Chapter 4 Habitats
initiatives are in place to help reduce and prevent stormwater runoff in developing coastal communities (NCDWQ 2007c) .
Water Quality. There are 20 permitted Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) in the basin, with 45 associated waste lagoons (NCDEQ 2024c) . Waste from these sites is a source of high levels of nutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus) (NCDWR 2015b) . Animal-waste lagoons and spray fields that discharge nutrients and bacteria contamination near or into aquatic environments through runoff, percolation into groundwater, and volatilization of ammonia and the release of bacterial contamination can significantly degrade water quality and endanger health (Mallin 2003; Mallin and Cahoon 2003) . It is important to note that all waters in the state are rated as impaired based on a state-wide fish consumption advisory for mercury contamination. Waters are assessed to determine how well they are meeting classification standards and are given a rating to indicate whether they meet these standards. In some cases, waters may not be assessed or rated, or data are not available for the waterbody to be rated (NCDWR 2007c). Detailed information on water quality parameters in the basin is available online from the NCDWR Basin Planning Branch (https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-planning/basin-planning- branch). 4.5.14.5 Basin Specific Recommendations Conservation priorities that apply statewide to all river basins are presented in Section 4.5.3.3. Priority 12-digit HUCs identified in the Pasquotank River Basin are shown in Figure 4.5.14-2 at the end of this section. 4.5.14.5.1 Surveys Surveys are systematic and scientific methods of collecting information about the distribution, abundance, and ecology of wildlife or their habitats in a specific area at a specific time. A habitat survey is a method of gathering information about the ecology of a site. The results of a habitat survey provide basic ecological information that can be used for biodiversity conservation, planning and/or management, including targeting of more detailed botanical or zoological investigations (Smith et al. 2011) . Repeated surveys using the same methods can provide information about conditions and changes to species assemblages and habitat composition over time. Priorities for conducting distributional and status surveys need to focus on species believed to be declining or mainly dependent on at-risk or sensitive communities.
Priority Conservation Action, Examples of Focal Species or Focal Habitats
• Crayfishes – conduct baseline distribution surveys for all species that occur in the basin.
4 - 484
2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator