Agenda - 08-25-2008 - c1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~a Group r-. _ ~~ Efland Biological Inventory Orange County, North Carolina July 2008 1.0 Project Description and Purpose The Catena Group, Inc. (TCG) was contracted by Bob Barrett to conduct a biological inventory as part of the special use permit application for a proposed development site at the intersection of Schoolhouse Road (SR## 1314) and Tinnin Road (SR# 1313), Orange County, NC. This property is comprised of two parcels (Property Identification Number (Pll~ numbers 9845-40-5243 and 9845-40-5022), totaling approximately 9.5 acres (Figure 1). The purpose of this investigation is to conduct a basic flora and fauna inventory, with an emphasis on protected species and rare or significant natural habitats. This inventory provides a qualitative reference, or baseline, on general abundance, distribution, and habitat association for flora and fauna species occurring on the property. 2.0 Methodologies Mapping resources used in this investigation include the most recent USGS 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle map (Figure 1) and 2003 Orange County digital orthophotographs (Figure 2). The parcels were located via Orange County Parcel Data to determine the property boundaries, which were overlaid onto the above maps. 2.1 Pre-Field Investigation Database Search Prior to conducting the field surveys, TCG reviewed the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NHP) systematic inventory (database) of rare plant and animal species, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) database, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service database for any previous surveys and/or known rare species within the project area. A list of threatened, endangered and rare species, as well as significant natural communities known in Orange County is included in Appendix L 2.2 Field Investigation TCG conducted the field investigation on July 31, 2008, under hot and sunny conditions. Floral (plant) communities, rare species habitat, and significant fauna (wildlife) observations were identified and notable features were surveyed via satellite using a hand-held GPS unit (sub-meter accuracy). 2.2.1 Floral Community Plant surveys were conducted during the field investigation. Natural plant community classifications follow those presented by Schafale and Weakley (1990) whenever possible. Plant community Types significantly altered by human disturbance typically do not fall into a natural classification, and are thus categorized- in general terms (i.e. shrub/scrub, disturbedlmaintained, etc.). Specimen trees or other significant floral Efland Bio Inventory TCG Job#6112 July 2008