Uwharrie National Forest – A Strategic View served as a preliminary summary Comprehensive Evaluation Report. It drew heavily on the Draft Uwharrie Watershed Assessment, The Uwharrie Recreation Realignment Report, and Forest Inventory and Analysis data – all documents in the record.

This document was distributed internally and externally to a wide audience that included of members of the public, interest groups, other governments and other federal agencies. It served as a useful tool to initiate discussion concerning how people value the Uwharrie National Forest. By framing the discussion on the basis of positive values rather than a more negative “need for change” approach, we helped set a positive tone for the collaborative interactions that followed.

The sections “Contribution of the Uwharrie National Forest to Sustaining Social and Economic Systems” and “The Uwharrie National Forest Plays a Role in Sustaining Native Ecosystems” were modified later, based on public involvement, into statements of the Need for Change (also included in this package). UWHARRIE NATIONAL FOREST – A STRATEGIC VIEW

In 1931 during the Great Depression, the with private lands; a situation that makes federal government began purchasing for management challenges. the land that is now the Uwharrie National Forest. In 1961, President John The vegetation is approximately half F. Kennedy proclaimed federal lands in hardwoods and half pines, with Montgomery, Randolph, and Davidson associated understory vegetation. A Counties, , as the portion of the Forest is managed for Uwharrie National Forest, making it one sustainable timber production and timber of the newest and smallest forests (at management is used as a tool to sustain 50,178 acres) in the National Forest wildlife habitats as well. Good habitat System. for wildlife species exists, and the Forest has the highest hunting use per acre of The Uwharrie National Forest (hereafter, any game lands in the State. Fishing is the Uwharrie or the Forest) is located in popular as well, and small streams and the North Carolina and adjacent lakes provide habitat for both includes portions of the Uwharrie warm and cool water fisheries. Mountains. The rolling topography, with well-rounded hills and long ridges, The Uwharrie is rich in heritage ranges in elevation from 400 to 1000 resources; everything from prehistoric feet above mean sea level. The town of rock shelters to historic mines and Troy and a number of small settlements. Old gold mines dot the communities are within the proclamation landscapes, and recreational gold boundary and several towns are just panning still goes on. outside the boundary. The Forest is also within a 2-hour drive from the largest All typical outdoor recreation activities population centers in the State. are popular the Uwharrie. Its lakeside developments and trails systems are of The land that comprises the Uwharrie is particular note. made up of many parcels interspersed

1 The current Land and Resource Management Plan (the Forest Throughout this document, Plan) for the Uwharrie was completed in 1986. After almost 20 five spatial areas are years implementing the Forest Plan, it is time to revise and referenced: update it to incorporate new information, changed national direction and priorities, and to address new issues. x The Uwharrie (also referred to as the Forest or the National Forest System This Report documents the conditions and trends of the various (NFS) lands): This is the uses and resources on the Uwharrie, and places these in a actual Uwharrie National larger spatial context. When possible it will also document Forest ownership; trends in the context of the past, present, and projected future. x The Administrative Boundary: also known as the proclamation boundary, this is the area within which the Federal Government is permitted to acquire lands to

Asheboro add to the National Forest; DAVIDSON RANDOLPH x The three-county area: This is comprised of Denton Montgomery, Randolph, and Davidson Counties, North Carolina. These are the three counties that contain Uwharrie National Forest Seagrove Lands. Montgomery County contains the majority of the Uwharrie, about 39,884 Richfield acres. Randolph County

New London has about 9,332 acres, including the Birkhead Badin Mountains Wilderness. Star Davidson County contains

Albemarle Troy about 958 acres. Biscoe x The Market Area: All STANLY counties within a 75-mile Candor radius from the Forest Administrative Boundary;

Norwood x The Piedmont: A thirty-five Mount Gilead MONTGOMERY county area in the middle of North Carolina, between the western mountains and eastern coastal plain. Figure 2. Uwharrie National Forest System Land

Lands in the Administrative Boundary

2 SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND TRENDS

Population Growth in the Market Area

TRENDS: x Increases in demand for While Montgomery County is largely recreational uses of the Forest are undeveloped with a population of only expected to continue, and at a 27,000 people, the market area contains slightly higher rate than for the several large cities and a population of over rest of the southeast. six million. The rate of growth for the market area is slightly higher than in the southeast as a whole, which means the Uwharrie can expect more pressure from increasing recreational use in the future than other national forests in the region.

Demographics in the Market Area Recreation TRENDS: x The percentage of population over fifty- five is expected to increase from now through 2020, with the over sixty-five age group having a slightly higher population than any other age group. Otherwise, a fairly even distribution of age groups is expected. x Two-person households are expected to be most prevalent in 2020 as they are today, followed by one-person households. Together they comprise about 60% of all households. American Indian 3.0%, and Hispanic x The race and ethnic composition is not Americans 4.7% (total greater than expected to undergo major changes in 100% due to participants responding to the next fifteen years. While the percent more than one category). of Hispanic Americans is expected to double, the population is still expected to x Residents are expected to be slightly remain under five percent. By 2020, more affluent and slightly more urban Anglo-Americans are expected to make than today. up 71.5% of the Market Area, African- Americans 25.5%, Asian-American &

3 Development of the Built Environment and Infrastructure in the Three-County Area (This discussion refers to ALL land in the three counties, not just National Forest System land)

TRENDS: x For the three-county area, Based on U.S. Census Bureau and Forest Davidson and Randolph Inventory and Analysis data, all three counties Counties are expected to are rural (less than 500 persons per square develop over the next fifteen mile), with low population densities and years at a rate similar to the past relatively small land use changes over the past fifteen years. Montgomery twenty years. Montgomery County, where County is expected to increase most of the Uwharrie is located, is more than at a faster rate than the past 80% forested, more than any other county in fifteen years, but even with this the 35-county Piedmont of North Carolina. increase the county would Development occurs mostly adjacent to remain almost completely existing main roads. Figure 3 below displays forested. All three counties the relatively minor fluctuations in the amount would remain rural in character of all forest lands in three counties and the (Based on the projected number Piedmont over the past twenty years. Overall, of housing starts). trends in amount of forest land were upward slightly from 1984 to 1990, then downward slightly from 1990 to 2002. In Davidson County however, the amount of forest showed gains in both time periods.

