HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-11-2001-2s
Attachment 2
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Lands Legacy Program
Annual Action Plan 2001-2002
For the period 1u/y Z, 2001-June 30, 200
Introduction
The lands Legacy program, adapted by Orange County in April 2000, is activated
through an Annual Action Plan process. For the initial year of the program, the Board
approved an 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 a stafF-generated draft reviewed initially by the Board
of Commissioners and then sent to relevant advisory boards for further development of
priorities for 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 CTP 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 ZOOI -2002 Annua/Action P/an does not inc/ude priorities that wi//
be candidates for the proposed November ZOOZ Parks and Open Space bond.
Potentia/bond candidate projects maybe found within the new Lands Legacy
Long-Term Priorities 2002-ZOIO document,
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 far 2000-01 will be completed by
December 2001.
Goals fior ]uly 2001 - ]une 2002
(Note: the following goals implicitly include continuing to aggressively
pursue grant funding for many of the County's proposed projects.)
1. 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.
Lands Legary Annual Action P/an 201-02 Draft 04/05/01
Z, 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, identified 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.
Advisory Board Priorities_and Comments
A. Commission for the Environment (CfE)
Recammends 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)
Recammends working with willing sellers to purchase farmland
conservation easements in the Cane Creek and UpperEno 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 park sites, where
possib/e (Goal #~ 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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~ Lands Legacy Annua/Action P/an ZOOI -02 Daft 04/05/01
D. Historic Preservation Commission (HPC)
Recommends working with the owners of theChatwood and Faucette Mill
historic sites to protect the combination of cultural and natura~eatures on
those properties. Also, to accomplish preservation of historic and
archaeological sites through parkland acquisition, whenever possible.
Specific Acquisition Objectives
The following acquisition objectives have been developed from existingplans,
discussions with conservation groups and advisory board recommendationsThis
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 Dee.
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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Lands Legacy Annua/Action Plan 2001-p2 Draft p4/OS/01
• 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 for 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 and roadway
corridors, such as St. Mary's Road, Indian Trading Path, John Lawson
trail, historic Grayl=lelds, prominent Revolutionary War batklefields and
other areas.
• Conduct or support research on possible location and significance 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 Legacy Annua/Action P/an 2001-02 Draft 04/05/01
~~
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 Report for Previous Year
Because another six months remain in tfie 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 far land acquisition for the Little 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 farmer 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 LegacyAnnua/Action Plan 200X-02 Draft' 04/05/01
Conclusion
During this first half year of the Lands Legacy program (adapted 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 proposeckaction 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 inNovember, 2001. As projects are
developed for this bond, 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.
Legend
Water
® Natures _~ ~..,
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uVMU4, Va t/
Environment & Resource
Conservation Department
Apri15, 2001
Seth Young
Lands Legacy Annual Action Plan