Chapter 4 Habitats
2015) . Sanitary surveys are conducted for all potential shellfish-growing areas in coastal North Carolina, and recommendations are made to the NCDMF what areas should be closed for shellfish harvesting. Waters are classified as either ‘Approved,’ ‘Conditionally Approved,’ or ‘Prohibited’ based on the analysis of the data collected from each sampling station. There are 16 designated shellfish harvesting areas around the Albemarle and Currituck sounds that are considered impaired and classified as Prohibited for the harvest of any oysters, clams, or mussels. 4.5.14.3 Aquatic Species Appendix 3 provides lists of SGCN and other priority species for which there are knowledge gaps or management concerns. Appendix 3-18 identifies aquatic SGCN associated with aquatic communities found in this river basin. In addition to the crayfish, freshwater fish and mussels, and aquatic snails found in the basin, there are also species that have both aquatic and terrestrial stages to their life history. The following list of SGCN is also associated with the aquatic communities in the Pasquotank River Basin
Federal Status
State Status
Common Name
Scientific Name
REPTILES Rainbow Snake
Farancia erytrogramma
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SC SC
Nerodia sipedon williamengelsi
Carolina Saltmarsh Snake Diamondback Terrapin Glossy Crayfish Snake Carolina Swamp Snake
Malaclemys terrapin
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Liodytes rigida
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SC
Seminatrix pygaea paludis
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4.5.14.4 Threats Affecting Aquatic Species Pollution. The cumulative effects of nonpoint source pollution are the primary threat to water quality across the state and throughout the Pasquotank River Basin. The presence of nonpoint source pollution can be identified through the NCDWR basin-wide plan and the NCDMF sanitary surveys, but actions to address these impacts must be taken at the local level. Without proactive land-use planning initiatives and local water quality strategies, population growth and development in the basin increase the risk of waterbody impairment (NCDWQ 2007c) . Another major water quality problem in the basin is fecal coliform bacteria contamination (affecting shellfish harvesting). Fecal coliform bacteria contamination is primarily attributed to nonpoint source pollution associated with runoff from urban areas and agricultural lands. The task of quantifying nonpoint sources of pollution and developing management strategies for these impaired waters is very resource intensive. Federal and state stormwater regulations and
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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