4.5 River Basins
• Prioritize education and other measures to prevent the introduction or spread of inva- sive nonnative species, particularly crayfshes, Zebra Mussels, and land-locked river herring species (e.g., Blueback Herring, Alewife), as well as nonnative and invasive aquatic and riparian plants. • Te NCDMS (or NCEEP) has identifed targeted local watersheds as restoration prior- ities in most river basins using 14-digit HUCs. Information about these priorities in the Hiwassee River Basin is available online: http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/eep/rbrps/ hiwassee. Conservation Programs and Partnerships. Conservation programs, incentives, and part- nerships should be utilized to the fullest extent in order to preserve high-quality resources and protect important natural communities. Protective measures that utilize existing regu- latory frameworks to protect habitats and species should be incorporated where applicable. Land conservation or preservation can serve numerous purposes in the face of anticipated climate change, but above all, it promotes ecosystem resilience. • Continue to cooperate with the Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition, resource agen- cies, and other partners to implement watershed restoration eforts outlined in the Restoration Plan for the Hiwassee River Basin (NCWRP 2001c; NCEEP 2008a) , and the Peachtree-Martins Creek Local Watershed Plan (NCEEP 2007b) . • Partner with Soil and Water Conservation District programs, such as the Agriculture Cost Share Program, as they are also efective partners for conservation in priority areas. Tey can provide technical guidance and assistance to agricultural landowners for planting and maintaining native woody species where felds (e.g., crops, hay, pas- ture) border riparian corridors (e.g., the Brasstown Creek and Valley River drainage areas) (NCDWQ 2012b ). • Establish programs to assist homeowners who have failed to replace septic systems with a new treatment system (a septic tank, dual or recirculation sand flters, disinfec- tion, and step aeration) (NCDWQ 2012b) . • Support watershed restoration and action plans developed for the Valley River and Lake Chatuge (HRWC 2007) . • Cooperate with the USFWS to evaluate the status of Sicklefn Redhorse as a candidate for federal listing as threatened or endangered, and explore opportunities for Candidate Conservation Agreements.
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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