Chapter 4 Habitats
4.5.18.5.4 Management Practices Management practices that reduce impacts and work synergistically with other conservation actions are needed to enhance the resilience of natural resources. Particular needs include preserving biodiversity, protecting native populations and their habitats, and improving degraded habitats. In addition, education about, and regulation and prevention of, the introduction and spread of exotic or invasive species are vital. Specific issues in this basin include secondary and cumulative impacts upon water quality, riparian vegetation and stream bank restoration and conservation, mitigation of hydropower development impacts, and species restoration opportunities. Priority Conservation Action, Examples of Focal Species or Focal Habitats • Prioritize education and other measures to prevent the introduction or spread of invasive, nonnative species, particularly crayfishes.
• Support stream and riparian area conservation and restoration throughout the basin, particularly in priority areas.
• Support removal of relict dams and enhancement of aquatic organism passage at other barriers.
4.5.18.5.5 Conservation Programs and Partnerships Conservation programs, incentives, and partnerships should be used to the fullest extent to preserve high-quality resources and protect important natural communities. Protective measures that use existing regulatory 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. Priority Conservation Action, Examples of Focal Species or Focal Habitats • Support the Watershed Restoration Plan (WRP) and River Basin Restoration Priorities (RBRP) developed by NCDMS for the Watauga River Basin.
• Work together with Soil and Water Conservation District programs, such as the Agriculture Cost Share Program, to conserve priority areas.
• Work with regional land trusts and conservation oriented non-profit groups such as MountainTrue to enroll priority riparian areas into conservation easements.
References are located at the end of this document.
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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