Figure 3.

Changes in the Amount of Forest Cover in the 3-County Area and the Piedmont over the Past 20 Years

90% 80% 70% 1984 60% 82% 1990 50% 80% 81% 63% 56% 55% 2004 40% 60% 62% 52% 53% 52% 30% 47% 20% 10% 0% Montgomery County Randolph County Davidson County Piedmont Overall

Infrastructure Changes Expected to Impact Uwharrie Users x Highway 49 from Charlotte, NC to 10 year horizon. This means it is likely Burlington, VA, which touches the to be widened to four lanes of traffic. edges of the proclamation boundary at Badin Lake on its way to Asheboro, has x /74 which skims the eastern been identified by the State as a “North edge of the Uwharrie is expected to be Carolina Strategic Corridor” in the next extended south to connect to Interstate

4 95, making this extension a likely major the proclamation boundary, it may still travel route with possible associated serve to improve access to the Forest. secondary developments. x Highway 52 that connects Salisbury to x Widening of Highway 24/27 is in the Albemarle and beyond is currently being initial planning stages. 4-laned. Although not within or touching

5 Recreation Opportunities on the Uwharrie TRENDS: The Uwharrie currently offers a range of camping experiences, from primitive camping with no x Over the course of the past fifteen facilities to highly developed, fully accessible year several major recreation campgrounds. The Forest maintains nine facilities were completed in the campgrounds with a total of 140 camp sites. Two Badin Lake area. These improved camping areas cater specifically to horseback the Forest’s ability to address user riders. The majority of campgrounds are in the demands for camping, horseback Badin Lake vicinity. riding, fishing, and swimming. Also, several projects are Hikers and horseback riders currently use the currently underway. These designated trail system as well as most closed include Kings Mountain Point roads and occasionally travel cross-country. The Day Use Area that is now being exceptions are the few roads or trails designated expanded to include a picnic as closed to horses. Mountain biking and off- shelter, 40 accessible picnic table roading is limited to trails designated specifically sites, parking for 60 vehicles, a for this use. playing field, four accessible trails to the water, and three The current recreation facilities and fishingpiers. trails are:

50 miles of hiking trails - designated for hiking only, including 20.4 miles of the Uwharrie National Recreation Trail. All trails, including those designated for horses, bikes, or OHVs, are open for hiking. Badin Lake Horse Trails – 40 miles Cane Brake Horse Camp - 29 camp sites Mountain Bike Trails – 16.6 miles in the Woodrun part of the district 1 OHV Trail System – 16 miles (hikers, horses and bikers may use the OHV system). 2 developed picnic areas with another large area currently under construction Roads on the Uwharrie Arrowhead Campground – 50 sites, many amenities Badin Lake Campground – 39 sites, TRENDS: many on lakeshore Baden Lake Horsecamp – open field x More miles of NFS roads are closed to public access than with access to horse trails was anticipated in the original Forest Plan. The current East Morris Mountain – primitive Plan also anticipated road construction of approximately 2 camping Uwharrie Hunt Camp – 8 sites, no miles per year. In reality, less than 6 total miles of road water has been constructed over the past 17 years; far less than West Morris Mountain – 14 sites, no anticipated. water Yates Place – primitive camping

6 The Uwharrie road system is comprised Additional roads (approximately 33 of 98 classified roads totaling miles) exist that are not part of the Forest approximately 107 miles in length. Of Service road system. These roads these, 23.6 miles are open for public use, include unplanned, abandoned travel and another 5.0 are seasonally open. ways, old off-road vehicle (OHV) tracks, Over half the roads are closed to motor and roads that were once under permit or vehicles or in some way restricted. other authorization and were never These roads provide access to decommissioned upon termination of the administrative, research, and authorization. Roads in this category are communication sites, access to private awaiting management direction as to in-holdings, and roads that are available whether or not to include them as part of by special use permits, such as those the transportation system or to providing accessible hunting decommission or restrict them from opportunities. further use

Heritage Resources on the Uwharrie Uwharrie. Past cultures and lifeways TRENDS: can be studied, climatic changes and environmental conditions can be 1. The Uwharrie contains many better understood. significant heritage resources, prehistoric and historic. These 3. There are currently 1,527 formally resources include artifacts and recorded sites on the Uwharrie. archeological sites that document Almost 26,000 acres is completely human use of the area for more than inventoried while another 10,000 has 14,000 years. The diversity of sites been sampled. Approximately 62% ranges from quarrying sites for stone of the Forest has been inventoried. tool making to gold mines, from 250 Overall site density is 1 site in 18.8 year old homesteads and 150 year acres. Some sites are less than an old farms to 50 year old fire acre in size and some are greater lookouts. The Forest was home for than 15 acres in size. people who extracted its resources and the Forest holds abundant 4. The State of North Carolina, along evidence of their activities and with the Forest Service and adjacent habitations. Their effects on the land owners, is pursuing a National landscape and the environment’s Register of Historic Places District effects on the people can only be designation for the area that includes understood with further study of much of the Uwharrie National these resources. Forest as well as adjacent State and private land. There is one of the 2. Opportunites for scientific research, highest site densities in the country public interpretation, and resource in this area. The National Register preservation abound on the of Historic Places (NRHP)

7 recognizes sites 50 years or older, Recently exposed artifacts have been along with other criteria. collected without authorization and some sites have been intentionally 5. Compared to the erosion from looted and vandalized for personal historic clearing, logging and mining gain. These activities are prohibited of the area, Forest Service under the Archeological Resources management of the Uwharrie has Protection Act of 1979, which resulted in a relatively stable protects all artifacts and sites over environment. This has helped to 100 years of age located on Federal preserve many of the previously lands and has criminal and civil exposed and impacted archeologcal penalties. sites.

6. Current trends of increasing use on the Forest have, however, caused severe impacts to a number of important heritage resources.

