Agenda - 05-26-2015 - C-2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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out in them, can be found at these websites: httD:Hdcm2.enr. state .nc.us /wetlands /brochure.htm httD:Hncforestservice.gov/Dublications/W_QO107/BMP chaDter06.pd f Wetlands on This Property: Wetlands area significant feature on this property. As mentioned earlier, the majority of McGowan Creek and the lower portions of the drainage from the pond are inhabited by American beavers. The construction of beaver dams back up water in these lower areas, raising the water table, and flooding large areas of the creek bottoms. These wetlands are helping to protect water quality in McGowan Creek and beyond, and are providing unique habitats for wetland plant communities as well as waterfowl and other wildlife species. Any management action on the property should be planned to minimize negative impacts to these areas. Equipment should be largely restricted from the creek bottoms except during very dry weather and access the southern portion of the property should be limited to one stream crossing at the narrowest point in the channel. A temporary bridge mat or a permanent culvert crossing, with a device to prevent blockage by beavers, should be used for equipment access. Fire Prescribed fire is the planned use of fire under pre - determined weather and fuel conditions to obtain specific management objectives. This is also known as "controlled" burning, and when done correctly it mimics the frequent burning that used to occur in NC naturally. Prescribed burning is a critical management tool that benefits North Carolina's forests, wildlife and overall environment. It also helps reduce the devastating impacts of uncontrolled wildfire hazards. Prescribed fire is especially important in North Carolina due to the large amount of land lying in the Wildland/Urban Interface (WUI). The N.C. General Assembly recognized the importance of prescribed burning in the NC Prescribed Burning Act, which may be reviewed at the following website: http: / /www.ncle�z. net /EnactedLe�zislation/ Statutes /PDF /BvArticle /Chapter ®106 /Article ®a0.pdf The NC Forest Service and its partners train, plan and coordinate with local fire services before a prescribed fire is started in order to ensure that all burning regulations are obeyed. There are also private contract burners that provide this service in various parts of the state. Additional information on prescribed burning may be found at: http://ncforestservice.�zov /Manama vour ® fore st /mana vour forest.htm ham: / /www.ces.ncsu.edu /forestry /pdf /ag AG- 616.pdf http: / /www.ncfirewise.gM/ htip:Hncforestservice.gov/fire control /fc_wui.htm Prescribed Fire Opportunities on This Property: Historically, the upland areas of the property may have burned naturally, or as a result of human activities, every 5 -15 years. Many ecologists attribute the decline of oak - hickory -pine forests in the Carolina piedmont to the disruption of this fire regime for the last century. Recently prescribed fires have become an 13 160