Agenda - 10-06-1986 - Laserfiche WebLink

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TO AMEND THE LAND USE PLAN BY SUBSTITUTION, PAGES 2.2-6, 2.2-7 04� A .i Certain areas in Orange County possess unique or exemplary natural characteristics which are considered to be of great value; be it economic, educational , biological , or in some other sense. A natural area, as defined by the Triangle J Council of Governments, is "any space containing an unusual or exemplary biological habitat, geologic feature, or hydrologic location ."1 Natural areas can be broken down further into additional classifications: © Endangered Plant/Animal Sites - habitats of species identified as endangered . o Threatened Plant/Animal Sites - habitats of species that, while not endangered statewide, are rare and threatened with major habitat loss and population decline in Orange County. o Special Plant/Animal Site - habitats of species that, white rare, are not yet endangered or threatened and exist in small populations, are targets of exploitation, and vulnerable to specific pressures .a o Plant Communities - sites whose forest canopy, understory, and herb/vegetation layer is either unique or of a particularly high quality. o Exemplary Geologic Formations - exposed geologic formations of a particularly high quality or unique to the area. The Natural Heritage Program of the '_ North Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, and the Triangle Land Conservancy have identified over thirty separate populations of endangered species along with numerous additional plant communities and other natural areas in Orange County. These areas include public lands such as Eno River State Park, quasi-public lands such as Duke Forest, areas with multiple private owners such as Occoneechee Mountain, and small sites in single private ownership_ The presence of these unique natural features in Orange County suggests that special efforts should be made to manage these areas and sites so as to conserve and protect those characteristics that make the site biologically or geologically important. This may include regulatory measures to insure protection or preservation of those features. Historic Sites Although sites of historic and cultural significance are part of the man-made environment and not natural features they, nevertheless, are unique physical features that can have an impact on growth patterns within the county. Thus, they require treatment similar to unique and exemplary natural features and merit considerarion in this section..