Thornburg - A Heritage Resource Site

8 Market Area Supply and Demand for Goods and Services from the Uwharrie National Forest

TRENDS: hunting has gone down. Fishing, however, is growing in popularity. 1. Day hiking continues to grow in popularity, while participation in 3. Off-road driving, while not among backpacking has declined; 83.8% of the most broadly popular outdoor surveyed residents report walking for recreation activities, is growing in pleasure. popularity at a faster rate than most other activities. Mountain biking 2. Viewing and/or photographing grew in popularity in the 1990’s, but wildlife, birds, and fish continues to has apparently leveled out. grow in popularity, while the Horseback riding is currently on an percentage or people participating in upswing in popularity.

Table 1: Broadly Popular Activities Table 2: Rate of Growth in the Market in the Market Area Area for Selected Outdoor Recreation Activity Percent who Activities Participate Percent change in Walk for pleasure 83.8 number of Activity Family gathering 74.2 participants 1995- View/photograph 54.1 2001 natural scenery View or +79.8 Visit nature 53.4 photograph fish centers, nature, Drive off-road +76.2 museums, etc. View wildlife +49.6 Sightseeing 52.7 Warmwater fishing +43.4 Driving for 51.3 View birds +28.8 Pleasure Swimming in +16.9 Picnicking 47.5 streams, lakes, Visit historic site 44.5 ponds, or the Bicycling 31.8 ocean Boating 30.7 Horseback riding +16.7 Motorboating 22.6 Horseback riding +12.1 on trails Day hiking +10.2 Primitive camping +3.0 Developed -1.2 camping Small game -10.1 hunting Big game hunting -11.1 Backpacking -25.3

9 Timber and Wood Products

TRENDS: bids often well above the advertised price. This indicates there is good 1. An average of 500,000 cubic feet of demand for the timber. Figure 4 timber has been sold annually from displays the timber volume offered the Uwharrie over the past fifteen for sale each year beginning with years. This is only about half as 1974. much timber as was sold on average per year during the period 1980 2. Just over 80% of the Forest is through 1989. This is consistent currently managed as suitable for with nationwide trends that resulted sustainable timber production. from a move away from intensive timber production on national forests 3. In addition to contributing to to a more integrated resource America’s supply of wood products, approach to managing the landscape. commercial timber sales are used as Future annual offered timber volume a method for creating certain wildlife is expected to remain close to the habitat conditions, for managing current level of 400,000 cubic feet. fuels, and other vegetation Uwharrie timber sales are generally management needs. competitive, with several bidders and

Figure 4. Trends in Timber Volume Offered

16,000

14,000 Uwharrie 12,000

10,000

Volume 8,000 (ccf)

6,000

4,000

2,000

0 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005

10 Non-timber Forest Products

The Forest issues permits for firewood collection from time to time. There is currently no demand for “special forest products” such as medicinal or floral herbs such as exists in the Mountain counties.

Special Uses

TRENDS: x The number of special use permits on the Uwharrie was fairly stable from the mid-1980’s until 2000. Since 2000, the number of permits issued has more than doubled. The number of special recreation events has increased, such as events on the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) trail system. Military training exercises and private road easements have also increased. Still, there are under 70 current special use permits issued in total. x Among the more complex special use permits issued on the Uwharrie are those for military exercises. The amount of use fluctuates according to military involvement in foreign theaters of operation. Special Use – Communication Site

Table 3. Number of Current Special Use Permits by Type – Uwharrie National Forest

Type Number Easements 43 Utilities 7 Military Training 4 Communication Sites 3 Recreation Events 3 Springs 2 Solid Waste 1 Other 4

11 SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES FROM PREVIOUSLY IDENTIFIED SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITONS AND TRENDS

ƒ Mountain biking did not exist as an outdoor recreation activity on the Forest when the 1986 Plan was developed. Since then it has grown to be a major recreational use of the Forest. The substantial increase in this use in the nineties appears to have leveled off.

ƒ Both open road access and road construction on the Forest is less than was anticipated in the 1986 Plan.

ƒ Off-highway vehicles were already an established use in 1986, but their popularity has increased and continues to increase today.

ƒ Timber sales are only half what they were at the time the original Forest Plan was developed, but demand for NFS timber remains high.

CONTRIBUTION OF THE UWHARRIE NATIONAL FOREST TO SUSTAINING SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEMS

Top Tourist As population in the market area grows and develops, public Destination lands in the area will increasingly be seen as a place of relaxation; a quiet, peaceful retreat from the built community. The Uwharrie is the top tourist destination in Montgomery County, and one of several popular tourist destinations in Randolph County.

Day Hikes to View The largest segment of users are seeking a setting that provides Nature Popular opportunities for couples to combine walking, nature viewing, and perhaps a place to picnic, swim, and/or fish. The Uwharrie, with its lake and river frontage, relatively moderate slopes and elevations, and existing road and trail system, is currently providing some of these opportunities.

12 Heavily Hunted Hunting definitely has a place among the opportunities for Game Lands recreation on the Forest, even though not one of the most broadly popular activities within the market area. The Forest is heavily hunted and is reported to have the highest use per acre of any North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) game land.

Providing Wood Timber sales on the Uwharrie can contribute to the supply Products utilized by American consumers while allowing for a cost- effective way to create and maintain certain habitat conditions utilized by many species, including the popularly hunted game species.

Horseback Riding and Mountain bikers and horseback riders look to the roads, trails, Mountain Biking and facilities to meet their needs. Managing the road and trail Popular system in such a way that reduces conflicts among user groups - bikers versus horseback riders versus hikers versus hunters - presents special challenges.

Opportunities to There may be opportunities to improve upon the existing Improve Trail System arrangement of roads, trails, and facilities to optimize user access and minimize user conflicts in ways that are environmentally sensitive. For example, it may be possible to assign levels of difficulty to the horse trail system as is done for the hiking trails, to provide better information to users.

Opportunity for Off- Off-highway vehicles (OHV) currently have access to a Highway Vehicles sixteen-mile trail system. There are few other known opportunities in the Piedmont for this type of experience and demand is increasing. OHV use on NFS lands is controversial due to potential resource impacts and incidents when OHV users have strayed from the authorized trail system.

There may be opportunities to optimize the OHV trail system in ways that provide the desired experience yet moderate impacts to the forest resources. One unmet need identified by users is an area for OHVers to camp that has access to the OHV trail system.

Interpreting History Heritage resources on the Uwharrie provide a unique opportunity to integrate historical interpretation to connect current users of the Forest with past users, and at the same time provide an outdoor recreation experience. Careful, innovative planning may ensure that historically important sites are protected yet still accessible.

