AG 2012 09 17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MEMORANDUM 715 Cabarrus Ave. W. Room 301 Concord, NC 28027 -6214 Telephone: 704- 920 -3300 Fax: 704-795-6432 Email: detesterman@cabarruscounty.us Website: www.cabarruscounty.us /SandW/ BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Jeff Goforth Chairman Vicky Porter Vice - Chairman Ned Hudson Secretary- Treasurer Johnathon Johnson Member Louis Suther Member Tommy Porter Associate Member Bob Ritchie Associate Member STAFF Dennis Testerman Resource Conservation Specialist Daniel McClellan Resource Conservation Specialist Amy Griffith Administrative Secretary TO: Board of Commissioners FROM: Dennis Testerman COPIES: DATE: August 22, 2012 RE: NCDA &CS Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund Grant Contract for Conservation Easement on Dan Barrier Farmland ENCL.: Contract Document A grant application submitted by Cabarrus SWCD to the subject Trust Fund last December was approved for funding in the amount of $89,600 for purchase of a permanent conservation easement on a portion of Dan Barrier's farm. The Conservation District plans to use these funds in turn as a match for a $179,200 grant application to the U. S. Department of Agriculture's Farm and Ranchland Protection Program. Dan Barrier has also committed to providing a $89,600 in- kind match by accepting a lower that appraised value for his land. The resulting conservation easement will provide permanent preservation for a minimum of 35.4 acres of farmland that are zoned "Agriculture Open," and already enrolled for ten years in the Voluntary Agriculture District program. The conservation easement resulting from this grant contract will permanently preserve private working land and the green infrastructure that provides food and fiber. This project will result in economic and environmental benefits that improve the quality of life in Cabarrus County. Conservation easements are consistent with BOC and SWCD strategic planning goals. The acreage to be protected is across Miami Church Road from a portion of Porter Farms that is also in the process of being protected with a permanent agricultural conservation easement with approval by the Board of Commissioners. Together, both of these conservation easements will provide over 1.5 miles of buffer on Dutch Buffalo Creek. The proposed conservation easement is consistent with the Countywide Farmland Protection Plan For Cabarrus County, North Carolina adopted by the Board of Commissioners, as well as the countywide conservation easement initiative. F -6 Attachment number 2 Page 109