2030 Comprehensive Plan Update, October 2023

Environmental Protection

5.6 Wildlife and Habitat Protection and Preservation Protecting the diversity of plant and animal species is important. Rapidly urbanizing communities such as Raleigh are in danger of losing their areas of wildlife habitat. Raleigh still has the opportunity to protect and enhance its wildlife habitat and a wide range of “priority species,” including songbirds that are indigenous to North Carolina. “Priority species” of fish and wildlife are identified in the North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan and provide a useful resource for Raleigh’s wildlife conservation efforts. For example, the North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan identifies priority species that inhabit some city water bodies, such as Walnut Creek and the Neuse River corridor.

Policy EP 6.3 Special Status Species

Place a high priority on protecting rare, threatened, and endangered species habitats and migratory corridors, as defined by Federal and State agencies, from development and its impacts through methods, such as land acquisition, park and greenway stewardship, improved development regulations, intergovernmental coordination, and mitigation. Policy EP 6.4 Biodiversity and City Park Lands Strive to maintain and improve species diversity and populations in the parks inventory through enhanced plantings and habitat management.

Policy EP 6.1 Aquatic Habitat

Seek to prevent further and/or potential aquatic degradation and impairment of biological communities by strengthening urban stream water quality measures.

See also ‘5.3 Water Quality and Conservation.’

Policy EP 6.2 Seasonal Pools and Streams Protect and restore seasonal pools and intermittent streams, and their buffers that are home range/ breeding habitat for water dependent species.

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