13 14 ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS AND TRENDS

Biological Resources

General Forest Types A National Forest within a rural, forested landscape

TRENDS Overall, the North Carolina Piedmont shows a slight x The Uwharrie, while fragmented, is surrounded by downward trend – 0.4% per year - a mostly forested landscape, as it was when the in the amount of forestland from 1986 Forest Plan was developed. The amount of 1984 to 2002. all forestland in the three-county area is not Forestland in the 3-county area expected to change much during the next planning that encompasses the Uwharrie period. increased slightly from 1984 through 2002. x The Uwharrie has a much higher proportion of The age-class distribution on the older-aged forest than the Piedmont as a whole. Uwharrie is quite different from the There is more old forest now than there was when Piedmont forests as a whole, with the current Forest Plan was developed. the Uwharrie having a much higher proportion of older aged forests – 38% versus 7% - and especially x The Uwharrie is about half pine types and half among the hardwood forest types. hardwood types, with more pines to the south and hardwoods to the north. This has not changed The Uwharrie has a lower much over the past planning period. The Uwharrie percentage of younger aged forest has a higher percentage of pines than the Piedmont than the Piedmont as a whole – 33% versus 52%. as a whole as would be expected given its location at the south end of the Piedmont.

15 Table 4 below displays in detail the specific forest composition by age category. Forest Total 0-40 years 41-80 years 81+ years Acres - Age not Composition Acres* Acres* Acres* Acres* determined* USFS Acres 52,000 17,650 (33%) 6,850 (13%) 19,900 (38%) 6,200 (12%) Pine types 22,500 13,000 4,500 3,900 1,100 Oak-Pine types 8,790 1,760 900 4,860 1,270 Oak-Hickory types 17,170 2,850 1,450 11,100 1,770 Other Hardwood types 150 50 40 60 0 Not classified 1,990 10 1,980 Other 1,400 *Rounded to the nearest 10 acres

The vegetation distribution varies from Young forest is created mainly through north to south. The predominant regeneration timber harvest. Over the hardwood types are oaks and hickories. past five year the amount of acres Hardwood types are predominant on the “regenerated” each year averaged just north end while pine is clearly dominant over 100. An average of 85 acres per on the south end. Different pine types year received some type of vary from north to south as well, with “intermediate” timber harvest. Added shortleaf more common in the north and together, this means less than one-half of loblolly and long leaf in the south. Age one percent (0.37%) of the Uwharrie has also varies from north to south, with some trees harvested each year. This is older forests in the north and younger in well within sustainability guidelines the south. This makes sense in that pines based on analysis of tree growth and tend to mature at a younger age and have mortality. Regeneration harvest and been more intensively managed. intermediate harvest are defined below.

Regeneration Harvest A timber harvest method that removes trees in the existing stand to a density that allows for the establishment of a new stand below. Enough trees are removed to allow young trees the space and access to light they need to grow into the canopy.

Intermediate Harvest Manipulation of a young forest to ensure the desired stand composition, spacing, stem quality, and growth performance that might otherwise be lost without treatment. Example: thinning.

16 Rare Plants and Rare Plant Communities (Special Interest Areas)

There are 17 rare plant species that have been documented on the Forest: 1 federally endangered, 4 Regional Forester’s sensitive, and 12 locally rare species. Six of these have not been observed in the last 10 years. There are an additional 13 rare plant species that could occur on the Forest. Table 5 displays these 30 species by category, number of element occurrences, and number observed within the last ten years.

Schweinitz sunflower is the only federally listed threatened or endangered plant species on the Forest. The plant’s habitat is believed to be prairie-like openings or glades once more common in the Piedmont. Currently, suitable habitat persists primarily in roadsides, power lines, and rights-of-way. Prescribed fire may be useful for recovering this species. Schweinitz sunflower

There are seven Special Interest Areas on x Pleasant Grove Hardpan Bog: one of the Forest, a total of 1,422 acres, which are only three or four well-developed recognized by the North Carolina Natural examples of piedmont bogs limited to Heritage Program (NCNHP) as registered the Carolina Slate Belt. 3 acres in size. natural areas. Existing Special Interest Areas include: x Roberdo Bog: as above, 5 acres in size.

x Badin Upland Depression Swamp: an x Abner Bog: one of few known upland depression supporting an examples of the Hillside Seepage Bog excellent example of a rare swamp natural community type and supports forest type that supports a large purple pitcher plants which are rare in breeding population of several native the piedmont. 6 acres in size amphibian species. 25 acres in size x Slopes: Five natural x Birkhead Upland Forest: represents on communities occurring on high pH the best examples of old growth stands soil; Mesic Mixed Hardwoods of upland Forest communities (Piedmont subtype), Dry-Mesic oak— occurring on felsic volcanic rocks in Hickory Forest, Rocky Bar and Shore, the piedmont region. 1,300 acres in Piedmont/Mountain Levee Forest, and size a Basic Cliff. x Gold Mine Branch : a NCNHP has identified an additional 41 good example of piedmont longleaf Natural Areas totaling 8,458 Forest acres pine, a significant natural community that have yet to be evaluated as potential that has been significantly reduced Special Interest Areas. from its historical extent. 23 acres in size

