Agenda - 02-26-2001-c5 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NCWRC~HCP~FALLS LRKE TEL~919-528-9839 ~ Nov 07'00 19~a6 No .005 P.04 ~~~ Pale 2 7 November 2UUU Master 1?lun, 'lhc Preserve PrajactNo. U1E-0237 applicant additionally indicat4~ that 2.1~ ages ofthe flaodplain will be ,given to the Mar: TIill Baptist Church. We discourage str~tl~eg Wig the ] ~-ycar floodplain and within Sd feet Of wctlAnds associated with tho 100-year flovdplain. _ Additional impervious surface ~sociated with residential, commercial, and industrial development and highway infrastl'tlCtuura results in increase stormwater runpfl'that can exert significant in,p~ts on stream marpholo~-. This will cau9e further degradatign of aquatic habitats through acceIeruted stxcam bank erosion. channel changes, bedload changes, altered substrates, and scouring of the strea,n channel. Studies have Shawn a serious decline in the health of receiving waters when 10-1 S9~ of a watershed is converted t4 impervious surfaces {Scheeler 1994), Additionally, the pollutants (e.g., sedim~t, heavy metals, herbicides, pesticidc;s, and fertilizers) washed fmm roads and urban landscapes ~~ adversely affect and extirpate sreeies downstream of developed areas. Struud's C'rcck is a major tributary of the Eno River, The waters of the Fna River provide important habitat for numerous rare species, iitrluditig the federal spCCieti of concern and State endangered green lluater (Lasmigana stebvirrdis) and the federal $gecios of concern and state tllreatcned Atlantic pigtoc {~uscanaia rncsoMS~ and yellow lampmussel (Lumpsilis curiosa). We recommend that the applicant contact the United States Fish and Wildlife Senriccs regarding endangered species issues for comments on this projecC. ~ Wo are additionally oUncerned with the potential effects to wildlife dua_to habita# fragxnentatiott With increased urbani~rxtion. We offer the fallowing reCOmtriCrtdltiorts to reduce impaclx tv fish and wildlifC resources. 1. A minimun150-list undisturbed, forested buffer should be maintained along all intermittent streams and wetland areas, while a minimum lt)O~foot undisturbed, forested buffer should be maintained along all peretlnial streams within the project urea. Maintaining undisturbed, forested buffers along these areas will minimize impacts to f Sh and wildlife resources, water quality, asluatic habitat both within and dawnstrefun of the project. arm, and help preveu# the extirpation of endangered and threatened species. i» addition, wide riparian buffers are helpful in maintaining stability of stream banns anci far treatment of pallutant.~ associated with urban stotmwater. 2. Tn addition to pr+.7lectinn of riparian buffers, r~ suggest that the Orange Gr~un#y strt-ngly discourage the in-fill a]' I UU-year floadplains for commercial or residential development. This process only increases the potential for flooding to adjacent properties and interferes with the natural laydrolagic process of the waterways. It also dis~pts the continuity o1' tn.igratic~n corridors for wildNfe. 3• ~~ c:onstructic~n of madways in new neighborhoods can probe short-lean dir~;ct impacts ~ wall a,~- tang-lean cumule~tive effects. It is suggested that the County work to redtlc;e irnpe~rvious stv!'aces to no morn than 7°l0, limit curb aid gutter in new dovelcpmer-tti, anti pravwnt duect discharges of atvrmwatcr into streams, Infiltration