Gaston County 2003 Environmental Report Card
Download 1.21 Mb.
|
- Navigate this page:
- What Factors Drive the Quality of Our Natural Resources
- The Environmental Indicators
- Water Quality Indicators
- Corporate Responsibility Indicator
- APPENDIX A: Summary of Indicators, Goal, and Recommendations
- Wastewater spill volumes
- Per Capita Solid Waste Disposal
- Hazardous Household Wastes collected
- Significant Natural Heritage Sites
- Number of ISO 14001 Certifications
Figure 1: Population Trend for Gaston County from 1920- 2030
|
Local Government |
Public Drinking Water Source |
|
Gastonia |
Mountain Island Lake |
|
Mount Holly |
Mountain Island Lake |
|
Belmont |
Catawba River |
|
Bessemer City |
Long Creek |
|
Cherryville |
Indian Creek |
|
Stanley |
Hoyle Creek |
|
High Shoals |
South Fork River |
|
Dallas |
South Fork River |
|
Spencer Mountain, Ranlo, Laurell, McAdenville, Cramerton |
Purchased from City of Gastonia |
Table 1: Public Drinking Water Sources
Each source is regulated differently, with the most regulatory control provided over surface water systems and community wells. Risks to groundwater include contamination pollutants that may seep through soil, such as those from leaking underground storage tanks. Risks to municipally supplied water include non-point source pollutants (for example, grease, sediment, pesticides, oils) that accumulate on land and are carried by storm water into public water supplies and hence increase costs of treatment and chemicals used in treating drinking water.
Health based violations occur when a contaminant exceeds a safety standard or when water is not treated properly. Although the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires health violations to be reported for surface water systems and community wells, the data is unwieldy and presents a challenge for quantifying violations in the county (See EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System: http://www.epa.gov/enviro/html/sdwis/sdwis_query.html ). Better tracking of health violations locally would help the public to understand the risks associated with using different sources of water for drinking.
Water Quality Indicator: Fully Supporting Streams
About the Indicator
All surface waters in the state are assigned a classification appropriate to the best use of that water. The state rates waters according to how well they are supporting their intended uses, whether that use is for providing animal habitat or drinking water. The rating takes into account water quality measures, such as fish and aquatic insect habitat, monthly chemical samples, fish tissue analyses, monitoring data from other agencies, and information from natural resource staff and citizens. The following ratings are provided to waters:
Fully Supporting: waters meet designated use criteria
Partially Supporting: waters fail to meet designated use criteria at times, so are considered impaired
Not Supporting: waters frequently fail to meet designated use criteria, so are considered impaired
Not Rated: streams lacking data or having inconclusive data for rating
In Gaston County, the State rates most streams as Class “C”, meaning that their intended uses include fishing and boating, agricultural uses, and wading. Swimming is not included as a use of Class “C” waters. Mountain Island Lake, parts of the South Fork River, and other waters that are located upstream of municipal drinking water intakes, are rated as “Water Supply Watersheds”. Since their intended use is drinking water, these areas must meet higher standards in order to be meeting their intended use.
Much work has been done to address point source discharges (pollution from a pipe source) in Catawba Creek and Crowders Creek. Removal of these discharges are expected to improve water quality even more in these creeks.
However, as rural land uses in Gaston County give way to residential and commercial development, increased amounts of impervious surface (pavement and rooftops) will yield increased stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff pollution is recognized by the EPA as the number one water quality problem in the United States. In the future, careful land use planning that emphasizes pollution prevention and minimization will be necessary to maintain current water quality and to prevent further degradation.
In 1994, 70.2% of rated waterbodies within Gaston County were rated Fully Supporting. The percentage of Fully Supporting streams rose to 74.4% in 1999. However, Dallas Branch, Crowders Creek, Catawba Creek, and Mauney Creek were either listed as partially supporting or not supporting in 1999.
F
igure 5: Water Quality Indicator- Fully Supporting Streams
Updated stream use support ratings will be published in the next Catawba River Basinwide Water Quality Plan due in 2004. Basinwide plans are available online at: http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/basinwide/
Q
|
Indicator |
2008 Goal |
Actions to achieve the goal |
|
Percentage of stream miles supporting intended uses | Increase percentage of stream miles supporting intended uses | Encourage the use of water quality Best Management Practices (BMPs) Enact local monitoring to increase miles of rated streams Conduct stormwater educational programs. |
NRC’s Goals and Recommended Actions
Water Quality Indicator: Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
About the Indicator
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates underground storage tanks (USTs) storing either petroleum or certain hazardous substances. Until the mid-1980’s, most USTs were made of bare steel, which will corrode over time and allow UST contents to leak into the environment (also called a release). Faulty installation or inadequate operating and maintenance procedures can also cause USTs to leak. The greatest potential hazard from a leaking UST is that petroleum or other hazardous substances can seep into the soil and contaminate groundwater. It can also present other health and environmental risks, including the potential for fire and explosion. Nearly all regulated USTs contain petroleum, and the sites include marketers who sell gasoline (such as service stations) and nonmarketers who use tanks for their own needs (such as local governments).
