-45- 



17. Preservation status 

 Cat. -6 - 100% 



18. Regulatory protections in force: Sec. 404 (b) of the Clean Water Act. 

 U.S. Government owns Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway right-of-way. 



19. Attitude of owner or custodian toward preservation (contacted?) 

 Not known 



20. 



Threats 

 a. Cat 

 3 



*SF b. Description of threat 



First Colony Farms could do anything, possibly 

 X new canals, etc. 



21. Management and preservation recommendation 



The entire expanse of the fresh water marsh should be preserved. 

 The area should be managed against excess human use or abuse. Farming 

 practices in fields to the south sould be closely monitored for their 

 effects. The Army Corps of Engineers should be consulted about 

 management practices necessary to keep the intracoastal waterway 

 functional. This waterway passes through the western end of the marsh. 

 There are no apparent existing management problems. 



The only probable land conversion might be the construction of 

 drainage canals. This is not too likely. Preservation of most of the 

 marsh could be effected even if canals were dug. Acquisition could 

 possibly be by registration, purchase, or easement. 



22. Rating (County perspective) 



1) 



2)" 



3)" 



X 



high priority 

 medium priority 

 low priority 



State Natural Heritage rating: regional (medium) significance. 



23. Prose statement of site significance 



The significance of the Upper Alligator River Marsh is that it is a 

 971 acre expanse of Typha glauca freshwater marsh. Also, the area 

 serves as excellent wildlife habitat for marsh, semi-aquatic, and 

 aquatic species. The area is readily approached by boat and car, 

 and this adds to its appeal in terms of recreation. There is only 

 one other large acreage of fresh water marsh in Tyrrell County, and 

 this marsh is at the other end of the county. Thus, the upper 

 Alligator Marsh may have some regional importance in terms of 

 natural heritage. Further on-site evaluation may yield additonal 

 data which argue for preservation. 



