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_ 121 <br /> if it were not enrolled in the program. <br /> The pressures resulting from urbanization, such as <br /> farmland conversion, will continue to adversely affect <br /> Bingham Township farm operations. Even though 1-40 does not <br /> pass through Bingham Township, its completion will shorten <br /> commuting times from much of the Township to Durham and RTP. <br /> Livestock operations, in particular, are vulnerable to <br /> development. Dairy farming is subject to increased <br /> environmental regulation as surrounding population density <br /> increases. Nuisance complaints from non-farm residential <br /> areas are often directed at dairies and other farms which <br /> have large numbers of livestock. Additionally, the large <br /> capital investment necessary for dairying. makes any <br /> relocation due to surrounding development pressures both very <br /> difficult and expensive. <br /> TABLE 3- <br /> BINGHAM TOWNSHIP FARMLAND TRENDS, 1955-1977 <br /> Acreage - <br /> 1955 1977 Change %Change <br /> 4 <br /> TOTAL CROPLAND 8,691 ac. 7,319 ac. -1,381 -15.9% <br /> TOTAL PASTURE 4,491 ac. 4,418 ac. -73 -1. 6% <br /> TOTAL FARMLAND 13, 182 ac. 11,728 ac. -1,454 -11.0% <br /> Source: North Carolina Crop and Livestock Reporting Service <br /> Natural Environmental Constraints <br /> Bingham Township contains the following natural <br /> constraints to development activity: floodplains, water <br /> supply watersheds, steep slopes, and poor soil conditions. <br /> FLOODPLAINS: There are approximately 3800 acres of flood <br /> prone land in Bingham Township, slightly less than 8% of the <br /> Township's total area. The majority of the acreage lies along <br /> Cane Creek and its tributaries, Collins Creek, and the Haw <br /> River. The width of the floodplain along these waterways <br /> rarely exceeds 500 feet from the center. Smaller amounts of <br /> floodplain exist along Terrell's Creek, Phil's Creek, and <br />