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Area 2:  Sandhills and Uwharries

Description of Forest Legacy Area and Important Environmental Values

 This area encompasses important lands extending east and south from the Uwharrie National Forest, including the Birkhead Wilderness Area, through the Sandhills region. This FLA is located in the south-central portion of North Carolina, occupying all of Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond Counties.  It also includes parts of Chatham, Cumberland, Davidson, Harnett, Hoke, Randolph and Scotland Counties.

 This FLA incorporates the central Cape Fear river basin, the upper Lumber river basin, and the lower Yadkin-Pee Dee river basin.  Water quality is important, and the included portion of the Cape Fear is designated critical habitat for the Cape Fear shiner.  Headwaters of blackwater river systems are found here, and associated botanical communities are considered especially important. 
The red-cockaded woodpecker, St. Francis' satyr butterfly, and three plant species (American chaffseed, rough-leaved loosestrife, and Michaux's sumac) are federally listed species inhabiting this area. About a dozen more species are candidates for future federal listing.  Recreation and scenic beauty are very important components of desirable sites for golf courses and retirement communities that have existed historically and have increased in prominence in this region.

 The Sandhills has long been recognized as a biologically distinct area, with a complex of plant and animal species requiring special attention.  Transitional between the Coastal Plain and Piedmont, the Sandhills supports species of both physiographic regions.  The Sandhills is recognized as one of the last large remaining pockets of longleaf pine.  In addition to Uwharrie National Forest, which includes more than 700 historic and cultural resource sites, the Fort Bragg Military Reservation and Sandhills Game Lands are significant managed properties within this area.  NC State Universityís Goodwin Forest is located in the center of this FLA.  The Triangle Land Conservancy owns a tract at the confluence of the Deep and Rocky Rivers.  Open space and recreation are important considerations in the vicinity of the Uwharrie National Forest, the Yadkin lakes and the NC Zoological Park.  Alcoa and CP&L own lands along the Yadkin/Pee Dee.

 Natural communities of particular interest in this area include Sandhill seep, Small depression pocosin, Streamhead Atlantic white cedar forest, Streamhead pocosin, and Piedmont transitional longleaf.  An effort to develop Habitat Conservation Planning and Safe harbor agreements under USFWS leadership seeks to enhance recovery potential of RCW populations and associated species occurring in the same habitat.  Longleaf restoration efforts have been initiated on several sites throughout this FLA. 
 

Current and Future Conversion Pressures

 Golf course and retirement communities economically dominate developed portions of the FLA.  As connecting roads such as NC87 and US1 are upgraded, increasing development pressure is coming from the north as Research Triangle and Piedmont Triad commuters seek exurban housing.  Fayettevilleís expansion from the east also threatens.  Changes in tax rates as a result of proximal development is leading to liquidation of large tracts and loss of forested lands.  Subdividing large tracts for individual and community residential development is increasing in all parts of this FLA.  Proximity of residences and commercial properties to
 managed forests is creating problematic conditions for necessary burning prescriptions that the native vegetation communities need in order to be perpetuated.

Goals and Objectives of FLA for Public Benefit

Maintain large contiguous blocks of working forest lands.

Restore and conserve longleaf pine communities.

Maintain and establish corridors connecting large managed wildlife areas.

Provide habitat for the red-cockaded woodpecker, St. Francis' satyr butterfly, and three plant species (American chaffseed, rough-leaved loosestrife, and Michaux's sumac).  All of the protected species require some degree of forest disturbance or manipulation for suitable habitat to be maintained.

Enhance protection of water supply segments of the Cape Fear, Yadkin-Pee Dee and Lumber Rivers.

Protect habitat for the Cape Fear Shiner. 

Enhance protection of Nutrient Sensitive Waters in the Cape Fear River Basin.
 

Potential Partnering Entities

 Land Trust for Central North Carolina
 Lumber River Conservancy
 NC State University College of Forest Resources
 North Carolina Division of Forest Resources
 North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation
 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
 Piedmont Land Conservancy
 Sandhills Area Land Trust
 USDI Fish and Wildlife Service
 

Boundary Description for Sandhills and Uwharries FLA

US401 north from the South Carolina line to the Seaboard Coast Line RR at Fayetteville. 
Seaboard Coast Line RR northwest to the Harnett County line.
The Harnett County line to the Wake County line.
The Wake County line to US64.
US64 west to NC49 at Asheboro.
NC49 to NC 8.
NC8 to US52.
US 52 to NC73 at Albemarle.
NC73 to the Little River.
Little River to the Pee Dee River.
Pee Dee River to the South Carolina line and east to close at US401.

 Figure B-2. Sandhills and Uwharries Forest Legacy Area.