SCBA+Management+Plan


 * Executive Summary.** This is a summary of the management plan that should be 3 or fewer pages in length. Please be sure to include the following items:
 * Identify the name and location of the property, and the property owners/managers (copy from Section 1A).
 * Indicate why this property qualifies as a WakeNature Preserve (copy the table you create for Section 1B).
 * General goals for the property (copy from Section 1C).
 * A brief description of the specific objectives for the property (based on Section 3).
 * A summary of the management proposed to attain those objectives (based on Section 4) and the timeframe within which the activities will be carried out (based on Section 1E).


 * 1. Introduction.** This is intended to be a fairly brief section (1-2 pages) that provides an overview of property location, the features that qualify it for WakeNature Preserve designation, vision and general goals for managing the property, and the timeframe covered by the plan.

> **//A. Name and location of the property.//** > The Swift Creek Bluffs Assemblage is located in the Swift Creek watershed on the East side of Wake County between Raleigh and Cary. The Assemblage is made up of three separate parcels of land. The Swift Creek Bluffs, the Futrell Tract, and a NCDOT plot. The Swift Creek Bluffs are approximately 23 acres and are directly south of Swift Creek. The Futrell Tract is 37 acres and is situated on the east side of Holly Springs Road just south of Swift Creek. The NCDOT plot is 27 acres and is directly north of Swift Creek and the Swift Creek Bluffs. The Swift Creek Bluffs are owned by Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC). The Futrell Tract is owned by the Town of Cary. The NCDOT plot is owned privately by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). Reference Appendix

> **//B. Qualifying Features.//** Summarize the features of the property that qualify it for WakeNature Preserve designation - how does the property satisfy the criteria for a WakeNature Preserve ? We recommend a table that contains 2 columns. The first column is titled "WakeNature Category," with rows for "Exceptional Natural," "Outstanding Natural," "Other Natural," and "Cultural/Historic." The second column is titled "Qualifying Features" and contains, for each category, a list of the features on the property that fit into the category; list one feature per line followed and follow each feature with the name of the authority by which it qualifies, in parentheses. For example "Granitic rock outcrops (Natural Heritage Program)." PENDING SITE VISIT.

> Example table: Turnipseed Unit #1 Site Species of Concern - Notched rainbow mussel || Unusual overcup oak (Quercus lyrata) dominated Floodplain Pools, Basic Mesic Forest, and Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest (Slope variant) Forested Riverine Wetland - CONFIRM ||
 * **WakeNature Category** || Qualifying Features ||
 * Exceptional Natural || Significant Natural Heritage Area - Swift Creek Bluffs ||
 * Outstanding Natural || Priority Species - Marbled Salamander, Eastern box turtle, Hooded warbler
 * Other Natural || Piedmont/Low Mountain Alluvial Forest,
 * Cultural/Historic || North Carolina Birding Trail ||
 * Support Area || Public Parking at Swift Creek Bluffs ||

> > **//C. General Vision and Goals.//**

This plan is conceived with the intention of strengthening connections among the three subject properties and integrating their management. Management will facilitate use of these properties by the public for passive recreation, nature study and conservation of natural resources. Protection of native species and their habitats including control of exotic and invasive species are primary considerations is the primary focus of activity anticipated under this plan.

