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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-20-2023; 12-2 - 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: June 7, 2023 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 interested landowners 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) • Staff and the Eno River Association have entered into final negotiations with the landowners for a conservation/trail easement that will make the connection from Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area to Dimmocks Mill Road. Both State and City of Raleigh grants have been awarded to provide funds for the project. County staff is assisting ERA in acquiring and drafting all closing documents for presentation in open session and subsequent State review. Staff also continues discussions with State and private nonprofit partners to confirm the final route and connection through State Parks to be included in a trail easement. • The previously approved conservation and trail easement from the Draper-Savage Foundation (Moorefields), adjacent to Seven Mile Creek Natural Area, is under final state legal review and awaiting closing, after a delay due to property ownership changes.The closing attorney has been hired, and all closing documents and easements have been provided to the State for approval which is anticipated at any time.The closing is estimated for late summer 2023. • Negotiations continue with another landowner for a possible fee-simple acquisition that would be the final piece needed to connect Seven Mile Creek Natural Area to the east. Action to secure grant funding for the acquisition of this property has occurred. 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 (permitted by OWASA in 2018 with conditions). A meeting was held with OWASA to this purpose, and bimonthly updates between staff and OWASA staff continue to occur. Staff is working to finalize an Emergency Access and Management Plan for this proposed section of trail with Emergency Services,the Sheriff's Office, and other first response agencies. Once these plans are in draft stage,work will begin to finalize the Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) between OWASA and Orange County for the trail. This is anticipated to occur in late 2023. Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation PO Box 8181/306-A Revere Road Hillsborough, NC 27278 (919) 245-2510 2 • Previously-approved landowner-donated trail easements with the Shy and Johnson families continue to move toward closing. (Note—both landowners requested modifications to their approved easement language and/or new survey work, which has delayed both closings.) One of the requested trail easement modifications is now complete, and the County is preparing to hire a closing attorney for final title work,with closing expected this summer. We are saddened to report that both families have suffered a loss in recent months, and respecting the losses both families are dealing with put the final activities on hold temporarily. • As mentioned in the last update, staff continues discussions with a third landowner on Cane Creek Reservoir.This owner is interested in granting a trail easement (included in their deed of purchase) on land recently acquired adjacent to the reservoir and along the trail route.At landowner request, discussions will continue in the next few months after the landowner has completed construction of their home. Buckhorn Road to Seven Mile Creek 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 Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail (FMST)and occasional landowners. • Discussion with FMST staff about potential interim connections along road routes (or a future alternate spur route) continues. There is conversation in the early stages with one landowner and FMST along a likely 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 is assisting as needed and requested. • Orange County previously agreed to help FMST with funding assistance from existing sources for a bridge crossing project on Cates Creek from Hillsborough Riverwalk to Eno River State Park.The project has been completed by FMST, and the requested County funds are conveyed. • 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 provide access to nearly four additional miles of trail through Eno River State Park. • FMST, State and County staff successfully petitioned the NCDOT to ensure the trail path be included underneath the newly rebuilt Hwy 70 Bridge north of Hillsborough, and the work was concluded in December of 2022! • FMST and ERA is following up with landowners to connect two portions of ERSP. Next Steps: • Complete easements and acquisitions 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. Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation PO Box 8181/306-A Revere Road Hillsborough, NC 27278 (919) 245-2510 3 • The FMST is planning to post 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 and trail land segments involve a sometimes-lengthy 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