Agenda - 06-04-1981 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Natural Resources Certain lands are capable of producing valuable products. Prime ag- - riculture land, forestry land, mineral deposit sites and other natural resource land sites comprise major natural resource areas. These are areas which are or could be productive because of specific natural characteristics such as soil conditions, vegetation, economically valuable topography or mineral deposits. They present a level of constraint to development relative to the value assigned to the pro- ' tection or use of each resource. Topo§graphy PHYSIOGRAPHIC FENTURES. Orange County is located in the geographic province of North Carolina known as the Piedmont. This area is characterized by gently rolling topography drained by small streams which have cut V-shaped valleys. Elevation ranges generally from 700-800 feet in the northern part of the County to 200 feet in the extreme southern portions. The highest point in the County is Occoneechee Mountain with an elevation of 859 feet. SLOPES. Another Landform element which impacts on the suitability of land for various uses is the slope of the land.* Slope indicates the relative suitability or vacant land for future development by in- dicating land physically capable of development. Excessive on steep slopes are a factor in many environmental problems and can signifi- cantly increase the vulnerability of land to damage from human ac- . tivities. The potential for erosion and resulting sedimentation fran areas laid bare by construction activities increases as the slope of the land increases. Steep slopes also pose a problem for septic tank filtration systems. Effluent traveling down slope which hits an im- permeable layer or shallow depth to bedrock can travel laterally and emerge at the surface causing health and aesthetic problems. Land with a slope of 0-5% is moderately sloping land capable of accomodating most types of development. Land with a slope of 6-15% could be used for development activities not requiring extensive tracts of level land. Slopes exceeding 15% (15 feet of vertical change per 100 feet of horizontal distance) offers some degree of constraint to the potential use of that land and is generally con- sidered unsuitable for intensive development and economically in- feasible for utility facilities. The presence of steep slopes does not in itself prohibit land use, but when it coincides with other constraining features, future growth should be directed to other less sensitive areas. This action will also serve to direct development away from areas with generally higher development costs. Hydrology Hydrology deals with the occurence and distribution of water. More specifically it includes consideration of precipitation, stream drain- age systems, surface and subsurface water resources and potentials for flooding. *NOTE. SEE Environmental Constraints Map. 9