HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-25-2025; 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: February 20, 2025
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:
General News
• Orange County provided funds to the Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail to hire an
Orange County Ombudsman,who will work for the Friends and provide assistance in
contacting and coordinating landowners along the trail route interested in pursuing trail
easement and/or acquisitions with the County. Interviews have been completed and a
part time Ombudsman will begin this winter 2025.
• As the conservation and trail easements for the Draper-Savage Foundation (Moorefields)
property adjacent to Seven Mile Creek Natural Area closed in April 2024, County staff is
working closely with the State, Eno River Association (ERA) and Friends of the Mountains
to Sea Trail (FMST)to coordinate trail routing and construction approvals.The final draft
of a trail plan is pending approval by the State Land and Water Fund, and trail
construction could begin this spring!
• Staff applied for$120,450 to the NC Great Trails State Grant to match funds toward
constructing a new trail system at Seven Mile Creek Natural Area which will act as an
extension of the MST route, as well as double the length and open the western half of the
park to public access.
• Staff are in the final phase of gathering the closing documents necessary for final approval
from the NC Land and Water Fund for an acquisition of a 20-acre parcel adjacent to the
Moorefields property(previously approved by the Board of Commissioners).The parcel
will be a dedicated nature preserve and act as a trail head for the MST as it travels west
into Moorefields and Seven Mile Creek Natural Area.
• The heir to a previously negotiated Trail Easement has completed the probate period and
gained ownership of the property,which will allow the County to close on the previously
approved easement this spring/summer,which is a vital connection to OWASA's Cane
Creek Reservoir property.
Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation
PO Box 8181/306-A Revere Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245-2510
2
Occoneechee Mountain to Seven Mile Creek Natural Area (Phase 1)
• Staff intend to open a line of communication with a landowner that may offer an
opportunity for connection of the MST from Dimmocks Mill Road to Occoneechee Mountain
State Natural Area (part of Eno River State Park).This connection would complete Phase 1
and connect Seven Mile Creek Natural Area to the State Park and the Town of Hillsborough
River Walk.
Cane Creek Reservoir Area (Phase 11)
• Negotiations along with staff and non-profit collaboration continue to allow the County to
gain trail easements that would satisfy the OWASA conditions, which will allow the MST to
travel around Can Creek Reservoir. New landowner contacts may provide potential adjusted
routes and connections from Mebane Oaks Road to Buckhorn Road.
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 is
currently underway here, other than conversations with Friends of the Mountains to Sea
Trail (Friends)and occasional landowners.
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/requested and has provided some financial assistance.
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, the County's
environmental and legal staff and management, and finally State review and approval where State
funds are involved.The County must perform due diligence in any negotiation for acquisitions using
public funds. As such,there are occasions where conversation and information gathering are
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