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ORANGE COUNTY <br />ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCE CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT <br />MEMORANDUM <br />To: Craig Benedict, Planning Director <br />From: David Stancil, ERC Director <br />Rich Shaw, ERCD Land Conservation Manager <br />Date: February 12, 2010 <br />Subject: Seven Mile Creek Conservation Remains Highly Important <br />The Environment and Resource Conservation Department (ERCD) feels that the <br />proposed changes to the Upper Eno Watershed Critical Area are consistent with the <br />County's longstanding goal to protect and conserve the County's important natural <br />and cultural land resources; consistent with the BOCC adopted priority ( #1) to <br />conserve high priority natural areas, wildlife habitat and prime forests; and <br />consistent with the Lands Legacy program. <br />Conservation in this area will help protect critical natural areas, guide growth away <br />from sensitive water resources, protect prime forest and wildlife habitats, preserve <br />historic landscapes, and provide new park and recreational opportunities. A <br />multifaceted approach to conserving this area, including both land conservation <br />(public and private) and overlay zoning, will help implement the Orange County <br />Comprehensive Plan and the Upper Neuse Watershed Management Plan. <br />It is highly important to maintain supplemental protection for the Seven Mile Creek <br />area of the Watershed. This area is recognized by Orange County and the State of <br />North Carolina as an important natural area and wildlife corridor. Seven Mile Creek <br />and its tributaries contain high quality surface waters that provide habitat for state <br />and regionally significant flora and fauna. Despite some siltation due to runoff from <br />upstream, these creeks harbor healthy populations of darters, shiners, pickerels, and <br />other species of fish, along with abundant mussels. The creeks then flow directly <br />into a section of the Eno River possessing aquatic habitat of national significance. <br />The Inventory of Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitats for Orange County, North <br />Carolina 'describes this area as one remarkably high in biodiversity of native species <br />of flora and fauna, providing strong reasoning for their protection. The Inventory <br />'Inventory of Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitats for Orange County, North Carolina (Sather et al., 2004), <br />N C Natural Heritage Program, DENR, Raleigh, NC. <br />Environment and Resource Conservation <br />PO Box 8181 / 306 -A Revere Road <br />Hillsborough, NC 27278 <br />(919) 245 -2510 <br />