Agenda - 06-21-1999 - 10d - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

23 5/26/99 2. Wildlife Corridors In 1988, the Triangle Land Conservancy developed an Inventory of Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitats for Orange County. In identifying 64 of the most significant sites countywide, the Inventory also identified and. addressed the importance of preserving wildlife corridors along selected streams and ridges as connectors. These connectors provide habitat and allow migrating wildlife to move between larger open land masses and water bodies. In many of these corridors a primitive trail system exists, formed by years of use by wildlife and local hikers, although many of the lands in the corridor are privately - held. The need for this green skeleton will increase in the future as development 'continues to occur. The proposed wildlife corridor network in the 1987 Inventory connects the Jordan Lake lands to University Lake, and Cane Creek Reservoir to the Eno River and Little River. This corridor has been incorporated in . the Orange County Comprehensive Plan as part of the Resource Protection Area category. Much of the wildlife corridor lies within floodplain or poorly- drained land that would not be developed, but important overland connectors exist along several ridges. Attempts to protect this corridor in its natural state are currently pursued through the County's voluntary Flexible Development ordinance. Other corridors may also be important to the natural eco- system and wildlife habitat. 3. Linkages between Greenways and Linear Parks There are clear distinctions between greenways designed for human recreational use and wildlife corridors to be maintained in a natural state. A third component of the system is the existing /planned network of open space in the County, areas such as Eno River State Park, Duke Forest, and' the planned Riverwalk in Hillsborough. These areas are apparent as "nodes" or junctions in the green infrastructure of the County, often connected by stream or wildlife corridors. This type of network also exists in the urban areas, where greenways serve to connect many Town parks. As the County and towns continue to grow and develop, retention of a green corridor concept will be important. Additionally, ways to link rural linear parks and open space accessible to the public to Town greenways at a few key junctions could greatly expand low- impact recreational opportunities. Identification of strategic corridors (rural trail links) that can bring together these pieces of the open space network will be needed in the long -term. 21