Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 04-16-24; 6-a - Lands Legacy Action Plan for 2024-2027 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 16, 2024 Action Agenda Item No. 6-a SUBJECT: Lands Legacy Action Plan for 2024-2027 DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR) ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 1. Lands Legacy Program Overview David Stancil, DEAPR Director, 919-245- 2. Lands Legacy Action Plan (2024-27) 2522 with Cover Memorandum Christian Hirni, Land Conservation 3. Conservation and Connectivity Maps Manager, 919-245-2514 Current Action Plan can be found at https://www.co.orange.nc.us/DocumentC enter/View/7662/Lands-Legacy-Action- Plan-2018-2020 PURPOSE: To consider adoption of the Lands Legacy Action Plan for the years 2024-2027. BACKGROUND: The Board of Commissioners established the Lands Legacy Program on April 4, 2000. Through this program, Orange County seeks to protect its most critical natural and cultural resources through a variety of voluntary means. Over the 24 years of the program, Orange County has acquired land for eight (8) parks and nature preserves, and secured 46 conservation easements, including 28 active farms, for a current total of 2,973 acres of farmland and open space in the Eno River, Cane Creek, Little River, and New Hope Creek watersheds. Over that same period the County helped other partners protect an additional 1,338 acres of sensitive resource lands. Many of these projects are accomplished in partnership with other conservation entities, including the Triangle Land Conservancy, Eno River Association, Orange Water & Sewer Authority, the Orange NRCS/Soil & Water Conservation District, State and federal trust funds, and adjoining local governments. With those partnerships, Orange County has been awarded over $6.1 million in grants for conserving farms and open space, and for park acquisition or construction. The Lands Legacy Program is directed by the BOCC's adoption of an Action Plan. The proposed 2024-2027 Action Plan reflects acquisition priorities for the next three years. Action Plan development is aided by input from advisory boards: • the Commission for the Environment (for connectivity between natural and protected areas, natural heritage sites, riparian forest buffers to benefit climate resiliency, cultural heritage sites, and the Mountains to Sea Trail); 2 • the Agricultural Preservation Board (for farmland preservation); • the Historic Preservation Commission (for historic/cultural resources); and • the Parks and Recreation Council (for parklands, open space/trails, specifically the Mountains to Sea trail). This Action Plan comes at a time when staff is mindful of several new developments that will affect the County's land conservation actions and decisions: • An improving regional economy — There was an upturn following the Great Recession (2008-2012), and the COVID Pandemic (2020-2023) provides more conservation opportunities, but has also resulted in higher land values. • Increased competition for State and Federal funding —Although state and federal budgets include funding for land conservation, the amount of grant funds available to local governments from those state and federal trust funds has been reduced significantly, along with great competition across the state. Recent federal funding related to the Infrastructure Plan and other legislative programs may improve these programs significantly. • Eno-New Hope Landscape Conservation Plan —This plan, presented to the Board at the March 19, 2024 Business meeting, provides important new data to help guide conservation connectivity. • Priorities in the adopted 2030 Parks and Recreation Master Plan — The Action Plan works to complete the priorities identified in this plan, such as the Mountains to Sea Trail. • County funding for conservation easements — The BOCC approved a biennial allocation of $500,000 in the Capital Investment Plan (CIP) for conservation easement purchases. These funds will leverage outside funds from various sources. Most of the priority focus areas in the 2024-2027 Action Plan are multi-year projects some of which are continued from previous Action Plans. This has often been the case in prior Action Plans, as many of projects take considerable time to come to fruition. A few potential new projects are offered for the Board's consideration. Details of each are provided on pages 4-5 of the Action Plan. Among the priorities in this three-year plan are: • Wildlife and Natural Connection Corridors (especially those outlined in Eno-New Hope Landscape Conservation Plan) • Upper Eno and Jordan Lake Headwaters Preserves • Farmland Conservation Easements • Historic and Cultural Landmarks (and historic easements) • Mountains-to-Sea Trail • Future Bingham Township Park FINANCIAL IMPACT: Most of the funds available for this new three-year Action Plan are existing funds from prior appropriations of the Board. The Lands Legacy Fund (with a current available unencumbered balance of approximately $1.6 million) is from these prior appropriations. In addition, the Board allocated $500,000 on a biennial basis for the Conservation Easement Fund as part of the adopted CIP (with a current unencumbered balance of approximately $1.8 million). The balances above take into consideration projects which are in the process for approval but have not yet received final approval or closed Over $6.1 million in grant and partner funds has been received to date. 3 Where identified, the projected funding source is listed in the attached Action Plan. For many projects, staff seeks grant funds from a variety of state and federal sources; as well as from partner agencies and other sources. Final funding decisions are made by the Board on a project-by-project basis, as potential conservation acquisitions are presented for approval. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to this item. • GOAL: ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE LAND-USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes and educational levels with respect to the development and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, policies, and decisions. Fair treatment means that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or policies. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The following Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal impact is 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. RECOMMENDATIONS: The Manager recommends that the Board review and adopt the Lands Legacy Action Plan for 2024-2027. 