A.  North Carolina Wildlife Federation proposes to increase the quality, biological function, and diversity of aquatic habitats for lakes Norman, Mountain Island and Hickory/James via a large woody debris (LWD) project.  The project will increase the LWD in these reservoirs and at the same time create basking areas for a variety of turtle species, loafing areas for waterfowl, and foraging areas for fish.  NCWF will fell and cable specific trees along the shorelines of Duke-owned islands.  In addition, NCWF will attach to these felled trees 19 platforms for basking and loafing areas.

 B.  LWD is a vital and naturally occurring component of healthy aquatic habitats.  Due to the rapid development of the Catawba reservoir shorelines for homes, the amount of woody debris allowed to enter into and accumulate is minimal, thus limiting basking sites for turtles, water snakes and other herpetofauna, loafing areas for waterfowl and wading birds and safe perches for avian species. 

 Microscopic algae, called periphyton can attach to LWD and provide food for aquatic insects and other invertebrates, which also colonize and attach themselves to woody debris. In addition, LWD tends to trap and collect other organic materials such as leaves, providing a food source for many aquatic insects, which shred and consume leaf materials. These same aquatic insects comprise a major component within fish diets. In a very real sense, LWD effectively creates a “mini-ecosystem”.

Further need for LWD in Piedmont reservoirs is underscored within the North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan (NCWAP). This is a comprehensive management tool developed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission to help conserve and enhance the state’s full array of fish and wildlife and their habitats.  Crafted by state leaders in research, conservation and education, the NCWAP identifies diverse management strategies, research studies and conservation efforts for wildlife resources. NCWAP points out that microhabitat features such as large woody debris have been lost, impacting reptiles and small mammals and that needed conservation actions for lakes, reservoirs, and other impoundments include: efforts to maintain sufficient levels of woody debris for reptiles, amphibians and small mammals and the need to retain or create snags, logs, rocks and other structures used by basking reptiles.

The project will entail surveying and choosing sites that provide optimum opportunity to fell trees into the water.  Trees will be determined based on providing intended LWD, suitability for attaching basking platforms, avoidance of boating navigational hazards and achieving monitoring objectives.  LWD is typically defined by biologists as larger than 4 inches in diameter with a minimum length of 6 feet.  This project will target trees larger than 10 inches in diameter in order that basking platforms may be attached to achieve sustained wildlife objectives. Trained and certified chainsaw equipment personnel will cut trees for felling.  The “Live Tree Stump Method” will be utilized.  Trees will be cut partially for felling purposes and remain sufficiently attached to stumps.  While this method generally suffices for anchoring, to avoid navigational hazards, further anchoring will be practiced.  Stainless steel cables and gripple fastening systems will provide further anchoring of the LWD. All branches will be left purposely as they will provide many interstitial spaces-ideal habitat for aquatic invertebrates and fishes.  Once trees are felled, basking platforms will be attached.  Platforms will be 4 x 4 feet made of cedar poles underneath for added buoyancy and cedar planks (weathering) will comprise the platform.  In addition to being attached to the LWD, platforms will be anchored -using stainless steel cable-to the substrate with 50- pound anchors. Signs will be posted at each site in order to educate lake users of the objectives-“to benefit the lake’s fish, turtles and waterfowl for all to enjoy”

C.  Many species -both fish and wildlife-will benefit from a LWD and associated basking platform project. Basking sites are important for allowing species to elevate body temperature for feeding and digestion as well as predator avoidance on the shorelines. These turtle species can be expected to use the woody debris and associated loafing/basking areas: Snapping Turtle, Eastern Mud Turtle, Eastern Musk Turtle, Painted Turtle, Yellowbelly Slider, River Cooter, Spiny Softshell. Dr. Mike Dorcas of Davidson Biology Department states “Basking sites can be limited in some aquatic situations and providing basking sites (e.g., downed trees) and structure underwater may help to enhance populations of some semi-aquatic turtles. The project is worth pursuing a HEP grant for (I hope you get it!)”. Other species that will use and benefit from the project in the form of basking refugia and loafing include: Northern Water Snake, Muskrat, various waterfowl and wading birds and fish including bluegill, bass, redbreast sunfish and possibly some catfish. The project will additionally benefit belted king fishers, flycatchers and osprey by providing perch areas.

D.  The project presents ideal partnership opportunities for NCWF chapters in lakes Norman and Mountain Island as well as for forming and launching a chapter in either James or Hickory.  NCWF will also partner with Davidson College Biology Department and the Central Carolina Amphibian and Reptile Initiative (both are NCWF affiliates), Duke Environmental and Lake Services and the NCWRC Non-Game Advisory Board.

E. Chapter volunteers will construct, attach to LWD and anchor the basking platforms. The NCWAP states the need for: 

·        Developing standardized monitoring programs analogous to the Breeding Bird Survey for reptiles, amphibians and small mammals. Of particular interest is trend information for those species dependent upon snags and woody debris. 

·       Gaining information regarding the specific microhabitat needs of priority species to develop long-term conservation strategies.

·        Initiating long-term monitoring for amphibians that use woody debris as a microhabitat following initial survey efforts.

NCWF chapters and island adopters will be trained in species monitoring, identification, and data reporting.  The project is tailor made for volunteer involvement, engagement, empowerment, building wildlife chapter capacity and forming new wildlife chapter(s).

F.   The project will be successful when 19 LWD with basking platforms and educational signage are established.  Further project success will be achieved by the formation of a new wildlife chapter inspired by the project for Lake James or Hickory (or both).

G.  Ongoing project results will be disseminated via all NCWF communication mediums, including our statewide Journal of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, electronic newsletters, press releases, media stories, and respective chapter communication tools.