16. Name(s) of knowledgeable person (s) (with addresses, phone numbers, and 

 other pertinent information): Alan S. Weakley, Duke University, Dept. 

 of Botany, Durham, NC 



17. Attitude of owner or custodian toward preservation (contacted?): Owners 

 not contacted; new boat dock located of the mainland side of Lea Island 

 and a fairly new house near the north end support the inference that 

 this island may be slated for development. 



18. Uses of natural area: Recreational use, primarily focused on beach 



and surf-related activities; seasonal residency; fishing and shellf ishing. 



19. Uses of surrounding land: Wildland (including open water, marshes, tidal 

 flats, etc.) 80%; Developed 20% 



20. Preservation Status: Category 7, 100% 



21. Regulatory protections in force: CAMA wetlands, hazard areas, fragile 

 areas 



22. Threats: Natural erosion of beach; potential residential development ,- 

 overwash hazard. Note should be made of a second level of threat to 

 this natural area. Nesting shorebirds are especially vulnerable to 

 recreational visitors' dogs which are seldom, if ever, kept on leash. 

 In addition, nests are frequently difficult to see, and eggs and chicks 

 may be crushed by pedestrian access. Finally, eggs and young birds 

 which are left unprotected from the sun when adults are disturbed by 

 visitors and pets are also vulnerable. Thus the significance of the 

 islands as shorebird nesting sites can be indirectly lost through 

 negligence, lack of user education, and a multiplicity of man-related 

 factors. To a lesser degree, and depending upon future use of ORV 

 (off-road vehicle) activity on the islands, comparable threats may 

 affect utilization of the beaches by nesting sea turtles. 



23. Management and Preservation Recommendation: The islands are prohibitively 

 expensive for acquisition. Owner cooperation to preserve, voluntarily, 



as much of the natural area as possible is recommended. Dredged material 

 deposition to the northern end of Lea Island indirectly benefits both 

 shorebirds and littoral drift southward, by providing a sandy, elevated 

 nesting area, which gradually erodes with particles of shell and sand 

 moved along the beach. We are of the opinion that beach nourishment, 

 dune stabilization, and/or marsh creation are unwarranted in this 

 natural area, eventhough severe erosion could occur in the future. 

 Public access should be restricted and the island communities monitored 

 for signs of abuse and excessive man- related community disturbance. 



Natural Characteristics Summary 



24A. Vegetation - Biotic Community Summary 



Community type: (This natural area contains all of the classic maritime 

 strand communities with the exception of live oak forest. A broad 



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