> **//D. Public Use.//** > > **Triangle Land Conservancy Property:** > The four lots compromising the Triangle Land Conservancy’s Swift Creek Bluffs Assembly have been designated as an official TLC Nature Preserve. A TLC Natural Preserve is “ developed for low-impact recreation like hiking, birdwatching, and photography. They have parking lots; information kiosks; bridges, benches and other amenities; well-marked trail systems; and trail maps available on-site and online.” (from TLC website: http://www.triangleland.org/lands/tlc/swift_creek_np.shtml) > The TLC has created a greenway and trail system throughout the property, with public parking and connections to the adjacent neighborhood and Lochmere golf course. This public use is assumed to continue, because of the TLC commitment and the terms of the deed to TLC. The 1991 deed requires that the agency “protect and manage the property… in its present open and natural condition, preserving and conserving … and maintaining the Property as ‘open space land’ and ‘open space’ or ‘open area’ for the ‘public use and enjoyment’…” under penalty of forfeiting land to the Town of Cary. > **NCDOT Property:** > The NCDOT Property is private property, and the NCDOT currently does not offer resources for public uses on this site. The property is bounded by Swift Creek, private properties, and Holly Springs Road; a public visitor would have to park in a private development or dangerous road shoulder, and then walk through private development for site access. > It does appear that Wake County has plans for this plot as part of its Open Space plan. On a comprehensive plan map dated 3/18/2011, the NCDOT property is labeled as a “Proposed open space” with an extension to the Swift Creek Greenway running across the Northeast Corner of the site. > **Futrell Tract:** > The Futrell tract is currently designated by the Town of Cary as an Open Space, having been deeded from the TLC in January 2008. Currently there are no city or county trails on this land. However, previous NCSU classes have noted evidence of walking trails caused by use from nearby residents.

A residents survey was conducted using neighborhoods adjacent to each of the three properties as our focus group. Surveys were left at the doors of residents in the High Ridge Drive (adjacent to the Futrell Tract), Maltland Drive (adjacent to the NCDOT property) and Burkhaven (adjacent to Triangle Land Conservancy property) neighborhoods. In total, we received thirty-four completed surveys (High Ridge Drive=5, Maltland Drive=6, Burkhaven=23).
 * Resident Survey:**

Since Triangle Land Conservancy property is currently open to the public, while the Futrell Tract and NCDOT property are not, analysis of the data will be broken down into two groups. One analysis will be conducted for the Triangle Land Conservancy property and a joint analysis will be conducted for the Futrell Tract and NCDOT property.

//Triangle Land Conservancy property survey analysis// When asked if they currently used the property for recreational activities, 91.3% (21 of 23) residents answered yes. When asked what type of activities they currently use the property for, most residents indicated they use the property for hiking (20), while some also used the property for bird watching (5) or other activities (4), such as running, educational purposes for their children, walking their dog, catching frogs or viewing wildlife. When asked if any member of their household would be interested in conducting community service/volunteer work to help the maintenance of the property (i.e. trash pickup, tree removal, etc), 52.2% replied yes (12 of 23=yes, 10 of 23=no, 1=no response). When asked if they would like to see increased use of the property by the public, 69.6% of residents replied no (16 of 23=no, 6 of 23=yes, 1=neutral). Finally, when asked what concern, if any, the residents would you have with increased use of the property, most responded that litter (17), too many people (12) and noise (8) were their main concern. There were 2 residents with no concern and there were also 12 residents that chose other. Concerns provided in the adjacent space included loss of nature, fire arms, dogs off their leash, loitering, damage to plant life, increased erosion, loss of wildlife, disrespect of property, vandalism, illegal and illicit activities and people not obeying property boundaries.

//Futrell Tract and NCDOT property survey analysis// When asked if they currently used the property for recreational activities, 90.9% (10 of 11) residents answered no. When asked if they would be interested in using the property in the future, 54.5% (6 of 11) of residents answered no, while 45.5% (5 of 11) answered yes. When asked what type of activities they would like to see the property utilized for, residents answers included hiking (5), bird watching (4) none (1) and other (2). Other uses proposed by residents included walking trails or wildlife areas. When asked if any member of their household would be interested in conducting community service/volunteer work to help the maintenance of the property (i.e. trash pickup, tree removal, etc), 27.3% answered yes (3 of 11), while 72.7% answered no (8 of 11). When asked if they would like to see the property open to the public, 54.5% of residents answered yes (6 of 11), while 45.5% of residents answered no (5 of 11). Finally, when asked what concern, if any, the residents would you have with increased use of the property, residents responded that litter (4), noise (4) and too many people (3) were some of their concerns. There was 1 resident that answered that they had no concern and there were also 7 residents that chose other. Concerns provided in the adjacent space included crime, security, privacy, disruption of habitat, fire arms, disrespect of property boundaries, and increased use driving animal populations towards the neighborhoods.

