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1 \ <br /> 3 <br /> Tr $1e Land Conservan <br /> PO BQx113031 Rcseazch Mi=MSc Patio.NC 2 09 <br /> December 5, 1994 <br /> The Orange County Commissioners <br /> Hillsborough, .North Carolina <br /> Dear Commissioners: <br /> The Triangle Land Conservancy wishes to propose a goal for <br /> you to consider and discuss at your goal setting retreat. The <br /> Conservancy respectfully requests that the Orange County <br /> Commissioners: fund a Wildlife Corridor Study in the upcoming <br /> fiscal year. Such a study will hopefu ly result in saving <br /> animals which have become or may soon become endangered in Orange <br /> County. <br /> In 1987 the County generously fundel our Inventory of the <br /> Natural Areas-and wildlife Habitats of orange County. The <br /> Inventory has proven an invaluable too in identifying and <br /> protecting habbitat for plants and anim is which have become <br /> endangered in-. our county. If we are t protect animal habitat, <br /> however, we miast take the initial inve tory to the next phase, <br /> i.e. the identification of the wildlif corridors which animals <br /> must travel iz� order to survive. <br /> Creeks andrivers provide the natur 1 corridors along which <br /> animals find food, water and shelter. wildlife experts agree <br /> that fragmentation (caused by -roads, h)using developments, <br /> clearcuti; et .) of- these corridors' re ults in the decline of <br /> animal popula ions. The identificatio of these wildlife <br /> corridors can result in wise planning at will insure that <br /> we do not inaglvertantly destroy our en angered animals. <br /> ,Animals such as bobcat, mink and wi. d turkey are not aware <br /> of political boundaries. Thus they ar not aware that they <br /> are crossing the county line from Or a into Durham or Chatham. <br /> The Triangle Land Conservancy is they ore proposing regional <br /> wildlife corridors which include thes two counties and may <br /> eventually include Wake, Lee and Johns on Counties. An animal <br /> inventory which includes recommendations for a wildlife corridor <br /> is already underway. in Durham County. <br /> The Wildlife Study will be handled in the same professional <br /> manner as the.InventoEX of the Natural Areas and Wildlife <br /> Habitats of Orange County. The 'selection of a biologist, <br /> creation of gpidelines, and the management of the project will <br /> be equally proficient. The Study will take approximately <br /> eighteen months to complete once a biologist has been hired. <br /> It should cosh;1.0,000 maximum. <br /> The Study pill produce a map and data base which will identify <br /> existing wildlife corridors, potential areas where animals are <br />