HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-18-2022; 12-3 - Information Item - Memorandum - NC Mountains to Sea Trail Progress Report 1
ORANGE COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, AGRICULTURE,
PARKS AND RECREATION
MEMORANDUM
To: David Stancil, DEAPR Director
From: Christian Hirni, Land Conservation Manager
Date: October 181h, 2022
Subject: NC Mountains to Sea Trail Progress Report
As an update on activity along the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) corridor, I have been working with
our trail partner organizations and can report 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. After a delay due to
legal property ownership changes, all closing documents and easements will be or have
been provided to the State for approval before closing. Pending State approval,the closing
is estimated for late winter/early spring 2023.
• Discussions have begun 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. A meeting was held in
September with OWASA to this purpose. Staff has continued 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.
• The Board approved, in November and December of 2021, two landowner-donated trail
easements (Carl Shy and Ed Johnson). Recent landowner initiated changes to easement
Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation
PO Box 8181/306-A Revere Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245-2510
2
language and/or survey work should be finalized by late fall, allowing for title work and
closing dates to be scheduled for late fall/early winter of this year.
• Staff have identified landowners for possible additional connections into and within the trail
route on OWASA lands, and has contacted these owners in the recent months about
interest.
Buckhorn Road to Seven Mile Creek Natural Area (Phase III)
• NOTE: This segment of the trail is slated in the C/P 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) continues. 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.
• Orange County has recently agreed to help FMST with a bridge crossing project on Cates
Creek, as it travels from Hillsborough Riverwalk to Eno River State Park.
• 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. Complete recent landowner-initiated revisions.
• Continue discussion of specific trail location and construction details with OWASA staff.
Begin drafting, with Emergency Services and Sheriff's Office, 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 me 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