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SECTION 4 – DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING ENVIRONMENT IN PLANNING AREA
4-23
basic soils. Repeated disturbance is necessary to provide open areas for this plant to be
successful. Remaining populations are found along maintained roadway rights-of-way and
areas managed with frequent fires. Threats to remaining populations include habitat loss
resulting from development and fire suppression. The species has been located elsewhere in
the county; no NHEO sites have been recorded within the Planning Area (NCNHP, 2014).
The NHEO database includes both state and federally listed species and populations, as
well as natural communities. The SNHA database identifies exemplary or unique natural
ecosystems (terrestrial and aquatic). There are no SNHAs within the Town’s Planning Area
(NCNHP, 2014). Figure 4-1 illustrates the distribution of NHEO occurrences within the
Planning Area. Appendix E includes a complete list of species occurrences from the NHEO
database within Wake County as well as within the Planning Area. Other sources of
information regarding the presence of species or habitat include special surveys and the
NCWRC.
According to NCWRC, the Crabtree Creek watershed provides suitable habitat for many
State-listed mussel species, including the creeper (
Strophitus undulatus
), triangle floater
(
Aslasmidonta undulata
), and notched rainbow (
Villosa constricta
) mussel species (NCWRC,
2014). Based on data received in 2014 from the NCNHP, there are no rare mussel species in
the Planning Area (NCNHP, 2014).
4.13.2 Natural Vegetation
Within the Planning Area, natural vegetation is typical of piedmont upland and bottomland
communities. The NCGAP data, provided by North Carolina State University, were used to
analyze land cover within the Planning Area (NCGAP, 2006). These data depict the various
types of natural vegetation and agriculture present within the Planning Area. Further
descriptions are included in Section 4.11. According to data received from NCNHP, there
are no SNHAs, aquatic habitat, or natural communities identified within the Planning Area
(NCNHP, 2014).
4.14
Introduction of Toxic Substances
Toxic substances and their cleanup are regulated by the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,
and Liability Act (CERCLA). The goals of these programs are to eliminate or reduce toxic
waste; clean up waste that has been leaked, spilled, or improperly disposed; and protect
people from harmful waste.
One cleanup site is present within the Planning Area. Koppers Company, Inc., operated a
wood treatment process that ceased operation in 1975 (USEPA, 2014). Pentachlorophenol
and isopropyl ether were used in the process. Wastewater lagoons were present at the site,
leading to groundwater, surface water, and soil contamination. A groundwater treatment
system is currently operating and will continue to do so until cleanup standards are met.
Surface water and soil cleanup has been completed. This site is important because
groundwater in the area was a source of drinking water for approximately 2,200 residents.
In 1989, public water supply lines were installed in the area and use of groundwater as a
public drinking water supply was halted. A third 5-year review was completed in 2012; it
recommends continued monitoring because of a recent, more stringent standard for
pentachlorophenol (USEPA 2012b).