.
BACKGROUND: The Lands Legacy program is activated by adoption of an Annual Action
Plan, concurrent with the CIP process. The Board reviewed a draft Action Plan on February
13tH
On February 13th, the Board also authorized staff to develop a draft Lands Legacy Long-Term
Priorities document for the period 2002-2010. A draft of this document is attached, for
information purposes only at this time. It is anticipated that this long-term vision may be
discussed at an upcoming worksession; as the Board considers parks and open space priorities
to forward to the Capital Needs Advisory Task Force.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Funds to accomplish the priority projects for FY 2001-2002 are present
in the current CIP and other existing sources.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss and adopt the
Annual Action Plan for 2001-2002, with any desired revisions. The Board may also wish to set
a time to discuss the Long-Term Priorities 2002-2010 document.
COUNTY OF ORANGE
ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCE CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
To: Board of Commissioners
John Link, County Manager
From: David Stancil, Environment and Resource Conservation Director
Date: March 26, 2001
Re: Lands Legacy Annual-Action Plan and
Long-Term Priorities 2002-2010
Please find attached the revised Lands Legacy Annual Action Plan for the
upcoming 2001-2002 fiscal year, for discussion and/or adoption at the March 29~'
worksession. This version has been revised, based on review and. comment from
the Board's February 13~' worksession and the March 23`~ Open Space Task
Force.
The Annual Action Plan for 2001-2002 is scheduled for adoption this spring,
concurrent with the CIP schedule. Funding in the current CIP and other sources
are eacpected to be sufFcient for the upcoming year's projects.
On February 13~', I mentioned a new Long-Term Priorities "vision" document far
Lands Legacy, which the Board asked me to develop and share. The draft Long-
Term Priorities document is provided herein, for information purposes only.
Perhaps this document could be reviewed at an April worksession, when County
parks and open space priorities are discussed.
Environment and R®source Conservation
PO Box 8181 / 306-A Revere Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245-2597
oRaFr3/z6/oz
Lands Legacy Program
Annual Action Plan 2001-2002
Foy the pe~iodlu/y 1, 2DD1-tune 3D, 2DDZ
Introduction
The Lands Legacy program, adopted by Orange County in April 2000, is activated
through an Annual Ackion Plan process. For the initial year of the program, the Board
approved on May 3, 2000 an Interim Action Plan to guide Lands Legacy resource land
purchases from May 2000 through the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2001.
The 2001-2002 fiscal year will be the first full year Annual Action Plan. The process
~-~ begins in August of each year with astaff-generated draft reviewed initially by the Board
--' of Commissioners and then sent to relevant advisory boards for further development or`
priorities far the coming fiscal year. Using the advisory board recommendations, adraft
Annual Action Plan is prepared for distribution to the Board of Commissioners at the.
December goal-setting retreat. The Annual Action Plan is to be finalized concurrent with
the CIP process in the spring of each year.
The following sections constitute the draft Annual Action Plan for fiscal year 2001-2002.
The plan incorporates comments from advisory boards, coupled with the continuation
and completion of goals and objectives from the current action plan.
NOTE: The 200Y ~002Aanua/Acb%on P/an dares notindude priorities fiat wi//
be candidatesfor t/ie proposed NovemGe~ 2001 Pa~~frs' and Open Space bend.
Potentia/bond candidate projecfs~rayboe found within the newLandsLegary
.Long-Tern Prrorit~es 2402-ZOYO darument
The draft 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
year. There is also a brief list of accomplishments from the first half of the current fiscal
year (2000-2001). A full Performance Report for 2000-01 will be completed by
December 2001.
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Goals for ]ul 2001 - ]une 2002
(Note: the following goals implicitly indude continuing to aggressively
pursue grant funding for many of the County's proposed projects.)
~.. Purchase additional parklands for both active and low-impact
recreation that meet current needs and to "land bank" for future
parks and possible co-location with future schools, in conjunction
with the proposed Parks and-Open Space bond projects.
4
2. Partner with the towns and other entities, such as OWASA, in
acquiring future park sites.
3. Work with a willing seller (and a partner entity, if feasible) to
acquire additional farmland conservation easement(s) in
conjunction with the N.C. Farmland Preservation Trust Fund.
4. Work with Durham County on completing the land acquisition for
the Little River Regional Park and Natural Area: Finalize plans for
park development with Durham County.
5. Protect sensitive natural areas in the Seven Mile Creek Natural
Area and Pickard's Mountain Natural Area
6. Accomplish preservation of riparian buffers, historic and
archaeological sites, identifed-natural areas, -and prime forest/
- wildlife habitat through parkland" acquisition, when possible.
7. Finalize update of the 1988 Orange County Inventory of Natural
Areas and Wildlife Habitat, for eventual inclusion in the Natural
Areas Element of the Comprehensive Plan.
