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79 <br /> BIOLOGICALLY SIGNIFICANT AREAS <br /> I. DATA <br /> Four major sites in the Rural Buffer can be classified <br /> as biologically significant. At least one other site is known <br /> to be the habitat of an endangered/threatened species. <br /> The largest of the four areas is the Duke Forest, <br /> comprising approximately 2,760 acres in six areas of the <br /> ipuffer. Several areas of the forest, comprising 650 acres, <br /> have been designated as natural areas. The designation can <br /> stem from being the site of endangered or threatened species, <br /> exemplary plant communities, or unique species <br /> diversification. In addition to its biological importance, <br /> Duke Forest is also an important recreation area. <br /> Pickards Mountain, part of a 230 acre tract at the <br /> headwaters of Morgan Creek, has been identified as <br /> biologically significant by the NC Natural Heritage Program <br /> because of the plant community on the southeastern slope. The <br /> community consists of an extensive stand of mature hardwoods. <br /> including beech, poplar, chestnut oak, and white oak, with an <br /> understory of sourwood, dogwood, and blueberry. A horse trail <br /> runs along the ridge. <br /> Although the primary importance of University Lake is as <br /> a drinking water supply, it has been identified as <br /> biologically significant by the NC Natural Heritage Program. <br /> High species diversification has been recorded along with at <br /> least two endangered/threatened species. As with Duke Forest, <br /> University Lake is also an important recreational site. <br /> The fourth site, an area in private ownership north of <br /> Mt. Sinai Road, has been recorded by the NC Natural Heritage <br /> Program because of its exemplary plant community. The forest <br /> canopy consists primarily of hickory. oak, and beech, with a <br /> diverse understory and herb vegetation layer. <br /> Knowledge of biologically important sites in the Rural <br /> Buffer is incomplete. No areawide study has been done. It is <br /> believed that a large number of species considered endangered <br /> or rare species beyond those already recorded have habitats <br /> in Orange County. They include at least six species of <br /> plants, two species of invertabrates, two species of fish. <br /> and one each of amphibian and bird. Confirmation. however. <br /> does not exist. <br /> II. ISSUES/IMPLICATIONS <br /> The primary issues are whether or not development can <br /> occur in a manner that does not destroy ecologically fragile <br /> or important areas and, if so. how. Ancillary is the issue of <br /> whether current regulations provide an adequate level of <br /> protection. <br /> Watershed protection regulations, while having the <br />