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HomeMy WebLinkAboutShaping Orange County Task Force memo SOIL & WATER mass= CONSERVATION Orange Soil and Water Conservation District 306 Revere Road • P . O . Box 8181 Hillsborough , NC 27278 • Phone : (919) 732- 8181 • Ext . 2750 Fax : (919 ) 732=7559 TO : John Link, County Manager FROM : Brent Bogue � Soil and Water Conservation District RE : Status Report on — Recommendations of the Shaping Orange County ' s Future Task Force Orange Soil and Water Conservation office has accomplished or plans to accomplish the following items : Put Community Building First Goal 1 : ( Mg) Establish partnerships between urban and rural residents through community support for local farming . • Assist students and landowners with information and educational activities about farming activities , such as farmers ' markets, locally grown produce, farm tours , and educational activities on farms . • Encourage farmers to participate in local Boards , and promote their farming activities . • Educate urban and non- agricultural rural landowners about the environmental benefits of farming and the normal activities that occur on a farm (including the odors and noises) . Environment and Land Use Goal 2 : : Conserve Natural Areas , Farmland and Other Important Open Space : (ENV- 2 - 4) Educate and encourage homeowners, landscapers, and nurseries to use native or non- invasive exotic plants in landscaping . • Continue to work with Duke Forest, (Duke University) on collection/harvest of native warm- season grasses along road right- of--ways, and to encourage planting of these species on road bank, power line right- of--ways , and private property . • Continue to work with UNC Botanical Gardens and the Niche Gardens on native plant species that will be used on a wetland restoration site in southern Orange County . • Encourage landowners to plant native wildlife plantings that will increase/enhance wildlife habitat . Status : continued Goal 5 : Protect Our Water Supply (ENV- 5 - 1b) Protect groundwater and limit use to recharge rates/carrying capacity, as determined through scientific studies (such as the current Water Resources/USGS effort) . • Continue to work with farmers/landowners to install Best Management Practices (BMP ' s) that increase water infiltration rates into the soil and reduce soil erosion, therefore, reducing sediment/surface run-off into streams and lakes . • Continue to work closely with farmers and landowners in all watersheds (with special emphasis on the Neuse River Basin) to install BMP ' s and develop nutrient management plans that will reduce nitrogen levels in the groundwater . Economy: Goal 1 : Support a Diverse Economy that Meets Local Needs (ECO- 1 -4) Improve farming viability by supporting farming-traditional and new- through a public/private partnership . • Work with OC Environment and Resource Conservation and other Federal and State agencies to locate and develop conservation easements on properties . • Participate and assist in planning the Annual Agriculture Summit . • Participate in the expanded Forest Stewardship committee to improve total forest management .