Adviso Board Priorities and Comments
A. Commission for the Environment (CfE)
Recommends protection of Seven Mile Creek area (Natural Heritage sites
N02/N03), Southern Shagbark Hickory Forest (M16), Little River corridor
(large tracts), Pickard's Mountain (50 acres within M01), lands adjacent to
Eno River State Park, Upper Eno River watershed critical areas, and Upper
New Hope Creek headwater areas. Also, all opportunities to protect
riparian habitats throughout the County should be considered..
B. Agricultural Preservation Board (APB)
Recommends working with willing sellers. to purchase farmland
conservation easements in the Cane Creek and Upper Eno watersheds.
Apply for grant assistance from the Farmland Preservation Trust Fund.
C. Recreation and Parks Advisory Council. (RPAC)
Recommends adhering to the proposed goal of, Partnering with the, towns
and other entities such as OWASA in acquiring future parksites, where
possib/e (Goal #2 above)-the "most important goal." Also, the pursuit of
all available grant funds should continue even if it would require additional
staff to do so.
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D. Historic Preservation Commission (HPC)
Recommends working with the owners of the Chatwood and Faucette Mill
historic sites to protect the combination of cultural and natural features on
those properties. Also, to accomplish preservation of historic and
archaeological sites through parkland acquisition, whenever possible.
S ecific Ac uisition Ob`ectives
The following acquisition objectives have been developed from existing plans,
discussions with conservation groups and advisory board recommendations. This
list is designed to match the following tables as projects that can be
funded and pursued in FY 2001-2002. A number of the other goals and
priorities of advisory boards are reflected in the Long-Term Priorities
document for activity beyond 2001-2002.
A. Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat
Continue working to protect (through acquisition and other means) identified
Natural Areas for the Seven Mile Creek area
Continue working with the NC Botanical Garden and others to preserve a
state-significant Natural Areas site (Southern Shagbark Hickory Forest)
adjacent to the Mason Farm Biological Reserve in Chapel Hill
Work with Triangle Land Conservancy and others to protect (through
acquisition or other means) land within the Pickard's Mountain natural area
that are surrounded by already protected lands
B. Farmland Preservation
Work with the Soil and Water District and/or OWASA to identify willing
seller(s) or donor(s) of conservation easements in water supply watersheds,
in the Cane Creek, Upper Eno or Back Creek watersheds. Preservation of a
farm in the watershed that also contains riparian bufFers would meet multiple
conservation goals.
Apply for a second grant from the Farmland Preservation Trust Fund by Dec.
2001, for assistance in acquiring the conservation easement.
Work with owners of Chatwood historic site on development of long-term
protection of agricultural lands and open space on the property.
C. Parklands and Open Space
Using existing plans and the comprehensive resource database, pursue
acquisition of park sites in the following areas:
• Acquire additional properly suitable for active recreation for the
"Cedar Grove Park" at Northern Human Services Center (beyond that
which is anticipated to be acquired in 2000-2001)
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• 1=finalize land acquisition for a Bingham Township Community
Park (with active and low-impact recreation), in conjunction
with OWASA
• Assist in the development of the November 2001 Parks and Open
Space bond, and adjust. priorities far the Action Plan accordingly.
• In all acquisitions, be cognizant of potential school site co-location
D. Cultural and Archaeological Sites
• Continue efforts to accomplish preservation of cultural and
archaeological sites. associated with parkland acquisitions during this
timeframe.
• Develop a plan and identify acquisition priorities for proposed "heritage
corridors" in central Orange County, amulti-year objective of
--
protecting.colonial and .pre-colonial historic sites an roa way
corridors, such as St. Mary's, Road, Indian Trading Path, John Lawson
trail, historic Grayfields, promihent Revolutionary War battlefields and
other areas.
• Conduct or support research on possible location and signi~Fcance of
Grayfields, site of first County of Orange court - in preparation for the
upcoming 250" .anniversary of the County (2002).
E. Riparian Buffers
• With the focus on parklands, natural areas and farmland easements
attempt to accomplish preservation of buffers in water supply
watersheds through parkland acquisitions during this timeframe.
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Lands LegaryAnnua/Action P/an 2001-QZ OraR` 03/26/Ol
Other_Notes and Special Inquiries
• As acquisitions are explored, staff will consider parks and resource lands in
the context of long-term trail linkages with parks as listed in Joint Master
Recreation and Parks Work Group Report (and include in update to County
Master Recreation and Parks Plan). Staff will also consider acquisitions in
context of potential school/park co-location, and pursue accordingly.
• Other acquisition inquiries received from landowners and potential partners
during the year will be compiled and periodically presented for the Board's
review and direction on whether to pursue acquisition.