A
n open incidence of a leaking UST is one where a release has been reported to the state, whose Department of Environment and Natural Resources implements the EPA UST regulations. After a leak has been reported, the state requires the responsible parties to assess the site and clean it up. Depending on whether the leak has contaminated just the soil or also the groundwater, and whether it is affecting a drinking water source, specific clean up goals are set for each site. Leaking USTs that have contaminated groundwater have very strict clean up requirements. A leaking UST incident is closed after the clean-up goals have been met.
North Carolina has developed a hazard ranking system that prioritizes cleanup efforts based on health and environmental risks. Often the most health and cost effective fix is to add potentially affected groundwater users to public water supplies. The state still requires a clean up regimen to protect human health during the process.
The yearly report of releases shows how many incidences were opened each year in Gaston County since the UST regulations were implemented. These peaked in the early 1990’s as the state’s new UST program prompted discovery of many older, leaking tanks.
Gaston County has 187 open incidences of leaking USTs as of May 2003. Forty seven (47) of the open incidences are considered high risk (threat to human health).
So far, Gaston County has 179 total closed incidences, with 41 of those having had soil and groundwater contamination. There are fewer bare steel tanks remaining in the County and reports of leaking USTs have decreased.
Figure 7: Water Quality Indicator- Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
Sources of information include Mr. Steve Bograd, UST Section Regional Supervisor, NCDENR Div. Of Waste Management- USTs. 919 N. Main St. Mooresville, NC 28115; and EPA at www.www.epa.gov/OUST/
QNRC’s Goals and Recommended Actions
Indicator
2008 Goal
Actions to achieve the goal
Number of leaking underground storage tanks (USTs) open cases
Reduce number of open cases
Connect people with contaminated wells to public water supply
Seek funding for cleanup of contaminated sites
Indicator
2008 Goal
Actions to achieve the goal
Number of leaking underground storage tanks (USTs) open cases
Reduce number of open cases
Connect people with contaminated wells to public water supply
Seek funding for cleanup of contaminated sites
Water Quality Indicator: Wastewater Spill Volumes and Frequencies
About the Indicator
Municipal wastewater treatment plants play an essential role in protecting water quality throughout Gaston County. Wastewater treatment plants allow for higher density residential development in their service areas. Higher density is one tool in the effort to curb sprawl development. Plants are also staffed by trained professionals and must meet state guidelines for operation and discharge to surface waters. Many homeowners on individual septic systems are unaware of potential management problems and only realize there is a problem when the system fails. Improperly functioning septic systems do impact water but measuring this part of the equation is practically impossible.
Wastewater treatment plants are required by law to report spills or system bypasses when they occur. Many of the problems occur in the collection system when there are clogs due to what people put down the drain. Aging pipes rupture from time to time. Stormwater infiltration during heavy rainfall events can overwhelm parts of the collection system resulting in escapes of untreated wastewater. Pump station malfunctions account for many of the releases. And from time to time, spills occur at the plant itself.
Untreated wastewater contains pathogens that may cause sickness and disease for those who come in contact with contaminated water. Untreated wastewater decreases oxygen levels in streams and rivers since the oxygen is needed in the decomposition process for the untreated wastes. Lower oxygen levels may stress or kill fish and aquatic life.
The Mooresville Regional Office of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources has regulatory responsibility for Gaston County’s wastewater treatment plants. The Mooresville office provided the data on spill volumes and frequencies presented below.
Figure 8: Water Quality Indicator- Wastewater Spill Volumes and Frequencies
|
Year |
Number of Spills |
Estimated Gallons Spilled |
|
2000 |
64 |
7,019,969 |
|
2001 |
45 |
474,930 |
|
2002 |
54 |
560,723 |
QNRC’s Goals and Recommended Actions
|
Indicator |
2008 Goal |
Actions to achieve the goal |
|
Wastewater Spill Volumes | Reduce wastewater spills | Continue to monitor infrastructure needs Seek necessary resources to upgrade collection and treatment systems Teach citizens how to prevent, identify, and report spills |
Air Quality Indicator
Unhealthy Air Quality Days
Introduction
Although our earth’s “ozone layer” (atmospheric ozone located 10-30 miles above the Earth’s surface) protects us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, ozone at ground level is a health hazard. Ground level ozone is a gas created by volatile organic compounds (VOCs), oxides of nitrogen (NOx ) and sunlight. Cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants and other sources emit VOC and NOx. Sunlight “cooks’ VOC and NOx, creating ground level ozone. Ground level ozone can irritate respiratory systems, impair ability to breathe, aggravate asthma, and inflame and damage the linings of lungs. Scientists are researching long-term effects and have concerns that developing lungs of children repeatedly exposed to high levels of ozone may be damaged.
