Agenda - 06-23-2004-8b - Laserfiche WebLink

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40 PiedmontlLow Mountain Alluvial Forest The approximate 1.17-acre segment of forest that borders Four Mile Branch as it crosses the lower southwest comer of the site is a Piedmont/Low Mountain Alluvial Forest that is disturbed by some fall-down from recent i~e storms. The herbemap1er iTf~ t p nnifn ~ Y~eoC~o ~~ ude a ass m icrosteeium vinrrin Py exotic invasive bamboo gr mix of the species characterishe of this forest type:~nbv~ ~~nu~ ~ ~ ~~a~ d ~e l~m~r mbrum ;American elm (U]mu.__- S ~1en~ana~: gr •~ mhar St~rdCiflua ;sycamore (platanus occidentalis ;willow oak (Ouerc~_._ ~ Dhellosl and ~ a nAmn tulipife>~. The shrub layer is very sparse with some vigorous tulip poplar' (f=------------- specimens of swamp dogwood (Comu_._._._.s_am_oinlr?n) along the stream banks' The eastern edge o this small forest segment just below the dam of the pond con ~ rev ous ownder approximately y hybrid pines (possibly Pinus taeda x Pmus clausa planted by p twenty yeazs ago (eazly 1980's), 'lye stream flow in this portion of the site is very sluggish due to beaver-ponding of the stream off site fwther downstream south of the roadway. Water from overflow of the pond enters the stream in this portion. Tye stream resula n frOmuch of the growing season when the pond mains at a reported by the Allison's, is dry g level one or two feed below the overflow pipe. In fact, on 20 February during a second inspection of this particulaz portion of the site, it was noted that the overflow stream was very slight, following a relatively wet period of snow, ice and rain. A relatively fresh male deer carcass was observed on the forest floor neaz the stream during site visit on 20 February. RA(LE SPECIES Four physical site visits during the three-week period (3-23 February 2004) revealed no rare plant and animal species as described by the NC Natural Heritage Program. Of significant note, however, is the observation by NC Natural Heritage Program staff zoologist, Dr.. Stephen Hall, that the presence of numerous mossy hummocks bordering the vernal pools suggested the potential for observance of the Four-toed Salamander (Hemidact~lium scutatum), which has been reported in Orange County, thoug>hn ~ lyh~s Inventod ~s bein7 condu t dr s too eazlyHfor the rer ry g described that the period during spring mating activity of the Four-toed Salamander, which is known to be active in this region duringmid-March through mid-April. It is recommended that the site be visited several times during this period to search for this species. This salamander h elPro S~~of S ecial Con~med by the Wildlife Resoruces Commissio s and flr of lwi d animal native ogr n e-native to North Ttris designation is described as "Any p Cazolina which is determined by the Wildlife Resources Commission to require monito cle 25tof which may be taken under regulations adopted under the provision d~ rmAined by The Nature Chapter 11'3 of the General Statutes; 1987) It holds a State Rank, Conservancy, of S3 which is: "Rare or uncommon in North Carolina." It is of significance that several of the identified p~~~ ommuni't~ies.s h7ye most no~tabl Bare the the NC Natural Heritage Program as "exemplary Upland Depression Swamp Forest O~ H°ckory Fore t, both already desc bed~n greater detail. Four-toed Salamander) and the Dry Both of these plant community types have been describede o~Orangur on the ste are lazgeaz been described for Efland Quad 17. These two community typ 10