■23- 



21. Management and preservation recommendation. 



Acquisition of this area is recommended. The bald cypress 

 that are significant are mostly within the area owned by Burruss 

 Land and Timber. First Colony Farms may be equally reluctant to 

 voluntarily protect their portion of the area. One possible means 

 of future acquisition by the state could be through a gift or 

 bargain purchase from the owners in mitigation for pocosin des- 

 troyed by peat mining. 



The management of some areas may require prescribed burning to 

 encourage herbaceous species. This could perhaps be limited to the 

 wetter area east of NC 94. Hunting should be prohibited but this 

 is seen as a minor problem due to the limited access. No other 

 management problems are foreseen. 



22. Rating (county perspective): 



1)_ X high priority 



2) medium priority 



3) low priority 



State Natural Heritage rating: Statewide (high) significance. 



23. Prose statement of site significance. 



This is a huge area with very little access. This alone is a 

 most significant feature. There is little true wilderness left and 

 if the pattern of development in this county is being repeated 

 elsewhere, even that is in jeopardy. Size and isolation make this 

 an excellent habitat for black bear (Ursus americanus ) and if a 

 species like the mountain lion (Felis concolor) is to be reestab- 

 lished in eastern North Carolina it will need this type of open 

 space. 



The endangered peripheral plant species, Rhynchospora alba, 

 was found in low pocosin along NC 94. There appears to be a 

 healthy population in this area. Further study will possibly show 

 that such species as sweet pitcher plant (Sarracenia rubra ) and 

 cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon ) are also present. 



The pocosin is a disappearing community type. Those with 

 relatively shallow organic soils are being converted to pine plan- 

 tation or agriculture while those with deep organic soils are now 

 being considered as potential energy sources. This pocosin is 

 significant just for its relatively natural condition with its 

 single most insignificant feature being the presence of numerous 

 large bald cypress trees (Taxodium distichum) (point 1, Figure 5). 

 In his study, The Phytosociology of the Green Swamp , North 

 Carolina, Kologiski discussed the land use history of that area. 

 An 1870 timber survey reported that the Green Swamp contained 

 tremendous resources of cypress, gum and white cedar. Systematic 

 logging was started about 1900 using railroads and steam skidders 

 to transport the harvest. Even though there were no roads, all 