Cars and other vehicles are the largest single source for ozone problems. While Gaston County has little control over vehicle use in other counties in the region, it can manage growth in ways to locate residences closer to and among employment centers, and encourage carpooling and alternate sources of transportation. Public education about how to reduce ground level ozone is encouraged. As the region continues to grow, these efforts will be required on a regional basis to prevent an increase in ozone exceedances. The American Lung Association’s 2003 State of the Air Report identified the Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill metropolitan area as the 10th smoggiest metro area in the United States. The Greensboro area (17th) and Raleigh area (22nd) were also identified in the top twenty-five smoggiest metropolitan areas in the United States.
Air Quality Indicator: Unhealthy Air Quality Days
About the Indicator
Ozone is primarily a hot weather problem, with most high readings occurring in June, July, and August. The NC Division of Air Quality (DAQ) maintains monitors across the state. The Clean Air Act designates the national air quality ozone standard as 0.08 parts per million (ppm) over an eight hour period. This is one standard method of measuring air quality in urban areas. Since air and the pollutants in it travel with no mind to jurisdictional boundaries, air quality is measured on a regional basis. Gaston County falls within the Charlotte local network. The Charlotte local network includes Mecklenburg, Gaston, Lincoln, Cabarrus, Rowan, Union, York (S.C.) and the Southern third of Iredell counties.
Unhealthy conditions are reached when any one of the eight monitoring stations in the region exceeds the EPA 8-hour ozone standard. Conditions are also measured by a color code. When standards exceed the EPA ozone standard, a code orange air quality notice is issued by The North Carolina Division of Air Quality. Red and purple codes identify worse air quality conditions.
The color-coded Air Quality Index (AQI) used by the NC DAQ to warn citizens of unhealthy air quality is illustrated below.
Table 2: The Color-Coded Air Quality Index
|
Air Quality |
Air Quality Index |
Health Effects |
|
Good (green) |
0-50 |
None expected |
|
Moderate (yellow) |
51-100 |
Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion |
|
Unhealthy for sensitive groups (orange) |
101-105 |
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion |
|
Unhealthy (red) |
151-200 |
Everyone, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion |
|
Very unhealthy (purple) |
201-300 |
Everyone, especially children, should avoid all outdoor exertion |
Source of information: NC Division of Air Quality at http://daq.state.nc.us/Ozone/
Over the past six years, the Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill metropolitan area has experienced an average of 35 days per year of unhealthy air. These unhealthy air days include orange, red, or purple coded days.
F
igure 9: Air Quality Indicator- Unhealthy Air Quality Days
QNRC’s Goals and Recommended Actions
|
Indicator |
2008 Goal |
Actions to achieve the goal |
|
Number of unhealthy air quality days | Reduce unhealthy air quality days | Conduct air quality educational programs Participate in Clean Cities program to increase use of AFVs (Alternative Fuel Vehicles) Support policies that reduce transportation emissions |
Land Use Indicators
Land developed for each new resident
Acreage in farmland
Introduction
Since World War II, prevailing patterns of land use throughout the country have emphasized the conversion of natural or agricultural land to low-density residential subdivisions, commercial centers, and business parks separated by roads and parking lots. Often described as “sprawl,” this type of land use creates long distances between homes and work or shopping, a heavy reliance on highways and automobiles, and the destruction of the natural landscape.
Studies have recently been identifying and quantifying the negative impacts that result from sprawl. These include: wildlife habitat loss and fragmentation, degradation of water quality as watersheds are paved, diminished air quality, loss of farmland, loss of open space, decline in community and quality of life as more time is spent isolated in cars and homes, and hazards to public health such as obesity from less walking.
Sprawl has been particularly egregious in the southeastern states, encouraged by a growth boom along major transportation corridors in the past decade or so and lower land prices on the outskirts of cities. Land is being consumed in this part of the country at alarming rates.
Communities are rapidly recognizing the dangers inherent in sprawling development. Communities are enacting land use policies to promote efficient land use, developing collaborative land-use planning efforts among different levels of government, and protecting open space and farmland.
