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RALEIGH, N.C. (July 9) – A renewed agreement among International Paper, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and several other partners will guide habitat management to benefit birds and aquatic wildlife.
On June 22 International Paper signed an agreement to restrict logging next to 57.3 miles of river and streams on its land in the Upper Tar River Basin for the benefit of wildlife. The company will preserve riparian areas in Halifax, Warren, Edgecombe and Nash counties. The agreement sets aside a 50-foot, no-harvest buffer of trees next to each stream or river. An additional 150 feet on either side of the water body will be restricted to harvesting techniques that balance management of the timber resource with favorable wildlife habitat. International Paper owns approximately 175,000 acres in the area covered by the agreement. “International Paper is the largest landowner in the basin,” said Mark Johns, a Wildlife Commission bird biologist. “We are really pleased this company takes such an interest in wildlife conservation. Their management actions will benefit birds that use the buffer areas for feeding and nesting, as well as improve habitat for aquatic life in the streams.” Well-forested buffers filter sediment and other pollutants, provide shade to moderate water temperatures, stabilize banks and drop leaves and other woody debris used by aquatic animals. Their attributes will positively impact the many rare fish, mussels, crayfish and aquatic insects living in the Upper Tar Basin, including two federally endangered mussels: dwarf wedgemussel and Tar spinymussel. “This is not only an effective partnership, but a great example of how sound forest management can enhance and protect critical riparian habitat in northeastern North Carolina,” said Jeremy Poirier, International Paper’s regional wildlife program manager. “The management recommendations reflect the input from a diverse group of natural resource professionals, which will undoubtedly benefit a wide variety of terrestrial and aquatic plant and animal species.”
In addition to the Commission and International Paper, the agreement was signed by representatives from: N.C. Partners in Flight, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, N.C. chapter of The Nature Conservancy, Tar River Land Conservancy and N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The Upper Tar agreement is part of an ongoing effort by the Commission to work with private landowners to conserve and enhance habitat on their lands whenever possible. |
