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M <br />ORANGE COUNTY <br />EN' nRONMENT AND RESOURCE CONSERvATION DEPARTMENT <br />MEMORANDUM <br />To: Eddie Kirk, Orange County Planner <br />From: Rich Shaw, Land Conservation Manager <br />.Tina Moon, Cultural Resources Specialist <br />Date: June 15, 2007 <br />Re: Pleasant Green Woods (Phase 3) Subdivision Proposal <br />This is an addendum to Rich Shaw's memo of June 30, 2006 (Attachment 1) pertaining to <br />the proposed Pleasant Green Woods Subdivision (Phase 3). Those comments pointed out <br />that the subject property is located adjacent to Eno River State Park, and recommended <br />that the owner /developer contact the Eno River Association or the State of North Carolina to <br />discuss the possibility of conveying a southeastern portion of the proposed open space to <br />the Eno River State Park. <br />ERCD has been asked by the Planning staff to comment further on a) whether the natural <br />heritage sites downstream of the property would be impacted by the subdivision, and b) <br />whether the existing buildings have any historical value. <br />A. Impacts on Natural Heritage Sites <br />The section of Eno River State Park that is located immediately east of the subject property <br />is within a large Natural Heritage site known as Middle Eno River Bluffs and Slopes (Site E13 <br />in the Inventory of Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat for Orange County, NC). This natural <br />area is considered to be of State significance due to the presence of several rare plant and <br />animal species. A map and a description of the natural area are provided as Attachment 2. <br />If the southeastern portion of the proposed open space (Open Space "'C"'. 11.04 acres ) were <br />conveyed to the Park and managed consistent with other property then would likely reduce <br />the potential adverse impacts from the proposed development and the existing utility rights - <br />of -way on the Natural Heritage site. The sections of Piper Creek and two feeder located <br />Within the subdivision appear to be adequately buffered (80 -200 feet) to protect them <br />during the future construction and use of the subdivision. <br />If Open Space "C" were conveyed to the State and managed by the State Park <br />then those streams would receive an even higher level of protection, which <br />would lessen the possibility of downstream habitat degradation within the <br />Natural Heritage site. Even better, I would recommend that the 150' Duke <br />Power easement that is part of Open Space B (and adjacent to Open Space "C <br />also be conveyed to the State. That easement includes streams that could <br />benefit from the more rigorous oversight of herbicide use that the State Park <br />employs with the utility companies. <br />[OVER] <br />Environment and Resource Conservation <br />PO Box 8181 / 306 -A Revere Road <br />Hillsborough, NC 27278 <br />(919) 245 -2590 <br />