Post by L Roebuck on Nov 7, 2007 19:31:48 GMT -5
Quarry proposal just the second time state agencies asked for input on zoning
Anita Firebaugh
“Because downstream waters are habitat for the James spinymussel, it is imperative that connections between Catawba Creek and the quarry be minimized,” a letter about the quarry from DCR reads.
Additionally, the Catawba Creek Slopes Conservation site is located on the opposite side of the creek northwest of the proposed rezoning area. Conservation sites evolve around one or more rare plants or animals. This site is home to an endangered plant, the Smooth Coneflower, which is the only native purple coneflower in Virginia.
Other rare plants on the site are the Virginia false-gromwell and Addison’s leatherflower, both perennial herbs. The latter is classified as a “species of concern” by the USFWS.
Two small butterflies, the Northern Metalmark and a Noctuid moth, along with Milne’s euchlaena moth, are also listed. These species are not listed as endangered but are thought to be threatened.
The letter also cites potential for the presence of the federally listed Madison Cave isopod, which is a bug.
“DCR recommends avoidance of all the natural heritage resources mentioned above, due to their rarity and status,” the letter reads.
The letter notes there are 19 caves documented on or in the direct vicinity of the property. However, these caves lie in a different limestone formation and all but two are not in the direct path of quarry operations.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has requested a biological survey of the area, while VDGIF has recommended “200-foot naturally vegetated riparian buffers… along the entire length of the project on Catawba Creek.”
Full Text
Anita Firebaugh
“Because downstream waters are habitat for the James spinymussel, it is imperative that connections between Catawba Creek and the quarry be minimized,” a letter about the quarry from DCR reads.
Additionally, the Catawba Creek Slopes Conservation site is located on the opposite side of the creek northwest of the proposed rezoning area. Conservation sites evolve around one or more rare plants or animals. This site is home to an endangered plant, the Smooth Coneflower, which is the only native purple coneflower in Virginia.
Other rare plants on the site are the Virginia false-gromwell and Addison’s leatherflower, both perennial herbs. The latter is classified as a “species of concern” by the USFWS.
Two small butterflies, the Northern Metalmark and a Noctuid moth, along with Milne’s euchlaena moth, are also listed. These species are not listed as endangered but are thought to be threatened.
The letter also cites potential for the presence of the federally listed Madison Cave isopod, which is a bug.
“DCR recommends avoidance of all the natural heritage resources mentioned above, due to their rarity and status,” the letter reads.
The letter notes there are 19 caves documented on or in the direct vicinity of the property. However, these caves lie in a different limestone formation and all but two are not in the direct path of quarry operations.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has requested a biological survey of the area, while VDGIF has recommended “200-foot naturally vegetated riparian buffers… along the entire length of the project on Catawba Creek.”
Full Text