4 Attachment 1 Orange County Lands Legacy Program Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation Orange County's Lands Legacy Program was created by a Board of County Commissioners resolution on April 4, 2000. The purpose and mission of the program is to work with willing landowners and other partners to protect and conserve the county's most important natural and cultural resource lands before they are damaged or destroyed. The program is administered by the Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation(DEAPR). Through Lands Legacy, the County has completed projects in all seven townships. That success was achieved with the help of many partners, including dozens of landowners interested in conserving their land through the granting of permanent conservation easements. Other key partners included Triangle Land Conservancy, Eno River Association, OWASA, Duke University, and other local governments. The County has also partnered with state and federal agencies that awarded over $6.1 million in grants for park acquisition/construction and for conserving farms and open space. Over the first 24 years of Lands Legacy, Orange County acquired land for eight new parks, preserved all or portions of 28 active farms (2,329 acres), and conserved over 1,500 acres of natural open space in the Eno River, Cane Creek, Little River, and New Hope Creek watersheds upstream of public water supply intakes. A list of completed projects is attached. An evolving focus for the program Lands Legacy was established to protect the following types of land: • Parkland and public open space • Natural areas and wildlife habitat(including prime forests) • Riparian buffers (especially in public water supply watersheds) • Prime farmland • Historic and cultural sites During the first few years Lands Legacy focused on parkland acquisition, and then shifted its focus to farmland preservation, responding to farmer interests and grants for purchasing conservation easements. More recently, the program has worked to conserve land along rivers and streamsthereby helping to protect our public water supplies and securing areas for low- impact recreation. The cost of conservation Orange County's land conservation over the past 24 years cost the County less than 1% of the County's budget over that same period. Those funds went toward the direct conservation of 3,960 acres by the County,plus an over 1,500 acres acquired by the State for Eno River State Park, for the portion of Little River Park located in Durham County, and for other local , - ; conservation easement projects. 0-1 5 Over time the price of land has risen steadily in this region, and after the recent economic slowdown, prices are expected to begin to rise again. Some of the land the County purchased through Lands Legacy is "land banked" for identified future parks. In the meantime, that land is in stewardship, with much of it in use for agricultural production through temporary arrangements with nearby farmers. Part of a state and regional effort to protect vital resources Lands Legacy is part of a statewide effort to identify the most important resource lands and to distinguish them from areas more suitable for future development. Orange County was an active participant in the Triangle Greenprint and One NC Naturally, and is working with neighboring jurisdictions to extend the Mountains-to-Sea Trail through the central Piedmont. Most recently, Orange County is an active partner in the Eno-New Hope Landscape Conservation group collaborating to identify high-priority landscape corridors that connect a network of critical wildlife habitats in a four county region. An award-winning program Lands Legacy has been recognized for its successful efforts. In 2007 Orange County received the national Excellence in County Planning Award from the National Association of County Planners. The program was also twice runner-up for the national County Leadership in Conservation Award by the National Association of Counties and Trust for Public Land. In 2003 the Conservation Trust for NC recognized Orange and Durham counties with the Government Partner Conservation Award for joint establishment of Little River Regional Park. And in 2007, the NC Soil &Water Conservation Society awarded Orange County the Local Government Conservationist Award. Still important to conserve land? Through Lands Legacy, Orange County has madeY' long-term investments in preserving certain precious natural and cultural heritage sites—part of the County's foundation for maintaining a vibrant quality of life. While many important lands have been conserved, this amounts to just over 1% of the , county's land area. Having seen a 3.1 percent increase in population for a total of 160,411 residents in 2021, the county is projected to increase an additional 16 percent by the year 2030 (191,391)1. With two major interstate highways running through the county's midsection, the protection of these assets will reap countless benefits in the future. Those assets include our"green infrastructure" a web of natural green space, vital for wildlife corridors, recreational trails, and protecting the many rivers and streams that supply our drinking water. Another critical part of that resource base is the county's prime farmland, a major part of the local economy. Lands Legacy has responded to the agricultural community's interest in preserving farmland, and in doing so helped to local farmers recapitalize their farms with an infusion of funds and an opportunity to diversify their products to meet the demands of the strong local food movement—all without reducing the local tax base2. Source:"Orange County Population Projections,2000-2023",Office of State Budget,Planning and Management:State Demographics 2001. z Local property taxes were unaffected because the farms were already enrolled in the present use value program;more than half of the funds used to purchase easements were from state/federal grants and landowner donations. 2 6 Finally,many important historic and archaeological sites, part of our cultural heritage that contributes to tourism, are being lost due to lack of information and adequate safeguards, and over 40 percent of the County's most important natural heritage areas remain unprotected. 3 7 Lands Legacy Program: Completed Projects Project Acres Year Purpose Protect public water supply(Upper Eno watershed); McGowan Creek Preserve 63 2000 low-impact recreation Low-impact recreation&watershed protection; Little River Regional Park 136* 2000 Joint project with Triangle Land Conservancy, Durham County, and Eno River Association. Twin Creeks Park(Moniese Nomp) Future district park; co-located with schools & Educational Campus 193 2001 (now includes section of Jones Creek Greenway) Protect portions of natural heritage site; Seven Mile Creek Preserve 134 2001 nature preserve with low-impact recreation Agricultural conservation easement. Protects prime Walters Farm I 71 2001 farmland,Back Creek watershed and scenic vista Future park with historic farmstead,prime farmland, Blackwood Farm parkland 152 2001 natural heritage site,historic roadbed, scenic vistas Conservation easement donation;protects Cane ShyConservation Area 45 2002 Creek watershed,prime farmland, and natural area Conservation easement for planned trail along New Hope Preserve 1 2003 New Hope Creek; links to Duke Forest trails. 223 2003 Agricultural conservation easement in Back Creek Walters Farm(II) watershed 24 2004 Conservation easement protects land adjacent to Volpe Conservation Area 5 2010 Eno River and tributary streams Conservation easement donation;protects portion Starfield Conservation Area 4 2004 of Currie Hill natural area;public trail corridor Expansion of facilities for the Northern Human Cedar Grove Park Expansion 12 2004 Services Center and park complex Conservation easement;protects prime farmland, Lemola Ayrshire Farm 77 2004 Morgan Creek corridor,Pickard Mtn natural area. Forested natural area on Bolin Creek;protected in Adams Preserve 27 2004 collaboration with Town of Carrboro Natural heritage site protected in partnership with Steep Bottom Branch Preserve 65 2004 the Triangle Land Conservancy Conservation easement;protects prime farmland Ward Farm 112 2004 in Back Creek and Upper Eno watersheds. 