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Executive Summary <br /> Substantial gains have been made in Orange County in the last decade in the amount of <br /> land area placed under some sort of protection . At the same time , however, the rates of forest loss <br /> and fragmentation have likewise increased, primarily as a result of residential development . To <br /> slow, to halt, or even to reverse the losses of our most significant resources and natural areas , we <br /> recommend to the County Commissioners that the County take the following steps . <br /> ➢ Increase the total area of protected natural areas , with highest priority given to the most <br /> significant areas facing the most imminent threat . This requires allocation of County funds <br /> towards land acquisition, as well as seeking matching funds from outside sources . The <br /> County should also play a more important role in working with other land preservation <br /> groups , and in helping to coordinate the efforts of all partners involved in land preservation in <br /> the County, to work towards a planned County conservation landscape . <br /> ➢ Make appropriate changes to the Environmental Impact Ordinance , to the County <br /> Comprehensive Land Use Plan, and to zoning regulations , to offer full and complete <br /> protection to the most biologically significant sites , and to encourage restricted use buffer <br /> zones surrounding important core areas . <br /> ➢ Establish a means by which the County' s Biological Inventory can be continually reviewed <br /> and updated . <br /> ➢ Improve coordination of conservation effort with neighboring counties , particularly for those <br /> natural features which cross jurisdictional boundaries . <br /> ➢ Assure that the Environment and Resource Conservation Department performs a GIS <br /> assessment from the most recent aerial photographs ( 1998 ) documenting forest area changes <br /> since 1988 . <br /> 01 <br />