Source of information: Biodiversity Project: Getting on Message/About Sprawl. www.biodiversityproject.org
Land Use Indicator: Land Developed for Each New Resident
About the Indicator
The accompanying graph shows the percentage increase in acres of land developed in the Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill metro area between 1982-1997, and juxtaposes these increases against the increase in population during the same period. It illustrates that urbanized land increase has outpaced population growth and serves as one of many indicators of sprawl.
The indicator that is used for a measure of land use is the amount of land developed for each new resident, a number calculated by dividing the number of developed acres between 1982-1997 by the number of new residents. The number of acres developed for each new resident is per person, and not per household. For example, while the number of acres developed per new person was 0 .71 acres, for a household of 4 people, 2.84 acres were developed. If this trend were to continue, between 2000-2030 Gaston County would develop 26,768 more acres of land, or 11% of the county’s total land area.
Figure 11: Land Use Indicator- Land Developed for Each New Resident in Region Between 1982-1997
0.71
Acres per person
R
Table 3: Top Five Land Consuming Metro Areas in the U.S.
|
Metropolitan Area |
Increase in Developed Land as % of 1982 developed land base |
Land Developed, 1982-1997 (in acres) |
|
Orlando, FL |
105% |
222,600 |
|
Nashville, TN |
103% |
216,000 |
|
Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill |
95% |
207,000 |
|
Atlanta, GA |
81% |
609,500 |
|
Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, NC-SC |
74% |
246,200 |
esearchers examined data compiled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), as part of its Natural Resource Inventory (NRI) database, for 312 metropolitan areas across the country. Of the top 20 land-consuming metro areas identified in the United States, the Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill area ranked 5th. That means that this metro area consumed more land per population than all but four other metro areas in the U.S. The metro areas ranking worse than the Charlotte region included Orlando, FL (#1), Nashville TN (#2), Raleigh-Durham-Chapel hill (#3), and Atlanta, GA (#4). Table 3 includes these top five land-consuming metro areas in the U.S, including the Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill metro area.
It is possible to reduce the impact of development in the future. The Gaston County Comprehensive Plan provides policy guidance to help minimize development impacts. Some potential methods for allowing development while also decreasing its impacts include:
Allocate resources to identify and protect open space and critical aquatic areas
Encourage compact development that mixes retail, residential, and commercial uses
Manage stormwater using natural systems that slow stormwater down and allow it to infiltrate into the ground and replenish streams and groundwater (often called low-impact development or LID techniques)
The source of information for this indicator was:
Paving our Way to Water Shortages: How Sprawl Aggravates the Effects of Drought published by American Rivers, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and Smart Growth America. It is available at: http://www.americanrivers.org/landuse/sprawldroughtreport.htm
QNRC Goals and Recommended Actions:
|
Indicator |
2008 Goal |
Actions to achieve the goal |
|
Land developed for each new resident | Reduce land developed for each new resident | Support implementation of the Gaston County Comprehensive Plan Support redevelopment and adaptive reuse of existing vacant industrial and commercial properties Develop methods for tracking growth rates specific to Gaston County |
Land Use Indicator: Acreage in Farmland
About the Indicator
Well-managed agricultural lands and forested areas perform many environment-enhancing functions. Along with recycling of carbon dioxide (CO2) through photosynthesis, vegetated areas buffer streams and allow rainwater to infiltrate and recharge the groundwater system. Agriculture is an important industry for economic and cultural reasons in Gaston County. In 1997, 333 active farms were located in Gaston County, with a total land area of 34,860 acres in farmland. Farms in Gaston County sold $9,947,000 in agricultural products in 1997. Keeping land in agricultural use also saves taxpayers’ money by using fewer public services than residential land uses. Residential land uses rarely, if ever, pay for themselves.
According to the July 2002 Gaston County Comprehensive Plan, citizens in 4 out of 5 regions in Gaston County mentioned farmland loss as an issue of concern at public meetings held to discuss county planning. As urbanizing pressure from the Charlotte Metro area continues to affect Gaston County, preserving farmland in the future will involve not only the preservation of the land itself, but also preservation of a network to support the agricultural industry. So far, twenty-six counties in North Carolina have adopted Farmland Protection Ordinances that allow counties to enact agricultural districts. This tool is available for Gaston County to use as well.
Data on farmland was obtained from the 1997 Census of Agriculture for North Carolina and the Farm Service Agency in Gaston County. Farmland acreage is or can be used for cropland or pasture, and does not include other parts of a farm’s lot (barns, houses, driveways, etc.). A 2002 Census of Agriculture for North Carolina with updated information should be available from the US Department of Agriculture by early 2004. Census of Agriculture Reports are available at www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/agric.html.
