Project+Notes

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**__ Basin: __** Neuse **__ Sub watershed: __** Walnut Creek **__ Township: __** Raleigh || **__ Size: __** ~96 acres **__ Type of Protection: __** Hallowed Ground **__ Owner: __** NC State University **__ Address: __** Centennial Campus, NC State University || The boundaries of the proposed woods begin at the north-western edge of Centennial Campus and move south and east until butting up against Lake Raleigh on the east and Centennial Middle School to the south. The eastern portion of the woods extends to the Alumni Center parking lot and previously included land now occupied by the new Chancellor’s residence. A fence installed on the site has been used to determine the boundaries of the woods around the Chancellor’s residence. The northern section of the woods has been deemed a Primary Tree Conservation area(~30 acres) by the university in accordance with City of Raleigh zoning conditions placed on the land (Centennial Zoning Document, 1987).
 * Boundaries and Context **
 * **__ USGS 7.5 Quad: __** Raleigh West
 * Directions: ** From the beltline, take the Western Boulevard exit towards downtown. Make a right onto Avent Ferry Rd followed by a left on Varsity into Centennial Campus. At the intersection of Main Campus Drive and Varsity make a right and follow the road around until you pass the golf course on the left and the NCSU Alumni Center on the right. Currently parking for access to the site is limited to the edge of Centennial Middle School parking lot and the Alumni Center parking lot to the east.

** Site Index Inventory of Pine Stand along Southern Boundary ** 1) Inventory A preliminary inventory of the site was performed on the southern pine stand in October 2010. This information was gathered to establish the stand density within this portion of the woods in order to assess a need for thinning. Data collected at the time of the inventory were diameter at breast height and species. Using these data, an estimation of trees per acre, basal area per acre and average stand diameter were calculated. These values were also broken down by hardwood and pine species.
 * Vegetation Inventory **

2) Results Within the 21 acre pine stand, an estimate of 450 trees/acre was calculated. When separating the data by hardwood and pine species, we found that trees/acre estimates were higher for hardwoods vs. pines (289:154), but that the basal area occupied by pine species was much greater, indicating the hardwood population is much younger in this part of the woods. Average stand diameter was estimated to be 8.0 inches, though again pines were much larger (11.3in vs. 6.2in).  The average stand diameter(D) and trees per acre (N) estimates were used to calculate a stand density index (SDI) for the site using a calculation intended for Loblolly Pine plantations in the south. While not optimal, there doesn’t appear to be much in the literature for estimating the SDI for a natural stand and this method will serve as a proxy for SDI on the site. The equation used is a variation of the one used by Rienke (SDI 1933): ln(SDI) = -3.4661 + 1.5053ln(D) +ln(N) (1). By substituting D and N from the previously calculated stand values, we were able to determine that the SDI for the entire site was 320 and 185 and 141 for Pine and Hardwood respectively. Three critical stand density boundaries were used in the method: Maximum SDI (400), Crown Closure (160) and Lower Limit of Self Thinning (220). An interpolated density surface was created in GIS to visualize where the most populated portions of the pine stand were. This analysis revealed that trees are most dense along the southern edge of the site, nearest Centennial Middle School. The TPA estimates for this portion of the site max out at approximately 650 trees/acre, indicating that if thinning were to be done, this area should be attacked first.

3) Discussion Based on the values obtained for Pine we can see that thinning is not necessary for this site as it is less than the self thinning limit. Depending on management protocols for the site into the future, it may be useful to remove some of the larger pines to encourage the site to become a hardwood dominated forest and mirror the rest of Lake Raleigh Woods.

GIS analysis indicates the greatest density of trees to be along the southern edge of the site. This area has also been identified as the most suitable location for placement of a classroom or meeting pavilion, due to its proximity to parking at the middle school. Since trees must be removed in order to build the classroom this area becomes more ideal for its placement. ** Invasive Species Inventory and Mapping (ROSS) ** 1) Mapping 2) Results 3) Discussion