-- Performance Re orb for Previous Year
Because another six months remain in the first year of the Lands Legacy
program, a complete report on the 2000-2001 fiscal year will not be available
until December 2001. The following are a few items worth mentioning from the
first half year of the current Annual Action Plan.
Received grants of $1.14 million toward land acquisitions - as follows:
• $377,000 from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund and $250,000 from the NC
Parks and Recreation Trust Fund for land acquisition for the Litde River Regional
Park and Natural Area. Also received a grant of $262,000 from the federal Land
and Water Conservation Fund for development of the park
• Purchased the Orange County portion (136 acres) of the proposed 391-acre Little
River Regional Park and Natural Area (November 7, 2000) to be owned and
managed jointly with Durham County. [Durham County purchased 170 acres;
another 85 acres to be purchased by July 2001]
• Closed on the McGowan Creek Preserve, a former Duke Forest landholding
purchased from Duke University, using $143,000 in grant funds from the Clean
Water Management Trust Fund
• Received grant of $107,000 from Farmland Preservation Trust Fund for farmland
conservation easement on Victor Walters farm in Cedar Grove Township
• Received grant of $5,000 from the NC Natural Heritage Program for an update of
Orange County's Inventory of Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat. Note: All
Inventory sites are now incorporated in the N.C. Natural Heritage Program
• Established the Orange County Land Conservation Alliance, bringing together
staff from partner entities in land conservation to share information for potential
collaboration on resource protection projects
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Lands LegaryAnnua/Actia~ Plan 2001-0Z Dian 03/26/01
Conclusion
During this first half year of the Lands Legacy program (adopted April 2000) the
County evaluated and pursued four acquisitions of public parkland, a "pilot"
farmland conservation easement, a nature preserve in Seven-Mile Creek,
planning fora "pilot" rustic woodland trail project and an update of the Orange
County inventory of natural heritage sites. A total of $624,000 in grant money
was awarded for these projects by the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, Land
and Water Conservation Fund, Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, and N.C.
Natural Heritage Program. Including funds awarded for Lands Legacy
projects since March 2000, grant funds totaling $1.14 million have
been awarded.
For the coming 12 months, the proposed action plan focuses on
1. completing parkland acquisition projects initiated during the previous year to
address the County's parkland deficit,
2. continuing to pursue land acquisition/protection of lands for the Seven Mile
Creek Preserve,
3. additional conservation easements for preserving farmland and priority
riparian corridors (Eno, New Hope and Little rivers),
4. acquiring missing links for a pilot rustic woodland trail,
5. working to protect the Chatwood and Faucette Mill historic sites, and
developing a plan to protect heritage corridors in central Orange County.
The coming fiscal year will also be one which will require close coordination with
the proposed Parks and Open Space Bond in November, 2001. As projects are
developed for this band, they will be added to the final version of this Annual
Action Plan.
Finally, staff will continue to aggressively pursue grants to fund these projects,
and solicit the involvement of partner agencies, wherever possible and practical.
Co-location of school and park facilities will be evaluated in each case.
10
10
11
LANDS LEGACY PROGRAM
Long-Term Priorities 2002-2010
3~d DRAFT -March 25, 2001
The Lands Legacy program, adopted in April, 2000, provides a mechanism for
the County to acquire critical natural and cultural resource lands for preservation
and the provision of future services, such as parks. The Lands Legacy program
functions through an Annual Action Plan adopted by the Board of Commissioners
each spring. The Annual Action Plan sets priorities for resource land acquisitions
in -the upcoming fiscal year. - .
However, in addition to this year-by-year work plan, along-range program of
this type requires along-range vision of resource and parkland acquisition
priorities. This "vision" document is designed to help identify top priorities that
lay beyond the scope of the Annual Action Plan, and to gauge the financial
resources necessary to accomplish the program.
Fortunately, in the last few years several studies and reports have been created
that help in crafting such a vision. As discussed in the Lands Legacy document,
the Comprehensive Resource database has been used to provide a "first-cut" set
of priorities in the areas of parklands, natural areas/wildlife habitat/prime forests,
watershed farmland, cultural and archaeological sites, and watershed riparian
buffers. Many of the relevant County advisory boards have also identified
projects and needs that are outside of the coming fiscal year -such as the
Commission for the Environment's 10-year vision for biological resource lands in
the 2000 State of the Environment report.
The following pages contain long-term goals for the program, consistent with the
lands Legacy program document and other recent special task forces and
studies.
The result is what might be viewed as a 10-year listing of priority Lands Legacy
projects for the County.
1 ~.
iz
Primary Operatinc~_ Principles
As adopted in Lands legacy and other subsequent documents, the pursuit of
long-term priorities will be guided by several operating principles:
• Voluntary Participation. We would work only with willing sellers
• Public Outreach: We will continue to publish and distribute brochures on
tax benefits and other advantages tb donation and sale of land.
