HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 02-01-22; 6-a - Resolution of Approval – Conservation Easement on Draper-Savage Memorial Foundation (Moorefields) and Approval of Budget Amendment #7-A 1
ORD-2022-003
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: February 1, 2022
Action Agenda
Item No. 6-a
SUBJECT: Resolution of Approval — Conservation Easement on Draper-Savage Memorial
Foundation (Moorefields) and Approval of Budget Amendment #7-A
DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks
and Recreation (DEAPR)
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
1. Resolution of Approval David Stancil, 245-2510
2. Location Map Christian Hirni, 245-2514
3. Site Map
4. Draft Conservation Easement(s)/Trail
Easement
PURPOSE: To consider a resolution to approve the purchase of and acceptance by Orange
County of conservation easement(s) and trail easement for Draper Savage Memorial Foundation
(Moorefields) property, and approve Budget Amendment #7-A.
BACKGROUND: The acquisition of conservation easements to protect highly important natural
and cultural resource lands in Orange County is a longstanding goal of the Board of
Commissioners, and is a priority of the Lands Legacy Program. Since 2001, the County has
partnered with landowners and other entities to protect 2,850 acres of significant natural areas
and prime farmland with permanent conservation easements, leveraging well over $3 million in
outside funding and grants toward these easements.
Over the past several years, DEAPR has worked with Moorefields Foundation, the group deeded
to manage and caretaker of the grounds, on a project to conserve approximately 72 acres of
Draper-Savage Memorial Foundation lands located on Moorefields Road in the Cheeks Township.
The farm property is located in the Upper Eno Critical Watershed, a priority watershed for
acquiring agricultural easements in a dual effort to protect prime farmland and drinking water
quality. The farm has over 1,900 linear feet of stream frontage on a tributary to and of Rocky Run,
a major tributary of the Eno River, which supplies drinking water for the Town of Hillsborough and
City of Raleigh. In addition, with the presence of Natural Heritage sites, the historic Moorefields
property and other areas of high cultural/archaeological significance, and the property's adjacency
to the County-owned Seven Mile Creek Natural Area, conservation of this tract is a high priority
for the Lands Legacy Program.
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The Moorefields Foundation intends to grant permanent conservation easement(s)that will restrict
future development to protect prime open space and streams, as well as scenic views of the open
space from Moorefields Road and the adjacent County park. The Foundation also intends to grant
a trail easement for the Mountains to Sea Trail, allowing for further extension from the County
owned lands east towards Dimmocks Mill Road. All other non-agricultural and historical
restoration/renovation development rights will be extinguished through the conservation
easement.
There will be three separate yet concurrent easements on the property. The Natural Heritage Area
and stream buffers will be held in easement by the North Carolina Land and Water Fund
(NCLWF), and monitored by the Eno River Association through State contract. The remaining
open lands planned conservation easements would be held jointly by Orange County and the Eno
River Association. This easement would enhance the protection of this historic home and
grounds, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The trail easement will be
held by Orange County with planning, management, and construction assistance with the Friends
of the Mountains to Sea Trail.
The planned conservation easement areas are depicted on the attached site map. The draft deeds
of conservation easement and the trail easement are also provided.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The appraised value of the conservation easement is $360,000, which was
determined with an appraisal by Kirkland Appraisals, LLC.
The purchase price for the conservation easement is $360,000, the full appraised value.
Additional costs, including closing and transactional costs, bring the estimated total at closing to
$385,500.
DEAPR worked with the Eno River Association to identify the following funding sources:
Orange County (Lands Legacy) $ 261,458 (68%)
NC Land and Water Fund (NCLWF) $ 111,042 (29%)
Eno River Association (Triangle Community Foundation grant) $ 13,000 (3%)
$385,500
(acquisition and
transaction)
Funds for the easement purchase would come from Orange County ($248,958 purchase price
plus $12,500 for survey, legal and closing costs), NCLWF ($111,042 purchase price), and Triangle
Community Foundation ($13,000 for transaction costs).
The County's share of funds ($261,458) would come from existing funds budgeted and approved
for the Lands Legacy Program (Land Legacy Fund).
The following funding sources support the easement outside of financial impact to Orange County:
NCLWF ($8,618 stewardship), City of Raleigh ($7,152 for stewardship), and Eno River
Association ($2,500 in-kind match for Baseline Report).
The Draper-Savage Memorial Foundation property is enrolled in the Present Use Value taxation
program, so the conservation easement would not lessen the amount of property taxes paid to
the County. There would be no decrease in the property's market value caused by the
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conservation easement (and extinguishing of portion of its development rights) since it would not
lower the property value to a level that is less than the current present use value.
With this allocation, approximately $2.3 million remains available in the Lands Legacy Capital
Project. Budget Amendment#7-A provides for the use of the above mentioned funds, and amends
the following Capital Project Ordinances:
Lands Legacy Capital Project (-$261,458) - Project#20011
Revenues for this project:
Current FY 2021-22 FY 2021-22
FY 2021-22 Amendment Revised
Alternative Financing $2,466,157 $261,458 $2,727,615
From General Fund $42,697 $0 $42,697
Donations $2,000 $0 $2,000
Grant Revenue $250,000 $0 $250,000
Appropriated Fund Balance $9,337 $0 $9,337
Total Project Funding $2,770,191 $261,458 $3,031,649
Appropriated for this project:
Current FY FY 2021-22 FY 2021-22
2021-22 Amendment Revised
Lands Legacy Program $2,770,191 $261,458 $2,511,833
Total Costs $2,770,191 ($261,458) $2,511,833
Conservation Easements Capital Project ($261,458) - Project# 20006
Revenues for this project:
Current FY 2021-22 FY 2021-22
FY 2021-22 Amendment Revised
Alternative Financing $2,733,947 $261,458 $2,995,405
From General Fund $696,521 $0 $696,521
Donations $1,020 $0 $1,020
NC Agriculture Development $135,480 $0 $135,480
Grant
Eno River Association $252,843 $13,000 $265,843
Upper Neuse Clean Water $54,000 $0 $54,000
Initiative
NC Conservation Reserve
$18,800 $0 $18,800
Program
Contribution from Hillsborough $6,157 $0 $6,157
NC Land and Water Fund $0 $111,042 $111,042
Anticipated Grant Revenue $2,436,000 $124,042 $2,311,958
Total Project Funding $6,334,768 $261,458 $6,596,226
A propriated for this project:
Current FY FY 2021-22 FY 2021-22
2021-22 Amendment Revised
Conservation Easements $6,334,768 $261,458 $6,596,226
Total Costs $6,334,768 $261,458 $6,596,226
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated
with this item.
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The following Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impacts are applicable to this item:
• RESULTANT IMPACT ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND AIR QUALITY (Assess and
where possible mitigate adverse impacts created to the natural resources of the site and
adjoining area. Minimize production of greenhouse gases.)
The easement will provide a permanent protected natural and agricultural buffer along a busy
highway and developed land to the south. The easement will also protect a vital watershed which
leads to a primary drinking water source for the Town of Hillsborough and City of Raleigh.
• CLEAN OR AVOIDED TRANSPORTATION
Implement programs that monitor and improve local and regional air quality by: 1)
promoting public transportation options; 2) decreasing dependence on single-occupancy
vehicles, and 3) otherwise minimizing the need for travel.
The acquisition of this and subsequent trail easements will move forward the continued effort of
a Statewide trail system, allowing for local and statewide "thru hiking"/foot travel opportunities and
promoting heathy recreation for locals and visiting individuals between several municipalities and
areas of natural and cultural interests.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adopt and authorize the
Chair to sign the resolution approving the acceptance by Orange County of the conservation
easements, and approve and authorize the Chair and the Clerk to sign the conservation easement
agreements and trail easement documents, subject to final review by staff and County Attorney,
with a closing and recordation of the document expected to occur on or about March 30, 2022,
and approve Budget Amendment #7-A.
RES-2022-006 Attachment 1 5
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION
Approval of Conservation Easements
between
Orange County and the Eno River Association
and
Draper-Savage Memorial Foundation
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
WHEREAS, one component of the Lands Legacy Program is the acquisition of conservation
easements on prime farmland within water supply watersheds; and
WHEREAS, the Draper-Savage Memorial Foundation property includes approximately 72
acres in the Upper Eno Critical watershed, consisting of a majority of prime agricultural soils,
and includes 1,900 linear feet of tributaries that drain to the Eno River—a drinking water supply
reservoir for the Town of Hillsborough and City of Raleigh; and
WHEREAS, Moorefields Foundation, the caretakers of the Draper-Savage Memorial
Foundation property, wish to grant permanent conservation easements to Orange County and
the Eno River Association, which will protect the prime open space and riparian corridors that
exist on the property; and
WHEREAS, conservation easements on this approximately 72 acres would ensure the
preservation of this open space 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 easements for land owned
by Draper-Savage Memorial Foundation; 2) approve the execution of this conservation
easement agreements with Draper-Savage Memorial Foundation, in accordance with the terms
of the proposed easement agreements, subject to final review by staff and the County Attorney;
3) authorize the Chair and the Clerk to sign the easement agreements on behalf of the Board,
with a closing to occur on or about March 30, 2022; 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 Draper-Savage Memorial Foundation for
their civic-minded granting of these conservation easements through the Lands Legacy
Program.
This the 1 st day of February, 2022.
Renee Price, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board
Moorefields Property Easement- Context Map 6
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Landowner: Moorefields ORANGE COUNTY Roads
Lat: 36' 03.58"
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Date: 1/14/2021Tract Boundary
Image: 2017 Aerial Photo 4� open Space-other
Created By: Christian Hirni
Acres: 72 (LWF Easement-24 ® County open Space
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Landowner: Moorefields ORANGE COUNTY Roads
Lat: 36' 03.58" Q
Long: 79'08.55" Tract Boundary
Date: 11/02/2021LWF Easement
Image: 2017 Aerial Photo , � Trail Corridor
Created By: Christian Hirni
Acres: 72 (LWF Easement-24 Streams
Trial Easement- 3) Department of Environment, County Open Space
Agriculture, Parks&Recreation Adjusted Trail Route
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CONSERVATION EASEMENT
FRIENDS OF MOOREFIELDS Property
Prepared by: Orange County,North Carolina and North Carolina Land and Water Fund
After Recording Return to: Christian Himi, P.O. Box 8181, Hillsborough,NC 27278
NORTH CAROLINA ORANGE COUNTY
Portion of Tax Parcel Nos. 9854716006, 9854815060, NCLWF No. 2020-048
and 9853797619
THIS DEED OF CONSERVATION EASEMENT ("Conservation Easement") is made,
given, granted, and executed on this the day of , 2021 by and between FRIENDS OF
MOOREFIELDS, a NC Non-profit Corporation, TRUSTEE OF THE EFFIE DRAPERSAVAGE
—NELLIE DRAPER DICK MEMORIAL FOUNDATION ("Grantor") its address being: 2201
Moorefields Road, Hillsborough,NC 27278 and ORANGE COUNTY,NORTH CAROLINA, a
local government of the State of North Carolina ("Grantee") its address being: P.O. Box 8181,
Hillsborough,NC 27278. Grantor and Grantee may hereinafter be referred to individually as a
"Party" or collectively as the "Parties."
RECITALS
A. Grantor owns in fee simple absolute certain real property lying and being in
Cheeks Township, Orange County,North Carolina, which consists of three parcels with Orange
County PIN numbers 9853797619, 9854716006, and 9854815060 totaling 70.63 acres, and
which is more particularly described in"Exhibit A"which is attached hereto and incorporated
herein by reference as if fully set forth herein(the "Property").
B. Grantee is a body politic existing under Chapter 153A of the North Carolina
General Statues, and is qualified to hold Easements under the applicable laws of the State of
North Carolina.
C. The State of North Carolina ("State")has enacted the Conservation and Historic
Preservation Agreements Act, Chapter 121, Article 4 of the North Carolina General Statutes
("N.C.G.S."), which provides for the enforceability of restrictions, easements, covenants, and
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conditions "appropriate to retaining land or water areas predominantly in their natural, scenic or
open condition . . . ."
D. The North Carolina Land and Water Fund a.k.a. North Carolina Clean Water
Management Trust Fund("Fund") is authorized by N.C.G.S. Chapter 143B, Article 2, Part 41 to
acquire land and interests in land on behalf of the State:
• for riparian buffers for the purposes of providing environmental protection for surface
waters and urban drinking water supplies and establishing a network of riparian
greenways for environmental, educational, and recreational uses,
• for the purpose of protecting and conserving surface waters and enhancing drinking water
supplies, including the development of water supply reservoirs,
• to provide buffers around military bases to protect the military mission,
• that represent the ecological diversity of North Carolina, including natural features such
as riverine, montane, coastal, and geologic systems and other natural areas to ensure their
preservation and conservation for recreational, scientific, educational, cultural, and
aesthetic purposes, and
• that contribute to the development of a balanced State program of historic properties.
E. Grantor and Grantee have agreed to set aside a 23.5-acre area of the Property for
the purpose of creating a conservation easement. The area is hereinafter referred to as the
"Easement Area." The Easement Area is described in"Exhibit B"which is attached hereto and
incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein.
The Easement Area has the following conservation values and serves the following
conservation purposes:
• to preserve, enhance, restore, and maintain the natural features and resources of the
riparian buffer, to control runoff of sediment, and to improve and maintain the water
quality, of portions of Rocky Run and its tributaries,
• to preserve and maintain the natural features and resources of the riparian buffer, and to
provide environmental, educational, and recreational uses, including riparian greenway
along portions of Rocky Run and its tributaries,
• to protect and preserve the ecological diversity including natural features such as
Sevenmile Creek natural area for recreational, scientific, educational, cultural, and
aesthetic purposes, and
• to preserve and protect the natural, historic, and cultural features of the Easement Area
containing or located next to the Moorefields Home and Grounds (c. 1785) listed on the
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National Registry of Historic Places and an Orange County Landmark, to develop a
balanced State program of historic properties.
Moreover, Grantor and Grantee recognize that the Easement Area has other conservation
values and purposes, including fish and wildlife conservation, open space values, and scenic
values (hereinafter, collectively with the conservation values described in this Section E of the
Recitals and the conservation purposes of this Conservation Easement, the "Conservation
Values").
F. Grantee has received or will receive a grant from Fund in accordance with Grant
Contract No. 2020-048 between Grantee and Fund dated January 5, 2021 (the "Grant
Contract"). In the Grant Contract, Grantee agreed to enter into this Conservation Easement. The
terms and conditions of the Grant Contract are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set
forth herein. The Grant Contract is on file and available for public inspection in the offices of
Grantee and Fund. The Grant Contract and this Conservation Easement are collectively referred
to herein as the "Project."
G. Grantor and Grantee acknowledge that the Easement Area is currently
unencumbered except as permitted in Article V of this Conservation Easement. The Easement
Area's characteristics, its current use, and its state of improvement are described in a Baseline
Documentation Report (the "BDR"), which was required under the Grant Contract and is on file
and available for public inspection in the offices of Grantee and Fund. The Parties acknowledge
that the BDR is the appropriate basis for monitoring compliance with the objectives of
preserving the Conservation Values and that it is not intended to preclude the use of other
evidence (e.g. surveys, appraisals) to establish the condition of the Easement Area at the time of
the execution of this Conservation Easement if there is a controversy over such condition.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual benefits recited
herein, together with other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
are hereby acknowledged by the Parties, Grantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably gives,
grants, and conveys forever and in perpetuity to Grantee, its successors and assigns, and Grantee
hereby accepts, this Conservation Easement of the nature and character and to the extent
hereinafter set forth in, on, over, under, through, above, and across the Easement Area, together
with the right and easement to preserve and protect the Conservation Values.
