6.5 State Conservation Partners
PCP’s conservation goal is to ensure protection of the two best populations of each of the more than 400 imperiled species where they naturally occur. To meet this goal, the pro- gram has determined that there are 134 of the best imperiled-plant locations (about 51,000 acres) in need of protection. An additional 120 locations (about 245,000 acres) are partially protected and/or lack appropriate conservation-oriented management. PCP employs a host of methods and procedures to perpetuate native plants and their ecosystems, including the acquisition and management of important plant sites and habitats. PCP works with various partners to identify the most important sites for protecting imperiled plant spe- cies and with local land trusts and landowners to protect these sites as Plant Conservation Preserves in perpetuity. Te most signifcant funding source for these preserves has been the Natural Heritage Trust Fund (now part of the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, see Section 6.1). PCP’s regulatory activities involve administering the state’s Ginseng ( Panax quinquefolius ) harvest monitoring system to comply with federal and international mandates related to the trade of this species. Other regulatory activities involve permitting actions afecting the listed imperiled species and investigating violations of relevant portions of the Plant Protection and Conservation Act. In addition to laws specifc to ginseng, there are rules and regulations protecting the listed imperiled plant species. Staf at PCP issues permits for a variety of matters involving imperiled plants. Scholars, plant enthusiasts, and NCDOT have worked with PCP to minimize impacts of activities on imperiled plants. Information about programs and resources that support these priorities are described in Appendix M (page 1264). 6.5.15 Division of Soil and Water Conservation (S&WC) A seven-member Soil and Water Conservation (S&WC) Commission provides oversight, rules, and policy for the state soil and water conservation programs. Tese programs are voluntary and emphasize a locally led approach to improving and protecting water quality and natural resources for a wide range of land uses. Te S&WC mission is to foster volun- tary, incentive-driven management of soil, water, and related natural resources for the beneft of the environment, economy, and all citizens. Tis division provides programs, technical services, and educational outreach promoting voluntary natural resource man- agement and conservation on the private lands of the state through a nonregulatory, incentive-driven approach. S&WC cooperates with federal and local partners to administer a comprehensive statewide program to protect and conserve the state’s soil and water resources. It is recognized as having one of the nation’s top soil and water conservation programs for private lands. Tis efort is achieved through a conservation partnership composed of the state division, local soil and water conservation districts, and NRCS, as well as private and nonproft entities.
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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