22, Threats: 



PEAT MINING, PHOSPHATE MINING . 



While the property is now in public ownership, the mineral 

 rights to the 6,500 acres owned by the Department of Natural 

 Resources and Community Development were retained by a previous 

 owner. The status of these rights as pertain to the other tracts 

 in Chowan Swamp is unknown. 



Perhaps the most destructive threat facing this large 

 natural area would be the possibility of future surface mining. 

 Energy demand in the future could make it economically profitable 

 to sell or mine the peat underlying the swamp. Similarly, if 

 the phosphate-bearing portion of the Miocene Yorktown Formation 

 is present beneath the swamp, it could someday become economically 

 significant enough to mine. 



Since the site lies at sea level, either event would destroy 

 the natural area. Any removal of material leading to lowering of 

 the surface would simply eliminate the swamp, leaving only the 

 river and irregular islands of whatever waste remained. 



TRAPPING, LOSS OF VALUE AS STUDY SITE FOR WETLAND MAMMALS . 



The site contains habitat for black bear, bobcat, and most 

 of the wetland mammals native to the area, including beaver, river 

 otter, muskrat and mink. These species are heavily trapped within 

 the surrounding region. All of these, while once abundant, are now 

 maintained at levels far below that at which they could have a 

 significant interaction with the environment. At present, few 

 significant mammal study sites exist where trapping is prevented. 



A great deal remains unknown about the life histories and 

 ecology of these species in the south. This site, for instance, 

 would have previously been considered an unlikely site for beaver. 

 However, the species returned to the area about 10 years ago and 

 now build lodges and low dams in the small tributaries of the 

 swamp. Their ultimate effect in determining the composition of 

 the native swamp forest is completely unknown. Trapping prevents 

 their numbers from reaching a saturation level, at which 

 reasonably scientific studies could be carried out, or from 

 even maintaining existing lodges. Numerous other examples could 

 be cited of the value of this area as a study site if maintained 

 as a sanctuary for wetland mammals. 



LOGGING, DAMAGE TO WILDLIFE HABITAT AND LOSS OF VALUE AS A STUDY 

 SITE FOR SWAMP FOREST SUCCESSION AND AS EXAMPLES OF NATIVE SWAI-IP 

 FOREST TYPES . 



As discussed elsewhere in this report, the natural area has 

 excellent potential as a site for long-term forest successional 



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