Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for July–September 2025
Wildlife Passage
T he NCDOT has been installing wildlife fencing at several locations along I-40 near the Tennes- see line to augment wildlife passage measures incor- porated into recent bridge replacement projects. Lim- ited monitoring has shown wildlife fence sections to be effective at redirecting wildlife away from the roadway and in the direction of crossing locations. However, installation of fencing along roadways in mountainous and rocky terrain is challenging and will require maintenance due to the proclivity of tree falls and other damage. NCDOT currently does not have a funding mechanism to maintain fencing.
Green Growth Toolbox
• Staff coordinated and conducted two half-day Green Growth Toolbox Workshops this quarter. One workshop was held in Forest City with eight local and regional government planners in attendance, and one was held in New Hanover County with 20 in attendance. • Staff have provided technical assistance on the following: Apex’s Comprehensive Plan, Durham’s Unified Development Ordi- nance and development review on one project, the Durham-Roxboro Trail Plan, Pittsboro’s small area plan for the Chatham Park development, Orange County Water and Sewer Authority easement management practices, Huntersville Connectivity Plan, and the Hoke County Comprehensive Plan. • Staff have updated the Green Growth Toolbox Handbook and continue to work with IT staff to revise the webpages.
Partners for Green Growth
Recipients of the Partners for Green Growth cost-share program in 2024 are moving forward with their projects. • Union County holds monthly stakeholder meetings with their steering committee, planning staff, NCWRC, and other perti- nent stakeholders. The county is in collaboration with Catawba Land Conservancy and NCWRC to identify priority areas for conservation in the rural parts of the county. • Pender County continues to develop their preferred development guide and have identified regions of highest conservation value. The county plans for the preferred development guide to supplement their comprehensive plan as it is updated. • Chatham County has rehired a conservation planner position and is restarting work on their conservation dashboard and conservation action plan. • Brevard is working on reviewing their ordinances to identify opportunities to enhance conservation outcomes of development. The 2025 Partners for Green Growth cost-share program received 4 applications. Buncombe County was awarded funding to support the development of the Swannanoa Small Area Hazard Mitigation & Resiliency Plan. The planning process will begin this summer.
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