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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-05-1995 - IX-F A 1 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 5, 1995 Action Agenda Item # 2X-F SUBJECT: WILDLIFE HABITAT STUDY DEPARTMENT: Planning PUBLIC HEARING: Yes % No ATTACHMENTS: INFORMATION CONTACT: Planning Director X2592 DeMairie Letter of 10/5/94 12/10/94 Minutes - Goal Setting Retreat TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Ludington 8/21/95 Letter Hillsborough 732-8181 Draft Natural Resource Preservation Durham 688-7331 Goal Mebane 227-2031 Chapel Hill 967-9251/968-4501 PURPOSE: To consider funding a proposed Wildlife Habitat Study to be conducted by the Triangle Land Conservancy. BACKGROUND: The Triangle Land Conservancy requested $10,000 in funding for a Wildlife Habitat Study to be initiated in FY 1995-96. The request was considered at the Board of Commissioners'December, 1994 Goal Setting Retreat and received favorable consideration(see attached request letter and 12110/94 retreat minutes). Recently,the Triangle Land Conservancy submitted a letter,detailing the project and requesting the funding. Specifically, a biologist will be employed by the Conservancy to direct the study. His/her activities will be directed by an Oversight Committee comprised of three Conservancy members. The project will be divided into three parts.First,the County's vegetative cover will be mapped to determine potential habitat. Mapping will be based initially on aerial photographs to distinguish hardwood and pine forests. All data will be digitized to provide a GIS map. Second, the study director will conduct a field survey in the Spring and Summer of 1996. The purpose of the survey is to update the original Inventory, accumulate new zoological data, and determine threats to eidsting species. Finally,the director will prepare a report which identifies wildlife habitat locations, including wildlife corridors and large tracts of mature hardwoods. Threats to species survival as well as recommendations for 2 their protection will also be provided. In addition,a wildlife management plan will be prepared for public lands. As noted above, the project is estimated to cost $10,000, all of which would be used to cover the salary of the biologist. The project has been included as an objective under the draft Natural Resource Preservation goal distributed recently to the Commissioners (copy attached). The project time schedule included as part of that objective was based on the schedule for preparation of the Inventory of Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitats. RECObSONDATION: The Manager recommends approval of funding from the Commissioners'Contingency Fund. 1 \ 3 Tr $1e Land Conservan PO BQx113031 Rcseazch Mi=MSc Patio.NC 2 09 December 5, 1994 The Orange County Commissioners Hillsborough, .North Carolina Dear Commissioners: The Triangle Land Conservancy wishes to propose a goal for you to consider and discuss at your goal setting retreat. The Conservancy respectfully requests that the Orange County Commissioners: fund a Wildlife Corridor Study in the upcoming fiscal year. Such a study will hopefu ly result in saving animals which have become or may soon become endangered in Orange County. In 1987 the County generously fundel our Inventory of the Natural Areas-and wildlife Habitats of orange County. The Inventory has proven an invaluable too in identifying and protecting habbitat for plants and anim is which have become endangered in-. our county. If we are t protect animal habitat, however, we miast take the initial inve tory to the next phase, i.e. the identification of the wildlif corridors which animals must travel iz� order to survive. Creeks andrivers provide the natur 1 corridors along which animals find food, water and shelter. wildlife experts agree that fragmentation (caused by -roads, h)using developments, clearcuti; et .) of- these corridors' re ults in the decline of animal popula ions. The identificatio of these wildlife corridors can result in wise planning at will insure that we do not inaglvertantly destroy our en angered animals. ,Animals such as bobcat, mink and wi. d turkey are not aware of political boundaries. Thus they ar not aware that they are crossing the county line from Or a into Durham or Chatham. The Triangle Land Conservancy is they ore proposing regional wildlife corridors which include thes two counties and may eventually include Wake, Lee and Johns on Counties. An animal inventory which includes recommendations for a wildlife corridor is already underway. in Durham County. The Wildlife Study will be handled in the same professional manner as the.InventoEX of the Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitats of Orange County. The 'selection of a biologist, creation of gpidelines, and the management of the project will be equally proficient. The Study will take approximately eighteen months to complete once a biologist has been hired. It should cosh;1.0,000 maximum. The Study pill produce a map and data base which will identify existing wildlife corridors, potential areas where animals are 1 { i 4 t most likely to be squeezed out by dev lopment pressure, and water hazards- such as dams and pollut on. The Wildlife Corridor data base wild. interface with existin Orange County GIS (Geographical. Information System) pro rams to facilitate comprehensive planning. A conservati n plan will address the threats found to wildlife and make specific recommendations to minimize those threats. More detailed information will be provided to ypu at your request. The Triangle Land Conservancy feel that critical information about our ares,`s. wildlife could result in wise planning and informed decision-waking. We ask fox your help before it is too late. Thank you for considering our request. Sin 1 , •� �� /J/ . RoIN rt B. De Maine Ora ge County Chapter TOTAL P.02 Excerpt from BOCC 12/10/94 Goal Setting Retreat 7 1 sure the plan is still appropriate. Carrboro is talking about a rural village 2 which is something that should be done jointly. 