· Relief o Lies along the Fall Line (piedmont meets coastal plain), resulting in rising elevations § Variety of slopes on the site itself, with majority of ridge tops being fairly flat (~41% of LRW site has slope less than 10%) § Slope ranges from 0-70 % over the entirety of the site (zonal statistics based on %slope derived from 20ft DEM [NC flood maps]) § Steep elevation changes can be seen along the edge of the lake · Soils o Information previously summarized in the LRW- Environmental Assessment discusses soil types found on the site itself. § Using the Soils Data Mart information database (Natural Resource Conservation Service), we are able to generate reports based on the soil types found on site. § Reports Include (short list of reports that seem appropriate to our work) 1. Physical Soil Properties 2. Soil Features 3. Paths, Trails, and Golf Fairways- indicates suitability of each soil type for paths and trails 4. Forestland Productivity- 5. Dwellings and Small Commercial Buildings- indicates suitability and limitations for building on each soil type
 * Physical Resources (much of this is included in the LRW _EA from 2006, may need updating) **

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I just sent this email to Tom Skolnicki in response to his query concerning our aspirations for the management plan:
Tom,

You are correct that we will be updating the "Intrinsic Natural Values" information based on what has been done and is therefore known. This effort includes additional forest inventory and evaluations of changes in conditions since 2005 to the extent assessment of change is possible.

Through our survey and interviews with faculty in engaged departments, we expect to refine the "Appropriate Uses." That will drive the development planning effort--regarding classroom, parking, access questions.

We will likely have a draft "Development Plan"; in so far as such details as need to be reviewed by campus committees, etc., we can only put forth what emerges from our collected information and provide basis for discussion. The degree of detail in the plan and the ability to attach $ figures remains to be determined.

We can also probably have a draft "Site Protection Plan" given that, if we get the other parts framed, the logical ways to protect the resource should be at least plausible basis for discussion.

I hope this helps Lisa and the others understand what we are aspiring to do. ====

09-24-10 Notes Survey will be sent out using Survey Monkey and selected professors will be surveyed on an individual basis. Status and trends in conditions of natural resources for Lake Raleigh Woods.==== ====Look at existing data--what do we need to update, what has changed? Stand Inventory performed by another class this semester (FOR 374). Plot centers to be put into a GPS and added to a map for invasive species.==== ====Help from recreation impact Master's students--need a proposal for a project. Chris will look into potential projects for the students to help with our goals. 3:00 pm meeting with the landscape architect from NCSU.==== ====Managing and overseeing entire campus was asked to develop a general management plan for LRW. Has not been done due to lack of funds, resources, or consultants. Kevin's outline vision (Details in handout).==== ====Master Plan update...new concept "Hallow Places", LRW is included. Conservation Plan for Centennial Campus approved (Feb) with the City--Primary Tree Conservation Areas--(map will be sent out)--useful for classroom facility/structure siting. Boundaries???? Proposed Boundaries should be considered because it is unlikely that current information or proposals exist. Fungi, lichen species not inventoried. Observation place (behind the chancellorís house), low priority on funding, small wooden structure--model at the alumni center. > 20,000 square feet are LEED Silver Talk to Kevin about considering the appointment of a board. Meeting with Chancellor, etc. This way the management plan will be reviewed by us the task force. Management Plan oversight Classroom--looking for the best location to build the facility, close to utility lines. 3 parking spaces required for 2,000 square feet. Architect will provide us with his proposed sites (mapped) for the classroom facility. He will get back with Kevin to see where to go next, begin to work on putting a board together. Chancellorís liaison committee, one goal was to bring together the different colleges to interact with each other on a common goal. Other Thoughts Create polygons for defining vegetation boundaries--someone with expertise with the matter. Would not be difficult to flag boundaries and GPS the areas.====

Friday, 24 September, Tom Skolnicki, landscape architect with NC State, met with us to discuss the working association we will have as we move forward with the management plan.
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==== ====I posted several jpegs of maps at the end of this string of notes. The 1970 soil survey I realized is too far north so you can ignore that one. The 1951 USGS topo and 1910 soil survey maps are useful however.==== ====

=Hey all. Got some great info from Donna Wright including an attachment from the Centennial Campus workshop from Sept. 2005. As part of this workshop, attendees were surveyed as to their views of the uses of LRW. Very interesting. This info should assist us in our survey revisions. You will find the downloaded files on the "recent changes" portion of our website along with excel files for plant and animal info.= Julie

