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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-09-2003-8jORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: December 9, 2003 Action Age~ao Item No. _~_ SUBJECT: Consideration of Funding Support for Eno River Land Acquisitions DEPARTMENT: Environment and Resource PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No Conservation ATTACHMENT INFORMATION CONTACT: September 15, 2003 and June 9, 2003 Letters David Stanch, 245-2590 from Eno River Association Rich Shaw, 245-2591 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To consider an appropriation of $55,000 to the Eno River Association toward preservation of two tracts along the Eno River -the Poplar Ridge and Eno Wilderness properties, BACKGROUND: For many years, the "Association for the Preservation of the Eno River Valley" (more commonly known as the Eno River Association) has worked with the N,C. Division of State Parks to help protect lands in Dtarham and Orange Counties along the Eno River. Approximately 1800 acres of land in Orange County is within Eno River State Park. In late 2002, the State Parks office announced an option to acquire 850 acres of land along the Eno River in eastern Orange County, This land, part of the "DuBose tract," contains hundreds of acres of identified Natural Heritage sites and is adjacent to the Eno River State Park, The Eno River Association pledged $50,000 toward this purchase. In addition, in early 2003, the Eno River Assocation signed an option to purchase the 137- acre Poplar Ridge tract along the Eno between US 70 and Lawrence Road, This is envisioned as the western terminus of the Eno River State Park, and the Association plans to sell the land to the State for inclusion in the State Park, In June and September of this year, a letter was received from the Association regarding these two projects and requesting the County's assistance in meeting the funding needs of these acquisitions (specifically, $25,000 towards the 850-acre Eno Wilderness and $30,000 to help close the gap in available funds for the purchase of the Poplar Ridge acquisition). The County would be recognized as a full partner in the acquisition collaborations. 2 Discussion of this topic was originally slated for the Board's October 27`h work session, but due to other pressing capital matters, this item was not discussed, The properties will close prior to the Board's next meeting on January 26, 2003, and the Association has asked if the County could consider this action prior to the closings. Staff has investigated and is familiar with both properties, and finds the preservation of both to be compatible with the goals and priorities of the Lands Legacy Program. Acquisition of lands along the Eno River is a priority in the adopted 2002-04 Lands Legacy Annual Action Plan. FINANCIAL- IMPACT: The request from the Association is for $30,000 toward the $1,500,000 purchase of the Poplar Ridge tract, and $25,000 to help the Association meet its goal of $50,000 toward the Ena Wilderness. Funding for the projects could be appropriated from existing funds in the Lands Legacy Opportunities (pay-as-you-go) Fund. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the appropriation of funds in the amount of $55,000 toward these two land acquisitions. ASSOCIATION FORTHE PRESERVATION OH THE ENO R1VH,R VALLEY 4419 Guess Road, Durham, NC 27712 Ph: (9l9) 620-9099 www..enoriver org Fax:(919) 477-0448 September 15, 2003 Margaret Brown, Chart Orange County Commissioners P. O. Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278 RE: PmRecting Osage County lands Madam Chair, 1n June I wrote to ask for assistance from Osage County in protecting two precious tracts of undeveloped land along the Eno River, I understand that projects h7ce this will be taken up by the Board of C ~r++**+Q~ionecs is October. It is our hope that you will carefiilly consider our request at that time, I azn enclosing a copy of my letter of June 9, 2003 for your review and use. Since thaz time we have borrowed $1.S million in order w purchase and protect the Poplaz Ridge tract. We still expect to be able to sell the tract to the State for inclusion in the Eno River State Park The funding gap is currently approximately $90,000. Orange County's commitment of $30,000 will help to close that gap and therefore to protect the Pophur Ridge tract. 