Protection of golden sedge could afffect Pender development
A plant called the golden sedge could have an impact on future development in Pender County.
But that's not likely in the immediate future.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service gave a “critical habitat” designation last week to the plant, which is federally listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
The designation includes 203 acres in Pender and Onslow counties. There are only eight known populations of golden sedge, all near the Maple Hill community. Six are in an area bounded by N.C. 53 to the east and N.C. 50 to the west.
An economic analysis “did not indicate that any major business or industry or proposed development would be affected by this rule. The areas where golden sedge occurs are mostly protected for environmental conservation already,” said Dale Suiter, an endangered species biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
More than 80 percent of the 203 acres are protected by N.C. State Parks in the Sandy Run Savannas State Natural Area, the N.C. Department of Transportation as a wetland mitigation site, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission as game land and The Nature Conservancy, as various nature preserves.
Less than 20 percent of the land is in private ownership and not intended for conservation purposes, Suiter said.
That's not to say other golden sedge sites won't pop up.
“I would assume there would be some on private properties that have not been identified,” said Kyle Breuer, Pender County planning director.
Designation of critical habitat does not affect land ownership or what private landowners can do with their property unless it requires federal funding or permits.
“Plants listed as federally endangered receive little protection on private lands. Unlike animals, which are considered common property because they have the ability to move between different parcels of land, plants are considered part of the land, and therefore are owned by the property owner,” Suiter said.
Suiter said federally listed plants receive protection if a project is funded, authorized or carried out by a federal agency. For example, he said, if a property owner needs a federal permit to impact wetlands that contain a listed plant, the Army Corps of Engineers would have to consult with Fish and Wildlife to ensure the permit does not jeopardize the continued existence of the species.
The golden sedge was first described as a distinct species in 1994 and was listed as an endangered species in 2002. The plant also is listed as endangered by the N.C. Department of Agriculture.
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Golden sedge, or Carex lutea, is a perennial member of the sedge family (Cyperaceae). Fertile stems may reach 39 inches or more in height. The species is native to Pender and Onslow counties in the Black River section within the Northeast Cape Fear River watershed. Golden sedge grows on fine sandy loam. Plants are most abundant in wet savannah areas. – Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service