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Professional comments: 



Dr. Albert E. Raaford: Botany Dept. UNC , Chapel Hill,N.C. 27514 



The unique vegetation type at Browns Island (Longleaf Pine- 

 wiregrass-Live oak) in a geologically dynamic area , possibly 

 a relict pleistocene scarp, may have statewide significance. 

 He has not seen a community such as this in good condition 

 in North Carolina(although he has not yet visited this site). 



JoAnne Powell: Chairman of Environmental Resources Commission 

 Hampton Mariners Museum, Beaufort, N.C. 28516 



On a local scale, rapid development in the county has been 

 detrimental to the commercial fishing industry, since many of 

 the marshlands have been distroyed. Leaving a few areas in a 

 natural state is of prime importance to much of the livelihood 

 of county residents. Most of the Brown family wants to sell 

 the land, and would probably not agree to a conservation 

 easement. It may be best to purchase the land by a conservati 

 organization . 



on 



Dr. Gene Huntsman: Member of Coastal Resources Commission 

 NOAA, National Marine Fisheries, Beaufort, N.C. 28516 



Generically, part of Browns Island is already an "Area 

 of Environmental Concern". The marshes are classified as 

 an AEC, plus a zone of 75' landward from the mean high water 

 level, which places stricter restrictions on development. 

 Proposed land uses cannot significantly harm estuarine resources. 

 Since a majority of Browns Island is already classified as 

 an AEC, restrictions may be imposed on the rest of the island. 

 The only way to include the rest of the island as an AEC is 

 to nominate it based on its being a unique coastal natural area, 

 including rare species or outstanding geological or archeological 

 features . 