17 Table 5.. Federally proposed, endangered, threatened, and Forest Service sensitive, and locally rare plant species that occur or may occur on the Uwharrie National Forest Observed Element Common Name Scientific Name Status Occurrences Occurrences (last 10 years) Rare Plants Observed Within the Last Ten Years Schweinitz's Sunflower Helianthus schweinitzii Endangered 14 14 Schwerin's False Indigo Amorpha schwerinii Sensitive 26 25 Georgia Aster Aster georgianus Sensitive 4 4 Ravine Sedge Carex impressinervia Sensitive 2 2 Large Witch-alder Fothergilla major Sensitive 6 6 Southern Anemone Anemone berlandieri Locally rare 1 1 Thin-pod White Wild Indigo Baptisia albescens Locally rare 4 3 Dissected Toothwort Cardamine dissecta Locally rare 3 2 Carolina Thistle Cirsium carolinianum Locally rare 6 4 Piedmont Horsebalm Collinsonia tuberosa Locally rare 1 1 Heller's Rabbit Tobacco Gnaphalium helleri var. helleri Locally rare 1 1 Smooth Sunflower Helianthus laevigatus Locally rare 12 12 Glade Wild Quinine Parthenium auriculatum Locally rare 2 2 Bluff Oak Quercus austrina Locally rare 1 1 Pursh's Wild-petunia Ruellia purshiana Locally rare 1 1 Rare Plants Observed on the Forest, But Not Within the Last 10Years Bouquet Aster Eurybia mirabilis Sensitive 1 0A Virginia Spiderwort Tradescantia virginiana Locally rare 1 0 Littleleaf Sneezeweed Helenium brevifolium Locally rare 1 0B Rare Plants that Could Occur on the Forest, But Have Not Been Observed Smooth Coneflower Echinacea laevigata Endangered - - Carolina Alumroot Heuchera caroliniana Sensitive - - Bog spicebush Lindera subcoriacea Sensitive - - Heller's bird-foot trefoil Lotus helleri Sensitive - - Plumed Goldenrod Solidago plumosa Sensitive - - Riverbank Vervain Verbena riparia Sensitive - - Missouri rockcress Arabis missouriensis Locally rare - - Thick-pod white wild indigo Baptisia alba Locally rare - - Eastern prairie blue wild indigo Baptisia australis var. aberrans Locally rare - - Ringed witch grass Dichanthelium annulum Locally rare - - Eastern shooting star Dodecatheon meadia ssp. meadia Locally rare - - Crested coralroot Hexalectris spicata Locally rare - - Red Canada lily Lilium canadense ssp. editorum Locally rare - - Glade milkvine Matelea decipiens Locally rare - - Wright’s cliff-brake Pellaea wrightiana Locally rare - - Indian physic Porteranthus stipulatus Locally rare - - Dwarf chinquapin oak Quercus prinoides Locally rare - - Western rough goldenrod Solidage radula Locally rare - - Freshwater cordgrass Spartina pectinata Locally rare - - Undescribed hedge nettle Stachys sp. 1 Locally rare - - Narrow-leaved aster Symphyotrichum laeve var. concinnum Locally rare - - A --- Recent observation, needs to be substantiated in proper season B --- Previously documented occurrence inaccurately portrayed on USFS land in NCNHP GIS layer, occurrence on adjacent Alcoa property 18 Non-native Invasive Species

Numerous non-native plant species have been recorded Highly Invasive Non-native Plants on the Uwharrie. However, only a few of these species have been found to be highly invasive within the North Common Name Carolina Piedmont. Tree-of-heavena Basket Grass This list of invasive species includes some traditional Crown Vetch Autumn Olive planted non-native species. These species were observed Fescue to be invading existing rare plant populations. Of the Japanese Clover rare plant species currently documented within the Privet Uwharrie, nine, including the federally endangered Japanese Honeysuckle Schweinitz’s sunflower, prefer open or partially open Bush honeysuckles Bicolor Lespedeza habitats such as oak savannas or “piedmont prairies” Sericea Lespedeza (Weakley 2003). Japanese Stilt Grass Multiflora Rose Roadside edge or wildlife openings can provide refugia for these rare species if the area isn’t invaded by non-native plants in 71% of the roadside plots. In species. the ecotone between roadside and forest interior, 79% of the Uwharrie plots Of two-hundred fifty-one surveyed plots supported populations of non-native 94% had non-native invasive species invasive plant species within this zone. present on the roadside edge. In Forty-five percent of the forest interior comparison, a similar survey in the plots were found to be invaded by non- North Carolina mountain forests had native invasive plants. selected non-native invasive

Terrestrial Wildlife Habitat

While the Uwharrie is a small, highly adequate wildlife habitat since so many fragmented national forest, it lies within species use this as a major food source. a mostly forested landscape. The mix of Trees in the 41-80 year age range are pine, oak-pine, and oak-hickory forest considered the best mast producers, with types provides habitat for most of the 60 mast production tapering off as trees age mammal species known to occur in beyond 80 years. The Uwharrie is North Carolina, and for at least 60 reptile unusual in that almost 40% of the trees and amphibian species. Approximately are over 80 and only about 13% in the 85 bird species have been observed over 41-80 year range. In the case of the the past two years, based on data from hardwoods such as oaks that produce the 55 bird points. This is by no means an best hard mast, almost all are over 80 exhaustive list, but is an indication of the years old. Very little oak regeneration diversity of species and habitats on the has occurred over the past twenty years, Forest. which could result in a long-term decline in hard mast production. The availability of hard mast such as acorns is a primary factor in providing

19 Two-to-five acre wildlife food plots are state and private roads are combined managed in conjunction with the North with Forest Service roads, the actual Carolina Wildlife Resources road densities often exceed the goals set Commission (NCWRC) and other in the 1985 Forest Plan. This is true even cooperators. Grasses, legumes, and though the amount of open road on the berries thrive in these openings, Forest has been reduced from 56 miles providing additional forage and bugging to 29 miles. areas sought after by many wildlife species. There are 220 acres in wildlife The Forest is heavily hunted and is openings (food plots) across the reported to have the highest use per acre Uwharrie. of any North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) game Wildlife habitat is considered good in land. Hunted species include deer, most respects, except for the lack of turkey, squirrel, raccoon, quail, rabbit, large, access-controlled areas free from bobcat, opossum, and game birds. Black disturbance from factors such as bear does not occur on the Forest, having motorized vehicles. This is supported by been eliminated from the Piedmont findings in the Uwharrie Roads many years ago. Analysis, which determined that when

Rare Terrestrial Wildlife

No federally listed threatened or known to exist. Red-cockaded endangered terrestrial animal is known woodpeckers have occurred in the past, to exist in resident populations on the but no active colonies are known. Table Forest. Eastern cougar have been 6 shows the federally threatened and reported over the years, but reports have endangered, Regional Forester’s not been verified. Bald eagles are sensitive and locally rare species for the regular visitors, but no active nests are Uwharrie National Forest.

