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Justifications : 1 . Lands surrounding Eno River State Park (ERSP) : This area is identified in LVVV4 and 41 as the most important intact prime forest in the County, by virtue of its area, the presence of the River, the undisturbed forest within the Park, as well as numerous Natural Heritage records for regionally important species . However there is no guarantee that this area will retain this high biological value , as the State Park lands comprise less than half of the total forested area in which it is embedded. Residential development in this area is rapidly fragmenting the surrounding forest. If this cutting and building is left unchecked, it is sure to lead to degradation of the core forest area of the Park . This area needs to be designated as buffer area, and tools developed that will restrict land uses to those compatible with the aims of the Park, and protect this land as wildlife habitat . 2 . Occoneechee Mountain : The inclusion of much of Occoneechee Mountain within the ERSP has been an important step forward . However, adjacent lands remain in private hands . While private ownership may be the best, most secure solution, the County should work with landowners to assure that this most significant of the County' s sites remains securely protected and buffered . 3 . Sevenmile Creek Bottoms : This inventoried bottomland forest is of regional biological significance for the species found there, and is also identified in LWW41 as a forest of high wildlife value , by virtue of its size, and forms part of the County' s designated corridor system . We recommend that the County work to acquire parcels to connect the pieces it already holds in this area, and/or that they work with landowners to negotiate conservation easements or practices to keep this site in a natural, unfragmented state . 4 . Lands along Morgan Creek and those surrounding Mason Farm : Because of the biological significance of Mason Farm and adjacent Botanical Garden Lands and the high degree of threat to their integrity , the County should take what steps it can to help keep further losses and fragmentation from occurring . Without some secure buffers , the integrity of some of the County' s most unique forests and associated vertebrate communities could be compromised . 5 . Central County Forests, Hills , and Corridor : Blackwood Mountain/Duke Forest Blackwood Division/ Meadow Flats/ Bald Mountain/ Pegg Hill, and connecting lands . From LWW- II it is evident that one of the key core forest areas of the county extends in a band through the central County , from Blackwood Mountain to Bald Mountain . Of strategic importance here is maintaining connectivity in a fragmented system of uplands and stream corridors . If connectivity to the New Hope Creek Corridor (See #6 , below) can be maintained and/or developed, this enlarges the natural area substantially . Acquisitions or easements which help to preserve forest integrity in this region are to be fostered by the County . 6 . New Hope Creek Corridor, including the upper section which connects to the Central County Forest (See #5 , above) . The New Hope Creek Corridor east of NC 86 , currently of relatively secure conservation status , is another key core natural area in the County . While it is generally isolated from the Blackwood-Bald Mountain core , New Hope Creek could conceivably be serving as a conduit for animal and plant movement. Anything that can be done to maintain or restore connectivity between the New Hope Creek basin and area # 5 is to be encouraged. Protection of surrounding land from conflicting uses by designating it as buffer zone would enhance protection of New Hope Creek , T Chestnut Ridge : This xeric forest (E01 AND EO2 ) is an important upland forest, comprised largely of chestnut oak . It is a relatively large tract of forest, and also is an important upland area for landscape connectivity . Due to its present status as privately-owned land, its long-term status 9