• Grants: We would continue to aggressively pursue grants at all levels
• Adopted Guidelines and Projects: Acquisitions would follow'adopted
guidelines and principles in the Lands Legacy program document
• Balance opportunities and threats: Some threats to resource lands are
known - at other times unforeseen opportunities arise. The program should
.- . ....retain flexibility and funding to address both types of needs
• Collaboration: We would continue our practice of collaboration with other
local governments, land trusts/associations, OWASA, Duke and L1NC. In
addition, the County might pursue assisting coalitions of interested citizen
and neighborhood groups that might share interest in land conservation
• Meeting Multiple Needs: We would continue to focus on opportunities that
meet multiple needs (natural areas that include riparian buffers, parklands
that include historic sites) to maximize available funding
• Multiple Methods: Types of protection tools would include fee-simple
purchase, conservation easements, timber rights purchase. Acquisitions may.
also be achieved in conjunction with the Planning Department through the
development process, where appropriate.
Goals Ob'ectives for 2002-2010
As adopted, the Lands Legacy program has five types of resource land
acquisitions:
• Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat
• Farmland Preservation
• Parklands and open Space
• Cultural and Archaeological Resources, and
• Watershed Riparian Buffers
For each of these areas, the following sub-sections identify longer-term priorities
culled from existing documents and advisory board recommendations:
12
13
Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat
Acquire or Qtherwise'Protect Identified Natural Areas and Wildlife
Habitat and Prime Forests
• Acquire unprotected portions of remaining N.C. Natural Heritage natural
areas and wildlife habitat sites (as identified from Inventory of Natural
Areas and Wildlife Habitats)
• Acquire unprotected Prime Forest (top tier) areas from "A Landscape
with Wildlife" reports
• Complete the .Seven-Mile Creek Preserve
• Preserve key pieces of the Upper New Hope Corridor (New Hope Creek
Corridor plan)
• Protect lands adjacent to or tying into Eno River State Park (ERSP), the
Duke Forest Open space network and UNC/Jordan Lake public- lands
(related to trails projects siiown -above)
(Work with Eno RiverAssociation (ER•4J, T~iang/e Land Conservancy
(TLC), Duke University, UNC, towns, .State Parks and cilrzen groups as
partners Lookfor over/aps with othe~prrorities - acquisit/ons thatmeet
mu/tip/e objemctives~
Farmland Preservation
Protect Prime and Threatened Farmland in Watersheds
• Two new agricultural conservation easements through Lands Legacy each
fiscal year (average 100 acres per year -1000 acres total over 10 years)
• Focus on farmlands in Cane Creek, Upper Eno, Back Creek and Little River
-- build "critical masses" of farmland with adjoining farms where possible
• Farms must be good stewards, use Best Management Practices and have
good conservation record.
• Partner with OWASA and Orange Soil and Water District where possible.
Pursue NC Farmland Preservation Trust Fund and new USDA Farmland
Preservation program grant funding, along with other new sources.
Parklands and Open Space
Acquire Lands for a Countywide System of Parks, with equal emphasis for
active recreation (soccer fields, other playing fields, picnic shelters, other) and
low-impact (trails, picnic areas, environmental interpretive areas). This includes
the following priorities:
• Complete projects identified in the adopted 1988 County Master
Recreation and Parks Plan (please see Appendix for list), working both
short-term and long-term on priority acquisitions
13
14
• Acquire key pieces for three long-term Rustic Woodland Trails outlined in
the 1999 Joint Master Recreation and Parks report that connect town
parks, county parks and Duke Forest/Eno River State Park. This -network
would be the extent of County ofF-site trails plans.
• Address parks and open space needs (that meet Countywide criteria for
joint parks coordination) with Town of Carrboro
• Address parks and open space needs (that meet Countywide criteria far
joint parks coordination) with Town of Chapel Hill
• Address parks and open space needs (that meet Countywide criteria for
joint parks coordination) with Town of Hillsborough
(,4//acquisitions coordinated through the [ands Legacyprogram consistent
with criteria on jointparksprojec~: Parks in southwest Orange tv be
coordinated with OWASA and /orated on OWASA /ands whereverpvssib/e~
~C`ultural a~nd~ Archaeological Preservation
Protect Heritage Corridors and Historic Sites
• Develop a conservation easement acquisition program for St: Mary's Road
(and/or Trading Path) Heritage Corridor
• Identify and Protect the "Grayfields" 1752 County seat site (also part of
Seven-Mile Creek Preserve priority)
• Identify Faucette Mill/Chatwaod Heritage Corridor -develop program for
donation or purchase of conservation easements
• Accomplish other preservation of priority historic sites from adopted
Historic Preservation Element of Comprehensive Plan through parkland
acquisitions, where possible (parklands that contain historic sites)
Watershed Riparian Buffers
Protect Water Supply Watershed Riparian Buffers
• Protect land at the confluence of the Upper Eno River, and in Cane Creek,
University Lake and Little River watersheds - through the other programs
and priorities listed above
• Partner with OWASA, Eno River Association/Eno River State Park, Triangle
Land Conservancy, City/County of Durham; City of Mebane and Towns of
Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Hillsborough
14
Lands Legacy Program
Long Term Priorities (2002 - 2.010}
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18
Public Outreach
The County of Orange is fortunate to have a citizenry with a strong conservation
ethic. This offers opportunities for the Lands Legacy program to expand the
realm of partnerships beyond state, local government and land trusts.