67 2004 Future park with farmstead and natural Millhouse Road Park 10 2007 heritage area Agricultural and watershed conservation easement; Lloyd Farm 125 2005 acquired jointly with OWASA Agricultural and watershed conservation easement; McPherson Farm 47 2005 acquired jointly with OWASA Protects portion of a natural heritage area with small Lewis' Heartleaf Preserve 10 2005 population of rare plant endemic to NC and VA Conservation easement;protects arboretum and Keith Arboretum & Preserve 45 2006 mature forest adjacent to natural heritage site Conservation easement;protects prime farmland Fickle Creek Farm 60 2007 for local producers in the Cane Creek watershed *Little River Regional Park includes another 255 acres located in Durham County 4 8 Project Acres Year Purpose Latta Dairy Farm 138 2007 Agricultural conservation easement;protects dairy and prime farmland in the Little River watershed New Hope Preserve ➢ New Hope Creek Trail 1 2005 Acquired for future park with parking, education, ➢ Hollow Rock Access 7 2006 nature trails and wildlife habitat along New Hope ➢ Penny/Hanging Rock area 22 2006 Creek. Joint project with Durham County, Triangle ➢ Dallas Branch Natural Area 27 2007 Land Conservancy, and State of NC. ➢ East side of Pickett Road 11 2011 McKee Farm 92 2007 Conservation easement;protects prime farmland and stream buffers in Cane Creek watershed Tate Farm 80 2007 Conservation easement;protects prime farmland and stream buffers in Back Creek watershed Lee Farm 62 2007 Conservation easement;protects prime farmland and stream buffers in Little River watershed Northeast District Park 143 2007 Future county park on Schley Road. Breeze Farm 295 2008 Conservation easement;protects prime farmland 2012 historic farmstead, streams in Little River watershed Eno Confluence Natural Area 110 2009 Conservation easement;protects farmland and stream buffers within Eno River Assoc. natural area Seven Mile Creek Preserve 13 2010 Future public gateway to nature preserve Covey Creek Conservation Area 8 2010 Conservation easement;protects stream corridor upstream of Little River and natural heritage site Sykes Dairy Farm 160 2011 Conservation easement;protects prime farmland and stream buffers in Cane Creek watershed Brooks Farm 114 2012 Conservation easement;protects prime farmland and stream buffers in Upper Eno River watershed Thompson Farm 40 2012 Conservation easement;protects prime farmland in the Back Creek watershed Collins Creek Conservation Area Conservation easement protects forested stream 11 2013 corridor Collins Creek and three feeder streams Sevenmile Creek Conservation Conservation easement protects mature forest& Area 35 2013 wildlife habitat adjacent to County nature preserve Davis Conservation Area 3 2014 Cons. easements protect forested buffer on Haley Crk, upstream E Fork Eno River&Eno confluence West Ten Soccer Park(addition) 38 2016 Adjacent land acquired for future expansion of Soccer.com Soccer Park Capt.John S.Pope Farm Ag. conservation easement jointly held with ERA; 73 2016 protects farmland/streams,Upper Eno watershed Headwaters Nature Preserve Mixed forest with headwaters of Old Field Crk; adj. 60 2016 to Greene Tract owned by OC, Ch Hill, Carrboro Persimmon Hill Farm 90 2016 Ag. conservation easement;protects farmland and stream buffers in S. H co Crk watershed Lick Creek Conservation Area 30 2017 Conservation easement protects mature forest, wildlife habitat&forested stream buffer Center Stream Farm Addition 25 2017 Ag. conservation easement protects farmland and forested stream buffer on Center Stream Adjacent Ag. conservation easement protects Hill Farm 15 2017 farmland and forested stream buffer on Center Stream OE Enterprises (natural) .5 2017 Natural conservation easement requiring a perm ent 100 foot forested buffer to the Eno River Brumley North (public access) 162 2018 Conservation and Public Access easement 5 9 protecting the northern portion of Triangle Land Conservancy's Brumley Forest Preserve Ag. conservation easement protects farmland and Tunnel's End Horse Farm 16 2018 forested stream buffer on the South Fork of the Little River Conservation easement that protects forestland Panthers Branch Natural Area 56 2018 around the Eno River and a main tributary within the Eno River Association ERA reserve Eno Confluence Extension 22 2018 Conservation easement that protects additional acrea e within another ERA preserve Co-held Ag. conservation easement with ERA that Walker Farm 77 2019 protects farmland/forestland and a significant forested buffer on the North Fork of the Little River and a main tributary Co-held Ag. conservation easement that protects Windy Hill Farm 39 2019 farmland/forestland and a forested buffer on Lick Creek Eno River trib. Co-held Ag. conservation easement that protects Holden-Roberts 57 2020 farmland/forestland and a significant forested buffer on a tributary to Buckwater Creek Eno trib. Ag. conservation easement that protects Spring Crest Farm 65 2020 farmland/forestland and a forested buffer on a tributary to the South Fork of the Little River Natural conservation easement that protects McQueen 38 2020 forestland owned by TLC,around a tributary to Phils Creek(Cape Fear Ag. conservation easement that protects Terry Road Farm 50 2024 farmland/forestland and a forested buffer along the South Fork of the Little River A combined Ag. conservation easement that protects farmland/forestland and 23 acres of the Sevenmile Creek Natural Heritage Area, including a Moorefields Estate 73 2024 forested buffer along Rocky Run, a direct tributary of Sevenmile Creek and the Eno River. Also includes a Trail Easement for the Mountains to Sea Trail Orange County contributed funds to the State of North Carolina's purchase of Poplar Ridge(134 ac.)and Eno Wilderness(808 ac.)for additions to Eno River State Park in 2003. Orange County contributed funds to the Botanical Garden Foundation's purchase of a 6-acre addition to the Stillhouse Bottom Nature Preserve in 2010,and again for the Cochrane 12 acre expansion in 2019. Orange County contributed$45,000 to Eno River Association's acquisition of conservation easements from Infinity Farm(61 ac.)and along Buckquarter Creek(41 ac.)in 2013 6 10 Attachment 2 Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks&Recreation MEMORANDUM TO: Bonnie Hammersley, County Manager FROM: David Stancil, DEAPR Director DATE: April 16, 2024 RE: Lands Legacy Action Plan 2024-27 Please find attached the Action Plan for the Lands Legacy Program for July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2027. The three-year action plans are the vehicle that guides and informs the work of staff on Lands Legacy project priorities for the three-year period. The three-year plan has proven to most effective as a timeframe, since many projects involve grant funding, outside partners, and time for landowners to make decisions about the final details of property documents such as conservation easements. Due to the time delays for grant agencies and needed documentation, many of these conservation projects now take two to three years to complete. The Action Plan anticipates the focus areas for the 2024-27 period, but inevitably there will be new opportunities that arise, and ongoing plans and initiatives sometimes bring forward new objectives that need to be considered within the three-year window. As always, any project that emanates from the Action Plan would come to the Board for individual approvals. The attached document reflects expectations to continue existing successful efforts, such as our agricultural conservation easement program. It speaks to priority goals and objectives identified by our conservation/preservation advisory boards, and our intention to continue to actively solicit and leverage grant funding for conservation activity — which now totals over $6.1 million to date. These, plus focus areas and other anticipated directions are found in the Action Plan and the agenda abstract. 