The purpose of this Conservation Easement is to protect and preserve the Conservation
Values as outlined above in Section E of the Recitals including the conservation purposes and it
shall be so held, maintained, and used therefor. Grantor hereby conveys to Grantee all
development rights that are now or hereafter allocated to, or are implied or inherent in, the
Easement Area, and the Parties agree that such rights are terminated and extinguished, and may
not be used on or transmitted to any portion of the Property, as it now or hereafter may be
bounded or described, or to any other property. It is the further purpose of this Conservation
Easement to prevent any use of the Easement Area that will impair or interfere with the
preservation of the Conservation Values. Grantor intends that this Conservation Easement will
restrict the use of the Easement Area to such activities as are consistent with the Conservation
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Values.
FURTHER, for the purpose of providing uninterrupted access to the Easement Area,
Grantor grants and conveys unto Grantee,its successors and assigns, a perpetual right of ingress,
egress, and regress to and from the Easement Area from Moorefields Road, (2)across the Property,
(3)in any other right-of-way appurtenant to the Property, and(4) across any other lands owned by
Grantor.
ARTICLE I. DURATION OF EASEMENT
This Conservation Easement shall be perpetual. It is an easement in gross,runs with the
land, and is enforceable by Grantee, its successors and assigns, against Grantor, its representatives,
successors, assigns, lessees, agents, and licensees.
ARTICLE II. RIGHTS RESERVED TO GRANTOR
Grantor reserves the right accruing from the fee simple ownership of the Property to
engage in or permit others to engage in the uses of the Easement Area that are not inconsistent
with this Conservation Easement or the Conservation Values. All rights reserved by Grantor, are
reserved for Grantor and its successors and assigns. The specific reserved rights listed below in
this Article II are considered to be consistent with this Conservation Easement and the
Conservation Values. Grantor shall continue to own and may use the Property in any lawful
manner that is consistent with this Conservation Easement and the Conservation Values. The
Parties acknowledge and agree that they have no right to agree to any activity that would result
in the termination of this Conservation Easement.
The Easement Area shall be restricted from any development or usage that would impair
or interfere with the Conservation Values including the purposes of this Conservation Easement.
The following uses are reserved as indicated:
A. Access and Use. Grantor reserves the right to allow access and use of the
Easement Area for the purposes of the activities permitted herein. Grantor reserves the right to
generate income from individuals and groups related to the activities permitted under the rights
reserved herein, so long as the activities are not detrimental to the Conservation Values.
B. Passive Recreational Use. Grantor reserves the right to engage in and to permit
others to engage in passive recreational uses of the Easement Area that do not require surface
alteration of the land and pose no threat to the Conservation Values. By way of illustration, such
passive recreational uses may include hiking,walking, scientific study, animal/plant observation,
nature and environmental education, historic tours, photography, so long as such uses are
consistent with the maintenance of the Conservation Values, and such uses are subject to all
applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
C. Existing Roads and Trails. Grantor reserves the right to maintain existing
unpaved roads and trails in the Easement Area. These roads and trails shall not be paved without
prior written approval of Fund. The existing roads and trails may be stabilized with gravel and
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permanent vegetation. Associated ditches, culverts, stream crossings, and bridges may be
maintained and replaced as necessary as maintenance of the road or trail. All necessary care shall
be taken to maintain existing roads and trails in a manner so as not to impair any Conservation
Values. Existing roads and trails shall not be realigned without the prior written approval of
Fund.
D. Motorized Vehicles. Grantor or assigned reserves the right to use motorized
vehicles on allowed roads and trails for management, maintenance, or stewardship purposes.
E. New Trails. Grantor or assigned reserves the right to construct and maintain new
natural surface trails for the purpose of hiking, including the right to construct and maintain the
NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail within the Easement Area.. Grantor or assigned further reserves the
right to pave trails for non-motorized recreational purposes. All trails must be located a
minimum distance of fifty(50) feet from the top of the bank of all surface water, unless such
locations are physically impracticable, and must be located so as not to impair the Conservation
Values. All trail construction involving soil disturbance must follow best practices for
sustainable trail design and construction and must have prior written approval by Fund. Private
trails for personal use by the landowner and a small number of guests that will not have more
than a de minimis impact on the land, water quality, or environment are excepted from the
requirements of the immediately preceding sentence. When required by the terrain, trails may
include boardwalks, ramps, and handrails to the extent necessary. Trails may include stream
crossings up to 6 feet wide,provided they are permitted by all applicable regulatory authorities.
All necessary care shall be taken to construct and maintain trails in a manner so as not to impair
any Conservation Values either during or after construction. Fund shall have the authority to
require the closure of any trail that is detrimental to any Conservation Values. All realignments
of trails are subject to the requirements of this Paragraph.
F. Trail and Recreational Accessories. Grantor or assigned reserves the right to
construct and maintain park benches, litter receptacles, and directional, educational, and
informational signs along existing trails and approved new trails. Grantor or assigned, further
reserves the right to construct and maintain one (1) observation platform along existing and
approved new trails or on the banks of surface water if allowed and approved by all applicable
regulatory authorities. All necessary care shall be taken to construct and maintain trail and
recreational accessories in a manner so as not to impair any Conservation Values either during
or after construction. Fund shall have the authority to require the removal of any trail or
recreational accessory that is detrimental to any Conservation Values.
G. Vegetation Management. Grantor or assigned, reserves the right to manage
vegetation for boundary marking, fencing, signage, fire containment, disease control, insect
control, invasive exotic plant control, and removal of conditions that threaten life or property.
Methods of vegetation management may include, but are not limited to, selective cutting,
prescribed burning, and application of herbicides or pesticides.
H. Native Community Restoration, Management, and Maintenance. Grantor reserves
the right to perform all activities necessary to restore, manage, or maintain the native plant and
animal communities in the Easement Area,provided, however, that the conversion of one habitat
type to a native habitat type requires prior written approval of Fund. All necessary care shall be
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taken to protect all Conservation Values, and restoration, management, and maintenance
activities shall be carried out in a manner so as not to impair any Conservation Values either
during or after the activities.
I. Stream/Wetland Restoration. Grantor reserves the right to perform all activities
necessary to restore and stabilize streams and wetlands to enhance water quality on the Easement
Area. Such activities shall be based upon prevailing design and permitting standards. Restoration
and stabilization activities shall be based on a design using as many natural materials as possible,
shall require prior written approval of Fund, and shall be subject to all applicable regulatory
authorities.
J. Signs. Grantor or assigned, reserves the right to post the following signs: no
trespassing signs, local, state, or federal traffic or similar information signs, for sale or lease
signs, signs identifying the Conservation Values of the Easement, signs identifying Grantor as
owner of the Property, signs identifying the funders or the holders of Conservation Easements,
educational signs, directional signs, and interpretative signs.
ARTICLE III. PROHIBITED AND RESTRICTED ACTIVITIES
Any activity on, or use of,the Easement Area that is inconsistent with this Conservation
Easement or the Conservation Values is prohibited. The Easement Area shall be maintained in its
natural, scenic,wooded, and open condition and restricted from any development or use that would
impair or interfere with this Conservation Easement or the Conservation Values.
Without limiting the generality of the immediately foregoing Paragraph, the following
activities and uses are expressly prohibited or restricted in the Easement Area as stated, except to
the extent of rights specifically reserved to Grantor in Article IL When an activity or use is
prohibited or restricted in,within, on, or of the Easement Area, the activity or use is prohibited or
restricted in, on, over, under, through, above, and across the Easement Area.
A. Industrial and Commercial Use. Industrial and commercial activities and any rights
of passage for such purposes are prohibited in the Easement Area.
B. Agricultural, Grazing and Horticultural Use. Agriculture, grazing,horticultural and
animal husbandry operations and any rights of passage for such purposes are prohibited in the
Easement Area.
C. Disturbance of Natural Features, Plants, and Animals. There shall be no cutting or
removal of trees and no disturbance of other natural features within the Easement Area...
D. Construction of Structures or Improvements. There shall be no constructing or
placing of any temporary or permanent structure, improvement, building, fixture, mobile home,
asphalt, concrete, or other pavement,billboard or other advertising display, antenna,utility pole,
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tower, conduit, line, or facility in the Easement Area.
E. Motorized Vehicles. Use of motorized vehicles in the Easement Area is prohibited
F. Signs. Signs are not permitted in the Easement Area.
G. Mineral Use, Excavation, Dredging. There shall be no filling, excavation,
dredging, mining, or drilling in the Easement Area. There shall be no removal of topsoil, sand,
gravel, rock,peat, minerals, hydrocarbons, or other materials from the Easement Area. There
shall be no change in the topography of the land in the Easement Area in any manner.
H. Wetlands and Water Quality. There shall be no pollution or alteration of surface
waters in the Easement Area. There shall be no construction or other activities that would be
detrimental to water quality or that would alter the natural water levels, drainage, sedimentation,
or water flow in, on, or over the Easement Area or into any surface waters. There shall be no
construction or other activities that would cause soil degradation or erosion. There shall be no
diking, dredging, alteration, draining, filling, or removal of wetlands.
I. Dumping. Dumping of soil,trash, ashes, garbage, waste, abandoned vehicles,
appliances, machinery, or other materials in the Easement Area is prohibited.
J. Conveyance and Subdivision. The Easement Area consists of three (3)
contiguous areas of the Property. The Easement Area shall not be further divided, subdivided, or
partitioned. No property interest in the Easement Area, including, but not limited to the fee
simple interest, shall be further divided, subdivided, or partitioned. Without limiting the
foregoing, the individual areas included in the Easement Area shall not be conveyed except all
together in undivided ownership and in their current configuration.
K. Open Space and Development Rights. The Easement Area shall not be used to
satisfy open space or density requirements of any cluster or other development scheme or plan.
The development rights encumbered by this Conservation Easement shall not be transferred to
any other land pursuant to a transfer of development rights scheme, a cluster development
arrangement, or otherwise.
L. Mitigation._ There shall be no use of the Easement Area or any portion thereof to
satisfy compensatory mitigation requirements under 33 USC Section 1344,N.C.G.S. §143-
214.11 or any successor or replacement provision of the foregoing.
ARTICLE IV. ENFORCEMENT AND REMEDIES
A. Enforcement and Remedies. Grantee has the right to prevent and stop any
violation of this Conservation Easement, including,but not limited to, preventing and stopping
any activity on or use of the Easement Area that is inconsistent with this Conservation Easement
or its purposes, and to require the prompt restoration to the condition required by this
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Conservation Easement of such areas or features of the Easement Area that may have been
damaged by such violation, activity, or use. Upon any breach of the terms of this Conservation
Easement by Grantor that comes to the attention of Grantee, Grantee, may notify Grantor in
writing of such breach. Grantor shall have ninety(90) days after receipt of such notice to correct
the conditions constituting such breach. If the breach remains uncured after ninety (90) days,
Grantee may enforce this Conservation Easement by legal proceedings for damages, injunctive
relief, and any other legal or equitable remedy. Grantee shall also have the power and authority,
consistent with its statutory authority: (a) to prevent any impairment of the Easement Area by
acts which may be unlawful or in violation of this Conservation Easement, (b)to otherwise
preserve or protect its interest in the Easement Area, and(c)to seek damages from any
appropriate person or entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Grantee has the immediate right,
without notice, to obtain a temporary restraining order, injunction, or other appropriate relief if a
breach or threatened breach of the terms of this Conservation Easement is or would irreversibly
or materially impair the benefits to be derived from this Conservation Easement. Grantor and
Grantee acknowledge that under such circumstances damage to Grantee would be irreparable and
remedies at law will be inadequate. The rights and remedies of Grantee provided hereunder shall
be in addition to, and not in lieu of, all other rights and remedies available to Grantee in
connection with this Conservation Easement, including,without limitation, those set forth in the
Grant Contract under which this Conservation Easement was obtained.
B. Access for Inspection and Right of Entry. Grantee shall have the right, by and
through its agents and employees, to enter the Property to inspect the Easement Area for
compliance with this Conservation Easement at all reasonable times and with prior notice and, if
necessary, cross other lands owned by Grantor for the purposes of(1) inspecting the Easement
Area to determine if Grantor is complying with this Conservation Easement and its purposes, (2)
enforcing the terms of this Conservation Easement, (3)taking any and all actions with respect to
the Easement Area as may be necessary or appropriate with or without order of the Court, to
remedy or abate violations hereof, and(4) making scientific and educational observations and
studies and taking samples in such a manner as will not disturb the quiet enjoyment of the
Easement Area by Grantor.
C. Termination and Proceeds of Property Rights Created. This Conservation
Easement gives rise to a property right that is immediately vested in Grantee at the time of
recordation,with a fair market value that is equal to the proportionate value that the
Conservation Easement bears to the full value of the whole Property, as if unencumbered by the
Conservation Easement, on the date of the recording of this Conservation Easement. This
proportionate value shall remain constant. For the purposes of determining any distribution of
proceeds pursuant to this Paragraph, Grantor's proportionate contribution to the purchase price
shall be deemed to be 0%, Orange County's proportionate contribution to the purchase price
shall be deemed to be 0%, and State of North Carolina's proportionate contribution to the
purchase price shall be deemed to be 100%. "Proceeds of Sale" shall mean the cash value of all
money and property paid, transferred, or contributed in consideration for, or as otherwise
required as a condition to, the taking of, sale of, exchange of, involuntary conversion of, or
severance damages to, the Property or part thereof, and any money, damages, or just
compensation otherwise awarded as a result of judicial proceedings, minus Grantor's reasonable
expenses from such transaction or proceeding.
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1. Eminent Domain. Whenever all or part of the Property is taken by eminent
domain, threatened to be taken by an entity with the power of eminent domain, or
acquired, or sought to be acquired, by negotiated sale in lieu of condemnation, whether
by public, corporate, or other authority, Grantor shall immediately give notice to Grantee
and Fund, and shall take all appropriate actions related to such taking or negotiated sale
in coordination with and with the prior written approval of Grantee and Fund, to recover
the full fair market value (without regard to any diminution in value attributable to the
Conservation Easement) of the taking or acquisition and all incidental, direct, and
severance damages resulting from the taking or acquisition. Grantee, its successors and
assigns, shall be entitled to its proportionate share of the Proceeds of Sale which shall
include, but not be limited to, the proceeds of such taking of, sale of, exchange of,
involuntary conversion of, and severance damages to, the Property or any part thereof,
and any damage or just compensation otherwise awarded with respect to any judicial
proceedings, according to Grantee's proportional interest in the value of the Property as
determined under Treasury Regulations §1.170A-14(g)(6)(ii) or any successor regulation.
As allowed by N.C.G.S. §146-30(a), Grantee shall use its share of the Proceeds of Sale in
a manner consistent with the purpose(s) of the Conservation Easement as set forth herein.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, all Proceeds of Sale shall be distributed among the Parties
according to each Party's respective contribution to the purchase price of the Property
and this Conservation Easement as specified above. Nothing herein limits Grantee's right
to be included as a named parry in any eminent domain action or its right to just
compensation for the taking of its property interest.
2. Changed Conditions. If a subsequent, unexpected change in conditions
surrounding the Property or any part thereof makes impossible or impractical the
continued use of the Property for the purposes of this Conservation Easement as set forth
herein, and the Conservation Easement is extinguished in whole or in part by judicial
proceeding, Grantee, its successors and assigns, shall be entitled to its proportionate share
of the Proceeds of Sale which shall include, but not be limited to the proceeds of any sale,
exchange, or involuntary conversion of the Property or any part thereof, and any damage
award with respect to any judicial proceedings according to Grantee's proportional
interest in the value of the Property as determined under Treasury Regulations §1.170A-
14(g)(6)(ii) or any successor regulation. As allowed by N.C.G.S. §146-30(a), Grantee
shall use its share of the Proceeds of Sale in a manner consistent with the purpose(s) of
the Conservation Easement as set forth herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all
Proceeds of Sale shall be distributed among the Parties according to each Party's
respective contribution to the purchase price of the Property and this Conservation
Easement as specified above. Nothing herein limits Grantee's right to be included as a
named parry in any judicial proceedings related to changed conditions.