Table 4: Land Use Indicator- Acreage in Farmland
Q
|
Indicator |
2008 Goal |
Actions to achieve the goal |
|
Actual and potential cropland acres | Minimize agricultural land loss | Identify farmland protection barriers and support strategies to maintain agricultural lands Develop a voluntary agricultural district program for Gaston County |
-
Year
Acres in Potential or Actual Cropland
1992
34,717
1997
34,860
2002
34,596
NRC Goals and Recommended Actions
Solid Waste Indicators
Per Capita Waste Disposal
Hazardous Waste Disposal
Illegal Dumping
Introduction
Solid waste is an indicator of refuse generated and landfilled. Per capita measurements are used to account for differences in county populations while measuring the amount of solid waste disposed. Solid waste fills up existing county landfills and increases demand for more greenspace to dispose of trash and waste. Fortunately, Gaston County’s landfill that meets all environmental regulations has at least 30 years capacity.
The EPA ranks the most preferable ways to address solid waste. Source reduction or waste prevention is the best approach, followed by recycling. Waste that cannot be prevented or recycled can be incinerated or landfilled according to proper regulations. Source reduction and recycling prevents emission of greenhouse gases and water pollutants, saves energy, supplies raw materials for industry, creates jobs, and conserves resources for our children and grandchildren.
The 1991 amendments to the Solid Waste Management Act of 1989 established a statewide goal to reduce the disposal of waste in landfills by 40% by the year 2001. Every county in the Gaston County region has failed to meet this goal, and the statewide average waste disposal rate increased 14% from 1.07 tons per capita in 1991-1992 to 1.21 tons per capita in 2000-2001.
Solid Waste Indicator: Per Capita Waste Disposal
About the Indicator
Gaston County’s per capita solid waste disposal rate increased 22% from 1991-1992 to 2000-2001. Per capita waste disposal includes all sources, residential and commercial. This increase was smaller than the rate of increase in most neighboring counties. The per capita rate of 1.13 tons per capita was significantly lower than Mecklenburg, Union, and Cabarrus Counties and slightly higher than Cleveland and Lincoln Counties. Overall, Gaston County was among the ten largest waste producing counties per capita in 2000-2001.
Table 5: Solid Waste Indicator- Per Capita Waste Disposal (tons)
|
County |
Base Year Per Capita |
Per Capita Rate |
% Waste Change from 1991-1992 to 2000-2001 |
|
1991-1992 |
2000-2001 | ||
|
Gaston |
.93 |
1.13 |
22% |
|
Cabarrus |
.94 |
1.43 |
52% |
|
Cleveland |
.86 |
.91 |
5% |
|
Lincoln |
.87 |
1.10 |
27% |
|
Mecklenburg |
1.29 |
1.77 |
38% |
|
Source: NC DENR Union |
.90 |
1.39 |
54% |
QNRC’s Goals and Recommended Actions
|
Indicator |
2008 Goal |
Actions to achieve the goal |
|
Per capita waste disposal | Maintain or decrease per capita solid waste disposal | Encourage recycling and reducing the amount of solid waste generated |
Solid Waste Indicator: Household Hazardous Waste Disposal
About the Indicator
Some products used around the house contain hazardous components. Such products may include certain paints, cleaners, stains and varnishes, car batteries, motor oil, and pesticides. The leftover contents of such consumer products are know as “household hazardous waste.”
The average home can accumulate as much as 100 pounds of household hazardous waste in the garage or basement. When household hazardous wastes are improperly disposed of by being poured down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers, or put in the trash, risks to human and animal health and the environment are created.
The reduction of risks associated with household hazardous waste can be accomplished by reducing and recycling. Leftover materials can be shared with neighbors or donated to charity. For example, leftover pesticides can be donated to a garden center, and leftover paint can be donated to theater groups. Recycling is an economical and environmentally sound way to handle some types of household hazardous waste, such as used automobile batteries and oil.
Gaston County sponsors household hazardous waste collection days for citizens to recycle materials that may cause harm if disposed of improperly. In 2001-2002, the county collected 107.5 tons of household hazardous waste, up from 91.4 tons the previous year.
Figure 12: Solid Waste Indicator- Household Hazardous Waste Disposal
QNRC’s Goals and Recommended Actions:
|
Indicator |
2008 Goal |
Actions to achieve the goal |
|
Household Hazardous Waste Collected | Increase volumes collected during Household Hazardous Waste Days | Increase participation in Household Hazardous Waste Days |
Solid Waste Indicator: Illegal Dumping
About the Indicator
In addition to being unsightly, public health and environmental quality can be affected by illegal dumping. Standing water in old tires is an excellent habitat for mosquitoes. Trash piles can harbor snakes and rats. Food scraps draw stray animals such as dogs, raccoons, opossums and, of course, rats.