11 With that said, there are seven areas of special significance that I would like to highlight for your and the Board's consideration: • Open Space and Habitat Connectivity: Always an important part of conservation practice, the significance of connecting wildlife habitat and public open spaces takes even more of a significance in this action plan. This is consistent with the Eno-New Hope Connectivity Plan, the new County Strategic Plan and other documents and policies. • Mountains-to-Sea Trail and Countywide Trails Plan: Progress continues with the Mountains to Sea Trail in Orange County, one of the more-complicating and challenging segments of the trail in the state. Related to this, but more comprehensive on trail needs in the county is the Countywide Trails Plan. A Request for Proposals has been issued and the County hopes to award a bid for consultant services in creating this plan before summer. On a related front, a new group has formed, the UNC CoGeneration Rail Transformation Project, that will look at the future possibilities of the railroad line that connects from eastern Orange County into the UNC campus. • Conserving Farmland in Water Supply Watersheds: Long a priority for the Lands Legacy Program, the relationship between farms with good conservation track records and water supply watersheds is paramount with the nutrient rules methodology of the Falls Lake and Jordan Lake watersheds now taking more-concrete form. • The Role of Nature Preserves: The County, working with other local governments, institutional and non-profit partners, has an opportunity in the next decade to build upon existing and nascent nature preserves in the county in a way that will meet many goals for habitat protection, climate action and public open space. • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Goals: The County's One Orange Racial Equity Plan and the equity lens framework identified within offers a chance to ensure that conservation objectives recognize the opportunity to engage in conservation projects with landowners and communities which have been historically underserved. • Co-location Through Lands Legacy: With the identified need for many types of public and community assets, such as public health linkages and the potential for colocation with other county facility needs, it may be timely to look more-closely at land conservation priorities that can achieve multiple public health, safety and general welfare objectives. This has been done in several previous Lands Legacy projects for schools and public safety facilities, but more may be possible. Orange County Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks & Recreation PO Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278 Phone: (919) 245-2510 12 • Links to Other Plans: In the last year Orange County has adopted several important new plans that have relationships or linkages to land conservation, and other plans are in the process of formation. Being cognizant of meeting and furthering multiple County plans through Lands Legacy may be particularly prudent in the next three years, whether the County Strategic Plan, the Climate Action Plan, the adopted Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2030, or other plans such as the future Land Use Plan 2050. We look forward to sharing the planned blueprint for the next three years with you and the Board, and receiving direction on the proposed priorities and activities. Orange County Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks & Recreation PO Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278 Phone: (919) 245-2510 13 Lands Legacy Program Action Plan 2024- 2027 Ile Af .fes Steep Bottom Branch, Chapel Hill,NC ADOPTED xxxx-2024 Orange County Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation www.co.orancle.nc.us/deapr/index.asp 14 Lands Legacy Action Plan 2024-27 Adopted xx/xx/24 Lands Legacy Program Action Plan Introduction The purpose of Orange County's Lands Legacy Program, adopted in the year 2000, is to help protect the county's most important natural and cultural resource lands before they are damaged or lost to incompatible land-uses activities. The overarching goals of the Lands Legacy Program have been mutually beneficial to both the protection of valuable natural communities in addition to preserving Orange Counties rural and farmland character. Much has been accomplished by the County and its many partners, but there are still many special places needing some level of protection. The focal areas for the Lands Legacy Program are: • Future parks and public open space and trails • Prime and threatened farmland in water supply watersheds • Important natural areas and wildlife habitat • Watershed riparian buffer lands, and • Cultural and historic sites of significance Lands Legacy works with landowners who are interested in conserving their land. All projects are voluntary. Some properties are purchased outright to serve a specific public purpose, such as for a park or nature preserve, consistent with adopted county plans. Most properties protected through the program are accomplished with a conservation easement-- a permanent, legal agreement between the County and the landowner, whereby the land remains in private ownership. To qualify for a conservation easement, the property must have special "conservation values,"the protection of which will provide meaningful and lasting public benefit. In most cases, the property possesses multiple conservation values. Many landowners benefit most in the ability to continue to own and manage land they would otherwise have financial difficulties to sustain, while permanently protecting the land and its resources in perpetuity. Efforts have been increased to incorporate diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) more explicitly to land conservation, and continue to build on existing relationships with groups and organizations which work to enhance the conservation of natural and cultural resource lands among historically-underserved communities in the context of DEIJ. Likewise, many of the County's conservation goals are symbiotic with efforts to address climate change and are reflected in the newly adopted Climate Action Plan. Conservation priorities should also have synergy with climate change objectives. Projects are considered by staff through a series of ranking criteria to gauge the importance of conservation to these values. Ranking criteria include several factors including but not limited to water supply watersheds, prime and threatened farmland, natural heritage areas, and sites of historic or cultural value. Many of these factors are also very important to State and Federal grant funding criteria, and are recognized as priorities in State funding matrices. For example, the occurrence of a North Carolina Inventory of Natural Heritage Areas site is of great bearing. These areas are occurrences of rare and unique plant and/or animal communities of local, regional, or statewide significance. The presence of these sites within a project equates to significant points and ranking for likely funding. 