D. Acts Beyond Grantor's Control.Nothing contained in this Conservation Easement
shall be construed to entitle Grantee to bring any action against Grantor for any injury or change
in the Easement Area resulting from the acts of third parties not authorized by Grantor, or from
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causes beyond Grantor's control, including, without limitation, fire, flood, storm, and earth
movement, or from any prudent action taken in good faith by Grantor under emergency
conditions to prevent, abate, or mitigate significant injury to life, property, or the Easement Area,
resulting from such causes.
E. Costs of Enforcement. Any costs incurred by Grantee in enforcing the terms of
this Conservation Easement against Grantor, including, without limitation, any costs of
restoration necessitated by Grantor's acts or omissions in violation of the terms of this
Conservation Easement, shall be borne by Grantor.
F. No Waiver. Any forbearance by Grantee to exercise its rights hereunder in the
event of any breach of any term set forth herein shall not be deemed or construed to be a waiver
by Grantee of such term or of any subsequent breach of the same or of any other term of this
Conservation Easement or of Grantee's rights. No delay or omission by Grantee in exercise of
any right or remedy shall impair such right or remedy or be construed as a waiver.
ARTICLE V. TITLE
Grantor covenants, represents, and warrants (i) that Grantor is the sole owner and is
seized of the Property including the Easement Area in fee simple and has good right to grant and
convey this Conservation Easement, (ii) that there is legal access to the Property and the
Easement Area, (iii)that the Property and Easement Area are free and clear of any and all
encumbrances, except those permitted exceptions outlined below,none of which would nullify,
impair, or limit in any way the terms or effect of this Conservation Easement, (iv) that Grantor
shall defend its and Grantee's title against the claims of all persons whomsoever, and(v)that
Grantee, its successors and assigns, shall have the right to monitor and defend the terms of this
Conservation Easement. The following are permitted exceptions to the above covenants,
representations, and warranties:
ARTICLE VI. MISCELLANEOUS
A. Stewardship of the Conservation Easement. Pursuant to the terms of the Grant
Contract and any contract for stewardship of the Easement Area entered into pursuant to the
Grant Contract, Grantor acknowledges that The Association of the Preservation of the Eno River
Valley, Inc. (a.k.a. Eno River Association)will monitor and observe the Easement Area in
perpetuity to assure compliance with the purposes and provisions of this Conservation Easement
and the provisions of the Grant Contract, and that it will report on the condition of the Easement
Area, or provide for such reporting, to State and Fund no less frequently than once a year, and
further will report immediately to State and Fund any observed and/or known violations of this
Conservation Easement or the Grant Contract. The Parties acknowledge that the associated
stewardship monies awarded under the Grant Contract are administered pursuant to N.C.G.S.
§143B-135.236 which establishes the North Carolina Conservation Easement Endowment Fund,
or any successor law, and Fund's internal policies and procedures, and that Eno River
Association's obligation to monitor the Easement Area at any given time is contingent on the
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availability of said stewardship funds. Further, the Parties acknowledge that this obligation to
monitor the Easement Area is assignable without the consent of the Grantor provided such
assignment is made with the prior written approval of Fund and evidenced by a written
instrument signed by the Parties to the assignment and recorded in the Office of the Register of
Deeds of Orange County. Provided further, that any such assignment of Eno River Association's
obligation to monitor the Easement Area shall include a right of entry onto the Property and the
Easement Area for the assignee of said monitoring obligation, and shall require the monitoring to
be carried out in accordance with and subject to N.C.G.S. §14313-135.236 or any successor law,
and Fund's internal stewardship policies and procedures. The Parties specifically acknowledge
that neither Eno River Association's obligation to monitor the Easement Area, nor its assignment
of said obligation, shall have any effect on the rights and obligations of Grantee of this
Conservation Easement. Further,the Parties covenant that the obligation to provide monitoring
of the Easement Area will survive any transfer of Grantor's fee interest in the Property.
B. Subsequent Transfers of the Fee or Other Interests; Licenses. Grantor agrees for
itself, its successors and assigns, that in the event it intends to transfer the Property, any interest
in the Property, any portion of the Property that includes the Easement Area, or any license to
use the Easement Area, to notify Grantee and Fund in writing of the names and addresses of any
party to whom the Property, any interest in the Property, any portion of the Property that includes
the Easement Area, or any license to use the Easement Area, is to be transferred, the nature of
the interest or license to be transferred, and the terms and conditions of the intended transfer, at
least sixty(60) days before the transfer is intended to be consummated. Grantor, for itself, its
successors and assigns, further agrees to make specific reference to this Conservation Easement
in a separate paragraph of any subsequent lease, deed, license, or other legal instrument by which
any interest or license in the Property is conveyed. The Property owner shall not convey the
Property or any interest or license therein, and shall not incur, assume, or suffer to exist any lien,
upon or with respect to the Property,without disclosing to the prospective transferee the
Conservation Easement,the obligations of the Property owner, and the limitations on use of the
Property.No interest or license in the Property shall be transferred except in writing in accordance
with the above. Nothing in this Paragraph abrogates or limits Paragraph J of Article III hereof.
C. Subsequent Transfers of the Conservation Easement. The Parties hereto recognize
and agree that the benefits of this Conservation Easement are in gross and assignable with any
such assignee having all the rights and remedies of Grantee hereunder. The Parties hereby
covenant and agree, that in the event this Conservation Easement is transferred or assigned, the
transferee or assignee of the Conservation Easement will be a qualified organization as that term
is defined in Section 170(h)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"), as amended,
or any successor section, and the regulations promulgated thereunder that is organized or
operated primarily for one of the conservation purposes specified in Section 170(h)(4)(A) of the
Code, a qualified holder as that term is defined in the Act or any successor statute, and a
qualified grant recipient pursuant to N.C.G.S. Chapter 14313, Article 2, Part 41. The Parties
further covenant and agree that the terms of the transfer or the assignment will be such that the
transferee or assignee will be required to continue to carry out in perpetuity the purpose(s) of the
Conservation Easement that the contribution was originally intended to advance as set forth
herein,but acknowledge specifically that any transfer or assignment of the Conservation
Easement shall have no effect on Eno River Association's obligation to provide stewardship of
the Conservation Easement as set forth in this Article VI.
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D. Existing Responsibilities of Grantor and Grantee Not Affected. Other than as
specified herein, this Conservation Easement is not intended to impose any legal or other
responsibility on Grantee, or in any way to affect any existing obligation of Grantor as owner of
the Property, which includes the Easement Area. Among other things, this shall apply to:
1. Taxes. Grantor shall continue to be solely responsible for payment of all
taxes and assessments levied against the Property, including the Easement
Area. If Grantee is ever required to pay any taxes or assessments on its
interest in the Easement Area, Grantor shall reimburse Grantee for the
same.
2. Upkeep and Maintenance. Grantor shall continue to be solely responsible
for the upkeep and maintenance of the Property, including the Easement
Area, to the extent it may be required by law. Grantee shall have no
obligation for the upkeep or maintenance of the Easement Area.
3. Liability and Indemnification. If Grantee is ever required by a court to pay
damages resulting from personal injury or property damage that occurs on
the Property, including the Easement Area, Grantor shall indemnify and
reimburse Grantee for these payments, as well as reasonable attorneys'
fees and other expenses of defending itself,unless Grantee has committed
a deliberate act that is determined to be the sole cause of the injury or
damage.
E. Conservation Purpose. Grantor and Grantee, each for itself, and its respective
successors and assigns, agree that this Conservation Easement shall be held exclusively for
conservation purposes set forth by the Grant Contract, this Conservation Easement, and as
specified in Section 170(h)(4)(A) of the Code. Further, this Conservation Easement shall be
construed to promote the purposes of the Act and such purposes of this Conservation Easement
as are defined in Section 170(h)(4)(A) of the Code.
F. Recording. Grantee shall record this instrument and any amendment hereto in the
official records of Orange County,North Carolina, and may re-record it at any time as may be
required to preserve Grantee's rights.
G. Notices. Any notices shall be sent by registered or certified mail,return receipt
requested, to the Parties at their addresses shown below, and each Party may update its
information by a notice sent in accordance with this Paragraph:
If to Grantee: If to Grantor:
Orange County c/o DEAPR Friends of Moorefields, Trustee
P.O. Box 8181 2201 Moorefields Road
Hillsborough,NC 27278 Hillsborough,NC 27278
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H. Amendments. Grantor and Grantee, or their successors in interest in the Property,
are free to jointly amend this Conservation Easement to meet changing conditions,provided that
no amendment will be allowed that is inconsistent with the purposes of this Conservation
Easement or affects the perpetual duration of this Conservation Easement. Such amendments
require the prior written approval of both Grantor and Grantee and shall be effective upon
recording in the public records of Orange County,North Carolina.
I. Environmental Condition of the Property. Grantor warrants, represents, and
covenants to Grantee that to the best of its knowledge after appropriate inquiry and investigation:
(a) the Property described herein is and at all times hereafter will continue to be in full
compliance with all federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations, (b) as of the
date hereof, there are no hazardous materials, substances, wastes, or environmentally regulated
substances (including, without limitation, any materials containing asbestos) located on, in, or
under the Property or used in connection therewith, (c)that there are no environmental
conditions existing on the Property that may prohibit or impede use of the Easement Area for the
purposes set forth herein, and(d) Grantor will not allow such conditions.
J. Indemnity. Grantor agrees to the fullest extent permitted by law, to protect,
indemnify, and hold harmless Grantee from and against all claims, actions, liabilities, damages,
fines,penalties, costs, expenses, and attorneys' fees suffered or incurred as a direct or indirect
result of any violation of any federal, state, or local environmental or land use law or regulation
or of the use or presence of any hazardous substance, hazardous waste, or other regulated
material in, on, or under the Property.
K. Entire Agreement. The Recitals set forth above and the exhibits, if any, attached
hereto are incorporated herein by reference. This instrument, including the Grant Contract
incorporated by reference herein, sets forth the entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the
Project and supersedes all prior discussions, negotiations, understandings, and agreements
relating to the Project. To the extent that this Conservation Easement is in conflict with the Grant
Contract, the terms of this Conservation Easement shall control.
L. Interpretation and Severance. This Conservation Easement shall be construed and
interpreted under the laws of the State and the United States, and any ambiguities herein shall be
resolved so as to give maximum effect to the conservation purposes sought to be protected
herein. The normal rule of construction of ambiguities against the drafting parry shall not apply
in the interpretation of this Conservation Easement. Further, this Conservation Easement shall be
construed to promote the purposes of the Act, which authorizes the creation of conservation
agreements for purposes including those set forth herein, and such conservation purposes as are
defined in Section 170(h) (4) (A) of the Code. If any provision of this Conservation Easement is
found to be invalid, the remainder of the provisions of this Conservation Easement, and the
application of such provisions to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is
found to be invalid, shall not be affected thereby and shall remain in full force and effect.
M. Parties. Every provision of this Conservation Easement that applies to Grantor or
to Grantee or to Fund shall likewise apply to their respective executors, administrators,
successors, and assigns.
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N. No Extinguishment through Merger. The Parties agree that the doctrine of
extinguishment by merger shall not apply to this Conservation Easement because of the public
interest in its enforcement. The Parties agree that this Conservation Easement and its terms shall
survive any coming together of the ownership of the fee interest and the Conservation Easement
interest in the Easement Area, and that this Conservation Easement shall not be merged into the
fee interest. Further, the Parties agree that if Grantee, or any successor in interest to Grantee,
acquires title to any fee interest in the Easement Area (i) said owner shall observe and be bound
by the obligations and the restrictions imposed upon the Easement Area by this Conservation
Easement and(ii) this Conservation Easement shall not be extinguished through the doctrine of
merger in any way in view of the public interest in its enforcement.
O. Subsequent Liens. No provision of this Conservation Easement shall be construed
as impairing the ability of Grantor to use the Property for collateral for borrowing purposes,
provided that any mortgage or lien arising therefrom shall be subordinate to this Conservation
Easement.
P. Gender. The designations Grantor, Grantee, State, and Fund, as used herein shall
include the persons or entities indicated and their administrators, successors, and assigns, and
shall include the singular, plural, masculine, feminine, or neuter as the context may require.
Q. Headings. The headings of the various sections of this Conservation Easement
have been inserted for convenience only and shall not modify, define, limit, or expand the
express provisions of this Conservation Easement.
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD unto Grantee, its successors and assigns, forever. The
covenants agreed to and the terms, conditions,restrictions, and purposes imposed as aforesaid
shall be binding upon Grantor and Grantor's representatives, successors and assigns, and shall
continue as a servitude running in perpetuity with the Property.
[See next page for signatures and notary acknowledgement]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Grantor, by authority duly given, has hereunto caused these
presents to be executed under seal in such form as to be binding, the day and year first above
written, and Grantee accepts this Conservation Easement by the recording hereof in the public
records.
GRANTOR:
FRIENDS OF MOOREFIELDS, TRUSTEE OF THE
EFFIE-DRAPER SAVAGE—NELLIE DRAPER
DICK MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
By: (SEAL)
Michael Hammersley
President
ATTEST:
By:
Debbie Piscitelli
Corporate Secretary
[Affix Corporate Seal]
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF
I, the undersigned Notary Public of the aforesaid county,North Carolina, do hereby
certify that Debbie Piscitelli personally appeared before me this day and acknowledged that
he/she is the Corporate Secretary of Friends of Moorefields, a NC nonprofit corporation, Trustee
of the Effie Draper-Savage—Nellie Draper Dick Memorial Foundation, and that by authority
duly given and as the act of the corporation, acting as Trustee the foregoing instrument was
signed in its name by its President, Michael Hammersly sealed with its corporate seal, and
attested by himself/herself as its Corporate SecretarX.
Witness my hand and notarial seal this the day of ,
2021.
Notary Public:
Printed Name:
My commission expires:
STAMP/SEAL
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EXHIBIT A
LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
PROPERTY OF DRAPER SAVAGE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
CHEEKS TOWNSHIP
ORANGE COUNTY,NORTH CAROLINA
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EXHIBIT B
LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF NCLWF EASEMENT AREA
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ASSIGNMENT OF CONSERVATION EASEMENT
Draper Savage Memorial Foundation Property
Prepared by: Orange County,North Carolina and the North Carolina Land and Water Fund
After Recording Return to:
Christian Himi, P.O. Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278
NORTH CAROLINA ORANGE COUNTY
Tax Parcel No. 9854716006, 9854815060, and 9853797619
NCLWF No. 2020-048
THIS ASSIGNMENT OF CONSERVATION EASEMENT is made and executed on this the
day of 20_, by ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA ("Assignor" or
"County") ,with an address of P.O. BOX 8181, HILLSBOROUGH,NC 27278 to the STATE OF
NORTH CAROLINA ("Assignee" or "State"), with a mailing address of c/o State Property
Office,Attn: NCLWF Real Property Agent, 1321 Mail Service Center,Raleigh,NC 27699-1321,
acting by and through the NORTH CAROLINA LAND AND WATER FUND("Fund")a.k.a.the
North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund,a division of the North Carolina Department
of Natural and Cultural Resources, with an address of Attn: Contract Administrator, 1651 Mail
Service Center, Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1651.
RECITALS
A. Assignor is a nonprofit corporation, operated primarily for conservation purposes,
including protection of environmentally valuable and sensitive land for charitable, scientific,
educational, and aesthetic purposes.