Trash that makes its way into waterways is unsightly at the least, but it may also contain fluids that impair water quality. Trash combined with organic material can form dams that lead to flooding.
Gaston County and the municipalities respond to numerous complaints each year from concerned citizens. Tough enforcement along with educational efforts have led to fewer citations in the last three years. The number of citations are based on the combined totals of citations issued by the Environmental Crimes Units of the Gaston County Police Department and the City of Gastonia.
F
igure 13: Solid Waste Indicator: Illegal Dumping
Q
|
Indicator |
2008 Goal |
Actions to achieve the goal |
|
Illegal Dumping | Fewer instances/ citations of illegal dumping | Encourage ongoing enforcement efforts |
NRC’s Goals and Recommended Actions:
Biodiversity Indicator
Significant Natural Heritage Areas
Introduction
Biological diversity, or biodiversity, is the variety of all forms of life on Earth. Its complexity is measured in terms of variations at genetic, species, and ecosystem levels. Animal and plant species are becoming extinct and natural areas are being depleted from the earth at an alarming rate as a result of human activity. The loss of biodiversity has serious implications for humans and animals alike. Biodiversity provides genetic stock for food crops, sources of new drugs, nature-based recreational opportunities, and safeguards against pollution.
The loss of biological diversity is easily observable in our own backyards. As land is cleared for development, rare species are replaced by more common “backyard” species. Where once neotropical songbirds nested in the interiors of forests, common and sometimes non-native species such as starlings and cowbirds have moved in after development due to their better tolerance of disturbed habitats.
As noted by the United Nations 1995 Global Biodiversity Assessment,
Beside the profound ethical and aesthetic implications, it is clear that the loss of biodiversity has serious economic and social costs. The genes, species, ecosystems and human knowledge which are being lost represent a living library of options available for adapting to local and global change. Biodiversity is part of our daily lives and livelihood and constitutes the resources upon which families, communities, nations and future generations depend.
Biodiversity Indicator: Significant Natural Heritage Areas
About the Indicator
The NC Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) identifies “Significant Natural Heritage Areas”(SNHAs) as the most important areas for natural diversity of the state. SNHAs may derive their significance from the presence of rare species, rare or high quality natural communities, or other important ecological features. Gaston County completed a Natural Heritage Inventory to catalog these sites in 2000. The inventory included a field survey to identify rare plant species. Existing data and previous reported sightings were used to determine the presence of rare animal species.
Gaston County’s most significant sites are distributed across the county. They range from Crowders Mountain in the southwest corner to sites east of Stanley and at the mouth of the South Fork River. The county’s sites are identified as “A” sites, which contain species or habitat of State or regional significance, or as “B” sites, which are of Gaston County significance.
Figure 14: Biodiversity: Significant Natural Heritage Sites
Gaston County Significant Natural Heritage Sites
Key to Figure 14: “A” prefix= North Carolina or Regional Significance
“B” prefix= Gaston County Significance
The Crowders Mountain State Park is the largest natural heritage site in the County. It covers over 3,000 acres of topographically, botanically , and zoologically diverse land. Six natural plant communities are found in the park, and the area supports a diversity of wildlife species. Some animals documented in the park have not been documented elsewhere in the county. A second natural heritage site, Pinnacle Road, has recently been incorporated into the park. This site is most significant for the occurrence of dwarf juniper (Juniperus communis) along its ridgeline.
Six of the County’s twelve “A” sites are significant because of the presence of the Bigleaf Magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla). This magnificent plant has the largest simple leaf of any species in the temperate world, and one of the largest flowers. Of the 34 known sites containing Bigleaf Magnolias in NC, 29 are in Gaston County.
A Sites
The following table lists the Gaston Natural Heritage sites in the A category (National, State or Regional significance).
|
Site Number |
Site Location |
|
A 01 |
Crowders Mountain State Park |
|
A 02 |
Twin Brooks – Stanley Basic Forest |
|
A 03 |
Richard Rankin Complex |
|
A 04 |
Stagecoach Road Granitic Outcrop and Wetland |
|
A 05 |
Armstrong Ford |
|
A 06 |
Jean Rankin Forest |
|
A 07 |
Kenneth Oates Farm Forest (Area B) |
|
A 08 |
Laurel Hill Nursery Forest |
|
A 09 |
Pinnacle Road |
|
A 10 |
Friday Sites # 1-1 and 1-2 (primary site and annex) |
|
A 11 |
Jenkins Site |
|
A 12 |
Forney Rankin/Redlair Preserve |
B Sites
The following table lists the Gaston Natural Heritage sites in the B category (County significance).