2 15 Lands Legacy Action Plan 2024-27 Adopted xx/xx/24 Partnerships are of vital importance and have been since the program's inception. Many projects completed through Lands Legacy are in conjunction with other organizations, such as Eno River Association, Triangle Land Conservancy, Orange Water and Sewer Authority, Duke University, and other local governments. The County often uses state and federal matching grant funds to acquire land or to construct facilities. The Lands Legacy Program is guided by a three-year Action Plan that sets priorities for determining what projects to work on over the specified timeframe. The Lands Legacy Action Plan is prepared by the DEAPR staff and adopted by the Board of Commissioners. Some projects are long-term efforts that span multiple action plans. The process of developing the Action Plan begins with staff identifying potential projects and asking the Board for initial guidance. Staff then meets with pertinent advisory boards for their input on development of priorities for the upcoming years. Staff prepares a draft Action Plan and presents it to the Board of Commissioners for their consideration and feedback. The Action Plan is then finalized for Board approval prior to adoption of the County's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The following is the proposed Action Plan is for the years 2024 through 2027'. Like the previous action plans, this one focuses on fewer target areas. The reason for limiting the scope of projects is to allow staff to complete one or more of the larger, multi-year priority projects, and to recognize that the park sites called for in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan have now been secured (with one exception). Staff is also adjusting to the reduced availability of state grant funds to local governments and the elimination of the NC Conservation Tax Credit. The scaled-back plan will also continue to enable the staff to tend to its land stewardship responsibilities of properties "land-banked" for future parks and preserves. This is of increased importance as the program enters its third decade and protection and stewardship of places now conserved becomes more critical each year. Even so, as with previous Action Plans, the number and amount of potential strong conservation projects still exceeds available funds. This has been the case for many years and requires that prioritization among the many worthy projects will be needed as they move toward completion. The proposed Action Plan includes current goals and a priority list of land conservation projects for the coming three years, followed by a summary of advisory board comments, and specific acquisition objectives. Also attached is a summary of the projects completed through Lands Legacy over its first 24 years (2000-2024). Overarching • - • 12027 1. Complete Ongoing (Previously Approved) Projects: Complete projects that were approved by the Board of Commissioners during the previous planning period but have not yet closed. These include acquisitions that received final Board approval and other projects that are still being negotiated but have not received final approval for close out. 2. Site Stewardship: Make sure all properties have boundaries marked in accordance with the Department's land management policy. Complete management plans for all properties "land banked"for future public parks and preserves. 3 16 Lands Legacy Action Plan 2024-27 Adopted xx/xx/24 3. Natural Heritage Areas: Protect high-priority natural heritage areas contiguous with existing conservation lands, allowing low-impact recreation where suitable. 4. Joint Town/County Open Space: Continue collaborating with the towns and other entities in acquiring land for establishing or expanding public trails or greenways identified in town plans that tie together important county-wide open spaces. Improve and expand connectivity and available resources between County, Municipal, and State parks to allow further access and diversity of experiences for typically underserved communities. Link to Orange County Strategic Action Plan goals under Environmental Protection and Climate Action. 5. Grant Funds: Continue to pursue state and federal grants to leverage existing County funds authorized for land acquisition, site stewardship, or park development. 6. Climate Change Action Plan Linkage: Ensure that conservation projects which fulfill the goals and objectives of the adopted Climate Action Plan are included in the priorities for the three-year period. Advisory Board Comments and Priorities In the winter of 2023-24, staff met with each of the advisory boards involved in Lands Legacy Program activities to discuss priorities and thoughts on the new plan. A. Commission for the Environment (CFE) The Orange County Commission for the Environment recommends that the Lands Legacy Action Plan (LLAP) take actions to recognize, protect, and interpret sites vital to the County for preservation of our natural environment, wildlife corridors, stream and creek health, climate resiliency, and prevention of erosion and stormwater run-off. In particular, we propose the following major considerations for determining the future land parcels protection by the County • Focus on natural area connectivity, connections between protected areas, parks, easements, etc. As a guideline, we recommend that County staff should work to protect wildlife corridors, specifically those outlined in Eno New Hope Landscape Connectivity Plan (Triangle Connectivity Collaborative). • Continue efforts to protect Natural Areas identified by the NC Natural Heritage Program, specifically those under private ownership. • Seek projects that align with the County Climate Action Plan, which will benefit climate resiliency, both in terms of carbon storage and watershed safety due to increased storm strength and drought protection due to likely overall reduction of precipitation over time. • Explore opportunities to expand protection of both water quality and quantity for future projects. 