Helene's notes 09/15
====Goal--We need vision! The draft survey is a good start...before sending out we should make it more appealing and add survey techniques. ====

Building site assessment--will be based upon siting criteria required from the University Planning Department.
====How many students will be using the facility??? Is using the Middle School parking lot an option?? A better option would be to utilize the Alumni Center parking lot. Drawbacks include privacy for chancellors residence and trails near lot are in bad shape. Is the park and walk feasible??? ====

Trails--will be updated using a GPS unit.
====History--have aerial photography, etc., deed history from Friends of Dorothea Dix website. No defined boundary exists. ====

Flora and Fauna is currently being looked into.
=Project notes=

Assets
1. Cultural components 2. Air Quality 3. Watershed 4. Plants 5. Wildlife/fish 6. Trails/recreational opportunities 7. Soils 8. Wetlands

What We Know What we do not know
1. Lists of plants/wildlife 1. How the list has changed--how many/where? 2. General Site Area 2. The boundary of the site 3. Watershed Exists 3. What impacts? (Golf, school, runoff) Extent of watershed. 4. Wetland Exists 4. Delineation of wetlands 5. Trails Exist & change frequently 5. Where are they? condition? How do they change? What will the future system look like? 6. Economics critical 6. Budgets/costs of management 7. Committee at one point 7. Still exist? Status? Committment? CNR in charge? 8. Invasives present 8. Where / how many? 9. Deer present 9. Numbers / impacts 10. Bird Species data available 11. Air Quality is same as surrounding area / Raleigh 12. General vegetation map 12. Associated wildlife 13. Shed exists 13. Any value / significance? / ownership 14. Soils Map exists 14. Verified? 15. Lake exists, drainage pattern exists 15. Runoff? stream status? Can we find this? Sedimentation from soil erosion from fishing trails.

Steps
1. Establish property boundary to determine what is in our scope buffer zone for management 2. Establish who the stakeholders are

Scoping Tasks
Inventory 1. Trails--Chris 2. Past Use--Helene 3. Wildlife--Julie, Meg 4. Contact Info/ people to speak with--Everybody 5. Finance CBA?--Jenny 6. Soils? Gary, Shawn (allocate to next future classes?) 7. Existing Data--(Bird counts, class projects, etc.) Chris, Charlie 8. vegetation species--Charlie 9. Hydrology (Bodies of Water, Sedimentation)--Shawn, Helene 10.Research Sustainable Building Techniques--Ross, Jenny

Management Plan
Executive Summary - last A. Intro Name + Location--copy and paste from ES + extra details B. Qualifying Features

Category | Qualifying Features

C. General vision + Goals Build classroom Manage Trails Manage Invasives Manage Plants / wildlife Identify what needs to be learned for future management plans

Sean's Notes 10 September
Helene, Jenny, Charles, Ross, and I met today to try and establish some tasks to start working toward completing our management plans. We were going to go ahead and volunteer on some of these topics to get the ball rolling. Volunteer names are in blue. We looked at the following issues:

1. Off-the-grid - Shawn & Ross What did the proposal committee mean when they suggested an off-the-grid classroom.. If we are to designate the young pine successional stand as the construction site, we may have some serious challenges. The criteria is pretty intense and the site may not be able to support such criteria.

2. University guidelines for a building - Jenny The university has several criteria for a classroom. THis includes classroom specs, wastewater discharge, security, etc. We need to establish what these criteria are to see what additional needs a classroom would have.

3. What are the potential uses of an off-the-grid classroom - ? What would professors like the classroom to include? How frequently would it be used. These are all important characteristics that influence how the structure will affect the surrounding ecosystem.

4. Current construction plans. - Charles - working on contacting University Architect. Currently, there is a location on the Centennial Campus Development and Design Guidleines called the Point. We believe this is where the chancellor's residence was constructed. What we don't know if there is still a plant to add a separate structure. This would clearly change our plan...

5. Site Boundary: - Charles Where is the boundary? Who knows? Where can we get this information?

6. Trails - Chris -What needs to be done?

7. Invasives - Meg? Julie? We need to know about current evasive species management methods. These will be helpful in developing how we will manage our invasives.

8. Better management practices - Amy? What are some criteria for better management practices.

1910 soil survey map 1951 USGS topographic map 1970 Soil Survey map