Item:
Title
Approve Acquisition of Three Conservation Easements: Sandra and Jerry Wrightenberry for 119 acres, Frances Cook for 147 acres, and Tom Washington for 76 acres for a total estimated County cost of $1.8 million
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: September 8, 2025
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to approve the acquisition of three conservation easements with Jerry and Sandra Wrightenberry, Frances Cook, and Tom Washington; to use existing open space capital project funds to support no more than 50% of the easements' costs; and to authorize the Manager to execute funding agreement documents if funds are awarded.
* Wrightenberry property, 119 acres: Five parcels on both sides of 15-501 at the Person County line, including forests, hay fields, pastures, barns, and their home.
* Cook property, 147 acres: Beef cattle farm at 1717 Hopkins Road, productive since the 1970s
* Washington property, 76 acres: Land at 5615 Bahama Road, recently purchased from his aunt's estate, which Mr. Washington plans to manage for wildlife habitat.
Protecting these properties will preserve agricultural, scenic, wildlife, and water-quality resources. The Wrightenberry and Cook farms qualify for USDA-NRCS (United States Department of Agricultural- Natural Resource Conservation Service) Agricultural Lands Easement (ALE) funds, covering 50% of easement value. Mr. Washington's farm lies within a one-mile buffer of Camp Butner, making it eligible for up to 75% funding through the US Department of Defense's REPI (Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration) Program under an existing County-Army National Guard agreement.
To proceed, the County must secure signed real estate options confirming landowner and County intent as funding is approved. The total cost for all three easement projects is estimated at $1.8 million. The County's open space and farmland capital project account has sufficient funds to cover its share, so no additional funding is ...
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