4 17 Lands Legacy Action Plan 2024-27 Adopted xx/xx/24 • Aim to preserve Orange County's rural character and cultural heritage through farmland, historically designated areas, and scenic viewsheds. • Continue efforts to connect the Mountains to Sea Trail through Orange County, specifically the connection between Occoneechee Mountain Natural Area and the County Seven Mile Creek Natural Area. B. Agricultural Preservation Board (APB) • Prioritize working with farms interested in protecting prime/active farmland with permanent agricultural conservation easements. Pursue state and federal grant funds to match County funds available for easement purchases. • Work to identify areas of highest agricultural land loss and development pressures. Prioritize and consider higher ranking figures for project proposals in these identified areas. • Work to identify opportunities to address funding and value disparity between appraised and market values. C. Parks and Recreation Council (PRC) • Acquire land and trail easements for an Orange County segment of the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail, with priority for linking Hillsborough Riverwalk to the Seven Mile Creek component of the Upper Eno Preserve. • Complete the acquisitions of land for Seven Mile Creek Natural Area. • Consider an option for a future park in Bingham Township to be a small preserve, possibly one that acts primarily as a trailhead for the Mountains to Sea Trail and pursue land acquisitions as recommended in the Master Recreation & Parks Plan. • Consider and pursue land acquisitions that may accommodate future recreation site potential, and possibly the ability to accommodate indoor recreational facilities much needed in Orange County. D. Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) Continue efforts to acquire conservation easements to protect important cultural and/or archaeological resources. Consider allocating funds to support applications from high-priority candidates for Local Historic Landmark and National Register designation. 5 18 Lands Legacy Action Plan 2024-27 Adopted xx/xx/24 Summary List ofPriority Projects The following areas are considered as higher priority locations for completing conservation projects through the Lands Legacy Program. Details for each project are provided in the table below (Pages 6-7). Note: For purposes of landowner confidentiality and the ability to negotiate property transactions, the projects in the table are described in a general manner without specificity. As has been noted in every Action Plan, it is acknowledged up front that all these projects likely will not be completed during the three-year timeframe for this Action Plan. This is especially true in the recent years, with delayed grant funding and approval cycles. Nevertheless, all of these areas are priorities and progress can be made in moving each of these projects forward. Completion of active projects and stewardship of existing properties remain overarching priorities. 1. Wildlife and Natural Connection Corridors a. Specifically, those outlined in the Eno-New Hope Landscape Conservation Plan 2. Upper Eno, New Hope Creek and Jordan Lake Headwaters Preserves 3. Farmland Conservation Easements 4. Historic and Cultural Landmarks (and historic easements) S. Mountains-to-Sea Trail (trail corridor and trailheads) 6. Future Bingham Township Park 6 19 Lands Legacy Action Plan 2024-27 Priority •r January 2024-December 21 Priority Need Purpose/Use Estimated Cost* 1. Wildlife and Natural Protect and link existing habitats to Potential cost-share with members Multi-year project as identified in Connection Corridors between ensure landscape connectivity within of the Eno-New Hope Landscape the Eno-New Hope Landscape New Hope Creek and the Eno and between the Eno River,Little Conservation Collaborative and Conservation Plan. Begin River River,and New Hope Creek watersheds grant funds from local discussions with landowners and Pursue land protection projects that to maintain ecosystem functions and municipalities,state,and federal identify willing sellers/donors by create connections between critical processes. Create new metric within agencies. Total estimated long- December 2024;coordinate with wildlife habitats across the"land current ranking matrix that increases term cost of$2 to$3 million, partners,secure grants,negotiate bridge"between New Hope Creek conservation values within identified depending on total acres and any closings by end of 2027. and the Eno River in Orange areas of priority.Add areas of county acquisition method. County share County. (Cane Creek/Haw)not in current plan. (-33%)from Lands Legacy Fund Related—tree canopy assessment and Conservation Easement Fund. (as per Climate Action Plan)in Partner with members of the Triangle 2027. Connectivity Collaborative. 2. Upper Eno,New Hope and Partner with Collaborative agencies and Multi-year projects.Potential cost- Continue working with key Jordan Lake Headwaters nonprofits to preserve one the County's share with multiple partners and landowners and update site Preserves largest intact natural areas for a planned State/Federal grant funds. reconnaissance in 2024. Acquire/protect additional priority nature preserve with trails,outdoor Collaborate with partners in lands adjoining existing nature education,and campsite.Partnering to Total estimated long-term cost of acquiring lands as feasible in preserve lands in Seven Mile Creek, protect remaining portions of an combined projects$1.5 -3 million. 2024-2027. Actively pursue as well as the Mason Farm to Jordan important natural corridor that links County share of this(-33%)from grants and partner funding. Lake wildlife corridor and UNC lands(including Mason Farm combination of Lands Legacy and associated natural areas. Biological Reserve)with the New Hope Conservation Easement Funds. game lands(Jordan Lake).Examine linkages and gaps in New Hope Creek corridor. 7 20 Lands Legacy Action Plan 2024-27 3. Farmland Conservation Work to preserve Orange County'rural $500,000 from Lands Legacy CE Using the farm owner interest list Easements cultural and farmland character by Fund to be matched with potential and priority ranking system, Acquire farmland conservation helping conserve critical"communities" grants from federal and/or State identify best candidate farms for easements in priority water supply of prime and active farmland with good farmland grant programs,or from annual grant submittals;negotiate watersheds(Cane Creek,Upper conservation practices that protects other partners as may be available. easement(s)for closing by end of Eno,Back Creek,and University water quality by preserving riparian Landowner donation of portion of 2027. (Note—grant programs for Lake). buffers on farms. Partner with Orange easement value for tax purposes is farm easements now take 12-24 NRCS/Soil&Water Conservation standard practice and expected. months for completion) District and state or federal farmland grant agencies. Priority Need Purpose/Use -Estimated 4. Historic and Cultural Designating local historic landmarks is $15,000 from Lands Legacy Fund HPC to identify priority landmarks Landmarks an effective way of protecting high- matched by landowner funds for and contact owners for landmark Augment current efforts to designate priority historic sites and may lead to consultants to prepare landmark consideration;negotiate historic local landmarks for high-priority historic preservation easements for applications for HPCBOCC preservation easements when historic sites,including sites on selected properties. consideration. An additional feasible. Study List for National Register of $200-300K could be needed to Historic Places,with a special focus Partner with Historic Preservation acquire historic preservation on historically underserved and Commission(HPC)and other easement on selected properties,as limited recognition sites. organizations. needed. 