> **//E. Plan Timeframe.//**The expected start and end year for the management plan’s implementation should be stated explicitly. Potential consequences of failing to implement the management plan should be highlighted. Parties to be involved in plan implementation may be identified briefly. > Timeframe will remain responsibility of Triangle Land Conservancy and their partners. LIST FACTORS FOR TIME LINE.


 * 2. Property Description.** This section contains a detailed description of the property boundaries, context, and access; natural features of the property; the history of its management; and expectations for public use.

> **//B. Physical Features.//** This section should present as complete a description of the terrain and natural communities as can be produced from the available information. Include maps showing water bodies and streams, topography, and soils. > [|Physical Features.pdf] > **//C. Biological Features.//**General description of the species and communities on the site.Piedmont/Low Mountain Alluvial Forest > Unusual overcup oak (Quercus lyrata) dominated Floodplain Pools > Basic Mesic Forest > Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest (Slope variant) LAUREN TO INPUT INFORMATION FROM NATURAL ARCHIVES-+.

Natural Community || Swift Creek Buffs Status || Futrell Property Status || NCDOT Wetland Status || Condition || Relative Significance of Component || dominated example || Occupy lower portions of property || Numerous ||  || Provide breeding habitat || > ** 2.D. Qualifying Features ** > **Table** Features qualifying Swift Creek Bluffs Assemblage for Wake Nature Preserve status. > || Exceptional Natural || Significant Natural Heritage Area - Swift Creek Bluffs || > || Outstanding Natural || Priority Species - Marbled Salamander, Eastern box turtle, Hooded warbler > > Species of Concern - Notched rainbow mussel || > || Other Natural || Piedmont/Low Mountain Alluvial Forest, > > Unusual overcup oak (Quercus lyrata) dominated Floodplain Pools, > > Basic Mesic Forest, and > > Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest (Slope variant) > > Forested Riverine Wetland - CONFIRM || > || Cultural/Historic || North Carolina Birding Trail || > || Support Area || Public Parking at Swift Creek Bluffs || > **2.D. 1 Significant Natural Heritage Area - Swift Creek Bluffs** > A Significant Natural Heritage Area is an area of land or water identified by the Natural Heritage Program as being important for conservation of the State's biodiversity. Significant Natural Heritage Areas contain one or more Natural Heritage elements - high-quality or rare natural communities, rare species, and special animal habitats. The Swift Creek Bluffs are listed as one of North Carolina’s 2000 Significant Natural Heritage Areas. The Swift Creek Bluffs are located off of Holly Springs Road just five miles from downtown Cary, NC. The 23-acre property is owned and managed by the Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC). The Swift Creek Bluffs are characterized by steep north facing bluffs rising over 100 feet above the south bank of Swift Creek. Bottomland hardwoods such as swamp chestnut oak (//Quercus michauxii),// bitternut hickory (// Carya cordiformis )//, and American elm //(//// Ulmus americana //) are found in the low lying areas of the property, while river birch //(//// Betula nigra )// and sweet gum //(//// Liquidambar styraciflua //) are found on the banks of the creek. Wildlife found in the Bluffs include beavers, muskrats, marbled salamander, leopard and chorus frogs, green anole, and variety of species of birds. There is also a one mile unpaved trail that runs throughout the Swift Creek Bluffs property. > **2.D.2 Priority Species : Marbled Salamander, Eastern Box Turtle, and Hooded Warbler** > The North Carolina Wildlife Action plan lists 371 priority species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, mollusks, and crustaceans and detailed steps to conserve these priority species. __ The ____ Wildlife Action Plan emerged from a mandate by the U.S. Congress that each state develop a comprehensive conservation strategy to be eligible for federal funding under the State Wildlife Grants program. __ __The goal is to strategically target imperiled animals and their required habitats early, preventing them from becoming extinct.