SECTION .0200 ‑ SELECTION CRITERIA

07 NCAC 13I .0201           NATURAL FEATURES

Natural features are of primary importance and shall receive first consideration in establishing natural areas within the state parks and recreation system. These features include, but are not limited to:

(1)           formations or features of the natural landscape significantly illustrating geological processes;

(2)           significant fossil evidence of the development of life on earth;

(3)           exemplary or representative ecological communities (terrestrial and aquatic) maintained under prevailing natural conditions;

(4)           ecological communities significantly illustrating the processes of natural succession, including examples of communities maintained or perpetuated by fire;

(5)           habitats supporting rare or restricted species of plants or animals;

(6)           flora or fauna persisting from an earlier period;

(7)           unique or unusual natural features;

(8)           seasonal havens for concentrations of native animals, such as a bat colony or coastal bird rookery;

(9)           features of high natural and aesthetic quality illustrating the scenic grandeur of North Carolina.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113‑3; 113‑8; 143B‑10; 143B‑135.16;

Eff. August 15, 1981;

Transferred from 15A NCAC 12I .0201 Eff. April 1, 2017;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. May 1, 2018.