Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
, . <br /> 2 <br /> 4111 meeting. A brief description of each parameter and progress <br /> on it follows: <br /> slope. <br /> The percent of slope, i.e. , vertical rise in feet per <br /> 100 feet of horizontal distance, is an extremely important <br /> environmental constraint. In mapping, three levels of slope <br /> have been defined: <br /> - 0 - 7.5% - suitable for high to moderte intensity <br /> development. <br /> - 7.5% - 15% - suitable for moderate to limited <br /> intensity development. <br /> - over 15% - severely limited development potential. <br /> Slope mapping has been the most tedious and time-consuming <br /> parameter to map. Working with a topographic base of the <br /> study area, a draftsman has had to manually measure spacing <br /> between contours. Where spacing has been less than or equal <br /> to a pre-determined distance, the area so defined has been <br /> marked off. This process continued until all areas of varing <br /> slope on a map were delineated. <br /> •4111 Slope mapping is complete for the Southern Triangle and <br /> North Chapel Hill Areas and 90% complete for the University <br /> Lake Watershed Area. <br /> ,Soils <br /> The ability of the soil to support various intensities <br /> of development is a second major constraint considered in the <br /> mapping process. SCS soil maps of the JPA were consulted and <br /> particular soil properties, i.e. , septic suitablity, <br /> plasticity, depth to groundwater and bedrock, and potential <br /> for slippage, were used to rank soils into slight, moderate, .. <br /> and severe categories. <br /> 1 - <br /> Soil mapping has been completed for the Southern <br /> Triangle and North Chapel Hill Areas and is about 75% done <br /> for the University Lake Watershed Area. <br /> 'vegetation <br /> The third important environmental parameter mapped in <br /> the JPA is vegetation. It is' important from the standpoint of <br /> runoff retention, aesthetics, groundwater replenishment, and <br /> a balanced ecology. Three vegetation categories have been <br /> mapped. These include cleared areas, forest land, and <br /> wetlands. Sources consulted in determining vegetation have <br /> been 1983 aerial photos, vegetation and endangered species <br /> study of the Cape Fear River Basin, soils maps, and flood <br />