Table 6. Federally proposed, endangered, threatened, and Forest Service sensitive, and locally rare terrestrial animal species that occur or may occur on the Uwharrie National Forest. Rare Terrestrial Status Observed on the Observed on the That Could Occur on Animals Forest Within Forest, But Not the Forest, But Have the Last Ten Within the Last Not Been Observed Years 10Years Red Wolf Endangered No Red-cockaded Endangered X woodpecker Eastern cougar Threatened X Bald eagle Threatened X Rafinesque’s R8 Sensitive X big-eared bat Migrant R8 Sensitive X loggerhead shrike Sharp-shinned Locally Rare X hawk Warbling Vireo Locally Rare X

20 Aquatic Habitats and Species

TRENDs: x The Forest has relatively high fish Higher order streams and rivers, such as species diversity, typical of the Little and Uwharrie Rivers, represent Piedmont ecosystems; typical Piedmont river habitats; gradient is lower, flow decreases, and pool and x The aquatic invertebrate community riffle habitats become less defined. structure is typical of continuing Substrate ranges from cobble and some good to excellent stream health boulders to heavily embedded pools and conditions; runs. Aquatic vegetation is common. During high flows, these higher order x Pockets of high quality mussel systems become extremely turbid very habitat are identified that are being rapidly, and often take a week or more to considered for native species return to more natural water color once propagation nurseries to aid in flows return to normal seasonal levels. reintroduction efforts across the Riparian health and condition also varies landscape. widely across this landscape, as does the adherence to forestry and farming Best Approximately 160 miles of streams Management Practices by adjacent flow through the Forest. The fragmented private landowners. ownership pattern means that stream condition is very much related to land Badin Lake is a large utility-owned use on adjacent private lands. reservoir adjacent to the Uwharrie. While its main purpose is to provide Aquatic habitats represent typical hydropower to Piedmont residents, it is Piedmont stream types, ranging from also a huge recreational attraction. first order headwater streams to higher Fishery resources within Badin Lake are order rivers. In lower order streams highly managed by the North Carolina (first-third), substrate is generally rocky, Wildlife Resources Commission with occasional boulders and bedrock (NCWRC) to ensure quality angling outcrops. It is not uncommon to find experiences. The Forest Service significant amounts of small gravel and cooperates with the NCWRC and the sand, depending on local geology and Aluminum Company of America stream type. As with most stream types, (ALCOA) to protect and enhance substrate particles smaller than sand are shoreline and deepwater aquatic habitats not naturally common in Piedmont on Badin Lake, as well as maintain streams, and may serve as an indicator of public access to the reservoir. watershed disturbance. Stream gradient can range from less than 1 percent to Sixty-six freshwater fish species are greater than 5 percent, depending on known to occur on the Uwharrie. These local topography species occupy most habitat types across the forest, with twenty-five (38%) being found only in the Uwharrie or Little

21 Rivers and Badin Lake. The remaining Approximately 59 percent of the resident fish community (41 species) are the stream fish community is comprised of resident stream fish community, and is Centrarchids (bass and sunfish) and summarized in Figure 5. Cyprinids (minnows and chubs). This is not uncommon, since these taxonomic The relatively high fish species diversity families are among the most diverse. is typical of Piedmont ecosystems.

other 7% bass & sunfish suckers 24% 12%

catfish 10%

minnows & chubs darters & perch 35% 12% Figure 5. Fish community composition across the Uwharrie National Forest

The North Carolina Division of Water is limited. Aquatic invertebrate Quality (NCDWQ) Bioassessment Unit community structure from sites across has been monitoring overall ecosystem the Uwharrie is summarized in Figure 6. health (including aquatic invertebrates) This distribution of taxa equates to a since the early 1990s; however, the good to excellent bioclassification for number of monitoring sites on the Forest stream health.

Figure 6. Aquatic Invertebrate Community Structure – Uwharrie National Forest.

22 Fifteen species of native freshwater continues to support one of the highest mussels are known to occur across the diversities in North Carolina. This is Uwharrie. Of this community, 10 are of thought to be largely due to pockets of concern because of restricted ranges, low high quality habitat within the Forest densities and distribution, or limited ownership (when compared at a habitat. This situation mirrors the trend landscape level to surrounding privately in the global freshwater mussel owned habitats). Several sites across the community, where roughly half of the Forest are being considered by the native fauna has become extinct, United States Fish and Wildlife Service endangered, or been decimated to a point and the Forest Service for native species where federal, State, or local protection propagation nurseries to aid in is in effect. reintroduction efforts across the landscape. Despite the dismal outlook for native freshwater mussels, the Uwharrie

Table 7. Native freshwater mussels known to occur on the Uwharrie National Forest Common Name Scientific Name Status brook floater Alasmidonta varicosa Sensitive triangle floater Alasmindonta undulata Locally Rare Carolina lance Elliptio angustata Eastern Elliptio Elliptio complanata variable spike Elliptio ictarina Roanoke slabshell Elliptio roanokensis Sensitive Atlantic pigtoe Fusconaia masoni Sensitive Eastern lampmussel Lampsilis radiata Locally Rare Eastern floater Pyganodon cataracta Squawfoot Strophitus undulatus Locally Rare Savannah lilliput Toxolasma pullus Sensitive paper pondshell Utterbeckia imbecilis notched rainbow Villosa constricta Locally Rare Eastern creekshell Villosa delumbis Locally Rare Carolina creekshell Villosa vaughaniana Locally Rare

Suitable habitat occurs on the Uwharrie Suitable habitat for any federally for sixty-one rare aquatic species. Of threatened or proposed aquatic species these species, two are federally-listed as does not occur on the Forest. endangered, and receive protection under the Endangered Species Act. Aquatic habitats across the Uwharrie These species are the Cape Fear shiner National Forest are suitable for twelve (Notropis mekistocholas) and the dwarf regionally sensitive aquatic species (as wedgemussel (Alasmidonta heterodon). listed by the Regional Forester). These Both fish and mussel surveys across the species and their habitats receive Forest have been and continue to be protection under the National extensive—neither of these species are Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and currently known to occur on the Forest. the National Forest Management Act

23 (NFMA), and Forest Service policies, National Forest in North Carolina. These manuals, and direction. Five of these species receive protection under the species are known to occur on the Forest Plan. It is important to note that a Uwharrie National Forest, and are majority of these species (33, 70 summarized in Table 8. Surveys for percent) are aquatic insects. While these these species continue across the Forest species have been identified as rare, the during project-specific environmental true range and habitat requirements are assessments. often unknown. Thus, perceived “rarity” may be a function of lack of knowledge, The remaining 47 aquatic species are rather than true low densities, limited identified as Forest Concern by the range, or loss of habitat.