Tn particular, the Lands Legacy program should:
• Continue to publicize the Lands Legacy program through brochures and
presentations
• Through neighborhood meetings, explore awareness and possible partnership
with citizen and neighborhood interest groups on critical resource land
acquisitions
- • ..Explore the possibility of providing a property tax check-off far Lands Legacy
--.- =. - Fund -.--: _... _ _ _. _.
• Develop a revolving fund for timber rights and/or conservation easement
acquisition that can be paid into by citizens and homeowners associations to
mitigate any impacts from managed forestry programs
• Explore the potential for a matching grant program for land acquisitions,
possibly from-a future (beyond X001) bond referendum
18
19
Appendix A
Parks. Projects Identified in the
1988 Master Recreation and Parks Element -
County of Orange Comprehensive Plan (Exhibit 6-1~
. Pro~ects with Land Ac uisition Com leted Underwa
Efland-Cheeks Community Pazk (opened May, 2000)
• Cedar Grove District Park (land acquisition underway)
• Little River Regional Pazk* (land acquired, park plan underway)
• Hillsborough-area Swimming Pool (Sportsplex)
-- - Cheeks District Park (McGowan CreekPreserve and Seven-Mile Creek Preserve) .
_. _ •
+ Fairview Community Park (some facility development complete)
Remainin Parks Pro'ects
• Chapel Hill Township District Park
• University Station Community Park
• Bingham District Pazk
• White Cross Community Park
• Walnut Grove Community Pazk
• Chapel Hi1T High School -Swimming Pool
* _ Opportunities at Little River Regional Pazk and Cedar Grove District Pazk have
effectively transferred the community pazk and district park concepts that were originally
shown, while still meeting the same needs. Based on what has actually transpired through
acquisitions and opportunities, the original community pazks at Cedar Grove (Northern
Human Services Center) and Caldwell have become district and regional pazks,
respectively. Accordingly, the original Cedaz Grove/Little River District Park is now the
proposed Walnut Grove Community Park. In effect, the same needs are being met by two
district parks and one community park as were envisioned for two community parks and
one district park.
19
I~
County of grange Master Recreation and Parks Plan
,. I .
- V
Cedar Grn[ a UisrriCt Pars: ~ Wainut Gru~-t Commtinits Park
O ``, ~:~
_ ~ ~S.' '
- __ _ <_ '~' - Litil ~ Riti-er Rcgionai,.i'ark -
's --.
I) FFf,~l M1x ' r
_. ._ :~~_~~t•__-- - - Cl~al~s D_i~triciPurk"~z~~ F - - - ..
.. _ _- _.
_-.. Megan _~.~~:~.~.,; __.. _
= ~Pairti~ie~' C:u [ari.nit~ 1':~r-E:
i~t~a~d--Cheeks E~runniu-~it4-~'a~•ic-~~w. _;~` -~~. _ - - -
- - -. r-
- Alternate Clereks bisiriCt PYrk - • . ';, - _,~ •.:: _~.>-<---
_ - CiRirer~itY-Staf n park
`,~.. .=/
_ _ -
_ _-____
-... ~ ':~
_ - PCq~O5C~1 C6aj~E'1 ~i[[l 1715Er11:1 xrli
13lle~bil(YI 13[s C1CE 1'~triC ~~ C _ ~`_-
..
r
~' ' - ~' ~,
.:
r ,'"'~
,.r frt
_.. .4 -
_ .. _ -
~F'hitE: Crusx.Gofrtmunit~ Park ~ Pr'o~o~ed_Sii~ird Pnut - Ch312~1 Ki{1 Hide School
• Community Park
~ Disfrict Park
O Regional Park
- Streams
~6
d 3 fi Miles
- --~ .
County of Orange, N_C.
Environment &~ Resource
Conservation Department
M Jones
3/9/01
- - Note: Circles denote general location of proposed parks. Actual location varies.
zo
Appendix B
Excerpts from the ]oint Master Recreation and Parks
Work Group report, May 1999
C. Analyze Potential of Land for Greenways.and Rural Trail Links _
Class 3 (Improved Woodland Trails) could be seen as a hybrid trail found in both urban
and rural areas, and as such could be used as an example of rural trail links that tie Borne
parks and open space to a regional trail system on a primary cornidor to be identified in
the future. Un this sense; Woodland Trails may constitute a third category of corridors and
trails.