__ > Three species listed as priority species have been identified on the Swift Creek Bluffs Assemblage: marbled salamander, eastern box turtle, and hooded warbler. The marbled salamander //(//// Ambystoma opacum) // is a type of mole salamander. The marbled salamander was found on the NCDOT property within the Swift Creek Bluffs Assemblage. The eastern box turtle //(// //Terrapene Carolina)// is one of two box turtles found in NC, and it is the only land turtle found in NC. The eastern box turtle was found in the Futrell Tract? of the Swift Creek Bluffs Assemblage. The hooded warbler //(//// Wilsonia citrine) // is a small bird located in the hardwoods of Eastern North America. This bird has been located on all three tracts within the Swift Creek Bluffs Assemblage?. > ** 2.D.3 Species of Concern : Notched Rainbow Mussel ** > __"Species of concern" is an informal term that refers to those species which Region 3 believes might be in need of concentrated conservation actions. Such conservation actions vary depending on the health of the populations and degree and types of threats. At one extreme, there may only need to be periodic monitoring of populations and threats to the species and its habitat. At the other extreme, a species may need to be listed as a Federal threatened or endangered species. "Species of concern" receive no legal protection and the use of the term does not necessarily mean that the species will eventually be proposed for listing as a threatened or endangered species.__ > The notched Rainbow Mussel //(Villosa constricta)// has a small, short shell that has yellow or yellowish green color. It is typically found in riffles, runs, and pools of streams and large rivers. It prefers sand and gravel substrates in very clean, high-quality habitat. The notched rainbow mussel was located along Swift Creek on the southern bank, closest to the Swift Creek Bluffs. > **2.D.4 Other Natural: Piedmont/Low Mountain Alluvial Forest** > See Appendix > **2.D.5 Other Natural: Unusual Overcup Oak dominated Floodplain Pools** > See Appendix > **2.D.6 Other Natural: Basic Mesic Forest** > See Appendix > **2.D.7 Other Natural: Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest** > See Appendix > **2.D.8 Cultural/Historic: North Carolina Birding Trail** > The North Carolina Birding Trail (NCBT) is a driving trail, established to connect a network of designated birding sites throughout the state. The NCBT is home to more than 460 bird species found in North Carolina. The Piedmont Region covers areas west of I-95 and east of I-77. The Swift Creek Bluffs were added to the NCBT because of the diversity of birds in the area. The greatest diversity can be seen during fall and spring migrations. > **2.D.9 Support Areas: Public Parking at Swift Creek Bluffs** > The Swift Creek Bluffs currently offers public parking directly off of Holly Springs Road. The public parking is located at the entrance to the Swift Creek Bluffs mile long trail. The capacity of the parking is approximately ___. > > > >
 * Biological Feature or
 * Access || Clearly marked || No formal access || No formal access ||  ||   ||
 * Trails || Clearly delineated || No formal trail system || No trail system || SCB trails along creek need attention ||  ||
 * Basic mesic forest ||  ||   ||   || Mature on SCB; cutover on DOT ||   ||
 * Mesic mixed forest ||  ||   ||   || Mature on SCB; cutover on DOT ||   ||
 * Floodplain pools || Overcup Oak
 * Floodplain pools || Overcup Oak
 * Mussels || Villosa constricta || Villosa constricta || Villosa constricta ||  ||   ||
 * Invasive Species || Volunteer effort to remove || Microstegium infestations || Microstegium infestations ||  ||   ||
 * || Corbicula || Corbicula || Corbicula ||  ||   ||
 * NC Priority Species ||  || //Terrapene carolina carolina, Ambystoma opacum, Wilsonia citrina// || //**Ambystoma opacum**// ||   ||   ||
 * NC Priority Species ||  || //Terrapene carolina carolina, Ambystoma opacum, Wilsonia citrina// || //**Ambystoma opacum**// ||   ||   ||
 * ** WakeNature Category ** || Qualifying Features ||

