Agenda - 05-01-2001-8l - Laserfiche WebLink

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Orange County Natura/Areas Inventory oage 2 of 4 SCOPE OF WORK I. Froject Objectives • To revisit 64 natural azeas identified in the 19$8 Inventory and update their status. • To incorporate new data gathered since the 1988 Inventory, such as new occurrences on file with the Natural Heritage Program and the Landscape for Wildlife reports (Parts I and II) by the Triangle Land Conservancy. • To identify and evaluate new azeas with significant natural communities and critical species habitat, particulazly in the Little River and Cedar Grove townships. • To integrate information about the aquatic environment, especially freshwater mussels, into the Inventory. • To reevaluate the adequacy of the wildlife corridor system proposed in 1988. II. General Procedures 1. Communicate with and solicit information from other knowledgeable individuals and organizations dun7ng the course of the project. 2. Conduct site surveys of b4 identified natural azeas and document changes to each, including loss or addition of endangered/threatened plant and animal species, and changes to "integrity" and "threat status" rankings. 3. Compile any surveys of azeas that have been protected by acquisition ar conservation easement since 1988. 4. Obtain from Orange County ERCD maps of forest cover and type based on the most current aerial photos to aid in the identification of likely significant natural azeas. 5. Coordinate with the Orange County Environment and Resource Conservation Dept. NC Division of Parks & Recreation (Natural Heritage and Resource Management programs), Eno River State Pazk, Triangle Land Conservancy, Eno River Association, and NC Wildlife Resources Commission to identify natural area sites (terrestrial and aquatic), determine land ownership, and obtain landowner permission to visit the sites. 6. Conduct site surveys and prepaze site descriptions of additional natural areas (terrestrial and aquatic) according to current Natural Heritage Program protocol (Attachment A). 7. Determine if the linkages recommended as wildlife corridors in 1988 aze still able to serve their designated function by identifying existing and potential barriers to movement, migration, and dispersal. Consult biological research on corridors published since 1988.