~... There are sevPra.l criteria that could be used to evaluate land suitability for wildlife
corridors, woodland trails and greenways, in this setting. Examples might include:
Wildlife Corridor lvaluation Criteria
• Located along perennial streams, or ridges connecting watershed basins and their
perennial streams
• Located away from residential structures to preserve privacy
• Connects and includes identified natural areas and wildlife habitat and other areas of
public interest
• Privately held unless dedicated to public entity - no public access unless granted by
property owner/public entity
• No trails, except as existing from the movement ofwildlife/people
Woodland Trails oral Trail Evaluation Criteria
• Located along an identified primary corridor system
• Located away from natural areas and wildlife habitat, or in such fashion as to
minimize impact on these areas
• Links parks, urban greenways systems and existing open space areas such as Eno
River State Park
• Consistent with along-term regional trails system
• Located in areas with minimal strearnway and adjoining lands erosion potential
• Located away from residential structures to preserve privacy
• ~,ocated in areas where periodic access for emergency vehicles can be sited
Greenwav Evaluation Criteria
• Located along strearnway systems in urban or surrounding areas
• Co-located with existing easements (such as utility easements)
• Located as far as possible from residences to preserve privacy
• Located no closer than 25 feet to the stream bank
• Stream crossings should be avoided whenever possible and grade separated when
necessary
• Located to ensure that minimum disruption of the trail would result from repair or
replacement of utilities
• Lacated to connect existing neighborhoods, parks and services
20
21
• Located to allow for emergency vehicle access
With these priorities in mind, the long-term potential for a few carefully-sited rustic rural
trails linking some urban greenways or parks to existing and future rural linear parks and
open space does exist. Plans for development of any coordinated infra-County trail
system should be developed with linkages to regional plans for parks and trails. Linkages
along the Haw River, Eno River State Park, New Hope Creek, Jordan Lake and future
rails-to-trails initiatives will likely be critical components of a long-range regional trails
system. The Joint Planning Area Strategy Map shows the beginnings of such a system
that was envisioned in 1987. While considerable further work is needed in this area, it is
possible with existing mapping to visualize three examples of possible long-term rural
trail links tying town parks and open space to those in rural areas:
• A North Chapel Hi1URura1 Buffer corridor linking Booker Creek Greenway,
Northern Community Park, Duke Forest, New Hope Creek (including TLC lands and
,_.____ _ ..... _. _.. _ Duke Forest) back to the New Hope Creek Corridor and the Durham County line.
• A corridor in southwest/central Orange County linking the Haw River, Cane Creek
Reservoir, OWASA mitigation lands, Seven-Mile Creek lands, Eno River and Duke
Forest, Eno River Walk in Hillsborough and the Eno River State Park. (A northern
branch along the Eno toward the new Hillsborough reservoir could be added to this
concept).
• A comdor in southern Orange linking Bolin Creek Greenway via Meadowmont and
UNC to the UNC Botanical Garden to Jordan Lake lands.
Recommendation H. Address Existing Needs
The combined projected population for all of Orange. County in the year 2025 is
168,000. This total county population was used to assess the level of adequacy
21
Currently, countywide parkland needs are assessed in terms of types of parks
(e.g. regional, community, neighborhood, etc). While additional work is needed
in developing standards, it is passible to envision an overview of park needs
based on population standards.
zz
for future years. Based on this, in the year 2000, Orange County will need a total
of 2030 acres of park/recreation land in order to meet national adequacy
standards. With current park facilities (including projected acquisitions in the
next year), a deficit of 645 acres will exist in 2000. In 2025, the County will need
3100 acres with a current projected deficit of 1265 acres. Details on how these
projections were generated may be found in Appendix J. Based on the projected
future need for 1,265 new acres of parkland, the Work Group has determined that
the current critical need is to begin long-term. land acquisition ("land banking").
This concept is similar to any kind ofbank -- it essentially establishes a "savings
account" of land. Once the savings account has been fully funded, land can be
withdrawn and developed for specific parks and recreation needs.
* -The total acreage in community parks currently exceeds acreage needs, but
the existing community parks (three in Chapel Hill, one in Carrbara and one at
Efland-Cheeks).may not meet the geographic needs of the Caunry. Community
park needs appear to exist in Hillsborough, northern grange County and
southwestern Orange.
The estimated cost of purchasing this acreage countywide, in 1999 dollars, is
$10.12 midlion. Over time, the cost ofpurchasing land for parks will undoubtedly
rise dramatically.
I. Recommendations for Use of Current Funds and Future Funding Needs _
Simultaneous with the population increase, land in Orange County is rapidly
increasing in value. Large tracts are being subdivided, and options for geographic
locations of parkland in every township are diminishing. A priority for use of
future funds clearly must be land acquisition for long-term park needs, rather
than simply developing recreational facilities (which can be developed over time
as the population increases).