B. Assignee is a sovereign entity and as such is authorized to accept, hold, and
administer interests in land including conservation easements, is a"qualified organization"and an
"eligible donee" within the meaning of Section 170(h) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
and regulations promulgated there under, and is an eligible holder of conservation easements
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within the meaning of North Carolina General Statutes ("N.C.G.S.") Chapter 121, Article 4, the
"Conservation and Historic Preservation Agreements Act."
C. The Fund is authorized by N.C.G.S. Chapter 143B, Article 2, Part 41 to acquire
land and interests in land, including conservation easements:
• for riparian buffers for the purposes of providing environmental protection for
surface waters and urban drinking water supplies and establishing a network of
riparian greenways for environmental, educational, and recreational uses; and
• for the purpose of protecting and conserving surface waters and enhancing drinking
water supplies, including the development of water supply reservoirs; and
• to provide buffers around military bases to protect the military mission; and
• that represent the ecological diversity of North Carolina, including natural features
such as riverine, montane, coastal, and geological systems and other natural areas
to ensure their preservation and conservation for recreational, scientific,
educational, cultural, and aesthetic purposes; and
• that contribute to the development of a balanced State program of historic
properties.
D. Assignor acquired a conservation easement by instrument recorded in Book
Page , Orange County Register of Deeds, on (the "Conservation
Easement") on certain lands owned by Draper Savage Memorial Foundation ("Easement
Grantor"), located in Cheeks Township, Orange County, North Carolina, being hereinafter
referred to as the "Easement Area" and being more particularly described in the Conservation
Easement.
E. Assignor has received a grant from the Fund identified in Grant Contract No.2020-
048 (the "Grant Contract"), in consideration of which it acquired the Conservation Easement.
Easement Grantor and Assignor have agreed in the Conservation Easement that the Easement Area
shall be conserved and managed in a manner that will fulfill the purposes of the Conservation
Easement, and otherwise promote the public purposes authorized by N.C.G.S. Chapter 143B,
Article 2, Part 41, and the parties hereto acknowledge that such restricted use is in accordance
with, and furthers the purposes of, the Grant Contract.
F. The Conservation Easement sets aside an area of land containing 23.5 acres, more
or less,which is more fully described in the Conservation Easement,and is depicted on a map entitled
"prepared by ,PLS,dated
and recorded in Book of Maps ,Page County
Registry. The Conservation Easement sets forth certain restrictions on the use of the Easement Area in
order to fulfill the terms of the Grant Contract.
G. The terms of the Grant Contract require Assignor to assign the Conservation
Easement to the Assignee and retain unto itself the nonexclusive right and obligation to monitor
the Easement Area and report on its condition to the Fund at least annually together with a right
of access to and from the Easement Area, and Easement Grantor consented to this Assignment by
executing the Conservation Easement.
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NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of monies paid or to be paid by the Fund to
Assignor pursuant to the Grant Contract,and for other good and valuable consideration,the receipt
and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged,Assignor does hereby assign,transfer, set over,
and convey the Conservation Easement to the State, and the State,acting by and through the Fund,
hereby accepts this Assignment of Conservation Easement by the recording hereof.
PROVIDED HOWEVER, Assignor hereby reserves unto itself a nonexclusive right and
obligation to monitor and observe the Easement Area, including a right of ingress, egress, and
regress to and from the Easement Area over, upon, and across all access rights of way and
easements appurtenant to the Conservation Easement, to exercise said monitoring rights and
obligations, and further accepts unto itself the obligation to report annually to the Fund any
potential violations of the Conservation Easement.
PROVIDED FURTHER, that the associated stewardship monies awarded under the Grant
Contract shall be administered pursuant to N.C.G.S. §14313-135.236 which establishes the North
Carolina Conservation Easement Endowment Fund, or any successor law, and the internal policies
and procedures of the Fund, which provide, inter alia that The Association of the Preservation of
the Eno River Valley, Inc. (a.k.a. Eno River Association)'s obligation to monitor the Easement
Area at any given time is contingent on availability of such stewardship funds.
PROVIDED FURTHER, the parties hereto specifically acknowledge that the reservation
by Eno River Association of this nonexclusive right and obligation to monitor and report on the
Easement Area is assignable separate and apart from the Conservation Easement and the rights
and responsibilities of the Grantee created thereunder,but such assignment may be made only with
the written consent of the Fund and notice to the Easement Grantor, and if so assigned, such
assignment shall have no effect on the rights and obligations of the State as the ultimate grantee of
the Conservation Easement, or the rights and obligations of any subsequent grantee.
PROVIDED FURTHER, that any such assignment of Eno River Association's annual
obligation to monitor and report on the Easement Area shall be evidenced by a written instrument
signed by the parties thereto, a notice of which shall be recorded in the Office of the Register of
Deeds of Orange County, and which shall include a right of entry onto the Easement Area for the
assignee of said monitoring obligation, and shall require the monitoring to be carried out in
accordance with and subject to N.C.G.S. §14313-135.236 and any successor law, and the Fund's
internal stewardship policies and procedures.
[See next page for signatures and notary acknowledgement]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Assignor, by authority duly given has hereunto caused these presents
to be executed in such form as to be binding, to be effective upon execution, and Assignee, acting
by and through the Fund, agrees to and accepts this Assignment by the recording hereof in the
public records of Orange County,North Carolina.
ASSIGNOR:
ORANGE COUNTY,NORTH CAROLINA
By:
[Corporate Seal] Name:
Title:
ATTEST:
Name:
Title:
NORTH CAROLINA
COUNTY
I,the undersigned Notary Public, do hereby certify that personally came before
me this date and acknowledged that he/she is the of the a
nonprofit corporation, and that by authority duly given and as the act of the corporation, the
foregoing document was signed in its name by its , sealed
with its corporate seal and attested by him/herself as its Witness my hand
and official stamp or seal, this the day of , 20_.
Notary Public
Print Name:
My Commission Expires:
STAMP/SEAL
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This instrument prepared by and return to: John Roberts,Orange County Attorney.,
P.O.Box 8181,Hillsborough,NC 27278
NORTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF ORANGE
WARRANTY
DEED OF CONSERVATION EASEMENT
for
Draper Savage Memorial Foundation
Tax Parcel No. 9854716006, 9854815060, and 9853797619
This Deed of Conservation Easement (hereinafter "Conservation Easement") is made the
day of , 20_by and between FRIENDS OF MOOREFIELDS, a North Carolina
non-profit corporation, TRUSTEE of the EFFIE DRAPER-SAVAGE -NELLIE DRAPER
DICK MEMORIAL FOUNDATION, having an address at 2201 MOOREFIELDS ROAD,
HILLSBOROUGH,NC 27278 (hereinafter "Grantor"), and Orange County,North Carolina,
having an address of Post Office Box 8181, Hillsborough,NC 27278 and ASSOCIATION FOR
THE PRESERVATION OF THE ENO RIVER VALLEY, INC., a North Carolina Nonprofit
Corporation, having an address of 4404 Guess Road, Durham,NC 27712, also known as the Eno
River Association, (both together referred to herein as "Grantee" or"Grantees").The Grantor and
Grantees are collectively referred to as "The Parties".
The designation Grantor and Grantees as used herein shall include said parties, their
heirs, successors and assigns, and shall include singular, plural, masculine, feminine or neuter
pronouns as required by context.
RECITALS
A. The Grantor is the sole owner in fee simple, of certain real property located in
Cheeks Township, Orange County,North Carolina and identified on the plat of property titled
"Property of ,"prepared by ,which plat is
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recorded at Plat Book_, Page , Orange County Registry (hereafter referred to as "the
recorded plat"), said property consisting of approximately 70.63 acres and hereinafter referred to
as "the Property." The Grantor and Grantees have agreed to subject 47.13 acres of the Property
to a conservation easement. The area is a portion of three parcels identified with Orange County
PIN'S 9854716006, 9854815060, and 9853797619. The area is hereinafter referred to as "the
Easement Area." The Property includes buildings and other improvements, which are shown on
Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated herein.
B. The Grantee Orange County is a body politic existing under Chapter 153A of the
North Carolina General Statutes, and the Grantee Eno River Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
corporation, and each of them is qualified to hold Easements under the applicable laws of the
State of North Carolina and is a qualified organization under I.R.C. section 170(h).
C. Grantor and Grantee acknowledge that the North Carolina Land and Water Fund
provided Grantee Orange County a grant related to its purchase of the easement(Project 2020-
049) and acknowledges that part of the Property is subject to a Conservation Easement in favor
of the State of North Carolina, dated , 2020, and recorded in Deed Book ,
Page , Orange County Registry, the area of said easement being shown as
46 on the Plat recorded in Plat Book , Page , of the Orange
County Registry (hereafter be referred to "NCLWF Easement").
D. The Property consists primarily of productive agricultural land and forest land.
The majority of the soils on the Easement Area have been classified as "prime" or"statewide
important" soils by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The Property contains
a section of stream known as Rocky Run and its tributaries, which flow generally northeastward
before entering into the Eno River and Lake Ben Johnson, a public drinking water supply
reservoir serving the Town of Hillsborough. The entire Property is located within the designated
"critical area" of the Upper Eno Protected Watershed. It is the primary purposes of this
Conservation Easement to protect the agricultural soils and agricultural viability and productivity
of the Property, and to protect water quality of the surface waters in the watershed of the Lake
Ben Johnson Reservoir and the Eno River.
The Property also includes outstanding riparian and woodland habitats for a variety of
native flora and fauna of the North Carolina Piedmont important to the Grantor and Grantees, the
people of Orange County and the people of North Carolina. Furthermore, to the extent practical,
the Grantor wishes to maintain the Property for certain public outdoor recreation uses as more
particularly described herein and protect the historical features on the Property, namely the
Moorefields Home and Grounds (c. 1785) listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. It is
the secondary purpose of this Conservation Easement to protect the natural, outdoor recreational
and historical resources.
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The grant of this Conservation Easement will further said wish, and will serve the
following"Conservation Purposes," as such term is defined in Section 170 (h)(4)(A) of the
Code:
The Easement Area contains a natural area that qualifies in its present condition as
a"...relatively natural habitat of fish, wildlife, or plants, or similar ecosystem," as that phrase is
used in P.L. 96-541, 26 USC 170(h)(A)(ii), as amended, and in regulations promulgated
thereunder. Specifically, the Easement Area contains a portion of the North Carolina Natural
Heritage Program inventoried occurrence of the Seven Mile Creek Natural Area, and the riparian
areas associated with an extent of Rocky Run and its tributaries.
The Easement Area also consists of productive agricultural land and forest land. The
majority of the soils on the Property have been classified as "prime" or"statewide important"
soils by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (MRCS). Another primary purpose of this
Easement is to protect the green space, silvicultural and agricultural soils, and agricultural and
silvicultural viability and productivity.
The Easement Area also includes land within a zone designated by Orange County as a
"critical area" of a protected water supply watered for Lake Ben Johnson Reservoir. Another
primary purpose of this Easement is to protect the undeveloped nature of the Grantor's Property
and, in doing so,help protect the high quality of that drinking water supply serving the people of
Orange County.
The Easement Area also contributes to the open space and rural character of Cheeks
Township and the Upper Eno Protected Watershed, so classified in the Orange County Zoning
Ordinance. It is a further purpose of this Easement to help protect the rural character and open
space of Cheeks Township.
The Easement Area provides land areas for outdoor recreation by, or the education of, the
general public, specifically the Moorefields Home and Grounds (c. 1785) listed on the National
Registry of Historic Places, and a trail corridor for the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail.
The agricultural resources of the Property, and its contribution to the protection of prime
farmland soils, a public water supply, natural and wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation, and the
other conservation interests described herein to be preserved by this Conservation Easement are
collectively referred to as the "Conservation Values" of the Property.
The Grantor and Grantees agree that the current uses of the Easement Area are consistent
with the conservation purposes of this Conservation Easement. The conservation purposes of this
easement, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, are also recognized by, and
this Conservation Easement will also serve, the following clearly delineated governmental
conservation policies:
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(1) the Orange County Board of Commissioners' goal (adopted June 21, 1999) to
identify and coordinate the preservation of the County's most significant natural areas; and
(2) the Land Use Element of the Orange County Comprehensive Plan (adopted
November 18, 2008)with its goal of"Land uses that are appropriate to on-site environmental
conditions and features, and that protect natural resources, cultural resources, and community
character;"
(3) the protection of similar Orange County properties designed to protect
conservation and open space values through conservation easements granted to the Grantee and
others in the vicinity of the Grantors' Property; and
(4) Article 17 of the North Carolina General Statutes NCGS I I3A-24, entitled
Conservation, Farmland and Open Space Protection and Coordination, otherwise known as the
"Million Acre Initiative,"which provides that the State of North Carolina shall encourage,
facilitate, plan, coordinate, and support appropriate federal, State, local, and private land
protection efforts so that an additional one million acres of farmland, open space and
conservation lands in the State are permanently protected by December 31, 2009; and
(5) the Land and Water Fund,North Carolina General Statute 113-145.1 et seq.,
which recognizes the importance of protecting riparian buffers in conserving clean surface water;
and
(6) the Soil and Water Conservation Districts Act, authorized by NCGS § 139-1,
et seq., which provides for the preservation of farm, forest and grazing lands; and
(7) the special present use value assessment of farm and forestland as set forth in
NCGS § 105-277.2 et seq.,which allows for lower property tax rates for land enrolled in active
agricultural uses.
E. The characteristics of the Property, its current use and state of improvement, are
described in the report entitled"Baseline Report for the Moorefields Property Conservation
Easement," dated (hereafter"the Baseline Report")prepared by the Grantees, of
which a summary is attached as Exhibit C to the Conservation Easement. The Grantees worked
with the Grantor to ensure that the report is a complete and accurate description of the Easement
Area as of the date of this Conservation Easement. It will be used by the Grantees to assure that
any future changes in the use of the Easement Area will be consistent with the terms of this
Conservation Easement. However, the Baseline Report is not intended to preclude the uses of
other evidence to establish the present condition of the Easement Area if there is a question
about its use. The Grantors and Grantee have copies of the Baseline Report. The original of
Baseline Report will remain on file at the office of the Orange County Department of
Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation.
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F. The Grantors and Grantee have the common purpose of conserving the
above-described conservation values of the Property in perpetuity, and the State of North
Carolina has authorized the creation of Conservation Easements pursuant to the terms of the
North Carolina Conservation and Historic Preservation Agreements Act,N.C. Gen. Stat. §
121-34 et seq., and G.S. § 153A-176 and G.S. § 160A-266 - 279, which provide for the
enforceability of restrictions, easements, covenants or conditions "appropriate to retaining land
or water areas predominantly in their natural, scenic or open condition or in agricultural,
horticultural, farming, or forest uses," and the Grantors and Grantee wish to avail themselves of
the provisions of those laws.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Grantor, for and consideration of the facts recited above and of
the mutual covenants, terms, conditions and restrictions contained herein hereby give, grant and
convey unto the Grantees, their successors and assigns, forever and in perpetuity for the benefit
of the people of North Carolina, a Conservation Easement over the Property of the nature and
character as follows:
1. PURPOSE. The primary purposes of this Conservation Easement are to enable
the Property to remain in agricultural use by preserving and protecting its agricultural soils and
agricultural viability and productivity, and to protect the wetlands, riparian areas and surface
waters associated with the streams tributary to the Lake Ben Johnston Reservoir and Eno River
from the risk of adverse impacts arising from use or development of the Property contrary to the
provisions of this Conservation Easement. Except as specifically permitted herein, no activity
that would impair the actual or potential agricultural use of the Property shall be permitted.
Likewise, any activity that would risk causing adverse impact to any stream tributary to the Lake
Ben Johnston Reservoir or the Eno River is prohibited. To the extent that the preservation and
protection of the other natural, historic, recreational, habitat, or scenic values referenced in this
Conservation Easement are consistent with the primary purposes stated above, it is within the
purpose of this Conservation Easement to also protect those values, and no activity that would
significantly impair those values shall be permitted.