Table 8. Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Aquatic Species that Occur or Have Habitat On or Adjacent to the Uwharrie SpeciesOn/ Habitat on Group Designation* Scientific Name Common Name adjacent to /adjacent to Forest Forest Fish Endangered Notropis mekistocholas Cape Fear shiner N Y Mollusk Endangered Alasmidonta heterodon dwarf wedgemussel N Y Dragonfly Sensitive Gomphus diminutus diminuitive clubtail N Y Dragonfly Sensitive Gomphus septima Septima's clubtail N Y Dragonfly Sensitive Macromia margarita mountain river cruiser N Y Dragonfly Sensitive Ophiogomphus incurvatus Appalachian snaketail N Y Carolina darter (central Piedmont Fish Sensitive Etheostoma collis (population 1) Y Y pop'n) Fish Sensitive Etheostoma mariae pinewoods darter N Y Fish Sensitive Semotilus lumbee sandhills chub N Y Mussel Sensitive Alasmidonta varicosa brook floater Y Y Mussel Sensitive Elliptio roanokensis Roanoke slabshell Y Y Mussel Sensitive Fusconaia masoni Atlantic pigtoe Y Y Mussel Sensitive Lasmigona subviridis green floater N Y Mussel Sensitive Toxolasma pullus Savannah lilliput N Y Caddisfly Locally rare Ceraclea mentiea a caddisfly N Y Caddisfly Locally rare Dibusa angata a caddisfly N Y Caddisfly Locally rare Diplectrona metaqui a diplectron caddisfly N Y Caddisfly Locally rare Matrioptila jeanae a caddisfly N Y Caddisfly Locally rare Micrasema sprulesi a caddisfly N Y Caddisfly Locally rare Rhyacophila vibox a caddisfly N Y Caddisfly Locally rare Triaenodes marginata a caddisfly N Y Crayfish Locally rare Cambarus catagius Greensboro burrowing crayfish Y Y Dragonfly Locally rare Gomphus abbreviatus spine-crowned clubtail N Y Dragonfly Locally rare Gomphus consanguis Cherokee clubtail N Y Dragonfly Locally rare Gomphus fraternus midland clubtail N Y Dragonfly Locally rare Gomphus lineatifrons splendid clubtail N Y Dragonfly Locally rare Gomphus quadricolor rapids clubtail N Y Dragonfly Locally rare Gomphus ventricosus skillet clubtail N Y Dragonfly Locally rare Neurocordulia virginiensis cinnamon shadowdragon N Y Dragonfly Locally rare Stylurus notatus elusive clubtail N Y Fish Locally rare Capoides velifer highfin carpsucker N Y Fish Locally rare Lythurus matutinus pinewoods shiner N Y

24 SpeciesOn/ Habitat on Group Designation* Scientific Name Common Name adjacent to /adjacent to Forest Forest Fish Locally rare Moxostoma robustum robust redhorse N Y Fish Locally rare Moxostoma species 2 Carolina redhorse N Y Mayfly Locally rare Acerpenna macdunnoughi a mayfly N Y Mayfly Locally rare Baetis punctiventris a mayfly N Y Mayfly Locally rare Baetisca becki a mayfly N Y Mayfly Locally rare Baetopus sp. 1 a mayfly N Y Mayfly Locally rare Barbaetis cestus a mayfly N Y Mayfly Locally rare Barbaetis gloveri a mayfly N Y Mayfly Locally rare Cercobrachys etowah a caenid mayfly N Y Mayfly Locally rare Choroterpes spp Choroterpes mayflies N Y Mayfly Locally rare Ephemerella argo Argo ephemerellan mayfly N Y Mayfly Locally rare Ephemerella berneri a mayfly N Y Mayfly Locally rare Habrophlediodes spp a mayfly N Y Mayfly Locally rare Homoeneuria cahabensis Cahaba sand-filtering mayfly N Y Mayfly Locally rare Leptohyphes robacki a mayfly N Y Mayfly Locally rare Macdunnoa brunnea a mayfly N Y Mayfly Locally rare Pseudiron centralis a mayfly N Y Mayfly Locally rare Tortopus incertus a mayfly N Y Mussel Locally rare Alasmidonta undulata triangle floater Y Y Mussel Locally rare Lampsilis cariosa yellow lampmussel Y Y Mussel Locally rare Lampsilis radiata conspicua Carolina fatmucket Y Y Mussel Locally rare Lampsilis radiata radiata Eastern lampmussel N Y Mussel Locally rare Lampsilis species 2 a bivalve N Y Mussel Locally rare Strophitus undulatus squawfoot Y Y Mussel Locally rare Villosa constricta notched rainbow Y Y Mussel Locally rare Villosa delumbis Eastern creekshell Y Y Mussel Locally rare Villosa vaughaniana Carolina creekshell Y Y Stonefly Locally rare Attaneuria ruralis a stonefly N Y Stonefly Locally rare Perlinella ephyre a stonefly N Y

Physical Resources

The fragmented nature of the National to due with Americans’ heavy use of Forest System lands that make up the automobiles and electrical consumption Uwharrie leads to several challenges in than anything that happens on the Forest. managing the physical resources. Use of prescribed fire is complicated by Less trend data is available for soil, interspersed private lands; water quality water, or air, than is available for either issues often cannot be addressed the social/economic or the biological adequately due to pollution or resources. Inferences can be made from sedimentation sources on adjacent non- the general history of land use and the NFS lands; air quality issues have more existing conditions.