5. Mountains-to-Sea Trail Partner with Eno River Association; $500,000 from Mountains to Sea Contact key landowners and Long-term project to complete the coordinate MST with State Parks, Trail Funds within Lands Legacy update site reconnaissance in Trail link through Orange County OWASA,and Friends of Mountain-to- budget,in addition to limited 2024. Collaborate with partners in utilizing County, State,and Sea Trail.County focus area is from funds in the MST CIP project. acquiring lands as feasible in municipal public lands and natural Hillsborough Riverwalk southwest to Potential partnering with FMST, 2024-27 with a goal of having the areas in conjunction with private Alamance line near Saxapahaw(an in addition to willing landowners Alamance County to Buckhorn non-profit natural areas. MST"Trail Town"). and groups such as OWASA and Road segment secured and Eno River Association,depending OWASA trail corridor approved. on trail location. Pursue grant and partner funding. This continues a multi-year initiative. 8 21 Lands Legacy Action Plan 2024-27 6. Bingham Township Park Acquire new district park site for active Estimated$750,000 from Lands Re-evaluate previously identified Pursue acquisition of park site in and low-impact recreation consistent Legacy Fund for acquisition costs sites in context of the Mountains- Bingham Township,the last with County's Parks&Recreation depending on potential to-Sea Trail(MST)and identified park site in the approved Master Plan,as well as land that can act collaboration with OWASA. OWASA's Cane Creek Recreation P&R Master Plan to be acquired. as a small preserve and trailhead for the Area. Negotiate acquisition of MST. future park site for closing by end Conduct random-sample survey of of 2027. Bingham residents on park facility needs. Other Opportunities In each Action Plan period,new and Unknown Unknown previously unidentified opportunities arise, some of which may rise to be high priority projects. *-Cost estimates are rough estimates based on expected per acreage land prices,and actual negotiations may produce different results.As acquisition opportunities are reviewed and evaluated,the cost estimates will be refined. 9 22 Lands Legacy Action Plan 2021-24 ' • uisitionObjectives • The following are more specific acquisition objectives developed from existing plans, BOCC feedback/direction, County staff knowledge, and discussions with other conservation partners; in some cases, expanding upon or refining advisory board recommendations. These are not listed in priority order. A. Wildlife Habitat and Natural Areas • Work with the Eno River Association and others to conserve critical land for the Seven Mile Creek component of the Upper Eno Preserve, including Sevenmile Creek Sugar Maple Bottoms and Monadnock Ridge (natural heritage area of state significance) • Work with the Eno River Association, the Town of Hillsborough, and others to conserve priority riparian and upland habitats in the Upper Eno River critical area • Work with the Eno-New Hope Conservation Collaborative to conserve priority wildlife corridors between the Eno River and New Hope Creek watersheds. • Work with Triangle Land Conservancy and others to conserve priority riparian lands and prime forest lands located in the Upper New Hope Creek watershed • Work with the Botanical Garden Foundation and other partners to conserve key areas and establish a Jordan Lake Headwaters Preserve, including Mason Farm Oak-Hickory Forest (natural heritage area of state significance) • Work with the Town of Carrboro, University of NC, and the Friends of Bolin Creek to identify priority lands for conserving the Upper Bolin Creek corridor ➢ See #Z, #2, and#3 on the Priority Table(Pages 4-5) B. Farmland Preservation • Continue working with the Orange Soil and Water Conservation District and other agricultural agencies to identify and prioritize willing sellers and donors of conservation easements on prime farmland in priority watersheds • Continue working with the Orange Soil and Water Conservation District to apply for grants from the NC Agricultural Development & Farmland Preservation Trust Fund and federal Agricultural Conservation Easement Program for the purchase of agricultural conservation easements • Seek out/increase ranking for projects that benefit or promote local food production, recapitalizing farms, social justice, underserved communities, beginning or small farms See #3 on the Priority Table (Pages 4-5) C. Watershed Riparian Buffers • Protect riparian corridors in the Upper Eno River protected watershed; partner with the Eno River Association and others; pursue grant funds from the NC Land and Water Fund and Upper Neuse Clean Water Initiative • Identify and protect priority areas in Upper New Hope Creek corridor; work with New Hope Creek Corridor Advisory Committee and Triangle Land Conservancy 6 23 Lands Legacy Action Plan 2021-24 • Work with the Eno-New Hope Conservation Collaborative and others to conserve priority landscape corridors between the Eno River and New Hope Creek watersheds. • Identify priority areas for protection in the Bolin Creek corridor; collaborate with Friends of Bolin Creek, the Town of Carrboro, the University of NC, and others • Preserve riparian buffers in other water supply watersheds through parkland acquisitions and agricultural conservation easement projects ➢ See#Z, #2, and#3 on the Priority Table(Pages 4-5) D. Parklands and Open Space • Acquire land for a future district park in Bingham Township (southwestern Orange County), consistent with the County's adopted Parks & Recreation Master Plan • Acquire access for the Mountains to Sea Trail that create a public pedestrian trail and wildlife corridor that would connect Hillsborough Riverwalk to the Haw River for the planned NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail—focusing in the 2024-27 timeframe on the link between Occoneechee Mountain and the Seven Mile Creek component of the Upper Eno Preserve and the connections from Cane Creek Reservoir area southwest to the MST connection point at the Alamance County line. • In all acquisitions, be cognizant of the potential for meeting other objectives of protecting riparian buffers, natural areas and historic/archaeological sites • Seek opportunities to improve connectivity to municipal parks and/or areas that link County parks to underserved communities. ➢ See #2, #5 and#6 on the Priority Table(Pages 4-5) E. Cultural and Archaeological Sites • Continue working with landowners in the Faucette's Mill and Hall's Mill areas to protect the combination of historic and natural features in those communities • Work with the owners of the former Hillsborough Academy property to protect the remains of historic and archaeological resources associated with that site • Conduct archaeological surveys of county properties acquired for future parks and nature preserves (e.g., McGowan Creek Preserve, Seven Mile Creek Preserve, Millhouse Road Park, and Northeast Park) • Look at historically underserved communities as a focus