3 Commissioner Gordon noted that, at present, there is a small area planning 4 process in Carrboro which does not include Orange County. Marvin Collins said 5 that anyone can serve on that committee and that one member of his staff 6 attends the meetings. 7 Commissioner Crowther made reference to a resolution Hillsborough approved 8 which said that they would not participate in cooperative planning if the 9 County does not approve the proposed EDD at NC86 and I-40. He suggested the 1OCounty choose four or six areas around Hillsborough for small area plans and 11 let Hillsborough choose the one that should be done first. 12 With regard to the Development Impact Statement, Commissioner Gordon said 13 she would like to know the cumulative impact on schools, infrastructure, roads, 14recreation and parks, etc. Marvin Collins indicated he could provide that 15 information,. 16 Commissioner Willhoit would like to request the towns of Chapel Hill and 17Carrboro to do a fiscal impact analysis on the impacts of their residential 18growth within their planning jurisdiction. 19 It was decided that a review of the Development Impact Statement will be 20reported at the County Commissioners' regular meeting scheduled for January 17. 21 At that time it will be decided whether or not to do a resolution asking 22 municipalities to provide this information or to do it administratively. 23 24 2 2. tNT PLANNING FOR SERVICE DELIVERY WITH TOWNS AND OTHERS IN ORANGE COUNTY 27 28 - Where to from here? 29 30 Chair Carey mentioned that with regard to joint planning for recreational 31 activities, the Carrboro staff is suppose to take the initiative to study this 32issue. He will contact them for an update. 33 Commissioner Gordon stressed that for both recreation and parks and 34libraries, they need to focus on positive outcomes for all the citizens. 35 36BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS RECOMMENDATIONS 37 Commissioner Gordon referred to the Board of Health goal described in the 38meeting materials and explained that they would like the Board of Commissioners 39reinforcement to move forward. The Commissioners agreed to endorse the goal. 40Commissioner Gordon also referred to the request from the Triangle Land 41 onservancy or 10, 000 o fund a Wildlife Corridor Study which will hopefully 42 resu t in saving animals which have become or may soon become endangered in 43 range County- The Commissioners favorably considered this request. 44 Commissioner Crowther asked if there are boards/commissions that don't 45 need to be continued or some that may need to be combined. Commissioner 46Willhoit suggested asking this on the volunteer survey or maybe developing an 47 exit interview. He would like to know if their experience serving on. the 48 board/commission was worthwhile and their level of satisfaction. It was agreed 49that Commissioner Crowther will review the boards/commissions and report back 50*o the Board. ° It was decided that the recommendation from the Recreation and Parks 5. ,visory Commission be discussed when the County Commissioners meet with the 6 August 21, 1995 Moses Carey, Chairman Orange County Board of Commissioners Hillsborough, North Carolina Dear Moses:: The Orange County Chapter of the Triangle Land Conservancy proposes to define and delineate the major wildlife habitats of the County and to make recommendations as to how they can be protected. This twelve month project would provide significant data about the needs of animals which are becoming endangered due to the fast pace of growth in our area. The study will provide more specific information about the requirements of animals named in our 1987 Inventory of the Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitats of Orange County. In order to carry out the next phase of the Inventory, we respectfully request $10,000 from the County to fund this project. Wildlife experts agree that fragmentation of habitat results in the decline of animal populations. Birds such as hooded warblers and whip-poor-wills require large interior tracts of hardwood forests, while creeks and rivers provide the natural corridors along which other animals find food and shelter. The precise identification of these forests and wildlife corridors will result in wise planning that will insure that we do not inadvertently destroy these endangered animals. We hope that this study in Orange County will provide a model for other counties in the Triangle, leading to a regional approach to wildlife protection. By viewing an entire ecosystem, experts can determine how best to plan for the survival of species in our area. Animals do not recognize political boundaries in their search for food. For example, mink, otter, and bobcat range from Mason Farm in Orange County to Jordan Lake in Durham and Chatham Counties. This 7 Orange County project will hopefully lead to a regional and comprehensive conservation plan. The Work Plan: The Triangle