As authorized in the Uniform Conservation and Historic Preservation Act,N.C. Gen.
Stat. § 121-34 et seq., this Conservation Easement is perpetual; it restricts the Grantor's property
in perpetuity; and it is enforceable by Grantees against the Grantor and the Grantor's
representatives, heirs, successors and assigns, lessees, agents, and licensees.
Grantor will not perform, nor knowingly allow others to perform, any act on or affecting
the Property that is inconsistent with the purposes of this Conservation Easement. However,
unless otherwise specified below, nothing in this Conservation Easement shall require the
Grantor to take any action to restore the condition of the Property after any act of God or other
event over which Grantor had no control. Grantor understands that nothing in this Conservation
Easement relieves them of any obligation or restriction on the use of the Property imposed by
law.
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2. PROPERTY USES. Any activity on, or use of, the Property inconsistent with the
purposes of this Conservation Easement is prohibited. All property uses identified within this
conservation easement are outside of the NCLWF Easement identified and marked on the
recorded Plat for this Conservation Easement and on Exhibit B, the original of which will be
included in the Baseline Documentation Report. The Property shall be maintained in its
agricultural,natural, scenic and open condition and restricted from any development that would
impair or interfere with the conservation values of the Property. Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, the following is a listing of activities and uses which are expressly prohibited or
which are expressly allowed. Grantor and Grantees have determined that the allowed activities
do not impair the conservation values of the Property. Additional retained rights of Grantor are
set forth in Paragraph 3 below.
2.1 Subdivision and Conveyance. The Easement Area consists of three tax
parcels which are described in Exhibit A. The Easement Area shall not be further divided,
subdivided, or partitioned to establish additional parcels. Any future conveyance of the fee
simple interest on the Easement Area shall be subject to this Conservation Easement.
Furthermore, the Easement Area shall be kept under the same fee simple ownership. Grantor
agrees for itself, its successors and assigns, that in the event it transfers the Easement Area, such
transfer is subject to the Grantees' right of ingress, egress, and regress over and across the
Easement Area for the purposes set forth herein.
2.2 Right to Privacy. Grantor retains the right to privacy and the right to
exclude any member of the public from trespassing on the Property. This Easement is not
intended to create any rights of the public in, on or to the Property except by way of the NC
Mountains-to-Sea Trail corridor which the location is identified on the Plat for this Conservation
Easement.
2.3 Construction. The Grantor's rights to construct or reconstruct buildings
and other improvements are described in subparagraphs (a)through (e)below. Any construction
or reconstruction that requires advanced permission; the Grantor shall notify Grantee and obtain
written permission. All construction or reconstruction is subject to Orange County zoning
regulations and must be consistent with permits required by and issued by Orange County under
its laws and ordinances for such construction activities.
(a) Fences—Existing fences may be repaired and replaced, and new fences
may be built on the Property to identify property boundaries, for purposes
and customary management of livestock and wildlife, to protect or restore
the historical character of the Property, or to delineate the North Carolina
Mountains-to-Sea Trail corridor identified in Exhibit B without any
further permission of Grantees.
(b) Paving and Road Construction - Construction and maintenance of
unpaved farm roads and roads associated with the Moorefields Home and
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Grounds that may be reasonably necessary and incidental to carrying out
the improvements and uses permitted on the Easement Area are permitted.
Such roads shall be located so as to minimize impact to prime and unique
soils on the Protected Property. No portion of the Easement Area shall be
paved or otherwise covered with concrete, asphalt, or any other
impervious paving material, without the advance written permission of the
Grantee.
(c) Existing Structures &Improvements—Grantors shall have the right to
maintain, remodel, and repair existing structures, water tanks, water wells,
fences, utilities, roads, trails and other improvements, and in the event of
their destruction, to reconstruct any such existing improvements with
another of similar size, function, capacity, location and material so long as
authorized by Orange County zoning regulations and consistent with
permits required by and issued by Orange County under its laws and
ordinances for such reconstruction.
(d) Buildings and Other Improvements within the Farmstead Area -
Buildings and other structures consistent with the uses permitted in this
Easement may be constructed, maintained, and reconstructed within the
Farmstead Area identified on the recorded Plat for this Conservation
Easement and more particularly described in the Baseline Documentation
Report, so long as such activities are consistent with Orange County
zoning regulations and permits required by law and issued by Orange
County under its laws and ordinances as they exist now as they may be
amended from time to time, and are conducted under this Conservation
Easement in a manner that is consistent with the conservation purposes of
this Conservation Easement.
(e) Utility Services and Septic Systems—Installation, maintenance, repair,
replacement, removal and relocation of electric, water and septic or other
public or private utilities, including telephone or other communication
services over or under the Easement Area for the purpose of providing
electrical, water, other utilities to serve improvements within the
Farmstead Area and the right to grant easements over and under the
Easement Area for such purposes, is permitted. Grantors shall not permit
or grant easements for utility transmission or distribution facilities or
systems without the written consent of the Grantees. All other utilities are
prohibited on the Easement Area. Cellular communication towers or
structures are also prohibited.
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2.4 Ajzricultural Use. Grantors retain the right to farm, or to permit others to farm the
Property, consistent with the Conservation Values of the Property and in accordance with
applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations.
Subject to the terms of this Conservation Easement, farming, grazing, horticultural and
animal husbandry operations are permitted only if conducted consistent with Best Management
Practices promulgated by the State of North Carolina and in conformity with a Conservation
Plan as required in Paragraph 9 of this Conservation Easement, which Conservation Plan is
hereinafter referred to as "the Conservation Plan."
Agricultural uses are prohibited within the NCLWF Easement identified and marked on
the recorded Plat for this Conservation Easement and on Exhibit B, the original of which will be
included in the Baseline Documentation Report.
2.5 Right to Use the Property for Customary Rural Enterprises. Grantor
retains the right to use the Property, for otherwise lawful and customary rural enterprises, such
as, but not limited to, farm machinery repair, sawmills, firewood distribution, for nature and
historic tours, equestrian activities, and other passive or"Ecotourism", "Agritourism" and
"Special Events" as defined herein, educational programs or farm meetings and like activities, so
long as such activities are consistent with Orange County zoning regulations and permits
required by and issued by Orange County under its laws and ordinances as they exist now and as
they may be amended from time to time, and are conducted outdoors or in buildings otherwise
permitted under this Conservation Easement in a manner that is consistent with the conservation
purposes of this Conservation Easement. Any structures required for permitted purposes shall be
located only within the Farmstead Areas identified on the Plat for this Conservation Easement.
Any permanent or temporary structure or otherwise addition to the impervious surface shall not
cause the total impervious surface restriction of the Easement Area to exceed two percent. For
the purposes of this easement, gravel and dirt roads shall not be included as impervious area.
Grantor has the right to establish and carry out customary rural enterprises
provided said activities are compatible with the Conservation Purposes of this Conservation
Easement and agriculture and forestry uses of the Easement Area. Enterprises which market
petroleum or chemical products are prohibited.
For purposes herein, the term`Ecotourism" shall be broadly defined to mean
tourism and activities that are carried out in a relatively undisturbed natural area that serves as a
tool for the education, appreciation, and promotion of natural and cultural heritage that has
minimal negative impacts on the environment and farming resources of the Property and
promotes conservation and best management practices and provides constructive ongoing
contributions to and for the local community.
The term"Agritourism" shall be broadly defined to mean those farming activities
and traditional rural activities that are carried out on any agricultural location, including
horticultural and agribusiness operations, that allow members of the general public, for
recreational, entertainment, active involvement, or educational purposes, to view or enjoy rural
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activities, including farming, ranching, historic, cultural, harvest-your-own activities, or natural
activities and attractions, or"Special Events" as defined herein, that have minimal negative
impacts upon the environment and the Conservation Values of the Protected Property and are
limited to "de minimis" access to and uses of the Property. An activity is an agritourism activity
whether or not the participant paid to participate in the activity.
The term"Special Events" shall be broadly defined to mean a one-time or
infrequently occurring event outside normal "Agritourism"programs or activities that provides
for a leisure, social or cultural experience outside the normal range of agritourism choices or
beyond the everyday agricultural experience such as but not limited to: seasonal festivals,
harvest celebrations, field days, square dances and the like. In no event shall "Special Events"
exist in a manner that negatively impacts the Conservation Values.
2.6 Timber Harvest. Pursuant to a forest management plan prepared by the
North Carolina Forest Service or a North Carolina Registered Forester and approved by the
Grantees, trees may be removed, cut and otherwise managed so long as the trees are outside of
the NCLWF Easement marked on the plat of survey recorded in Plat Book , Page
Orange County Registry, and referenced in Exhibit B. The trees within the NCLWF Easement
are subject to the terms of the NCLWF Easement.
2.7 Recreational Use. Consistent with the purpose of and the limitations
contained in this Conservation Easement, Grantor shall have the right to engage in and permit
others, whether or not for consideration, to engage in recreational uses of the Property, including,
but not limited to, hiking, camping, picnicking, hor-sebaek t4di,,, r trieter-ized bieyeling, and
other recreational uses that require no buildings, facilities, surface alteration or other
development of the land so long as authorized by Orange County zoning regulations and
consistent with permits required by and issued by Orange County under its laws and ordinances.
Pursuit of wildlife by any form of motorized transportation is not allowed. Grantors may also
construct and maintain fences, horse trails, foot trails, and or non-motorized vehicle trails
incidental to such purposes and may lease or license any portion of the Property for such
recreational purposes. Grantor reserves the right to promulgate and enforce reasonable rules and
regulations for all activities incident to recreational use of the Property, including but not limited
to the right to prohibit any recreational use that would permit destruction of other significant
conservation value of the Property.
2.8 New Trails. Grantor reserves the right to construct and maintain new
natural surface trails for the purpose of hiking. Grantees reserve the right to construct and
maintain the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail located within the identified trail corridor shown on
Plat Book , Page . The trail is subject to the restrictions and allowances indicated in
the "Deed of Trail Easement", Deed Book , Page of the Orange County Registry. It is
hereby noted that the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail corridor is located within the NCLWF
Easement is expressly allowed according to Article II. E. of that easement. All trails must be
located a minimum distance of fifty (50) feet from the top of the bank of all surface water,unless
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such locations are physically impracticable, and must be located so as not to impair the
Conservation Values. All trail construction within the NCLWF Easement involving soil
disturbance must follow best practices for sustainable trail design and construction and must
have prior written approval by Fund. When required by the terrain, trails may include
boardwalks, ramps, and handrails to the extent necessary. Trails may include stream crossings up
to 6 feet wide, provided they are permitted by all applicable regulatory authorities. All necessary
care shall be taken to construct and maintain trails in a manner so as not to impair any
Conservation Values either during or after construction. Orange County shall have the authority
to require the closure of any trail that is detrimental to any Conservation Values.
2.9 Trail and Recreational Accessories. Grantor and Grantees, with Grantor's
written permission, may construct and maintain park benches, litter receptacles, and directional,
educational, and informational signs along existing trails and approved new trails. All necessary
care shall be taken to construct and maintain trail and recreational accessories in a manner so as
not to impair any Conservation Values either during or after construction. Grantees shall have
the authority to require the removal of any trail or recreational accessory that is detrimental to
any Conservation Values.
2.10 Educational Use. Grantor reserves the right to engage in and permit
others to engage in educational uses in the Easement Area not inconsistent with this
Conservation Easement, and the right of access to the Easement Area for such purposes
including organized educational activities such as site visits and observations.
2.11 Excavation. There shall be no filling, excavation, dredging, mining or
drilling; no removal of topsoil, sand, gravel, rock, peat, minerals or other materials; and no
change in the topography of the land in any manner except as necessary to allow a)the
construction of the improvements allowed above,b) the maintenance of roads, hiking, horseback
and non-motorized vehicle trails permitted hereunder, and c) the combating erosion or flooding.
2.12 Destruction of Plants. Grantors shall have the right to cut and remove a)
diseased trees, shrubs, or other plants; b) non-native or invasive trees, shrubs, or other plants;
and c)to cut firebreaks. Grantors shall also have the right to cut and remove trees, shrubs, or
other plants to accommodate the activities expressly allowed under this Conservation Easement.
There shall be no additional removal, harvesting, destruction or cutting of native trees, shrubs or
other plants. Except for within the Farmstead Area(s), use around improvements, in gardens, or
in the agricultural areas there shall be no planting of non-native trees, shrubs, or other plants in
the Property. Furthermore, except to accommodate the activities expressly permitted in this
easement, there shall be no use of fertilizers, plowing, introduction of non-native animals, or
disturbance or change in the natural habitat in any manner.
2.13 Water Rights, uality and Drainage Patterns. There shall be no pollution
of surface water, natural water courses, lakes,ponds, marshes, subsurface water or any other
water bodies, nor shall activities be conducted on the Property that would be detrimental to water
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purity or, except as specified herein, that could alter the natural water level or flow in or over the
Property. Grantor shall retain the right, consistent with federal, State and local laws and
regulations, to use any appurtenant water rights sufficient to maintain the agricultural
productivity of the Property and the gardens surrounding the historic structures. Grantor shall not
transfer, encumber, lease, sell or otherwise separate such water rights from title to the Property
itself. There shall be no other alteration, depletion of surface water, natural water courses,
lakes,ponds, marshes, subsurface water or any other water bodies on the Property. Diking,
draining, filling or removal of wetlands is prohibited.
2.14 Natural Resource Restoration and Enhancement Activities. Grantor may
engage or contract others to engage in any activity designed to repair, restore, or otherwise
enhance the natural resources found or once present on the Easement Area, such as the
restoration of the riparian forest corridors, so long as such activities are consistent with the
Conservation Values of this Conservation Easement and consistent with a management plan
prepared for this property and approved in advance by the Grantee.
2.15 Signage. No signs or billboards or other advertising displays are allowed
on the Property except as follows: signs authorized by Orange County zoning regulations whose
placement, number and design do not significantly diminish the scenic character of the Property
may be displayed to identify trails and the conservation values of the Property, to identify the
name and address of the Property and the names of persons living on the Property, to give
directions, to advertise or regulate permitted uses on the Property and proscribe rules and
regulations for recreational use of the protected Property, to advertise the Property for sale or
rent, and to post the Property against trespassers.
2.16 No Biocides. There shall be no use of pesticides or biocides, including
but not limited to insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, and herbicides, except as approved by
Grantee to control invasive species detrimental to the conservation values of the Property, and
except as needed around improvements on the Property and in agricultural fields.
2.17 No Dumping. There shall be no storage or dumping of trash, garbage,
abandoned vehicles, appliances, or machinery, or other unsightly or offensive material,
hazardous substance, or toxic waste on the Property (except the short-term storage of household
garbage and waste). There shall be no changing of the topography through the placing of soil or
other substance or material such as land fill or dredging spoils, nor shall activities be conducted
on the Property or on adjacent property owned by Grantor, that could cause erosion or siltation
on the Property.
2.18 Predator Control. Grantors shall have the right to control, destroy, or trap
predatory and problem animals that pose a material threat to livestock and/or humans by means
and methods approved by the Grantees. The method employed shall be selective and specific to
individuals, rather than broadcast, nonselective techniques.
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2.19 Industrial Development. Any industrial uses of or activity on the
Property are prohibited.
2.20 Extinguishment of Development Rights. Except as otherwise reserved to
the Grantors in this Conservation Easement, the parties agree that all development rights
appurtenant to the Property are hereby released, terminated and extinguished, and may not be
used on or transferred to any portion of the Grantors' Property as it now or hereafter may be
bounded or described, or used or transferred to any other property adjacent or otherwise, nor
used for the purpose of calculating permissible lot yield of the Grantor's Property or any other
property.
