Agenda - 10-14-1993 - D 1 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

3.4.3 Rare or Unique Natural Resources No areas of rare or unique natural resources were identified in the study area, however, a"wildlife corridor" has been proposed by the Triangle Land Conservancy along Morgan Creek to Jordan Lake. This "wildlife corridor" is proposed to consist of areas that should remain undeveloped in order to function as a wildlife habitat. The proposed Morgan Creek Refuge System would also encompass Morgan Creek Swamp and Jordan Lake, Mason Farm, Laurel Hill, Morgan Creek Valley, University Lake, McCauley Mountain, and Pickards Mountain. 3.4.4 Wetlands Figure 3.4 shows the soils in the project area designated by USDA Soil Conservation Service as hydric soils. These are soils which tend to occur along stream banks and in depressions where the soils are poorly drained. They are saturated for a significant period during the growing season, and therefore support the growth of woody vegetation. Farming activities in areas of hydric soils are impossible under natural conditions. The National Wetland Inventory maps were reviewed for location of wetlands as defined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (see Figure 3.5). These wetlands were delineated by stereoscopically interpreting high altitude aerial photographs paying particular attention to vegetation, visible hydrology and geography. Past experience has shown however, that wetland locations identified by this method are not always accurate. This was evident for this site. The two small areas identified as PUBHh on the east side of SR 1104 as presented on the Wetland Inventory Map are settling ponds for the existing asphalt plant. Similarly the two areas identified as PUBHx west of SR 1104 are settling/holding ponds for quarry operations. A field inspection of the project site was, therefore, conducted by a representative of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on July 25 and October 29, 1991. The purpose of this inspection was to identify U.S. Army Corps of Engineer "Jurisdictional Wetlands". The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers identified several wetland areas in the project area during the field visit. Some of these wetland areas identified can and will be avoided to the extent possible during construction and quarrying activities. It is expected that a Nationwide permit will be required for activities that may affect these wetlands. See Section 4.0 for more details on the effect of the proposed action on wetlands. 3-9