25 Soil

Soils in the area include silty loams timber management activities occurs on along the creeks and mild slopes, slaty a relatively low proportion of the activity silty loams on ridges and slopes, and a areas; approximately 5.7%. Soil fine sandy loam next to the rivers. All of disturbance on 15% or more would be of these soils overlie hard slate and concern. siltstone and are moderately permeable, subject to moderate and severe erosion. More concern surrounds existing roads, trails and dispersed recreation - Site productivity is estimated to be especially in streamside areas where soil somewhat higher than that of flatter displacement or compaction is areas within the Piedmont. The more frequently observed. Modeling results rugged topography of the Uwharrie suggest soil erosion is more likely in the commonly has 8 to 12 inches of top soil western part of the Uwharrie, primarily (thicker than comparable areas in most on unpaved roads and coincident to of the Piedmont). The more level and recreation activities. gently rolling lands, most of which were cleared and used for agricultural crops or One climate change model suggests pasture before becoming NFS lands, precipitation could increase in the future, generally have 5 to 8 inches of topsoil thus increasing the potential for rainfall- (also thicker than comparable areas in runoff erosivity from sites such as roads most of the Piedmont). that have current potential erosion problems. Limited monitoring on the Uwharrie has shown actual soil disturbance from

Water

About 1590 mm of precipitation falls in decrease in flow response time, thus the region each year, with 68% returning providing more flow energy to act upon to the atmosphere by evapotransporation the stream channel during flow events. and 32% ending up as stream runoff. If Changes in stream flow regime are climate changes result in an increase in expected to continue with changes in precipitation in the future, some increase land cover and the slow but steady in stream flow would result. There is increase in area population. The little demand for water supply from the condition of stream channels across the Uwharrie, presumable due to low Forest varies and the extent of unstable populations in the three-county area. channel conditions is not well known. Two of five stream reaches surveyed for Roads and their associated ditch lines, channel stability (reaches of McClean vegetation clearing and urban Creek and Big Creek) exhibit signs of development all alter the timing of water poor channel conditions because of delivered to a stream and often results in channel modification. Factors such as an increase in peak flow quantity and a loss of instream large wood, loss of

26 floodplain area, or channel scour can to moderately high erodible soils. contribute to a loss of channel stability. Almost 36% of the road miles are unpaved. Therefore, there is a high risk The road and trail network on the Forest of erosion throughout the Forest and a is the greatest potential source of water potential for road-derived sedimentation quality degradation. Many miles (almost to enter streams where road/stream 70%) of road are located on moderately crossings occur.

Air

Based on 2001 through 2003 data, extent from sources burning diesel fuel. Davidson and Randolph Counties were Organics released from vehicles, burning designated as non-attainment for ozone. vegetation, and gases released from Ozone monitoring indicates unhealthy growing vegetation are the second major ozone levels in the three-county area. contributor to fine particulate matter in The implication is that at certain times of the air. the year when ozone levels are high, vigorous outdoor activities should be Based on monitoring of acid deposition, avoided. the Uwharrie is unlikely to be suffering from any adverse impacts from acid High levels of ozone exposure are also a deposition because the soils are deep and concern because they may reduce the most likely have adequate base cations growth and health of susceptible forest to offset any negative impacts from low vegetation. Some species of vegetation amounts of acid deposition. are sensitive to ozone, such as some genotypes of yellow poplar. During Future air quality is expected to improve years of adequate soil moisture some due to laws and rules currently in place tulip poplars may be experiencing a 10 at the State and Federal levels. North percent growth loss due to ozone. Carolina Clean Smokes Stacks bill will Loblolly pine is considered resistant to reduce coal-fired power plant emissions ozone and current ozone exposures are of sulfur dioxide by 70 percent and causing only minimal growth losses. nitrogen oxides by 64 percent. The Clean Air Interstate Rule (implemented High concentrations of fine particulates in March 2005) will also result in are unhealthy for people and are reduction in sulfur dioxide and nitrogen responsible for visibility impairments oxide emissions in adjoining states. By seen as haze. In December 2004, 2007, ozone levels on the Forest should Davidson County was classified as non- be considered healthy for people based attainment for fine particulate matter. upon recent modeling results. Monitored fine particulate Reductions in fine particles are concentrations in Montgomery County anticipated in the future especially since are below the non-attainment level for the Regional Haze Planning fine particles. The primary fine particles Organizations are seeking ways to are sulfates which most originated from improve visibility, by reducing the coal-fired power plants and to a lesser precursors to fine particles, to natural

27 background levels for certain areas in the fine particulate emissions could have region by 2065. short-term impacts to fine particulate concentrations which impact human health, highways safety, and regional The activities on NFS lands with the haze. Emission estimates of nitrogen potential to impact air quality are oxides and volatile organic compounds prescribed fires, timber harvests, and the for timber harvests indicate these use of off-road recreational vehicles. emissions are likely to be below Emissions estimates have been significant levels for General completed for prescribed fires and the Conformity determination.

28 THE UWHARRIE NATIONAL FOREST PLAYS A ROLE IN SUSTAINING NATIVE ECOSYSTEMS

Restoring Native Existing Forest ecosystems include native pine and hardwood Ecosystems communities, but also include loblolly pine communities on sites that once supported longleaf pine. Vegetation management could include re-introduction of longleaf pine on appropriate sites, to increase the amount of this plant community to a level that is more like the amount that existed historically on the lands that became the Uwharrie National Forest.

Using Fire as a Tool Restoring natural fire regimes is important in sustaining some native ecosystems such as longleaf pine and the open woodland conditions utilized by other rare plants. Increased use of prescribed fire may allow for better maintenance of these native plant communities.

Controlling Non- Controlling non-native invasive plant species would allow for native Invasive better opportunities for sustaining native species and Plants ecosystems. Rare species habitats, game species habitats, and aesthetic consideration may be useful in prioritizing areas for control treatments.

Consistent Acorn There is a relatively limited supply of oaks in the age range Production when acorns are most abundantly produced. Periodic vegetation management may be needed to maintain a more consistent amount of oaks with prime acorn production capabilities.

Selective Stream A diversity of aquatic habitats in good to excellent condition Restoration exists on the Forest that are providing for a high diversity of fish and mussel species. However, stream channel conditions are variable. The challenge is to pinpoint stream reaches where conditions could be improved by restoration activities on NFS lands. This is complicated by the fragmented nature of the land base, with NFS lands interspersed among private tracts.

Managing Roads and The roads and trails on the Forests are potential sediment Trails Effectively to sources that can degrade water quality and aquatic habitats. Reduce Erosion There is great potential for reducing the sediment from these sources through innovative partnerships, management and maintenance .

29 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.