'The State is still securing funding for the Eno Wilderness tract.. We anticipate a closing on that pact prior to the end of the yeaz, az which time we have committed to give the State $50,000, Again, we ask thaz Orange County to partner with us and appropriate $25,000 towazds the purchase, to help keep it undeveloped as part of the Eno River State Pazk. The Eno River State Park protects open space, sites of unique biological importance and drinking water sources for the Triangle. In addition it athacts visitors to Orange County and provides recreational resourres for residents.. ff you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me; I will be happy to provide you with any additional information you would like. Sincerely yours, ~~~ ~~~- Don Moffitt President ce: John M. Link, Jr., County Manager David Stanch, I?ireetor, ERCD The Association (nr the Preservation afthr Eon Rivcr t/afler also known m tGe 'Bm> Xiver Association,' root orguni¢rd nr J )G~ and ineo parared in 1975 as o tux-ev~empt, non y>rofit corporation to carsen~e and protect the nmrvul. hi,trnri<ol, a+rd culnrrnl reso+uceo of rhr Eno River Basin. ASSOCIATION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THF. ENO RIVER VALLEY 4419 Guess Road, Durham, NC 27712 1'h: (919) 620-9099 www enoriver. org Pax:(919) 477-0448 June 9, 2003 Margaret Brown, Chair Orange County Commissioacrs P.O..Box 8181 Hillsborough, N. C. 27278 RE: Protecting Ckange County lands Madam Chair, Orange County is a vita! partner with the Eno River Association for conservation within the county, from the Little River Regional Park w the Upper Eno River conservation project. The Eno River Association values Orange Courrt}rs commitment to the preservation of special natural areas and open space within the cotmty. Cutmntly the Association is working on two very important conservation projects within Orange C.oumy, and it is our hope that Orange County will once again extend its hand in parwership. The 815-acre Eno Wilderness is a critical land acquisition for both Orange County and for the Eno River Stale Park. This Lead is now under option by the state, for the purpose of acquiring it for the Eno River State Park. This option expires in December of 2003.. In order to assist NC Parks & Recreation as they work to secure the $6.5 million funding needed for this project, the Association committed the initial $50,400 in funding, The Orange County Board of Commissioners expressed their support far this project earlier this year, and the Association is now hoping that The Board will consider appropriations toward this very important land acquisition project With over 2 miles of Eno River fromage, pristine wilderness, miles of streams and 800 beaartifirl acres of wildlife habitat, the Eno Wilderness is a project that we cannot afford to lose. We would like Orange County to share that commitment and to appropriate $25,000 toward this prajecf, so that together we can help ensure that the Wilderness project becomes a teality_ Jt is an mrparaUeled opporhmity to prated open space in the county., We ask that the appropriation be made to the State of North Carolina, payable at the time of purchase, as half of the commitment made by the Eno River Association. We will ensure that Orange Coumy gets recognition as a full partner in the collaboration.. In addition, Ure Eno River Association is currently under contract to purr~ase the 137-acre Poplar Ridge tract, which contains idemified an Orange County nazural inventory site (Poplar Ridge), wildlife corridors and prime riparian habitat along the Eno. This tract is lorxxed near Hillsborough, between [IS 70 and Lawrence Road, along the southern bank of the Eno. It will serve as the western terminus for the Eno River State Park artd have hiking trails and public river access. We will be able to sell the land to the State ofNorth Carolina, but the sale price will be approximately $50,000 less tiles our costs. We request drat Orange County appropriate $30,000 to the Eno River Assocation to contribute toward the 51.6 million dollar purchase price. The Asrocrmiort.forLhe Presrrvminn n/'rhe Ern Ricer Yallnt also lJromn uv the 'Tun Rh~er AS£OCNUIaR,' «'ur orgnniiad in 1 JGS nnAfnrnrpomr<d in J075 nt a tar-tannp6 nwo-Profit ewporarinn to tn,...~crvc urtd prutcci dm n,vural. Itistnrical, and Cidlwrid resources ojrhe Enn Ri»er Baxin. Eno Wilderness Page 2 Development pressures on land along the E~ are higher than they have over been. These opportunities are unique. We know that you know that even in those difficult budget times, the protection of open spaces and public lands fnr use by the citizens of Orange County is as critical as over. We look forward to working with you to ensure that these two important conservation projects come to fruition in 2003. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Don Moffitt President oa John M. Lmk, Jr, C,arnty Manager