A program far land acquisition for long-term park needs should be developed
that identifies sites that could meet needs (including potential for siting active
and low-impact recreation), based on projected size and location of parkland
throughout the county. The availability of matching funds from the benefiting
jurisdictions should be an important component in future acquisition and park
development. The program should also identify an acreage threshold for co-
located schooUpark land acquisition and should be developed with the Parks and
Resource Lands Council and the Schools/Land Use Council.
22
Based on the most commonly accepted standards, the county/towns will need the
following new parks just to meet current deficits:
Z3
To address the estimated $10:12 million in future park needs, the following
actions should be taken to use existing bond funds and address long-term needs.
1. The remaining $2.89 million in land acquisition fluids from the 1997 parks bond should be
used for acquisition of lands identified as sites for long-term parks use as soon as possible.
2. The balance of funding should be an estimated $8 million parks bond placed before the voters
in November 2000. As previously discussed, the specifics of this bond should be coordinated
by the Farks and Resource Lands Council.
Developing a program for identifying and acquiring long-term park sites at this
time will greatly reduce the cost of meeting long-term park needs.
a
23
24
Appendix. C
Excerpts from the State of the Environment Report,
February, 2000
Executive summary:
Substantial gains have been made in Orange County in the last decade in the amount of land area
placed under some sort of protection. At the same time, however, the rate of forest fragmentation,
primarily as a result of residential development, has likewise increased. To slow or to halt the
losses of our most significant resources and natural areas, we recommend to the County
Commissioners that County take the following steps:
f - - - p ghest priority given to the -most - _
- Increase the total area-of rotected natural areas, ~witla hi
significant areas facing the most imminent threat. This requires allocation of County funds
towards land acquisition, as well as seeking matching funds from outside sources. The
County should also play a more important role in working with other land preservation
groups, and in helping to coordinate the efforts of all involved groups.
B. Increased Protection~or Areas of Concern
Some natural areas in the County, those with unique value or lack of accessibility, require
ongoing surveillance to prevent future negative impacts.
- the ittle River Cornidors: While the County's recent acquisition of the 135-acre
Newton/TCF property makes a beginning to protection of this clean water body, we would
like to encourage the County to take steps to offer greater watershed protection in the Little
River Basin, and to work in conjunction with Durham County as they develop a plan for the
Little River.
- Highly ranked sites on privatelands: Because County goyemment has little direct control of
these lands, there needs to be strong incentives for developers to respect and to contribute to
the protection of our critical, inventoried, and important biological sites. If incentives are
inadequate, the County needs to consider imposing restrictions on development, land
clearing, or ecosystem disturbance on or near these sites. In addition, methods to acquire
such sites when they become available need to be fit11y available to the ERCD.
C. More effective conservation olio
While the state of biological resources in Orange County is better than in many counties
throughout the state and the nation, same adjustments in the policy arena will help these resources
to maintain their integrity through the human population increase foreseen for the future.
- Orange County does have existing policy aimed at protecting the environment; however,
enforcement is limited and, in some cases, ineffective. A list of current policy with aside-by-
side listing of available remedies would inform bath county employees and citizens of what
~4
25
recourse we have when an area is in danger and what policies need better means of
enforcement.
- The existing Environmental Impact Ordinance lacks the instruments to offer full protection to
inventoried sites. We strongly encourage amendment of this ordinance to provide for
effective protection of significant biological resources.
- Clear-cutting and the damage it inflicts on wildlife habitats, biological diversity, water quality
and quality of life is a significant problem faced throughout the county. The county's current
ability to regulate clear-cutting is limited, and the role of timber harvest in the local rural
economy cannot be overlooked. However, a balance needs to be established between the
rights of private property owners and the needs of the community. Finding such a balance
needs to be addressed sooner rather than later, as this means of harvest both exacerbates the
biological impact of forest loss from clearing for residential development and contributes to
conflict between rural and suburban populations.
- - -- -- -- - Finally; there is a significant lack~f coordination of protection efforts with surroundinb
counties.. Forests, watersheds, wildlife corridors and development projects do not abruptly
stop at county borders. Efforts in one location maybe impeded by lack of effort in a
neighboring county or vice versa. Effective protection of resources must include coordinated
effort among all the affected jurisdictions.
