Agenda - 09-05-1995 - IX-F - Laserfiche WebLink

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A 1 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 5, 1995 Action Agenda Item # 2X-F SUBJECT: WILDLIFE HABITAT STUDY DEPARTMENT: Planning PUBLIC HEARING: Yes % No ATTACHMENTS: INFORMATION CONTACT: Planning Director X2592 DeMairie Letter of 10/5/94 12/10/94 Minutes - Goal Setting Retreat TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Ludington 8/21/95 Letter Hillsborough 732-8181 Draft Natural Resource Preservation Durham 688-7331 Goal Mebane 227-2031 Chapel Hill 967-9251/968-4501 PURPOSE: To consider funding a proposed Wildlife Habitat Study to be conducted by the Triangle Land Conservancy. BACKGROUND: The Triangle Land Conservancy requested $10,000 in funding for a Wildlife Habitat Study to be initiated in FY 1995-96. The request was considered at the Board of Commissioners'December, 1994 Goal Setting Retreat and received favorable consideration(see attached request letter and 12110/94 retreat minutes). Recently,the Triangle Land Conservancy submitted a letter,detailing the project and requesting the funding. Specifically, a biologist will be employed by the Conservancy to direct the study. His/her activities will be directed by an Oversight Committee comprised of three Conservancy members. The project will be divided into three parts.First,the County's vegetative cover will be mapped to determine potential habitat. Mapping will be based initially on aerial photographs to distinguish hardwood and pine forests. All data will be digitized to provide a GIS map. Second, the study director will conduct a field survey in the Spring and Summer of 1996. The purpose of the survey is to update the original Inventory, accumulate new zoological data, and determine threats to eidsting species. Finally,the director will prepare a report which identifies wildlife habitat locations, including wildlife corridors and large tracts of mature hardwoods. Threats to species survival as well as recommendations for