Agenda - 06-01-2010 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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Za Bald Mountain (state significance) in the south - central part of the county features one of the most mature chestnut oak forests in the county and the only monadnock without any sort of development on its upper slopes and summit. Large hollowed -out stumps of chestnut oak, now extremely rare due to a long history of lumbering, provide traditional nesting sites for turkey vultures (Cathartes aura). Scenic features include both the rock formations on the summit and the unbroken ridgeline as seen from the surrounding countryside. This site is part of Duke Forest multiple use lands located within the Rural Buffer zoning district, and the rest is in other private ownership. Currie Hill (state significance) in central Orange County contains an unusual rock formation, a conical plug of diabase rather than the more usual dike formation in which this rock occurs. Growing on the basic soil weathered from the diabase is the best and largest example within the county of a dry basic oak -- hickory forest growing in a hilltop situation. In addition to the unusual vegetation, noteworthy wildlife includes wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) and perhaps the rare northern hairstreak butterfly (Fixsenia ontario). This site has demonstrable significance as an upland wildlife reservoir. Scenically, the site is important as one of the few undeveloped hilltops left in the county that is visible from a major thoroughfare. This site is privately owned; portions of the natural area are protected by conservation easements. New Hone Creek Floodnlain Macrosite New Hope Creek Slopes (state significance) in southeastern Orange County combines six contiguous sites that had been listed separately in the original 1988 inventory, which are Gate 24 Purse Web Spider Ravine, Wooden Bridge Bluff, Duke Forest Rhododendron Bluffs, Hollow Rock Rhododendron Bluffs, Alluvial Forest and Piney Mountain. This area is one of the most important study sites for both forestry and biology within the southeastern United States. Part of this site is within Duke Forest multiple -use lands and the rest is in other private ownership. Henry J. Oosting Natural Area (regional significance) in southeastern Orange County is an excellent forest of mature mixed mesic hardwoods with outstanding spring floral displays. One state - listed herbaceous species of significantly rare status has been reported to occur along the rich bottom, the Lewis' heartleaf (Hexastylis lewisii). Aesthetically, this is one of the most pleasing forest areas of its size in the county: The large beeches (Fagus grandifolia) and other mesic hardwoods lend it a cathedral -like atmosphere. A portion of the riparian corridor is protected by the Triangle Land Conservancy as part of its Johnston Mill Preserve, another portion is part of Duke Forest, and the rest is privately owned. Mud Creek/Couch Mountain Macrosite Couch Mountain (regional significance) in eastern Orange County is a large hill located on the edge of the Triassic Basin that has one of the oldest stands of upland hardwoods in the county; the canopy contains many individual white oaks (Quercus alba) that are over two feet in diameter and some of which exceed 300 years in age. This forest is also unusual in composition: sweet pignut hickory (Carya ovalis) is the dominant hickory on the summit, while southern shagbark hickory (C. carolinae- septentrionalis), a species indicating a basic soil type (perhaps due to an unmapped diabase dike) is frequent along the slopes. Part of this site is within Duke Forest multiple -use lands and the rest is in other private ownership. Stand -alone Sites Little River Aquatic Habitat (state significance) runs in two narrow west -to -east bands in the northeastern portion of the county. The North Fork and South Fork of the Little River converge just east of the Durham County line to form the Little River. The North Fork portion of the site has a diverse aquatic fauna, including several mussel species. The federal species of concern and state endangered Atlantic pigtoe (Fusconaia masoni) and yellow lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa) have both been found in the North Fork. Additional rare mussels found in this portion are the state threatened eastern lampmussel (Lampsilis radiata) and creeper (Strophitus undulatus), and the state special concern notched rainbow (Villosa constricta). An undescribed Lampsilis species and several more common species (Elliptio spp., Elliptio complanata, Elliptio icterina and Pyganodon cataracta) have also been found in this portion of the site. Furthermore, rare fish at this site include the federal species of concern and state significantly rare pinewoods shiner (Lythrurus matutinus). The South Fork portion of the site has records for some of the same species as the North Fork, with the exception of the yellow lampmussel, eastern floater ( Pyganodon cataracta), the undescribed Lampsilis species, and the pinewoods shiner. This site is entirely within North Carolina Public Waters. Persimmon Nursery Flats (regional significance) is an unusual hardpan that contains a mixture of wetland and upland species, located in the southwestern corner of the county. It is a flat upland area with Iredell soils that contains a fair quality, mature Basic Oak Hickory Forest (Mixed Moisture Variant), which is poorly known or described in the state. This site is privately owned.