3. ADDITIONAL RIGHTS RETAINED BY GRANTOR. Grantor retain the
following additional rights:
(a) Existing Uses. The right to undertake or continue any activity or use of the
Property is not prohibited by this Conservation Easement. Prior to making any change in use of
the Property, Grantors shall notify Grantees in writing to allow Grantees a reasonable
opportunity to determine whether such change would violate the terms of this Conservation
Easement.
(b) Transfer. The right to sell, give, mortgage, lease, or otherwise convey the
Property subject to the terms of this Conservation Easement.
4. GRANTEES' RIGHTS. To accomplish the purpose of this Conservation
Easement, the following rights are granted to Grantees by this Conservation Easement:
(a) Right to Protect. The right to preserve and protect the conservation values of the
Property and enforce the terms of this Conservation Easement.
(b) Right of Entry. Grantees, their employees, representatives, and agents and their
successors and assigns, have the right, after prior written notice to Grantor, to
enter the protected Property at reasonable times for the purposes of: (a)
inspecting the protected Property to determine whether the Grantor, its
representatives, assigns, heirs and successors are complying with the covenants
and purposes of this Conservation Easement; and(b) monitoring and research as
described below.
(c) Monitoring and Research. The right, but not the obligation, to monitor the native
plant and wildlife populations,plant communities and natural habitats on the
Property. Grantees agree that all monitoring activity, inventory and assessment
work or other natural resource research conducted by Grantees or at Grantees'
direction or with Grantees' permission shall be reported to Grantor. Grantor
agrees that all monitoring activity, inventory and assessment work or other natural
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resource research conducted by the Grantor or at Grantor's direction or with
Grantor's permission shall be reported to the Grantees.
(d) Management of Exotics and Invasive Species. The right,but not the obligation,
to control, manage or destroy exotic non-native species or invasive species of
plants and animals that threaten the conservation values of the Property. The
Parties will consult with each other prior to implementing control activities.
5. RESPONSIBILITIES OF GRANTOR AND GRANTEES NOT AFFECTED.
Other than as specified herein, this Conservation Easement is not intended to impose any legal
or other responsibility on the Grantor, or in any way to affect any existing obligation of the
Grantor as owner of the Property. Among other things, this shall apply to:
(a) Taxes - The Grantor shall be solely responsible for payment of all taxes and
assessments levied against the Property.
(b) Upkeep and Maintenance - The Grantees shall have no obligation for the upkeep
or maintenance of the Property. The granting of this Conservation Easement shall
not in and of itself be construed to create or impose upon the Grantor any
obligation for the upkeep or maintenance of the Property except to the extent
elsewhere required by this Conservation Easement.
6. ACCESS. This Easement is not intended to create any rights of the public in, on
or to the Property except by way of the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail corridor which the location is
identified as "Trail Area" on the Plat for this Conservation Easement. Additionally, the public
has the right to view the Property from adjacent publicly accessible areas such as public roads
and waterways.
7. ENFORCEMENT. The Grantees shall have the right to prevent and correct
violations of the terms of this Conservation Easement.
(a) With reasonable advance notice provided to the Grantor or with the Grantor's
prior verbal consent, the Grantees shall have the right to enter the Grantor's Property for the
purpose of inspecting for compliance with the terms of this Conservation Easement. The
Grantees shall have the right to prevent violations and remedy violations of the terms of this
Conservation Easement through judicial action, which shall include, without limitation, the right
to bring proceedings in law or in equity against any party or parties attempting to violate the
terms of this Conservation Easement. Except when an ongoing or imminent violation could
irreversibly diminish or impair the conservation values of the Property, the Grantees shall give
the Grantor written notice of the violation and thirty (30) days to cure the violation, before
commencing any legal proceedings. The Grantees may obtain an injunction to stop a violation or
a threatened violation, temporarily or permanently. The parties agree that a court may issue an
injunction or order requiring the Grantor to restore the Grantor's Property to its condition prior
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to the violation, as restoration of the property may be the only appropriate remedy. In any case
where a court finds that a violation has occurred, the Grantor shall reimburse the Grantees for all
its expenses incurred in stopping and correcting the violation, including but not limited to
reasonable attorneys' fees. In any case where a court finds no such violation has occurred, each
party shall bear its own costs. In any case where the court finds that there was a complete
absence of a justiciable issue of either law or fact raised by the losing party, the court may award
a reasonable attorney's fee to the prevailing party as provided by law. The failure of the Grantees
to discover a violation or to take immediate legal action shall not bar it from doing so at a later
time for that violation or any subsequent violations.
(b) Grantees shall not bring any action against Grantor for any injury or change to
the Property caused by third parties, or resulting from causes beyond the Grantor's control,
including, without limitation, fire, flood, storm and naturally caused earth movement, or from
any prudent action taken in good faith by the Grantor under emergency conditions to prevent,
abate, or mitigate significant injury to life, damage to the Property or harm to the Property
resulting from such action.
8. TRANSFER OF EASEMENT. Grantees have the right to transfer, assign,
convey, or otherwise to co-hold the Conservation Easement created by this Deed to any public
agency or private nonprofit organization that, at the time of transfer, is a qualified organization
under Section 170(h) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, as amended and under NCGS 121-34 et
seq.,provided the agency or organization expressly agrees to assume the responsibility imposed
on Grantees by this Deed. If Grantees ever ceases to exist or no longer qualify under Section
170(h) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, or applicable State law, a court with jurisdiction shall
transfer this Conservation Easement to another qualified organization having similar purposes
that agrees to assume the responsibility imposed by this Conservation Easement.
9. TRANSFER OF THE PROPERTY. Grantor shall notify Grantees, in writing, at
least thirty (30) days prior to any conveyance by Grantor of the Property or any interest in the
Property, and the document of conveyance shall expressly refer to this Conservation Easement
and,by its terms, the conveyance shall be made subject to and subordinate to this Conservation
Easement.
10. AMENDMENT OF EASEMENT. This easement may be amended only with
the written consent of Grantor and Grantees. Any such amendment shall be consistent with the
purposes of this Conservation Easement and shall comply with Sec. 170(h) of the Internal
Revenue Code, or any regulations promulgated in accordance with that section. Any such
amendment shall also be consistent with the Uniform Conservation and Historic Preservation
Agreements Act,N.C. Gen. Stat. § 121-34 et seq., or any regulations promulgated pursuant to
that law. The Grantor and Grantees have no right or power to agree to any amendment that
would affect the enforceability of this Conservation Easement.
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11. TERMINATION OF EASEMENT. If it is determined by a court with
jurisdiction that conditions on or surrounding the Property have changed so much that it is
impossible to fulfill the conservation purposes set forth above, a court with jurisdiction may, at
the joint request of both the Grantor and Grantees, terminate this Conservation Easement.
If condemnation of a part of the Property or of the entire Property by public authority
renders it impossible to fulfill any of these conservation purposes, the Conservation Easement
may be terminated by a court with jurisdiction.
At the time of the conveyance of the Conservation Easement to the Grantees, this
Conservation Easement gives rise to a real Property right, immediately vested in the Grantees. If
the easement is terminated and the Property is sold or taken for public use, then, as required by
Sec. 1.170A-14(g)(6) of the IRS regulations, the Grantees shall be entitled to a percentage of the
gross sale proceeds or condemnation award(minus any amount attributed to new improvements
made after the date of the conveyance, which amount shall be reserved to the Grantor), equal to
the ratio of the appraised value of this easement to the unrestricted fair market value of the
Property, as these values are determined on the date of this Conservation Easement. The
Grantees shall use the proceeds consistently with the conservation purposes of this Conservation
Easement.
12. PROCEDURE IN THE EVENT OF CONDEMNATION OR EMINENT
DOMAIN. Grantor and Grantees recognize that the partial sale of this Conservation Easement
gives rise to a property right, immediately vested in the Grantees, with a fair market value equal
to the proportionate value that the Conservation Easement bears to the value of the Grantor's
Property prior to the restrictions imposed by the Conservation Easement. Accordingly, if any
condemnation or eminent domain action shall be taken, on all or part of the Grantor's Property,
by any authorized authority, said authority shall be liable to the Grantees for the value of the
property right vested in the Grantees at the time of the signing of this Conservation Easement.
If condemnation or a taking by eminent domain of a part of the Grantor's Property or the
entire Property by a public authority renders it impossible to fulfill any of the conservation
purposes of this Conservation Easement on all or part of the Property, this Conservation
Easement may be terminated or modified accordingly through condemnation proceedings.
Grantor and Grantees agree that this Conservation Easement is a currently vested real property
right with a value equal to the proportionate value of the Conservation Easement to the
unencumbered value of the fee, as of the date of this Conservation Easement. If the
Conservation Easement is terminated or modified and any or all of the Grantor's Property is sold
or taken for public use, then, as required by Section 1.170A-14(g)(6) of the IRS regulations, the
Grantees shall be entitled to the proportionate value of the Conservation Easement, which has
been predetermined at sixty percent(60%) of the Property's unrestricted value, subject to any
applicable law that expressly requires for a different disposition of the proceeds.
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If, however, after the condemnation or eminent domain proceedings, a court of
jurisdiction does not include in the just compensation awarded as a result of the taking, the
amount of the Conservation Easement value, then the Grantor shall not be responsible to share
any proceeds awarded.
All condemnation related expenses, including reasonable attorney fees, incurred by the
Grantor and the Grantee shall be paid out of any recovered proceeds prior to distribution of the
net proceeds as described herein.
13. INTERPRETATION. This Conservation Easement shall be interpreted under
the laws of North Carolina, resolving any ambiguities and questions of the validity of specific
provisions as to give maximum effect to its conservation purposes.
14. INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE. Grantor agrees to indemnify and
hold Grantees harmless from any and all costs, claims or liability, including but not limited to
reasonable attorneys' fees arising from any personal injury, accidents, negligence or damage
relating to the Property, or any claim thereof, unless due to the negligence of Grantees or their
agents, in which case liability shall be as provided by law. In addition, Grantor agrees to
maintain liability insurance covering the Property with the limits as follows: (i) $300,000 per
person for personal injury or death,up to $300,000 per occurrence; and (ii) $300,000 per
occurrence for property damage. These policy limits may be amended from time to time by
written agreement of the parties to which the parties agree to be bound. Additionally, Grantor
warrants that Grantees are and will remain a named insured on Grantor's Property insurance
policies covering the Property. Grantor shall provide Grantees with a certificate of insurance
coverage on the effective date of this Conservation Easement and within 10 days of each
insurance renewal date.
15. TITLE. The Grantor warrants that they hold fee simple title to the Property, free
from all encumbrances, except for those exceptions deemed by the Grantees as acceptable and
set further in Exhibit D to this Conservation Easement, and hereby promise to defend the same
against all claims that may be made against it.
16. NOTICES. Any notices required by this Conservation Easement shall be in
writing and shall be personally delivered or sent by first class mail, to Grantors and Grantee,
respectively, at the following addresses, unless a party has been notified by the other of a change
of address.
To Grantors: To the Grantees:
Friends of Moorefields, Trustee Orange County Department of Environment,
2201 Moorefields Rd Agriculture, Parks and Recreation
Hillsborough,NC 27278 Orange County,North Carolina
P.O. Box 8181
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Hillsborough,NC 27278
AND
Eno River Association
4404 Guess Rd.
Durham,NC 27712
17. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION.
The Grantor covenants and represents that it knows of no release or threatened release of
any Hazardous Materials on, at, beneath or from the Property, or arising from or connected with
a violation of any Environmental Laws. The Grantor hereby promises to hold harmless and
indemnify the Grantee against all litigation, claims, demands,penalties and damages, including
reasonable attorneys' fees, arising from or connected with the release or threatened release by
Grantor, its agents, assigns, and guests, of any Hazardous Materials on, at,beneath or from the
Property, or arising from or connected with a violation of any Environmental Law.
"Environmental Law" or"Environmental Laws"means any and all Federal, state, local
or municipal laws, rules, orders, regulations, statutes, ordinances, codes, guidelines, policies or
requirements of any governmental authority regulating or imposing standards of liability or
standards of conduct(including common law) concerning air, water, solid waste, hazardous
materials, worker and community right-to-know, hazard communication noise, radioactive
material, resource protection, subdivision, inland wetlands and watercourses, health protection
and similar environmental health, safety, building and land use as may now or at any time
hereafter be in effect.
"Hazardous Materials"means any petroleum, petroleum products, fuel oil, waste oils,
explosives, reactive materials, ignitable materials, corrosive materials, hazardous chemicals,
hazardous wastes, hazardous substances, extremely hazardous substances, toxic substances, toxic
chemicals,radioactive materials, infectious materials and any other element, compound, mixture,
solution or substance which may pose a present or potential hazard to human health or the
environment.
18. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Conservation Easement is found to be
invalid, the remaining provisions shall not be altered thereby.
19. PARTIES. Every provision of this Conservation Easement that applies to the
Grantor or Grantees shall also apply to their respective heirs, executors, administrators, assigns,
and all other successors as their interest may appear. This Conservation Easement shall not be
construed to benefit or to create any rights in any third parties, including but not limited to the
general public except as expressly provided herein.
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20. RE-RECORDING. In order to ensure the perpetual enforceability of the
Conservation Easement, the Grantees are authorized to re-record this instrument or any other
appropriate notice or instrument.
21. MERGER. The parties agree that the terms of this Conservation Easement shall
survive any merger of the fee and easement interest in the Property.
22. SUBSEQUENT LIENS ON THE PROPERTY. No provisions of this
Conservation Easement should be construed as impairing the ability of Grantor to use the
Property as collateral for subsequent borrowing, provided that any mortgage or lien arising from
such a borrowing is made subordinate to this Conservation Easement.
24. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This instrument sets forth the entire agreement of the
parties with respect to the Conservation Easement and supersedes all prior discussions,
negotiations,understandings or agreements relating to the Conservation Easement. If any
provision is found to be invalid, the remainder of the provisions of this Conservation Easement,
and the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it
is found to be invalid, shall not be affected thereby.
25. ACCEPTANCE AND EFFECTIVE DATE. As attested by the Clerk of the
Grantee and the signature of its authorized representative affixed hereto, the Grantee hereby
accepts without reservation the rights and responsibilities conveyed by this Conservation
Easement. This Conservation Easement is to be effective the date recorded in the Orange
County Registry of Deeds.
26. ATTORNEY'S FEES. In connection with any litigation arising out of this
Contract, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from the other party all costs incurred
by it, including reasonable attorneys' fees, which shall include fees on appeal.
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD, this Grant of Conservation Easement unto the said Grantees
forever.
The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank. Signature page follows.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Grantor and Grantees, intending to legally bind
themselves, have set their hands on the date first written above.
GRANTOR:
FRIENDS OF MOOREFIELDS, a North Carolina
non-profit corporation, TRUSTEE of the EFFIE
DRAPER-SAVAGE -NELLIE DRAPER DICK
MEMORIAL FOUNDATION,
By:
Mike Hammersley, President
Friends of Moorefields
Accepted:
GRANTEES:
ORANGE COUNTY,NORTH CAROLINA
By:
Renee Price, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
ATTEST:
Laura Jensen, Clerk to the
Board of Commissioners
ASSOCIATION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF
THE ENO RIVER VALLEY, INC.
By:
Don Moffitt, President
ATTEST:
Christy Gudaitis, Secretary
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Acknowledgments
NORTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF ORANGE
I, , a Notary Public of Orange County,North Carolina do hereby
certify that and wife personally
appeared before me and acknowledged the due execution of the foregoing instrument.
Witness my hand and notarial seal this the day of , 20_.