area for designation and protection • Continue to stabilize, maintain and renovate existing structures on County-owned properties acquired for future parks (e.g., Blackwood Farm park site) • Work with the HPC to pursue applications from high-priority candidates for local historic landmark designation ➢ See #4 on the Priority Table (Pages 4-5) 7 24 Lands Legacy Action Plan 2021-24 Conclusion The first 24 years of the Lands Legacy Program saw tremendous strides in the protection of priority resource lands: 4,087 acres of important natural and cultural resource lands and future parks and public open space are permanently protected (as of March 2024), with several more projects in the works. While this has been a significant accomplishment that has garnered state and national awards, much remains to be done, especially in the area of wildlife habitat and connectivity as shown in the new Eno-New Hope Connectivity Plan. The 2024-27 Action Plan builds on projects from previous years and includes projects in each of the Lands Legacy priority areas (natural areas, parkland, cultural/historic resources, prime farmland and riparian buffers within public water supply watersheds). This Action Plan will continue to use previously appropriated funding to leverage matching grants from State, federal and other sources for protecting the most-important natural and cultural resource lands in Orange County. Due to the Covid pandemic and the resultant slowdown in activity by conservation organizations and grant agencies, the previous Action Plan from 2018 was extended through 2023. 8 Orange County Lands Legacy Action Plan 2024-27 Legand I O Prime Farmland i I • Natural Areas j • Parkland - - - -Trails I Wildlife and Natural Connection Corridors I r I t , I 0 1 2 4 Miles I ebane i � I g j This map is not a certified - i survey and no reliance may j be placed in its accuracy i • '. uta lam This map was produced with the GIS resources of the I Dept.of Environment,Agriculture,Parks&Recreation of Orange County.This map comprises information ♦ frommulitple sources.Source information used in . this map may have been collected at different scales, ♦ times or definitions,resulting in inconsistencies among features represented together on this map.Consult • the Dept.of Environment,Agriculture,Parks& Recreation regarding sources and scales of each ♦ `✓ `, map feature. • \ Orange County assumes no liability for damages caused by inaccuracies in this map or supporting ♦� data.Orange County makes no warranty,expressed or implied,as to the accuracy of the information, _ presented,nor does the fact of distribution ♦� constitute such warranty. Your assistance in insuring the accuracy of this information is appreciated.Please report errors, hapel Hi omissions,or inconsistencies to the Dept.of Environment,Agriculture,Parks&Recreation. J Orange County r Dept. of Environment,Agriculture, I Parks and Recreation / 1020 US HWY 70 W � Hillsborough, NC 27278 \ ; PH (919)245-2510 • I •t f � *� mak'• �i - Qf L. s�F • Ml 'IF—swig, �■ t2#,�L "� ' �,u; �1. :. +r■��s :►�- ■�l�IIIIII�If�G 11111L " t�ll��■■'14'r r jr! �:- l/��� �� j��h�• .;Ill sof I. I ■ �r. q�� Q l�i■1� ¢711��[fi:�l ♦w r Au c7 ' �M■��I �r—rrar�i(� �rn■ A I���= )♦11. 1 1/^-��L�:� �� . rr I�■,■� � IIII�� li _�aG. ♦ �� o•��� NOW NL ��� ii \s/J ��,� \.f. ��Lr_7�lI�;Y�_� IfrrlMlLW��Il� �WiI I . LZIJ: ,,'-►\ n5 a ` i+l A°��r*;i� ■ 1111 �1■ ■LN " ■. �r 11 � -■ � ►�� 1',io''i� e�■■n�= /v a �+.�• ■ , ,�; a oy�■■ �°. ��'` y' ■ � � �E`�T i�IC-I�'•=�•r�,- .�. I r7Vi f .�J. � k.ol.SRI.,_ 1■_ is `��Ir�.IFr���j.�-.'..;�y�+%��''J ,e�� �,��■��lil(1111=.S�C�' �!•( � ■. �c a 1 :1 ■ Illll � �`,�f,. \ r '7 . F� �m alL�u.�`�■r� I ♦ 1■• fel } ��\�1,.� r►t'it y�I- �� i� 'fit... � ►q�l� 1`3`, � 1 � aAGI'- wr� ` Ir,.c ••�� p �IlI I 1. 1 Ltiwi111111 ry �'-�S�I'J/•' � ��4\T Y�111����►'h �.II'��� It�jrl/r�._`� LIII■itr"f? �•a � ]gfp ■i`, . I \1�� ice• .1�i,:,��♦4� II�_r l��l �K HO ILS It •: ■�y I�-:r ■\ �. ��-�. w'■ ��rr w'r1.�. r�..�_ `k! . .►ti�, ♦7 ;1'�q:►r``t�`��J iI11I/.1 _ �11�y�� 1r3i;�i■I■�� -_� ��I,I L:,'I�1�6�iSr�r IIIAlll1rY _�~'�I�� Mao '�/ •a1J►• -'�' WAS :f,■■ CJI ;,I '•��, (•-uIy� -►��� C ♦ All♦I� c�\IL sl ,�: r+. +;� I\'�. �f�IrrS1■�tiL��i�tlG�` matin ����• ,♦��r�l' „Il`- � � �,'' II��•\ a . h•�Ill��ti PRIME II�... Lf���!S ; '�- r I.■ �I,.r �1%I �tttir►h�i .�� .i�1■IRDS , "; 1"� •��Il�f..11i- . •I I .��� /■I'•A��G\,L��M.�xVh 1 un iir li�..nl;: ► ►.d /����� . °;� . . d 111 "�j. a� .�I•n■/ a0 �n.a. e ►��,� � I'MY 91.♦• \117iN 11 xL'� S:7 �i 7.T I 1 L\II/I`�I'F�^!r VIII h.+'rY ♦���I� I III�F,c�^_ t. ,41!///x.Ell �r��••/� � /1."`r�'� �a �■%i��� �� � G�+,�I���tIL�A �rL. ��■ •rt►�L y nnnu•.�� �1 q a �.. s r h■.i a-fEaf.. �� ♦// �e•�L�c _! 1t �� i_:�S w �1■r��.t �,Rir?. i�►111 �r►"��r/tib�JII ��I•j+ .� Ar /,1.A�. re�■■`p■� � I l �`; ► �1 r� for, fc�►��`.. • 'glris■�75� �.r �k 'a fll 7 ` a �>J� I C� r 1►m_ Iri 171tlalr�l:1�a Erna 11►r 11 111 r/■• '� r ►■'+ l �1 ♦�IR� I' �►i.�l: r I �I 7 dl,I I J F `1— as 1 vf►, ; ■■ �� ,, � � � �1�°SII —'r■�':-��' 1• , IIL, a„���. 1•��� .� ���; �,no „ �� ill�i a■. 1i� �� '��� ►►��� it r s /Ip. � � - _ F 1 •«t-7 ■ a■In rA�(r ♦ k �IL' F r 1 �N�. M 1r■ .■. I!-�Gr ' !I„ `� r, ,�� µ, �► �� >if� ,.1111,: +:?IJ ��1���T ul elf ail .'�� �♦��t��� 1 r �'� I ■ ~- �° ". --s.■ III Bills ■ .fl-w..Oru'i�bl■ 91;�r�cr'�1,• ''� �III� , � f ■l►r°..' 111:I -all � s ��'�I.�� ��j111��II'A �■n ■4 • 11 a.. t:n :?'ia. � r� 611q , C`'I IPIN -,tC J�'GJ' �/:1 ij'.►a. Il■ r'f�'s m_ x iW7� ���►�f�r llP11W l� gs Ir � i Iisl�i1 �; * (i �1'ti�14y' ■■a�al'I� 1 ,.1 �����f�!I�a V iI _./►� ri r l��a�/aa7ll�lllf�°/G I, nP� II�' �� . u�'.AI� ^y�r' ►i!,'SAS.■�� / w� J•�r� ��Iia�';II.1•1■r� . J�rAR1L7, ■ I■1 H r�■rl na /f III „� - nln pr ��► 7•.• ��1 il�� tia ♦1t1.♦ y,`A�• J i l' ff_■� sR� ►,� \ /�1�=�j '��i►jylii �9■ r !►:�n lllr �a . 1 III �I �■� �: •`♦ • ►i1� la.. �IIIltlirl ./deml 1< syn : II 1■ 11=7.1]\►,�I r r�w.. r■ .5r a I i f ii■t l I'i.�:��1■C,��._��I 1 ..■; ► G A. Ir�'Y -� i �� �� �^ :� ' Tf.A�'�■li� ■ r �' • 11IrII x Ilt1 �; t■T■ I fii' 1 '�R �jll LEsa�`yn �Jt�r�,.i ■��IIII. II •I 'r`sts=y I��1'� II � IY - ■!rJ Ill r I+III, X1116 � 5 N ': -11", 1'�r � � � gym. �. i' .►lir. .7 IN "lli .�.■ `� '�L1>l 1+ IA■I���y��l r• �� `moi `� I'+ a u a f, . •. �: i ■ od >IP ■ V ar �+� ►ur■II � ne■a Illll r, .■.- •. "' 1.i •i�f ,1 •t �. I ��- .�Irlil a 4:y JF► ■ •”- � 111`r 61 r♦ ■mt 1-rJuh •\1•� .r.ar'r ■ [,111 . mm-- "10- +:r■ Ilam, = r .�. I � „ I� � ..��• 1. .�4 _g;,1 ■■■ � � � r� 7 � t+ • � �*LA■ ■+� � I I � �/Il�f■� ■►i'�;1-r.J ,'►rv► ■.' A■1,. ■ aw Y �'• -i■11•��11•II'Iq' .r Rill\0111 ■i D']■ s aUl a^t'q , � � s+•'1/// .1�'' ♦ ,; , sem 1I � �T`:'' •1 -ilk �IJ+r; - n,� JOAN.' NO i� ,yF le ~<�3rJx r�" !+.11� C� s �, �♦ \r►�i,�yi !, I' 7i�11 �s■�■�I�I�♦. Y� 7=11r� �i.'• ►F `r• a1 + arc `,1 �Iqr r`i■R •.» �4III�icir. a `■a1�M ► 5►!• 'i .�A iy\W aA r�,■ti lriiii. f •Iv/ '♦oua.► - 2q +�'c♦'M. ��✓ ' S !r .+ ./ . '011 j ■ rirl L�1��.,I.J� ►,,.�t♦1� �l s ''fie ■ r I ?�`� �' �sl� ' i m I w%►1 i�r + fi71 � `•1 A+�' R _¢■aiyE�■ a 1 t r_110 1111111 rlrl� .,. i� y4lrf Tn!l1111 js: r�D r�►`►4$ :�� I•� !!sem MsL•-VIII Y`If. PI I�R'1Vd -IIf■I,,ff .ti, r,1sPArs1 err �, '■f \\ j� ♦is`�of �i.@•��J� a ■��i �'��- b �' a S I -,I ����JMR III� ��u1�1�LI►�..r fy�i.s��d ' ��nni� �I��Ilj� ,���,� . �"s�t�� �4�'■