SUBCHAPTER 12I ‑ NATURAL AREAS
SECTION .0100 ‑ GENERAL PROVISIONS
15A NCAC 12I .0101 PURPOSE
The purpose of establishing natural areas within the state
parks and recreation system shall be to serve the people of North Carolina and
their visitors by:
(1) preserving and protecting areas of scientific
value;
(2) portraying and interpreting plant and animal life
and other natural features; and
(3) conserving and perpetuating outstanding examples of
North Carolina's natural diversity and scenic grandeur.
History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑3; 113‑8;
113‑35; 143B‑10;
Eff. August 15, 1981;
Amended Eff. October 1, 1984.
15A NCAC 12I .0102 DEFINITIONS
Whenever used in this Subchapter: "Natural area"
means an area within the state parks and recreation system where natural
processes are allowed to predominate and which is preserved for the primary
purposes of resource conservation, environmental education, or scientific
research.
History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑3; 113‑8;
113‑35; 143B‑10;
Eff. August 15, 1981;
Amended Eff. October 1, 1984.
SECTION .0200 ‑ SELECTION CRITERIA
15A NCAC 12I .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;
113‑35; 143B‑10;
Eff. August 15, 1981.
15A NCAC 12I .0202 SITE EVALUATION
In assessing natural features, each site shall be evaluated
with respect to:
(1) presence of natural features, not adequately
represented in other protected natural areas;
(2) diversity of native flora and fauna;
(3) quality and condition of natural features;
(4) viability and self‑sufficiency of the natural
ecosystem when properly managed;
(5) extent to which past disturbances have altered the
natural features;
(6) degree of vulnerability to disturbances and
encroachments;
(7) capability of being managed so as to protect and
maintain natural conditions;
(8) compatibility of protective management practices
with current use of adjacent lands;
(9) scientific and educational value.
History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑3; 113‑8;
113‑35; 143B‑10;
Eff. August 15, 1981.
15A NCAC 12I .0203 SIGNIFICANCE
(a) Natural areas selected to be brought into the state
parks and recreation system by purchase or gift shall be those which possess
natural features of statewide significance. Only areas of high natural or
scenic quality or exceptional scientific and educational value shall be
considered for acquisition.
(b) Where appropriate, natural areas worthy of permanent
preservation but which are of less than statewide significance may be
designated on lands already administered by the Division of Parks and
Recreation to protect, preserve, and maintain one or more of the natural
features listed in Rule .0201 of this Subchapter.
History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑3; 113‑8;
113‑35; 143B‑10;
Eff. August 15, 1981.
15A NCAC 12I .0204 SIZE AND BUFFER
Sites selected as natural areas shall be large enough to
insure adequate buffer protection of the included natural features from
external disturbances and encroachments.
History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑3; 113‑8;
113‑35; 143B‑10;
Eff. August 15, 1981.
15A NCAC 12I .0205 CONDITIONS INCONSISTENT WITH
PRESERVATION
Purchase or acceptance as a gift of property for
establishment of a natural area in the state parks and recreation system shall
involve no commitments, privileges, or conditions inconsistent with
conservation and maintenance of the property as a natural area.
History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑3; 113‑8;
113‑35; 143B‑10;
Eff. August 15, 1981.
SECTION .0300 ‑ NATURAL AREA CLASSIFICATION AND USE
15A NCAC 12I .0301 SCIENTIFIC AREAS
Natural areas shall be placed in the scientific area
category where appropriate and necessary to ensure special protection for
scientific and educational purposes. The scientific classification may be
applied to an entire natural area or to a designated portion. Areas so
classified shall be limited to access and use by responsible scientists and
researchers, and to other individuals and small groups for educational and
research purposes under careful supervision. Camping, picnicking, swimming,
and other general recreational activities unrelated to observation and
scientific study shall not be permitted. Scientific areas shall be closed to
equestrian use. Roads, buildings, and other structures and improvements shall
not be constructed except those necessary for site protection, essential
research, and educational use of the area.
History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑3; 113‑8;
113‑35; 143B‑10;
Eff. August 15, 1981;
Amended Eff. October 1, 1984.
15A NCAC 12I .0302 INTERPRETIVE AREAS
Those areas which portray natural processes and features in
an exemplary way, and which are not subject to serious impairment if opened to
public visitation for nature study and interpretive use, shall be designated as
interpretive areas. Use shall be primarily for educational and interpretive
purposes with development limited to facilities necessary for safe access,
sanitation, site protection, and maintenance, and to provide adequate
interpretive programs. Interpretive areas and facilities shall not be used for
general recreational activities. Camping, picnicking, and swimming shall not
be permitted. Trails shall be limited to walking, hiking, and nature study,
but special interpretive trails with wheelchair access for the handicapped may
be accommodated.
History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑3; 113‑8;
113‑35; 143B‑10;
Eff. August 15, 1981;
Amended Eff. October 1, 1984.
15A NCAC 12I .0303 CONSERVATION AREAS
Natural areas not otherwise identified as scientific areas
or interpretive areas shall be classified as conservation areas. Conservation
areas shall remain in their natural and undeveloped state but, where appropriate,
may accommodate primitive camping facilities, equestrian trails, bicycle
trails, and other compatible facilities in keeping with the preservation
theme. Any or all uses, activities, and facilities shall be subject to
restriction where they conflict with conservation needs. Conservation areas
may be designated to provide buffer protection for scientific and interpretive
areas or be established as separate and independent natural areas.
History Note: Authority G.S. 113‑3; 113‑8;
113‑35; 143B‑10;
Eff. August 15, 1981;
Amended Eff. October 1, 1984.
SECTION .0400 ‑ NATURAL AREA PROTECTION
15A NCAC 12I .0401 APPLICABLE RULES AND REGULATIONS
15A NCAC 12I .0402 MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES
15A NCAC 12I .0403 MASTER PLAN
15A NCAC 12I .0404 ADVISORY COMMITTEE REVIEW
15A NCAC 12I .0405 COLLECTING PERMITS
15A NCAC 12I .0406 INTRUSIONS
15A NCAC 12I .0407 BOUNDARY MARKERS: SIGNS: AND FENCES
15A NCAC 12I .0408 SERVICE FACILITIES: SERVICE ROADS
15A NCAC 12I .0409 PUBLIC ACCESS ROADS
15A NCAC 12I .0410 FIREBREAKS
15A NCAC 12I .0411 TRAILS
15A NCAC 12I .0412 SCENIC AND LANDSCAPE ALTERATIONS
15A NCAC 12I .0413 SAFETY HAZARDS
15A NCAC 12I .0414 REMOVAL OF NATURAL MATERIALS:
PRODUCTS: OR OBJECTS
15A NCAC 12I .0415 WATER LEVEL CONTROLS
15A NCAC 12I .0416 FIRE CONTROL
15A NCAC 12I .0417 USE OF TOXIC CHEMICALS
15A NCAC 12I .0418 INSECT AND DISEASE CONTROL
15A NCAC 12I .0419 EROSION CONTROL
15A NCAC 12I .0420 MANAGEMENT OF VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE
15A NCAC 12I .0421 ACCESS CONTROL
15A NCAC 12I .0422 ORIENTATION AND GUIDANCE OF VISITORS
15A NCAC 12I .0423 CULTURAL RESOURCES
15A NCAC 12I .0424 MANAGEMENT RESEARCH
History Note: Authority G.S. 70‑4; 113‑3;
113‑8; 113‑35; 113‑261; 113‑272.4; 143B‑10;
Eff. August 15, 1981;
Repealed Eff. October 1, 1984.