Notary Public
My commission expires:
NORTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF ORANGE
I, , a Notary Public of the County and State aforesaid, certify that
Laura Jensen personally came before me this day and acknowledged that she is Clerk to the
Board of Commissioners for Orange County,North Carolina and that by authority duly given
and as the act of said County, the foregoing instrument was signed in its name by the Chair of
said Board of Commissioners and attested by her as Clerk to said Board of Commissioners.
Witness my hand and notarial seal this the day of , 20_.
Notary Public
My commission expires:
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Acknowledgments
NORTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF
I, a Notary Public of the County and State aforesaid,
certify that Christy Gudaitis personally came before me this day and acknowledged that she is
Secretary of the Board of Directors for the Association for the Preservation of the Eno River
Valley, Inc., a corporation existing under the laws of the State of North Carolina, party to this
Agreement, and acknowledge this Indenture to be her act and deed and the act and deed of said
corporation; the foregoing instrument was signed in its name by the President of said Board of
Directors and attested by her as Secretary to said Board of Directors.
Witness my hand and official stamp or seal this the day of , 2021.
Notary Public
My commission expires:
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EXHIBIT A. LEGAL DESCRIPTION
EXHIBIT B. GIS MAP AND SKETCH OF PROPERTY
EXHIBIT C. SUMMARY OF THE BASELINE DOCUMENTATION REPORT
EXHIBIT D. PERMITTED EXCEPTIONS
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This instrument prepared by and return to: John L.Roberts,Office of the Orange County Attorney
PO Box 8181,Hillsborough,NC 27278
Christian Himi,Land Conservation Manager
306A Revere Road,Hillsborough,NC 27278
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF ORANGE PIN's 9853797619
9854716006
9854815060
DEED OF TRAIL EASEMENT
This Deed of Trail Easement("Easement") is granted on this_day of , 2022,
by FRIENDS OF MOOREFIELDS, a NC Non-profit Corporation, TRUSTEE OF THE
EFFIE DRAPER SAVAGE—NELLIE DRAPER DICK MEMORIAL FOUNDATION,
having an address of 2201 MOOREFIELDS ROAD, HILLSBOROUGH,NC 27278 (referred to
as "Grantor"), to ORANGE COUNTY,NORTH CAROLINA, having an address of Post
Office Box 8181, Hillsborough,NC 27278, (referred to herein as "Grantee"). The Grantor and
Grantee are collectively referred to as "The Parties".
The designation Grantor and Grantee as used herein shall include said parties, their heirs,
successor and assigns, and shall include singular,plural,masculine, feminine or neuter as
required by context.
RECITALS
A. Grantor is the sole owner in fee simple of certain real property situated, lying, and being
in Orange County,North Carolina,being more particularly described in that deed recorded in
Deed Book 416, Page 534, Orange County Registry,North Carolina(hereinafter, the
"Property").
B. Grantee is an entity qualified to accept, hold and manage land and easements under the
North Carolina Conservation and Historic Preservation Agreements Act, Chapter 121, Article 4
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of the North Carolina General Statutes (the "Act"), which authorizes and permits the creation
and enforcement of conservation easements for the purpose of, inter alia, retaining land areas
predominantly in their historic, agricultural, natural, scenic, open or wooded condition.
C. Pursuant to the Act, Grantor desires to grant a trail easement over a certain portion of the
Property, consisting of X acres, more or less, is the subject of this Easement and is marked on the
plat of survey recorded in Plat Book , Page , Orange County Registry, and described in
Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference (hereinafter referred to as
the "Trail Area") within which a Trail may be constructed, thereby restricting and limiting the
use of the Trail Area to the terms, conditions and purposes hereinafter set forth, and Grantee is
willing to accept such easement.
D. Grantor and Grantee understand that the Trail Area overlaps with an existing
conservation easement described in the "Conservation Easement, Friends of Moorefields
Property"recorded in Book , Page , Orange County Registry and marked on plat of
survey recorded in Plat Book , Page , Orange County Registry. The Trail Area is
restricted and limited in use in accordance with the terms and conditions of this easement as well
as the conservation easement recorded in Book , Pageincluding an Assignment recorded
in Book , Page , in the Orange County Registry.
E. By restricting and limiting the use of the Trail Area in accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Easement, the Parties intend to preserve the natural features and resources of
the Trail Area; protect the habitat of native plants and animals; sustain scenic values; maintain
water quality and utilize the Trail Area for public educational, scientific and low-impact
recreational pursuits (said purposes being hereinafter referred to as the "Conservation Values").
F. The Parties acknowledge and agree that (i) the recording of this Easement shall be
conclusive evidence of its acceptance of same by Grantee; (ii) Grantee will be the "holder" (as
that term is defined in the Act) of this Easement and (iii) Grantee is a "qualified organization"
and "eligible donee" within the meaning of Section 170(h)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (the
"Code") and regulations promulgated thereunder.
G. Grantee intends to include the Trail within the Trail Area ("Trail") as part of the North
Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail and Grantor and Grantee agree that such inclusion grants the
Grantee, and its agents or representatives, the right to establish a trail for use by the general
public within the Trail Area.
0. The undersigned Grantee acknowledges that Grantor has donated the easement contained
herein over the Trail Area in accordance with the provisions of Article V of this Easement.iY'Ll]
I. The Parties acknowledge and agree that as a component of the North Carolina
Mountains-to-Sea Trail, the Trail Area, in accordance with Chapter 143B, of the North Carolina
General Statutes, shall be subject to a general management plan devised by the North Carolina
Department of Natural and Cultural Resources ("NCDNCR").
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NOW, THEREFORE, for the reasons given and other good and valuable consideration
and in consideration of their mutual covenants, terms, conditions and restrictions contained
herein, Grantor hereby voluntarily grants and conveys to Grantee, its successors or assigns, and
Grantee, its successors or assigns, hereby voluntarily accepts, forever and in perpetuity an
Easement on the Property, which Easement is an immediately vested interest in real property of
the nature and character described herein, and a right-of-way over, under, and across the Trail
Area. Grantor promises that they will not perform, nor knowingly allow others to perform, any
act on or affecting the Trail Area that is inconsistent with the covenants contained herein.
Grantor authorizes Grantee to enforce these covenants in the manner described below.
ARTICLE I. GENERAL
1.1. Statement of Purpose. The purposes of this Easement are to prevent any use of the Trail
Area that will significantly impair or interfere with the Conservation Values and to allow for the
inclusion of the Trail Area in the North Carolina Mountain-to-Sea Trail so that the Trail Area
may be used for educational, scientific and low-impact recreational activities by the general
public pursuant to a general management plan that is consistent with the Conservation Values.
Grantor intends that this Easement will restrict the use of the Trail Area to such activities as are
consistent with these purposes. Grantee agrees that this Easement shall be held exclusively for
the purposes set forth herein and as specified in Section 170(h)(4)(A) (or any successor section)
of the Code and shall be construed to promote the purposes of the Act.
1.2. Perpetual Duration. This Easement over the Trail Area as further described in Exhibit A,
shall be perpetual. It is an easement in gross, runs with the land, and is enforceable by Grantee
against Grantor as provided herein, and against Grantor's representatives, successors, assigns,
leases, agents and licensees.
1.3. Compliance with other Re_ul�atory Requirements. The Grantor is responsible for
complying with any and all additional permits or regulation to use or develop the Trail Area
under the terms of this Easement, including Orange County, State of North Carolina or Federal
requirements, regardless of any reserved rights or permissions contained in this Easement
document.
ARTICLE IL RESERVED RIGHTS OF GRANTOR
Subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions contained herein, Grantor reserves for
itself and its successors and assigns the following rights:
2.1. Quiet Enjoyment. All rights accruing from Grantor's fee ownership of the Trail Area,
including the right to engage in or permit or invite others to engage in all uses of the Trail Area
that are consistent with the Conservation Values, including any reasonable use of the Property
that will not interfere with the trail and is not otherwise prohibited by the terms of this Easement.
2.2. Educational and Recreational Uses. Utilization of the Trail Area for scientific,
educational, and low-impact recreational activities to the same extent the Trail Area is utilized by
Grantee for such purposes; specifically, Grantor retains the right to engage in and permit others
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to engage in such activities that may include, without limitation, walking, hiking, plant and
animal observation and study.
2.4. Vegetation Management. Grantor reserves the right to manage vegetation for
boundary marking, fencing, signage, fire containment, disease control, invasive exotic plant
control, and removal of conditions that threaten life or property. Methods of vegetation
management may include, but are not limited to, selective cutting, prescribed burning,
application of herbicides or pesticides. Grantor does not assume any responsibility or liability to
the general public for failing to do so.
2.5 Trail [MH2]and Recreational Accessories. Grantor, with Grantee's written permission
and subject to prior approval by Fund, may construct and maintain directional, boundary, and
informational signs along existing trails and approved new trails and fences along Trail Area
boundaries.
2.6. Transfer. Grantor retains the right to sell, give, mortgage, lease, or otherwise convey the
Trail Area subject to the terms of this Easement.
2.7 Trail kelocatioiMx3]. Grantor may relocate the Trail subject to the following conditions.
(a) Grantor may,upon consultation with and consent of the Grantee and subject to
prior approval by Fund, relocate the Trail within the Trail Area. End points of the
Trail must remain in the same location as when originally constructed by Grantee.
Grantor shall be responsible for all costs and expense associated with relocating
the Trail. Such relocation shall include relocation of Trail signs and facilities, and
associated costs. Should the Trail be relocated it must be constructed to the same
standards and specifications as were applied in the original Trail construction.
Consent of the Grantee shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(b) Any relocation of the Trail exercised pursuant to this option shall not hinder or
impede access to or use of the Trail through the Trail Area. The constructed Trail
shall remain open to use until such time as the relocated Trail is complete and
ready for use.
ARTICLE III. RESERVED RIGHTS OF GRANTEE
Grantor is not responsible for costs associated with construction and maintenance of the
Trail or improvements or accessory facilities of the Trail except for improvements resulting from
Grantor exercising a reserved right such as the right to relocate the Trail. Grantee reserves for
itself and its successors and assigns the following rights:
3.1. Improvements. Grantee or assigned, in accordance to the "Conservation Easement,
Friends of Moorefields Property"recorded at Book , Page , Orange County Registry,
reserves the right to construct and maintain new natural surface trails for the purpose of hiking.
Grantee or assigned further reserves the right to pave trails for non-motorized recreational
purposes. All trails must me within the Trail Area and no more than four(4) feet in width. All
trails must be located a minimum distance of fifty(50) feet from the top of the bank of all
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surface water, unless such locations are physically impracticable, and must be located so as not
to impair the Conservation Values of the conservation easement recorded at Book ,
Page ' Orange County Registry. All trail construction involving soil disturbance must
follow best practices for sustainable trail design and construction and must have prior written
approval by Fund. When required by the terrain, trails may include boardwalks, ramps, and
handrails to the extent necessary. Trails may include stream crossings up to 6 feet wide,provided
they are permitted by all applicable regulatory authorities. All necessary care shall be taken to
construct and maintain trails in a manner so as not to impair any Conservation Values either
during or after construction. Fund shall have the authority to require the closure of any trail that
is detrimental to any Conservation Values. All realignments of trails are subject to the
requirements of this Paragraph.
3.2. Trail and Recreational Accessories. Grantee, with Grantor's written permission and in
accordance of the "Conservation Easement, Friends of Moorefields Property"recorded at Book
Page , Orange County Registry, reserves the right to add and maintain the
following to the Trail Area:
(a) A reasonable number of benches and litter receptacles.
(b) Signs to mark the Trail and provide information regarding applicable time, place, and
manner restrictions.
(c) Signs for interpretive and educational purposes and to indicate the interest of Grantee
in the Trail Area.
(d) Boardwalks, ramps, handrails, gates, fences, and barriers to control access.
(e) One (1) observational platform along existing and approved new trails or on the
banks of surface water if allowed and approved by all applicable regulatory
authorities.
3.3. Vegetation Management. Grantee or assigned reserves the right to manage vegetation
for boundary marking, fencing, signage, fire containment, disease control, invasive exotic plant
control, and removal of conditions that threaten life or property. Methods of vegetation
management may include, but are not limited to, selective cutting, prescribed burning,
application of herbicides or pesticides.
ARTICLE IV. PROHIBITED AND RESTRICTED ACTIVITIES
Any activity on, or use of, the Trail Area inconsistent with the purposes of this Easement
is prohibited. Other than as provided herein, the Trail Area shall be maintained in its natural,
scenic, wooded and open condition and restricted from any use that would impair or interfere
with the Conservation Values or the purposes of this Easement. Except for those rights
specifically reserved to Grantor in Article II and without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
the following activities and uses are expressly prohibited or restricted as indicated:
4.1. Trail Area Use. Access to the Trail Area by the general public is subject to the following
limitations:
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(a) The Trail may be used only for walking, nature study, and the like.
(b) Use is limited to the hours between dawn and dusk.
(c) Smoking or lighting of fires is prohibited.
(d) Consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.
(e) Trapping or hunting is prohibited.
4.2. Mechanized Vehicles. There shall be no use of motorized vehicles on the Trail Area
except as necessary for the construction, maintenance, operation and management of the North
Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail and associated trail and recreational accessories as described
herein.
4.3. Industrial or Commercial Use: Industrial and commercial activities are prohibited in the
Trail Area.
4.4. Residential Use, Structures, and Signs. There shall be no residential use of the Trail
Area. There shall be no constructing or placing of any building, mobile home, billboard or other
advertising display, antenna, utility pole, tower, conduit line, or any other temporary or
permanent structure or facility on or above the Trail Area except for the following: placement
and display of no trespassing signs, local, state or federal traffic or similar informational signs,
boundary fencing, signs identifying the Conservation Values of the Trail Area, and/or signs
identifying Grantor as owner of the Property and Grantee as holder of this Easement, signs
identifying the Trail Area as a part of the North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail, signs giving
directions or prescribing rules and regulations for the use of the Trail Area, educational and
interpretative signs, identification labels or any other similar temporary or permanent signs.
4.5. Agricultural, Timber Harvesting, Grazing and Horticultural Use. Agricultural, timber
harvesting, grazing, horticultural and animal husbandry operations are prohibited; provided that
this provision shall not prohibit plantings for wildlife habitat or wildlife management.
4.6. Disturbance of Natural Features, Plants and Animals. There shall be no cutting or
removal of trees, or the disturbance of other natural features on the Trail Area except for the
following: (i) as incidental to boundary marking or railing as allowed hereunder; and (ii) cutting
or clearing of vegetation for insect or disease control, control of non-native plants, removal of
trees that threaten to fall on the Trail Area or on land outside the boundaries of the Trail Area
and as necessary for the construction, maintenance, operation and management of the North
Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail and allowed Trail and Recreational Accessories. Design and
construction of the North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail will be planned and built to minimize
environmental impacts to the extent practical.
4.7. Wetlands and Water Quality. There shall be no pollution or alteration of surface waters
in the Trail Area. There shall be no construction or other activities that would be detrimental to
water quality or that would alter the natural water levels, drainage, sedimentation, or water flow
in, on, or over the Trail Area or into any surface waters. There shall be no construction or other
activities that would cause soil degradation or erosion. There shall be no diking, dredging,
alteration, draining, filling, or removal of wetlands.
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4.8. Dumping and Filling. The dumping, accumulation, storage, or burying of soil, trash,
ashes, garbage, waste, appliances, abandoned or unlicensed vehicles, inoperable or broken
machinery, debris, junk, radioactive or hazardous waste, or other materials on the Trail Area is
prohibited. Automobiles, trailers, machinery and recreational vehicles shall not be stored on the
Trail Area.
