HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 05-03-22; 12-5 - Information Item - Memorandum - NC Mountains to Sea Trail Progress Report 1
ORANGE COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, AGRICULTURE,
PARKS AND RECREATION
MEMORANDUM
To: Board of County Commissioners
Bonnie Hammersley, County Manager
From: David Stancil, DEAPR Director
Christian Hirni, Land Conservation Manager
Date: May 3, 2022
Subject: NC Mountains to Sea Trail Progress Report
As an update on activity along the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) corridor, Land Conservation
Manager Christian Hirni -working with our trail partner organizations—reports the following activity
to further the MST project.To protect landowner confidentiality, properties are not referred to by
name:
Occoneechee Mountain to Seven Mile Creek Natural Area (Phase 1)
• County staff continues to work with the Eno River Association to negotiate final connections
from Dimmocks Mill Road to Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area,through either fee
simple or trail easement options. Recent landowner interest in a combined
conservation/trail easement has the real potential to make this connection. Staff continues
discussions with State and private nonprofit partners to confirm this route and connection.
• After preliminary review by the State,the Board approved in January final easement
language for the acquisition of a conservation and trail easement from the Draper-Savage
Foundation (Moorefields), adjacent to Seven Mile Creek Natural Area. Survey work was
delayed but is now scheduled that will include a trail easement to connect from Seven Mile
Creek Natural Area to the east,which will require final State approval before closing.
Pending State approval,the closing is estimated for the late spring/early summer this year.
• Contact has been made with another landowner that could be the final piece needed to
connect Seven Mile Creek Natural Area to the east.
Cane Creek Reservoir Area (Phase 11)
• Staff continues to work with OWASA staff and the Friends of the MST(FMST)to determine
the optimal trail route through OWASA Cane Creek Reservoir lands. Staff has begun the
process of working with Emergency Services, the Sheriff's Office, and other first response
agencies to draft an Emergency Access and Management Plan for this proposes section of
trails. Once these plans are in draft stage, work will begin to finalize the Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with OWASA for the trail.
• Staff is also in discussion with a new landowner on Cane Creek Reservoir.This owner is
interested in granting a trail easement on land recently acquired adjacent to the reservoir
and along the trail route. Discussions will continue after landowner has completed other
needed actions for management of the land.
Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation
PO Box 8181/306-A Revere Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245-2510
2
• The Board has approved, in November and December, easement language for two
landowner donated trail easements (Carl Shy and Ed Johnson). Surveys have been delayed
due to high demand and backlogs among surveyors, but are now contracted for both and
should be completed in the late spring, allowing for title work and closing dates to be
scheduled for late spring/early summer of this year.
• Staff have identified landowners for possible additional connections into and within the trail
route on OWASA lands, and will be contacting these owners in the coming months about
interest.
Buckhorn Road to Seven Mile Natural Area (Phase III)
• NOTE: This segment of the trail is slated in the CIP for FY 2027-28 and beyond. No activity
other than conversations with FMST and occasional landowners.
• Discussion with FMST staff about potential interim connections along roads route (or future
alternate spur route). Conversation in early stages with one landowner and FMST along an
interim road route.
Eno River State Park(ERSP)to Durham County(Other Lead Entities)
Note:State Parks, the Eno River Association and the FMST are coordinating in this segment from
Hillsborough Riverwalk eastward to Durham County.
• The FMST and State Parks worked to secure a pedestrian walkway on the proposed new
NCDOT bridge over the Eno River at Pleasant Green Road. The new bridge is expected to be
completed around 2025 (before recent DOT budget issues) with a sidewalk. This will allow
nearly 4 additional miles of trail through Eno River State Park.
• FMST, State and County staff continue working to ensure the trail path be included
underneath the newly rebuilt Hwy 70 bridge north of Hillsborough.
• FMST and ERA is following up with landowners to connect two portions of ERSP.
• FMST is working to repair the support structure and replace a bridge across Cates Creek,just
south of the Eno River in Hillsborough,with a much sturdier, long-term bridge.
Next Steps:
• Follow-up with interested landowners in Cane Creek and Occoneechee Mountain/Seven
Mile Creek Natural Area locations.
• Discuss specific trail location and construction details with OWASA staff.Work with
Emergency Services and Sheriff's Office to draft an Emergency Access and Management Plan
for the Cane Creek Reservoir sections.
• The FMST is posting road routes to allow hiking connections between existing and proposed
trail segments on their website.
In closing, it is important to note that negotiations of all trail easements involve a series of
discussions with landowners,their attorneys, and the County's environmental and legal staff and
management.The County must perform due diligence in any negotiation for acquisitions using
public funds. As such,there are occasions where conversations and information gathering is
underway and necessary but not always visible to all interested parties, until the time for official
action (as per State statutes).
Please let us know if we may provide additional information.
Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation
PO Box 8181/306-A Revere Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245-2510