Agenda - 12-10-94 - Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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.big''<' 1 ", # . Triangle Land Conservancy ' ` "„ PO Box 13031 Research Triangle Park,NC 27709 December 5, 1994 The Orange County Commissioners Hillsborough, North Carolina Dear Commissioners: The Triangle Land Conservancy wishes to propose a goal for you to consider and discuss at your goal setting retreat. The Conservancy respectfully requests that the Orange County Commissioners fund a Wildlife Corridor Study in the upcoming fiscal year. Such a study will hopefully result in saving animals which have become or may soon become endangered in Orange County. In 1987 the County generously funded our Inventory of the Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitats of Orange County. The Inventory has proven an invaluable tool in identifying and protecting habitat for plants and animals which have become endangered in our county. If we are to protect animal habitat, however, we must take the initial inventory to the next phase, i .e. the identification of the wildlife corridors which animals must travel in order to survive. Creeks and rivers provide the natural corridors along which animals find food, water and shelter. Wildlife experts agree that fragmentation (caused by roads, housing developments, clearcuts, etc. ) of these corridors results in the decline of animal populations. The identification of these wildlife corridors can result in wise planning that will insure that we do not inadvertantly destroy our endangered animals. Animals such as bobcat, mink and wild turkey are not aware of political boundaries . Thus they are not aware that they are crossing the county line from Orange into Durham or Chatham. The Triangle Land Conservancy is therefore proposing regional wildlife corridors which include these two counties and may eventually include Wake, Lee and Johnston Counties . An animal inventory which includes recommendations for a wildlife corridor is already underway in Durham County. The Wildlife Study will be handled in the same professional manner as the Inventory of the Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitats of Orange County. The selection of a biologist, creation of guidelines, and the management of the project will be equally proficient. The Study will take approximately eighteen months to complete once a biologist has been hired. It should cost $10, 000 maximum. The Study will produce a map and data base which will identify existing wildlife corridors, potential areas where animals are