> **//E. Management History.//** this section should be as detailed as possible to understand options for current management direction and the practicality of alternative actions. Whatever history is known from before acquisition is especially valuable to include. ANJA


 * //3. Specific Management Objectives.//** This section enumerates specific, measurable accomplishments to be achieved on the property for each of the qualifying features (as stated in Section 1.B) during the term of the management plan (as stated in Section 1.D).

> Please provide an objective for each qualifying feature highlighted in Section 1.B. These enumerated items should be specific to the property and derived from the information presented in section II. They should be stated as one-clause statements in a list, and the list should be limited to actions during the term of the plan as stated in the introduction.

Example Have an Eastern box turtle biologist visit the Assemblage and make recommendations for management of the species Protect existing hooded warbler habitat (giant cane stands) and clear invasive species on Futrell and NCDOT for new stands to move in Have mussel biologists visit the assemblage for an inventory and management recommendations || overcup oak (//Quercus lyrata//) dominated Floodplain Pools, Basic Mesic Forest, and Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest (Slope variant) Forested Riverine Wetland, Freshwater marsh || Protect communities from degradation Talk to NCDOT about transferring either the entire property or just the management rights of the wetland site to Triangle Land Conservancy || Remove all barbed wire and fencing ||
 * ** Qualifying Feature ** || **Objective** ||
 * Exceptional Natural: Significant Natural Heritage Area - Swift Creek Bluffs || Continue to manage and keep Swift Creek Bluffs under protection from development; monitor to preserve significant characteristics ||
 * Outstanding Natural: Priority Species - marbled salamander, Eastern box turtle, hooded warbler Species of Concern - notched rainbow mussel || Protect existing salamander breeding pools on the three sites
 * Other Natural: Piedmont/Low Mountain Alluvial Forest, Unusual
 * Cultural/Historic: North Carolina Birding Trail || None ||
 * Support Area: Public Parking at Swift Creek Bluffs || TLC will continue to manage the parking lot ||
 * **Other Management Objectives** || **Objective** ||
 * Futrell's barbed wire || Map all barbed wire and fencing for historical records
 * Connectivity of Swift Creek Bluffs to NCDOT wetland site || Construct a footbridge where the sewer line crosses Swift Creek between the two properties ||
 * Management of NCDOT wetland site || Talk to NCDOT about transferring either the entire property or just its management rights to Triangle Land Conservancy ||
 * Connectivity of Swift Creek Bluffs and NCDOT to Futrell || Town of Cary, TLC and Wake County work out a partnership to acquire either the entire property or just the management rights (a conservation easement) of both the Thompson and Nipper properties to improve connectivity between the Assemblage properties and green way construction ||


 * 4. Management Prescriptions.** This section should eventually contain detailed management prescriptions for each of the qualifying features and goals specified in Section 3.

The details concerning what and how specific actions are to be accomplished cannot be fully articulated at this time due to the complicated questions about who will cooperate with whom, what resources are available to accomplish tasks proposed, and how well integrated management of these tracts may be in the future. Below are grouped the objectives listed in section 3 for qualifying features and other management issues in three categories: Continuing Protection, Further Inventory, Tract Connectivity, Site Restoration. What follow are recommendation rather than true prescriptions due to the uncertainties regarding management authority and potential integration.

