22. Threats: 



The natural area is seriously threatened by drainage and 

 clearing operations associated with the development of tree 

 farm plantations. As mentioned in the preceding section, 

 much of the land surrounding the site has been or is in the 

 process of being drained and converted to loblolly pine plan- 

 tations. The first stage in the conversion of swamp forest 

 timber to managed pine plantation is the development of ade- 

 quate drainage, i.e., construction of drainage ditches and 

 canals. This stage has apparently been completed within the 

 natural area as evidenced by a well-integrated series of 

 lateral ditches. The next step involves clearing the vege- 

 tation and bulldozing stumps and logs into windrows to be 

 subsequently burned. It is probably a matter of only a few 

 years before this next stage of site preparation is imple- 

 mented in the natural area. 



23. Management and Preservation Recommendation: 



It is highly recommended that the natural area be recog- 

 nized as having superlative values as an endangered wetland 

 system and be protected as an example of an old-growth swamp 

 forest remnant of the once vast East Dismal Swamp complex. 

 The timber 'company which owns the tract should be contacted 

 and informed of the site's natural significance. The site 

 is an excellent candidate for inclusion in the Society of 

 American Forester's Natural Areas program which seeks to 

 identify and protect examples of relatively undisturbed, 

 mature stands of all the major forest types in the United 

 States. The site could also be included on the N.C. Natural 

 Heritage Program's Registry of Natural Heritage Areas as an 

 excellent example of a swamp forest wetland containing sig- 

 nificant aspects of the state's natural heritage. Steps 

 should be taken immediately to address both of these options. 



Management of the site should be minimal. Access re- 

 striction could be implemented with the addition of several 

 gates. Agreements could be arranged for wildlife officers 

 to periodically patrol the area to enforce state and local 

 game laws . 



55 