4.9. Mineral Use, Excavation, Dredging. There shall be no filling, excavation, dredging,
mining or drilling; no removal of topsoil, sand, gravel, rock, peat minerals or other minerals, and
no change in the topography of the Trail Area in any manner except as reasonably necessary for
the purposes of combating erosion and as reasonably necessary for any activities otherwise
permitted on the Trail Area pursuant to the terms of this Easement.
(ARTICLE V. FEDERAL TAX ITEMS
5.1. Qualified Conservation Contribution. The Easement granted under this agreement has
been donated in whole or in part to Grantee by the undersigned Grantor. It is intended to qualify
as a charitable donation of a partial interest in real estate (as defined under §170(f)(3)(B)(iii) of
the Code)to a qualified organization (as defined in §1.170A-14(c)(1) of the Regulations).
5.2. Definitions of Code and Regulations. "Code"means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended through the applicable date of reference. "Regulations"mean the provisions of
C.F.R. §1.170A-14 as amended through the applicable date of reference.
5.3. Public Benefit. This easement is given for public outdoor recreation and education and is
for the substantial and regular use of the general public or the community. This Easement
provides significant public benefit as defined in §1.170A-14(d)(2)(i) of the Regulations. Public
policies and programs that illustrate and support the significant public benefit of this Easement
include:
(a) The 2030 Orange County Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan, which
recommends the development of a master plan for the Orange County segment of the
Statewide Mountains-to-Sea Trail as well as linking to the priorities set forth in the
existing North Carolina State Trails Program; and
(b) The Orange County Board of Commissioners' goal (adopted June 21, 1999) to
identify and coordinate the preservation of the County's most significant natural
areas; and
(c) The Land Use Element of the Orange County Comprehensive Plan(adopted
November 18, 2008)with its goal of"Land uses that are appropriate to on-site
environmental conditions and features, and that protect natural resources, cultural
resources, and community character;" and
(d) The Orange County Lands Legacy Action Plan, which was adopted by the Orange
County Board of Commissioners on December 12, 2017, and which sets an objective
to acquire key parcels needed for a public pedestrian trail and wildlife corridor that
would connect Hillsborough Riverwalk to the Haw River for the planned North
Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail; and
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(e) N.C.G.S. § 113-34.1 authorizing the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources to develop and maintain the North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail, of
which this easement will be a part.
5.4. Mineral Interests. No Person has retained a qualified mineral interest in the Trail Area of
a nature that would disqualify the Easement for purposes of§1.170A-14(g)(4) of the
Regulations.
5.5. Notice Required Under Regulations. To the extent required for compliance with
§1.170A-13(g)(4)(ii) of the Regulations, Grantor agrees to notify Grantee before exercising any
reserved right that may have an adverse impact on the conservation interests or public
recreational purposes associated with the Trail Area.
5.6. Trail Area Right. In accordance with §1.170A-14(g)(6) of the Regulations, the
undersigned Grantor agrees that the Easement granted under this agreement gives rise to a
property right, immediately vested in the Grantee, that entitles the Grantee to compensation upon
extinguishment of the easement. The fair market value of the property right is to be determined
in accordance with the Regulations; i.e., it is at least equal to the proportionate value that this
easement as of the Easement Date bears to the value of the Property as a whole as of the
Easement Date. Grantee must use any funds received by application of this provision in a manner
consistent with the recreational and conservation purposes of this Easement.
5.7. Qualification Under §2031(C) of the Code. To the extent required to qualify for
exemption from federal estate tax under §2031(c) of the Code, and only to the extent such
activity is not otherwise prohibited or limited under this Easement, Grantor agrees that
commercial recreational uses are not permitted within the Trail Area.
[KL4]
ARTICLE VI. ONGOING RESPONSIBILITY OF GRANTOR AND GRANTEE
This Easement is not intended in any way to affect any existing obligation of the Grantor as
owner of the Property. Among other things, this shall apply to:
6.1. Taxes. Grantor shall continue to be solely responsible for payment of all taxes and
assessments levied against the Property. If Grantee is ever required to pay any taxes or
assessments on their interest in the Property, Grantor shall upon demand reimburse Grantee for
the same.
6.2. Upkeep and Maintenance. Grantor shall continue to be solely responsible for the upkeep
and maintenance of the Trail Area, to the extent it may be required by law, except as described
herein. Grantee shall have no obligation for the upkeep or maintenance of the Trail Area, except
as described herein. Grantee shall be solely responsible for construction, upkeep, and
maintenance of the Trail, except as described herein.
6.3. Transfer of Trail Area. Grantor agrees to incorporate by reference the terms of this
Easement in any deed or other legal instrument by which they transfer or divest themselves of
any interest, including leasehold interests, in the Trail Area. Grantor shall notify Grantee in
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writing at least thirty (30) days before conveying the Trail Area, or any interest therein. Failure
of Grantor to do so shall not impair the validity of the Easement or limit its enforceability in any
way.
6.4. Transfer of Easement. Grantee shall have the right to transfer this Easement to any public
agency or private nonprofit organization that, at the time of transfer, is a qualified organization
under 26 U.S.C. Section 170(h) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended and under NGS 121-
34 et seq., provided the agency or organization expressly agrees to assume the responsibility
imposed on Grantee by this Easement. As a condition of such transfer, Grantee shall require that
the conservation purposes intended to be advanced hereunder shall be continued to be carried
out. If Grantee ever cease to exist or no longer qualify under 26 U.S.C. Section 170(h) of the
Internal Revenue Code, or applicable state law, a court with jurisdiction shall transfer this
Easement to another qualified organization having similar purposes that agrees to assume the
responsibility imposed by the Easement.
6.5. Inspection and Access. With reasonable advance notice to the Grantor or with Grantor's
prior verbal consent, Grantee, their employees and agents, successors and assigns, shall have the
right to enter the Trail Area for the purpose of inspecting the Trail Area to determine whether
Grantor, their successors or assigns are complying with the terms, conditions and restrictions of
this Easement.
6.6. Enforcement. Grantee shall have the responsibility for management, monitoring and
enforcement of the terms of this Easement. Grantee shall complete and file the monitoring
reports, a copy of which is kept on file with Orange County.
Grantee shall have the right to prevent violations and remedy violations of the terms of this
Easement through judicial action, which shall include, without limitation, the right to bring
proceedings in law or in equity against any party or parties attempting to violate the terms of this
Easement. Except when an ongoing or imminent violation could irreversibly diminish or impair
the Conservation Values of the Trail Area, Grantee shall give Grantor written notice of the
violation and Grantor shall have thirty(30) days to cure the violation, before commencing any
legal proceedings. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that a violation may exist or
has occurred, Grantee may obtain an injunction to stop the violation, temporarily or permanently.
The parties agree that a court may issue an injunction or order requiring Grantor to restore the
Trail Area to its condition prior to the violation, as restoration of the Trail Area may be the only
appropriate remedy. The failure of Grantee to discover a violation or to take immediate legal
action shall not bar it from doing so at a later time. In any case where a court finds no such
violation has occurred, each party shall bear its own costs. In any case where the Court finds that
a violation has occurred, Grantee shall have the right to recover its legal costs from Grantor,
including attorney's fees or expenses associated with any enforcement or remedial action as it
relates to the enforcement of this Easement.
ARTICLE VII. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PARTIES
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7.1. Grantor's Title Warranty. Grantor covenants, represents and warrants (i) that it is the
sole owner and is seized of the Trail Area in fee simple and has the right to grant and convey
this Easement; (ii) that there is legal access to the Trail Area; (iii) that the Trail Area is free and
clear of any and all encumbrances, except those permitted title exceptions listed on Exhibit B,
attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, none of which would nullify, impair
or limit in any way the terms or effect of this Easement; (iv) Grantor shall defend its title to the
Trail Area against the claims of all persons whomsoever; and (v) Grantor covenants that
Grantee, its successors and assigns, shall have the use of and enjoy all of the benefits derived
from and arising out of this Easement.
7.2. Grantor's Environmental Warranty. Grantor knows of no release or threatened release of
any Hazardous Materials on, at, beneath or from the Trail Area, or arising from or connected
with a violation of any Environmental Laws. Grantor hereby promise to hold harmless and
indemnify Grantee against all litigation, claims, demands,penalties and damages, including
reasonable attorneys' fees, arising from or connected with the release or threatened release by
Grantor, their agents, assigns, and guests, of any Hazardous Materials on, at,beneath or from the
Trail Area, or arising from or connected with a violation of any Environmental Law.
"Environmental Law" or"Environmental Laws"means any and all Federal, state, local or
municipal laws, rules, orders,regulations, statutes, ordinances, codes, guidelines,policies or
requirements of any governmental authority regulating or imposing standards of liability or
standards of conduct(including common law) concerning air, water, solid waste, hazardous
materials, worker and community right-to-know, hazard communication noise, radioactive
material, resource protection, subdivision, inland wetlands and watercourses, health protection
and similar environmental health, safety, building and land use as may now or at any time
hereafter be in effect.
"Hazardous Materials"means any petroleum, petroleum products, fuel oil, waste oils,
explosives, reactive materials, ignitable materials, corrosive materials, hazardous chemicals,
hazardous wastes, hazardous substances, extremely hazardous substances, toxic substances, toxic
chemicals,radioactive materials, infectious materials and any other element, compound,mixture,
solution or substance which may pose a present or potential hazard to human health or the
environment.
7.3. Liability. Grantor has entered into this Easement in order to make the Trail Area
available to the public for recreational and educational purposes as contemplated by Chapter 38A
and Section 143B-135.118 of the North Carolina General Statutes and therefore is afforded the
statutory limitations upon liability of an "owner"under those provisions as they may be amended
from time to time.
ARTICLE VIII. MISCELLANEOUS
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8.1. Recording. Grantee shall record this instrument in a timely fashion in the official record
of Orange County,North Carolina, and may re-record it at any time as may be required to
preserve the rights of the Grantee.
8.2. Survival of Terms/Merger of Fee and Easement. Grantor and Grantee agree that the
terms of this Easement shall survive any merger of this fee and easement interest in the Trail
Area. In the event Grantee becomes owner of the Trail Area, or any portion thereof, Grantee
shall transfer its rights title and interest in this Easement to a third parry in accordance with
sections 6.4.
8.3. Amendment of Easement. This Easement may be amended only with the written consent
of the Grantor and Grantee. Any such amendment shall be consistent with the purposes of this
Easement and shall comply with Sec. 170(h) of the Internal Revenue Code, or any regulations
promulgated in accordance with that section. Any such amendment shall also be consistent with
the Uniform Conservation and Historic Preservation Agreements Act,N.C.G.S. Section 121-34
et seq., or any regulations promulgated pursuant to that law. The Grantor and Grantee have no
right or power to agree to any amendment that would affect the enforceability of this Easement.
8.4. Procedure in the Event of Termination of Easement. If it is determined that conditions on
or surrounding the Trail Area have changed so much that it is impossible to fulfill the
conservation purposes set forth above, a court with jurisdiction may, at the joint request of both
the Grantor and Grantee, terminate this Easement.
If condemnation of a part of the Trail Area or of the entire Property by public authority
renders it impossible to fulfill any of these conservation purposes, the Easement may be
terminated through condemnation proceedings.
8.5. Interpretation. This Easement shall be interpreted under the laws of the State of North
Carolina, resolving any ambiguities and questions of the validity of specific provisions so as to
give maximum effect to its conservation purposes.
8.6. Perpetual Duration; Severability. The Easement created by this Deed shall be a servitude
running with the land in perpetuity. Every provision of this Deed of Trail Easement that applies
to the Grantor or the Grantee shall also apply to their respective agents, heirs, executors,
administrators, assigns, and all other successors as their interests may appear. Invalidity of any
of the covenants, terms or conditions of this Easement, or any part thereof by court order or
judgment shall in no way affect the validity of any of the other provisions hereof, which shall
remain in full force and effect.
8.7. Subsequent Liens on the Trail Area. No provision of this Easement should be construed
as impairing the ability of Grantor to use the Trail Area as collateral for subsequent borrowing.
Any such liens shall be and remain subordinate to this Easement.
8.8. Subsequent Easements/Restrictions on the Trail Area. The grant of any easement or use
restriction that might diminish or impair the Conservation Values of the Trail Area is prohibited.
Any such easement or restriction shall be subordinated to this Easement.
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8.9. Notices. Any notices required by this Easement shall be in writing and shall be
personally delivered or sent by first class mail to Grantor or Grantee respectively, at the
following address,unless a party has been notified in writing by the other of a change of address.
To the Grantor: To the Grantee:
FRIENDS OF MOOREFIELDS Orange County DEAPR
2201 MOOREFIELDS ROAD PO Box 8181
Hillsborough,NC 27278 Hillsborough,NC 27278
8.10. Entire Agreement. This instrument sets forth the entire agreement of the Parties with
respect to the Easement and supersedes all prior discussions, negotiations, understandings or
agreements relating to the Easement. If any provision is found to be invalid, the remainder of the
provisions of this Easement, and the application of such provision to persons of circumstances
other than those as to which it is found to be invalid, shall not be affected thereby.
8.11. Availability or Amount of Tax Benefits. Grantee make no warranty, representation or
other assurance regarding the availability, amount or effect of any deduction, credit or other
benefit to Grantor or any other person or entity under United States or any state, local or other
tax law to be derived from the donation of any part of the value of this Easement or other
transaction associated with the donation of this Easement. Grantor's donation is not conditioned
upon the availability or amount of any such deduction, credit or other benefit. Grantee makes no
warranty, representation or other assurance regarding the value of this Easement or of the Trail
Area. As to all of the foregoing, Grantor is relying upon Grantor's own legal counsel,
accountant, financial advisor or other consultant and not upon Grantee's legal counsel,
accountant, financial advisor or other consultant of Grantee. In the event of any audit or other
inquiry of a governmental authority into the effect of this donation upon the taxation or financial
affairs involving Grantor or Grantor's heirs, successors or assigns or other similar matter then
Grantee shall be reimbursed and indemnified for any cost or expense of any kind or nature
whatsoever incurred by Grantee in responding or replying thereto.
8.12. Warranties and Representations of Owner. By signing this Easement, Grantor
acknowledges, warrants and represents to Grantee that:
(a) Grantor has had the opportunity to be represented by counsel of Grantor's choosing
and fully understand that Grantor is hereby permanently relinquishing property rights
which would otherwise permit Grantor to have a fuller use and enjoyment of the Trail
Area.
(b) There are no recorded or unrecorded leases or other agreements for the production of
minerals or removal of timber from the Trail Area which would, if any of the
activities permitted under such lease or other agreement were undertaken by Grantor,
violate the covenants or restrictions in this Easement or otherwise defeat the
conservation Purpose.
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TO HAVE AND TO HOLD this Deed of Conservation Easement unto Grantee,their successors
and assigns, forever.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Grantor and Grantee, intending to legally bind themselves,
have set their hands on the date first written above.
GRANTOR:
Mike Hammersley, President
Friends of Moorefields
Accepted:
GRANTEE:
ORANGE COUNTY,NORTH CAROLINA
By:
Renee Price, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
ATTEST:
By:
Laura Jensen, Clerk to the
Board of Commissioners
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Acknowledgments
NORTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF ORANGE
I, , a Notary Public for said County and State do hereby certify
that personally appeared before me and acknowledged the due execution
of the foregoing instrument.
Witness my hand and official stamp or seal this the day of December, 2018.
Notary Public
My commission expires:
NORTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF ORANGE
I, , a Notary Public of Orange County,North Carolina do hereby
certify that Laura Jensen personally appeared before me this day and acknowledged that she is
Clerk to the Board of Commissioners for Orange County,North Carolina and that by authority
duly given and as the act of Orange County,North Carolina the foregoing instrument was signed
in its name by the Chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners, and attested by her as
Clerk to said Board of Commissioners.
Witness my hand and official stamp or seal this the day of , 2022.
Notary Public
My commission expires:
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