The major assumption that Triangle Land Conservancy will continue to manage and keep Swift Creek Bluffs under protection from development also entails monitoring to preserve significant characteristics and protecting identified examples of plant communities from degradation. Such efforts will include protecting existing salamander breeding pools on the three sites, protecting existing hooded warbler habitat (giant cane stands) and initiating restoration activities as discussed in prescription category 4.4.
 * 4.1 Continuing Protection**

Have an Eastern box turtle biologists (contact NCWRC) visit the Assemblage and make recommendations for management of the species. Arrange for mussel biologists visit the assemblage to perform an inventory and make management recommendations Map all barbed wire and fencing (Futrell and NCDOT properties) for historical records. Complete Lichen and Fungal inventories. Obtain PULSE data and add to documentation for Swift Creek Bluffs.
 * 4.2 Further Inventory**

Clearly, as Swift Creek Bluffs is the central piece of this three part assemblage, actions or decisions on the part of TLC should initiate management cooperation with Wake County and NCDOT.. Public access to the wetland mitigation property from SCB is desirable so a bridge is needed. The matter of connecting from SCB or the NCDOT site to the Futrell Tract involves safe passage across the Holly Springs Road right of way. Plans by the Town of Cary for a green way proximal to these properties seem indeterminate at this point, thus make it impossible to make specific recommendations about the best connectivity. Further land acquisition seems necessary before a suitable resolution is possible. Talk to NCDOT about transferring either the entire property or just the management rights of the wetland site to Triangle Land Conservancy Construct a footbridge where the sewer line crosses Swift Creek between the two properties Town of Cary, TLC and Wake County work out a partnership to acquire either the entire property or just the management rights (a conservation easement) of both the Thompson and Nipper properties to improve connectivity between the Assemblage properties and green way construction
 * 4.3 Tract Connectivity**

Clear invasive species on Futrell and NCDOT for new stands to move in Remove all barbed wire and fencing on the Futrell tract. Contact appropriate hydrology and stream restoration experts regarding the erosion of stream banks between SCB and the NCDOT mitigation site.
 * 4.4 Site Restoration**


 * 5. Workplans.**

> **//A. Three-year Workplan.//** This is intended to be an overview of when the management prescriptions detailed in Section 4 will be carried out. Please present as a table with 4 columns. The first column is titled "Qualifying Feature" and the rows will match the qualifying features presented in Section 3. The second through fourth columns will be labelled "Year 1," "Year 2," "Year 3." For each qualifying feature, state briefly which parts of the management prescriptions (activities) will be completed during each year in the column for that year. These should be short, simple statements that start with a verb (e.g., burn grasses; thin forest; remove invasive plants). Monitoring activities that will allow evaluation of progress toward goals should be included.

> **//B. Annual Workplans.//** Include here more details for each year, to the degree possible. You should be able to specify details for the first year, but you might not be able to do so for the second and third. For each year you do include, please create a table with the following three column headings: "Qualifying Feature," "Activity," "Resources / Source / Cost." The rows of this table should match those in the Three-year Workplan for the corresponding year - one Qualifying Feature / Activity per row. In the "Resources / Source / Cost" column, please indicated resources needed to carry out the activity, where you expect it to come from, and how much it is expected to cost.


 * 6. Appendices.** As required and referred to from the main document. Content of appendices is governed by features and attributes of the property and plan.

Appendix A - Deeds containing Legal Descriptions and Recorded Plats/Surveys [|Deed 1 (Bk 5066 Pg 26).pdf] [|Deed 2 (Bk 5066 Pg 31).pdf] [|Survey of sanitary sewer easement across tract.pdf] [|Deed 1 (Bk 12911 Pg 1127).pdf] [|Survey of tract showing riparian buffers, floodlines and an access easement.pdf] [|Survey containing southern portion of tract (at top of survey).pdf] [|Deed 1 (Bk 8311 Pg 2206).pdf] [|Survey containing our tract and showing easement.pdf]
 * TLC Tract (2 vesting deeds, 1 survey)
 * Wake County (Futrell) Tract (1 vesting deed, 2 surveys)
 * DOT Tract (1 vesting deed, 1 survey)

Appendix B - Maps

Appendix C - Natural Heritage Reports (SNHA, EO, etc.)

Appendix D - Inventories of species