IV. Needs and Recommended Actions to protect biological diversity in Orange County:
A. Hi hest riori areas for conservation effort.
Based on can ently available information, (biological inventory, Natural Heritage data and both
TLC reports), we rank the following areas as of highest conservation priority areas for the
County, in order of importance.
l . Lands surrounding Eno River State Park
2. Occoneechee Mountain buffer
3. Sevenrnile Creek Bottoms
4. Central County Forest, Hills, and Corridor: Blackwood Mountain/Duke
Forest Blackwood Division/ Meadow Flats/ Bald Mountain/ Pegg Hill,
and connecting lands
5. New Hope Creek Corridor, including upper section which connects to
the Central County Forest (#4)
6. Lands surrounding Mason Farm
7. Chestnut Ridge
8. River corridors: Upper Eno River, N and S-forks of the Little River
9. Forest southwest of Cedar Grove
10. Pickard's Mountain
justifications:
Lands surrounding Eno River State Park (ERSP): This area is identified
in LWWI and II as the most important intact prime forest in the County,
by virtue of its area, the presence of the River, and the undisturbed
25
26
2.
3.
4.
5.
b.
7.
forest within the Park: However there is no guarantee that this area will
retain this high biological value, as the State Park lands comprise less
than half of the total area. Residential development in this area is
rapidly fragmenting the surrounding forest. If this cutting and building
is left unchecked, it is sure to lead to degradation of the core forest area
of the Park. The land between Pleasant Green Rd, Route 70, Palmer
Grove Church Rd and St. Mary's Rd. needs to be designated somehow
as buffer area, and tools developed that will protect this land as wildlife
habitat.
Occoneechee Mountain: The inclusion of much of Occoneechee
Mountain within the ERSP has been an important step forward.
However, adjacent lands remain in private hands. While private
ownership may be the best, most secure solution, the Gounty should
work with landowners to assure that this most significant of the
County's sites remains securely protected and buffered. .
Sevenmile Creek Bottoms: This inventoried bottornland forest is of
regional biological signifiaarice for the -species founa there, and is also
identified in LWWII as a forest of high wildlife value, by virtue of its
size, and forms part of the County's designated corridor system.
Central County Forests, Hills, and Corridor: Blackwood Mountain/Duke
Forest Blackwood Division/ Meadow Flats/ Bald Mountain/ Pegg Hill,
and connecting lands. From LWWII it is evident that one of the key
core forest areas of the county extends in a band through the central
County, from Blackwood Mountain to Bald Mountain. Of strategic
importance here is maintaining connectivity in a fragmented system of
uplands arid stream corridors. If connectivity to the New Hope Creek
Corridor (see #5) can be maintained and/or developed, this enlarges the
natural area substantially.,. Acquisitions or easements which help to
preserve forest integrity in this region are to be fostered by the County.
New Hope Creek Corridor, including the upper section which connects
to the Central County Forest (#~4). The New Hope Creek Corridor east
of Rt. 86, currently of relatively secure conservation status, is another
key core natural area in the County. While it is generally isolated from
the Blackwood-Bald Mountain core, New Hope Creek could
conceivably be. serving. as a conduit for animal and plant movement.
Anything that can be done to maintain or restore connectivity between
the New Hope Creek basin and area #4 is to be encouraged. Protection
of surrounding land from conflicting uses by designating it as buffer
zone would enhance protection of New Hope Creek.
Lands surrounding Mason Farm :Because of the biological significance
of Mason Farm and adjacent Botanical Garden Lands and the high
degree of threat to their integrity, the County should take what steps it
canto help keep further losses and fragmentation from occurring.
Without some secure buffers, the integrity of some of the County's
most unique forests and associated vertebrate communities could be
compromised.
Chestnut Ridge: This xeric forest (E01 AND EO2) is an important
upland forest, comprised largely of chestnut oak, a relatively large tract
of forest, and also is an important upland area for landscape
connectivity. Tt is presently privately owned and thus its long-term
status is insecure. Allegedly there has been some fragmentation from
26
z~
residential development. 'The extent of this fragmentation needs to be
.assessed, and the current biological value of the site determined.
Conservation strategy would then be based on current integrity.
8. River corridors: Eno River, N and S forks of the Little River: (see
above) . Conservation efforts should focus on protection of the Upper
Eno basin, and along both the North and South Forks of the Little River,
for water quality protection, rare species protection, and for the
maintenance of wildlife corridors.
9. ~ Forest southwest of Cedar Grove: a large tract of forest was identified
southwest of Cedar Grove by LWWI and II. This forest was identified
from aerial photographs solely based on its size. It should be surveyed
for biological importance. Its current status is not known.
10. Pickard's Mountain: While Pickard's Mountain is now relatively secure,
in environmentally responsible private hands, it remains an area of
biological importance, primarily by virtue of its size and its
...._r _ .,_ ___. „ unfragmented status. ,The County should be kept apprised of the status
..._.. _. ,...._. _.._ : _ of this..land and-perhaps work with ±he landowner to.encourage putting --
the tract, or parts of it, under conservation easement. Also, the County
should work to encourage habitat connectivity between Pickard's
Mountain and Bald Mountain, through easements and/or acquisition.
27