Land Conservancy will hire a biologist who will direct the study. He or she will be supervised by an Oversight Committee comprised of three members, Pearson Stewart, Haven Wiley, and Livy Ludington. They will meet at regular intervals with the biologist, or project director, to see that the project is carried out in a professional and timely manner. The project will be divided into three parts. First, the County's vegetative cover will be mapped in order to determine potential habitat. This work will involve using aerial photographs to determine hardwood as opposed to pine forests. This data will be digitized so that a G.I.S. map can be created. We will also use G.I.S. mapping provided by the Albemarle Pamlico Esturarine Study. By viewing forest cover as well as stream corridors, a picture of predictable animal habitat will begin to emerge. The director of the study will conduct field work in spring and summer. He or she will update the original Inventory while accumulating new zoological data. Species identification and threats to them will be determined. Public lands will be inspected. Finally, the director will write a report (including relevant maps) which will be submitted to the County. The report will feature precise identification of wildlife habitat, such as wildlife corridors and large tracts of mature hardwoods. Threats to the survival of certain species will be noted as well as recommendations for the future protection of these animals. Additionally, a wildlife management plan for public lands will be proposed. The Budget 8 ` All of the $10,000 requested will go towards the salary of the biologist who will undertake the project. The Triangle Land Conservancy will draw up a contract with this person. We have an extensive network of professionals as well who will volunteer their time for this project. In closing, the Orange County Chapter of the Triangle Land Conservancy is eager to undertake this project. It is a race in time to save species which are being squeezed out by development pressure. We thank you for your careful consideration of this request. Sincerely, Livy Ludington Triangle Land Conservancy i 9 Draft 8/22/95 NATURAL RESOURCE PRESERVATION GOAL: REVIEW"RESOURCE PRESERVATION"AS FUNCTION WITHIN COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND COMPLETE/DEVELOP DATA AND STANDARDS FOR PROTECTION OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT STATUS REPORT This Initiative eansalidates four topics under a single goal.These items,include the fallowing: Ulm aw"Resourt Preservation*`as separate func ion is County governn ent to gi�a it:. idelati_y and: .1gher profile; W' A regtiest; ;,the,Triangle.Land.Conservancy for funding($100(!0)to .out a dlife!corridor 3tudg; _ e. Completion of the Natund Areas Element of the Compreheusive:Pion; and : •. . ::; U�wi approval procedures for . meat of standards and coursers: : :The:items:above.have been discussed at the Canxisoiouers' Goals&Objectives Retreat$ ,,rec offend ed.by cl#izens,:and/or'.Initiated by:atafP is response a specific technical:stud r,e:g., the:Natural Areas Inventory.Their inclusion under a single gpoll is::for the purpose of to incorporating rporating them..into: staff work.plan;. BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES At its December 10, 1994 Goals&Objectives Retreat,the Board of Commissioners considered the following items: • Review"Resource Preservation"as separate function in County government to give it identity and higher profile; and • A request from the Triangle Land Conservancy for funding ($10,000) to carry out a Wildlife Corridor Study. Although some Commissioners felt the "preservation" function was best handled by the Planning Department, a survey of the potential for advisory board consolidation and/or staff re-organization is proposed. The Board responded positively to funding the Wildlife Corridor Study. Two other elements included under this goal are: • Completion of the Natural Areas Element of the Comprehensive Plan; and • Development of standards and approval procedures for golf courses. The Natural ,.Areas Element has been included as part of this goal, because it represents a necessary step in incorporating the findings of the Inventory of Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitats (1988)into the Comprehensive Plan. The development of golf course standards and approval procedures has been included as part of this goal, because it has been recommended by citizens as part of the continuing discussion of open space protection strategies. t 10 Y RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS Completion of this goal will involve the following commitment of staff resources: Planning Director Planner UILandscape Architect Planner II/Special Projects Planner II/Zoning Enforcement Planner I/GIS Specialist Planner III/Current Planning Supervisor Staff will compile data from time sheets concerning staff hours expended and costs associated with completion of this goal. Monthly reports will be distributed to County Manager, Planning Board, and Board of Commissioners outlining monthly/cumulative staff hours and costs assigned to this project. 11 wq� is g � ti a o � O W rA tg ° (D a o ° �' • .� eat c) �. . w o 0 o ;b 'c mAC� rwU . � 3 v1C`� � Wa � aa cu t° .�a a • • • • • cw • • • • • • • • 0 z aAz � o � d O � a t 12 m z '' w w ego 0 Z p b o 0 0 Oo O o c o 0 A. +. � ° o •ti ° o .� �, wU ° a . o .boo COD wwA alaaRl mP.. N do 30 au, ° aaPU rn C� L� • • • • • • • • • • • q x � Z w a E Qo cu C E� .