|
Site Number |
Site Location |
|
B 01 |
Riverbend Peninsula Forest |
|
B 02 |
Saddler Road |
|
B 03 |
Airport Road East |
|
B 04 |
Rhyne Farm |
|
B 05 |
Stanley Creek |
|
B 06 |
Spencer Mountain Dam |
|
B 07 |
South Pasour Mountain – Piedmont Monadnock Forest |
|
B 08 |
Middle Pasour Mountain |
|
B 09 |
Long Creek Gauging Station |
|
B 10 |
Mauney Creek |
|
B 11 |
Mike Moore Hill |
|
B 12 |
Penegar, Gastonia South |
|
B 13 |
Ferguson Ridge |
|
B 14 |
Ferguson’s Knob |
|
B 15 |
Unity Church Road |
|
B 16 |
Catawba Cove |
|
B 17 |
Rhyne Bluffs |
|
B 18 |
Thornburg Shoals Granitic Flatrock, Bottomland Forest |
|
B 19 |
Sumner Road |
|
B 20 |
Grant Hill |
|
B 21 |
Kenneth Oates Farm Forest (Area A) |
|
B 22 |
Kenneth Oates Farm Forest (Area C) |
|
B 23 |
Jack Moore Forest |
|
B 24 |
Falston Road |
|
B 25 |
Johnson Creek and Side Catawba |
Two sites in the survey are important because they provide habitat for Bog Turtles. The Bog Turtle is the single most significant rare animal species surviving in Gaston County.
The Stagecoach Road site is the largest and best preserved granitic outcrop in the County. Its thin soils are dominated by hickory species and it is also home to several smaller species such as Talinum teretifolium (Fame flower), Diamorpha (Sedum) smallii (Small’s sedum), and Hypericum gentianoides (Pineweed) that are found only in this type of habitat. A farm site contains an old growth forest dominated by beech, yellow poplar, oaks, and maples- some trees with diameters of nearly 3 feet.
As a result of the Natural Heritage Survey, three plant species were documented for the first time in Gaston County. These include Aster georgianus (Georgia aster), Helianthus schweinitzii (Schweinitz’s sunflower), and Schisandra glabra (Magnolia vine). This is the first report of Schisandra glabra anywhere in the Piedmont of either North or South Carolina.
While Gaston County contains 7,790 acres of protected open space, only some of the identified SNHAs are included within this protected acreage. While some of the Significant Natural Heritage Areas are under permanent protection, others are threatened by development pressure.
Sources of information include the Gaston County Natural Heritage Inventory, NC Natural Heritage Program, and the Million Acres Initiative in the Office of Conservation and Community Affairs (http://www.enr.state.nc.us/officeofconservation/index.html). For information on rare species in Gaston County, the NCNHP natural elements database can be queried at http://www.ncsparks.net/nhp/search.html.
Q
|
Indicator |
2008 Goal |
Actions to achieve the goal |
|
Significant Natural Heritage Sites | Maintain number of undisturbed Natural Heritage sites. | Conduct periodic surveys of Natural Heritage sites Support development strategies and land protection programs that protect Natural Heritage areas Conduct field inventory of terrestrial and aquatic animals to complete Gaston County’s Natural Heritage inventory |
NRC Goals and Recommended Actions:
Corporate Responsibility Indicator
ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System Certifications)
Introduction
As everybody’s actions impact environmental quality, everybody in Gaston County has a role to play in protecting it. In addition to local governments and citizens, corporations who do business in Gaston County have a responsibility in ensuring that the impacts on the environment from their actions will be minimal. One way to gauge corporate responsibility in the county is to look at how many corporations voluntarily develop environmental management systems.
Corporate Responsibility Indicator: ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System) Certifications
About the indicator
ISO stands for International Organization for Standardization, located in Geneva, Switzerland. ISO promotes the development and implementation of voluntary international standards for particular products and environmental management issues. ISO 14001 is certification of meeting 17 elements of an Environmental Management System (EMS). The EMS has several basic components, including:
A policy statement (including a commitment to compliance, prevention of pollution, and continuous improvement).
An analysis of environmental impacts and legal requirements
A statement of goals/objectives/targets and initiatives
A corrective action plan, and
A management review system.
The EMS does not establish additional environmental compliance requirements or any performance levels but provides instead the framework for a company to meet its environmental goals and objectives that it sets for itself. Company benefits as a result of ISO 14001 certification include strong competitive advantage in the international and national marketplace, reduction of environmental trade barriers, an enhanced public image, and a demonstration of environmental commitment.
This indicator can be used as a measure of an organization’s willingness to implement a voluntary environmental management system to identify and reduce the organization’s environmental impact.
