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Evaluation of Ecological Significance: 



Bogue Banks is one of the few barrier islands in North 

 Carolina with extensive maritime forests. It is also one of 

 the more stable barrier islands in terms of shifting patterns 

 and vegetation, thus lending itself to more development. Because 

 of heavy development on the island, the forest has become a 

 sanctuary for animals at the west end of the island. 



An unusual significant feature of the area are the 50' 

 relict dunes which are forested with a mature maritime forest. 

 The large dunes form a protective barrier which allows for 

 the colonization of many plant species which results in a more 

 stablized barrier island. Due to this protection, the forest 

 provides a habitat for plants and animals that normally cannot 

 survive in such close proximity to the ocean. 



Several rare and endangered animals occur in this area that 

 are worthy of mention. The Atlantic loggerhead turtle lays eggs 

 on the beaches from June through August. The brown pelican 

 and the peregrine falcon are transient through the area. The 

 red-shouldered hawk probably nests in the area. The american 

 alligator may possibly occur in the area, as they have been seen 

 in the Roosevelt Natural Area. 



A question necessary to consider is whether this area is 

 unique or different from other maritime forests in the area, 

 such as Bear Island (Hammocks Beach State Park), Shackleford 

 Banks (part of Cape Lookout National Seashore) and 

 the Roosevelt Natural Area. The dunes are much higher at 

 Emerald Isle than they are in the other forests. The forest seems 

 to be more stable on Emerald Isle, meaning that it is a larger 

 forested area, unstable dunes are not rapidly encroaching on the 

 forest, and the sound is not rapidly eroding the north shoreline. 

 Shackleford forest is being eroded at an alarming rate on the north 

 side. Also, grazing by feral animals has reduced the undergrowth 

 to nearly nothing. The Bear Island forest is rapidly being 

 covered by a very large moving dune • The forest in the Roosevelt 

 Natural Area is very similar to Emerald Isle, although the dunes 

 do not reach that elevation. 



In our opinion. Emerald Isle is a significant area, not only 

 for Carteret County, but for the state of North Carolina. 



