Agenda - 02-29-2000-9a - Laserfiche WebLink

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s ORANGE COUNTY ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCE GONSERYATION DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM TO: David Stancil, ERCD Director From: Rich Shaw, Land Conservation Manager Date: February 23, 2pp0 Subject: Biological Resources Survey of the Greene Tract (Interim Report) I have reviewed the February 18, 2000 interim report for a Biological Resources Survey of the Greene Tract prepared by Robert ]. Goldstein & Associates, Inc. Although the findings are as of yet inconclusive, the interim report provides some preliminary information that may be instructive for determining future uses of this properly. Elevations range from a high of 570 in the east-central portion of the property dawn to 500 feet at the NW and SW corners. While mast of the upper and midsection of the property is high and dry, the southern portion includes a broad valley running in a west- east direction with numerous small streams. The northern half of the property drains to an un-named tributary flowing northwest into Old Feld Creek. The southern half of the property drains to an un-named tributary flowing southwest into Bolin Creek (Attachment A). Measures should be taken to avoid significant adverse effects on these surface waters and associated wetlands. Wetlands and floodplains will be delineated, mapped and described in the final report. A soils map is provided as Attachment B. Most of the tract is forested, with mature, mixed hardwoods in the northern and eastern portions of the property and pine dominated forest in the more disturbed southern half and northeast section of the tract (Attachment C). A recent Triangle Land Conservancy survey of the County identified this site as containing mature forest with wildlife value. Widespread cutting of timber will have adverse impacts on its value as wildlife habitat. No protected plant or animal species were identified thus far by the contractor, The site does, however, provide suitable habitat for five protected animal species and one protected plant species. The final document will report on additional surveys. There are two proposed Chapel Hill greenways that lead into the properly, one from the east and the other from the southwest along an un-named tributary of Bolin Creek (Attachment C). Measures should be taken so as not to compromise the proposed connection of the property to these proposed greenways. The final report will document any significant natural resources, including wetlands, floodplains, streams, natural habitats, fish and wildlife, and protected plant and animal species that could be affected by future use and development of the property. The report will recommend areas best for development from a ecological perspective. Let me know if you have any questions or would like to discuss.