Site ecological significance: 



The significant features of the Boiling Springs Lakes area are sum- 

 marized below: 



1) Existence of a sizable population of the endangered red-cockaded : 

 woodpecker ( Jendrocopus borealis ) in the area, with the critical 1, 

 requirement in regard to the apparent necessity of a l::xrge tract ; 

 of suitable habitat for feeding surrounding nest cavity sites still 

 satisfied at this point, 



2) Presence of a relatively mature longleaf pine/turkey oak/wiregrass ,1, 

 community type over a large portion of the tract, representing j' 

 excellent habitat for the fox squirrel ( Sciurus niger ) , an animal j 

 species of special concern. 



3) Occurrence of several relatively undisturbed doline ponds — anong ; 

 a very large, and until recently, undisturbed assencla^e of sinks — ■' 

 with at the least excellent potential habitat in their rin: areas, 



if the species do not currently occur there, for a number of associ- 

 ated threatened and endangered species of plants. 



Managerr.ent recor.mendations : 



Managenent of an area as extensively developed as is the Boiling Springs 



Lakes area at this point — v.-ith future plans for a great deal of further |: 



develoDEent — is for obvious reasons very limited. ImDlenentation of the Ii 



follov;ing recommendations is possible within the existing framework of [■ 



private a./nership and development of area properties: ! 



1) Existing nest cavity trees of the red-cockaded woodpecker should^ ; 

 be surveyed and mapped, v;ith a subsequent determination rade of " ' 

 the actual population size and number of cavities currently utilized, | 



2) Because red-cocl:aded woodpeckers can co-exist fairly well with 

 people if suitable territorial habitat is left intact, the wood- 

 peckers pose little actual or potential threat to future developaent 



of the area, if_ such development is done in an intelligent and reasor.abl: 

 manner. For this reason it is believed that the ownership and/or 

 management parties within the area should be informed of existing 

 population size and locale, and encouraged to participate in an 

 effort to preserve the red-cockades as a viable part of the overall 

 environment of the region. 



3) A survey of potentially undisturbed doline ponds outlying, but closely 

 adjacent to, the Boiling Springs Lakes area should be zile v/hile the 

 ponds ray still exist in a relatively natural state (the pond located 

 near the radio tower v/hich is mentioned in the discussion of cur- 

 rent use and protection status of the area 

 grouping) . 



88 