There are five facilities in Gaston County with ISO 14001 certification. This compares very favorably to other counties in the region.
T
|
ISO14001-Certified Facility |
Date Certified |
|
City of Gastonia, Wastewater Treatment Division |
6/15/2001 |
|
Crompton Manufacturing, Uniroyal Chemical Division |
7/21/1999 |
|
Dana Corporation, Wix Filtration Products Division |
undated |
|
Firestone Fibers and Textiles |
10/01/1999 |
|
Stabilus |
7/16/2001 |
able 6:Corporate Responsibility Indicator: ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System) Certifications
More information can be obtained at http://www.p2pays.org/iso/main/isoinfo.htm.
QNRC Goals and Recommended Actions:
|
Indicator |
2008 Goal |
Actions to achieve the goal |
|
ISO 14001 Certifications | Increase number of ISO 14001 Certifications | Encourage more participation and recognize companies which achieve certification |
APPENDIX A: Summary of Indicators, Goal, and Recommendations
Gaston County has worked to maintain and improve environmental quality for its citizens through a comprehensive approach led by the Quality of Natural Resources Commission (QNRC). Leaking underground storage tanks have been removed, hazardous household wastes have been properly disposed , a Natural Heritage survey has been completed and the county recently began local control for sediment and erosion control. While all of these efforts are admirable, we are not resting on our successes but pushing forward to protect environmental quality. The following table is a road map for continued progress.
Environmental Indicators: Goals of Gaston County QNRC
|
Category of Indicator |
Indicator (current measurement) |
A reasonable 5 –year Goal for this indicator |
What actions could be taken to achieve the desired 5-year goal? |
|
Water Quality |
Percentage of stream miles supporting intended uses ( 74% )
| Increase percentage of streams supporting intended uses | Encourage the use of water quality Best Management Practices (BMPs) Enact local monitoring to increase miles of rated streams Conduct stormwater educational programs |
|
|
Number of Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) open cases (187) | Reduce number of open cases | Connect people with contaminated wells to public water supply Seek funding for cleanup of contaminated sites |
Wastewater spill volumes | Reduce wastewater spills | Continue to monitor infrastructure needs Seek necessary resources to upgrade collection and treatment systems Teach citizens how to prevent, identify and report spills | |
|
Air Quality |
Number of unhealthy air quality Days (Averages 35 days per year) | Reduce unhealthy air quality days | Conduct air quality educational programs Participate in Clean Cities program to increase use of AFVs(Alternative Fuel Vehicles) Support policies that reduce transportation emissions |
|
Land Use Impacts |
Land developed for each new resident ( 0.71 acres) | Reduce land developed for each new resident | Support implementation of Gaston County Comprehensive Plan Support redevelopment and adaptive reuse of existing vacant industrial and commercial properties. Develop methods for tracking growth rates specific to Gaston County |
|
Actual and potential cropland acres (34,596)
| Minimize agricultural land loss | Identify farmland protection barriers and support strategies to maintain agricultural lands Develop a voluntary agricultural district program for Gaston County | |
|
Solid Waste | Per Capita Solid Waste Disposal(1.13 tons per person) | Maintain or decrease per capita solid waste disposal | Encourage recycling and reducing the amount of solid waste |
|
| Hazardous Household Wastes collected(107.5 tons per year) | Increase volumes collected during HHW Days | Increase participation in Household Hazardous Waste Days |
|
|
Illegal Dumping (95citations/year) | Fewer instances/ citations of illegal dumping |
Encourage ongoing education and enforcement efforts |
|
Biodiversity | Significant Natural Heritage Sites( 37 sites) | Maintain number of undisturbed Natural Heritage sites | Conduct periodic surveys of Natural Heritage sites Support development strategies and land protection programs that protect Natural Heritage sites Conduct field inventory of terrestrial and aquatic animals to complete Gaston County’s Natural Heritage inventory |
|
Corporate Responsibility | Number of ISO 14001 Certifications( 5 ) | Increase number of ISO 14001 Certifications | Encourage more participation and recognize companies which achieve certification |
library -> Strategic Plan South Sudan Country Office Context
library -> Guide to Arbor Day
library -> Sonar Atlantic Coast Championships May 31 and June 1, 2008 Manhasset Bay Sonar Fleet #11
library -> Qiao Liang and Wang Xiangsui
library -> Managing Law Enforcement Integrity The State of the Art a summary of Findings For Law Enforcement Leaders
library -> 2016 Gaming Industry Report
library -> Daniel simpson, horticulture extension agent
library -> Large trees – Over 30’ Tall Recommended for Coastal Southeast Landscapes
Share with your friends: