Probably no other factors influence development as much as the physical characteristics of the land, water resources and the climate. Responsible development requires a thorough awareness and understanding of the physical characteristics of the natural environment.

The climate of Pulaski County is modified continental, with mild winters, and warm and humid summers. The County is located in the mean paths of winter North American storm tracks and moist tropical air from the Gulf of Mexico. Besides its location, the major controlling factors on temperatures in the County are elevation and the mountains. The mountains steer and modify storms and air masses. The higher elevations cause a flow of cooler air which tend to moderate summer nights.

Seasonal Average Temperatures:                 Annual Precipitation:

Spring 53.9                                                         Rainfall 38.28"

Summer 71.6                                                      Snowfall 17.00"

Fall 53.3                                                             Total Precipitation 55.28"

Winter 36.4

Average Relative Humidity: <70%

Wind Patterns: Prevailing From the Southwest

Average Wind Speed: 10 m.p.h.

The growing season is 150 days. The first frost occurs in early to mid October while the last frost usually occurs in late May. However, a number of local factors-such as elevation-can cause variation from the aforementioned general data.

The average annual temperature stands at 54 degrees Fahrenheit, although extreme variations have been recorded. The average January temperature is 35 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average July temperature is 73 degrees Fahrenheit. The highest temperatures occur during July and August, and the lowest temperatures occur during December and January. Ice may be found on all of the County's streams during the winter months. Ice depths may reach 14 inches in the upper reaches of the tributaries and 8 inches in the main streams.

Precipitation

The average annual snowfall is 17 inches. Mean annual precipitation in Pulaski County is 39 inches. Intense rainfall may occur at any time, but generally occurs between December and April. The greatest amount of run-off also occurs between December and April, but no major flooding has been recorded during the winter months. Flash floods may occur when sudden storms concentrate their rainfall on a small watershed.

Pulaski County has a prevailing westerly-southwesterly wind during the warm season, and a prevailing north-easterly wind during the cold season. The year round average surface velocity is 8 miles per hour. Violent winds occasionally accompany severe storms, and gusts have been recorded in excess of 80 miles per hour.

Geology's importance to comprehensive planning lies in the identification of geologic structures which, if ignored, could be detrimental to public safety and welfare. Analysis of subsurface geologic conditions is a vital source of information on the conditions affecting any type of development. Rock strata serves as reservoirs for water and as a source of valuable minerals. Improper use can result in contaminated water supplies, septic tank failures, and damaged roads. There are eleven major rock types in Pulaski County. They include:

•  Mississippi Shales and Sandstone

Much of Pulaski County is underlain by carbonate bedrock and the surface topography is typical of a karst terrain. The carbonate bedrock provides a vast potential for ground water resources, but these resources are subject to contamination. As is typical of karst terrain, soil cover is thin and rapid infiltration of surface water occurs through drainage into sinkholes. These characteristics dictate how surface activities can have a severe and widespread potential for adversely affecting groundwater quality. The folded, fractured and solubilized nature of carbonate bedrock can result in rapid and widespread distribution of contaminants once they are introduced into the groundwater.

In karst terrain, pinnacle erosion is common. Therefore, excavation costs may vary within a relatively small area. Since this erosion is irregular and unpredictable, professional on-site evaluation of depth to bedrock is encouraged. Small cave-ins are not uncommon and usually develop after heavy rains, when water enters the earth through deep cracks in the dried out soil. These cave-ins may cause the rupture of storm drains, water lines, and occasionally lead to surface cave-ins which may cause road or foundation failure.

Pulaski is traversed by three major faults, one of which branches into several traces south of Claytor Lake. Figure 2 illustrates these fault lines as well as the general geologic formations.

Mineral Resources (prepared by the Virginia Division of Mineral Resources, 1/97)

Most of Pulaski County is in the Valley and Ridge province and is underlain by sedimentary rocks. The southeastern most part of the County is in the Blue Ridge province and is underlain by sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. During 1997, more than 495,468 short tons of iron-oxide pigments and limestone were produced by two quarries east of Dublin and east of Newbern, operated by Holston River Quarry, Inc., and by the Hoover Color Corporation, located near Hiwassee. The stone produced at the quarries is marketed as road stone, concrete aggregate, agricultural stone, and for other purposes.

Iron-oxide pigments are mined from pits south of (and processed at) Hiwassee. The finished product is marketed as a coloring agent in a variety of products. The largest market continues to be for paint; additional markets are art supplies (crayons, chalk, water colors) and building products (colored cinder blocks and bricks). Most recently, the Industrial Chemicals Division of Allied Chemical Corporation utilized pyrrhotite, mined intermittently near Galax, Carroll County, and in a plant process at Pulaski.

In the past, limestone and dolomite were quarried at various sites in Pulaski County for crushed-stone purposes. Sandstone was quarried for use as crushed stone and dimension stone, as well as sand and gravel. Semianthracite coal has been mined in the Little Walker Mountain fields in northern Pulaski County and in the Pulaski field near the Town of Pulaski. Coal refuse near Parrott has been crushed and marketed as lightweight aggregate. Iron ore was mined at several sites in the vicinity of Allisonia and on Draper Mountain in the western part of the County, and manganese minerals were also prospected and produced in Pulaski County. Zinc minerals were mined and prospected in the vicinity of Delton and Allisonia. Clay is obtained locally for the manufacture of brick. Samples of Clay and shale from selected localities have been tested and found potentially suitable for use in the manufacture of brick, tile, and lightweight aggregate.

Soil science deals with the origin, form and structure of soil. Because of the large number of soil types, they are usually classified by associations. A soil association is comprised of a group of soils, each of which is defined and named, and all of which are associated in a consistent pattern within a described geographic area. There are eleven general soil associations in Pulaski County.

Variation in soils affect its productive capacity and its ability to support heavy loads, and how the soil holds its shape and slope after excavation. The soil properties can help determine the kind of management needed to obtain adequate crop yields. For example, soils low in plant nutrients require more fertilizer.

Soil properties also directly affect residential development. A seasonally high water table limits the location of residential development. If the water table rises close to the surface, basements may be flooded, septic tank absorption fields may fail, and plants may be damaged or killed. If a building is built on certain types of clayey soils, the foundation may shift or settle unevenly and the foundation may crack severely. A septic tank absorption field may not function where the soil absorbs the effluent too slowly or where bedrock is at a shallow depth.

Soils high in clay content have limited space for holding effluent. If the soil is not porous, the effluent simply builds up and seeps to the surface. Steep slopes make it difficult to control the distribution of effluent. Effluent distributed into the soil in a steep slope may seep onto the ground surface at a lower level. Since septic tanks are the major method of domestic waste disposal in Pulaski County, the limitations of the soils must be thoroughly scrutinized when considering residential and industrial development.

Information about soil limitations for different land uses prevent major mistakes in land use and unnecessary costs to consumers and the community. Soil properties provide an important criteria in guiding development and locating specific types of uses. Figure 3 is a summary of the soil associations in Pulaski County, while Exhibit 4 illustrates soil associations which limit development.

The Pulaski County Soil Survey provides detailed soil data including overlaying the existing soils on aerial photographs of the County and specific limitations of soil types within the associations with regard to particular uses. If the soils are found to have serious limitations to development, development should either be discouraged if it endangers the environment, or alternative development designs should be encouraged as to overcome the limitations and reduce any adverse impact.

These map units consist mainly of loamy soils formed in materials weathered from sandstone and shale in mountainous areas. The units are on long, narrow ridgetops and long, smooth, convex side slopes. Numerous deep, parallel drainageways dissect the side slopes.

FIGURE 2 - GEOLOGY OF PULASKI COUNTY

The soils in these map units are best suited to woodland. Many of the soils area too steep or too stony for cultivated crops. Some sloping and moderately steep areas are used for pasture and hay, generally poorly suited to most types of community development. The depth to bedrock and the slope are the main limitations.

1. Nolichucky-Berks

Deep of moderately deep, sloping to steep soils that have a loamy subsoil; formed in colluvial material weathered from sandstone or in material weathered from shale. 4 percent of the County is Nolichucky-berks.

This unit consists of a long, southeast-facing mountain ridgetop, of side slopes, and of a valley floor. The ridgetop is narrow and uniform in elevation. The upper part of the side slopes consists of steep, concave slopes and broad benches. The lower parts are dissected by many parallel drainageways. Slopes range from 7 to 65 percent.

Slope makes the soils generally unsuited to farming and is the main limitation for community development. This unit makes up 4 percent of the survey area.

Moderately deep, moderately steep to very steep soils that have a loamy subsoil; formed in material weathered from shale.

This unit consists of a long, northwest-facing side slope on Little Walker Mountain and Cloyd's Mountain and most of Draper Mountain, Chestnut Mountain, and Robinson Tract Mountain. The soils are dissected by many deep, V-shaped valleys. Slopes range from 15 to 65 percent.

Slope makes the soils generally unsuited to farming and is the main limitation for community development. The soil unit comprises about 9 percent of the County.

Deep and moderately deep, sloping to steep soils that have a loamy subsoil; formed in material weathered from shale.

This unit consists of a long, southeast-facing mountain ridgetop, a side slope, and foot slopes. The ridgetop is narrow and uniform in elevation. The side slope consists mainly of steep, convex slopes and heads of drainageways. The foot slopes have long, narrow benches cut by deep, parallel drainageways. Slopes range from 7 to 65 percent.

Slope limits the unit for farming and, along with the depth to bedrock, is a major limitation for community development. This soil unit makes up 9 percent of the County soils.

Shallow and moderately deep, sloping to steep soils that have a loamy subsoil; formed in material weathered from shale.

This unit consists of ridgetops and side slopes and a few wide drainageways and small areas of bottom land. The ridgetops are long and have a wide range in size. The side slopes are steep and meet at narrow, V-shaped drainageways. Slopes range from 7 to 65 percent.

Slope is the major limitation of the unit for farming and, along with depth to bedrock and flooding in a few areas, is a major limitation for community development. 2 percent of the County's soils are of this unit.

5. Rayne-Berks-Klinesville-Groseclose

Deep to shallow, sloping to steep soils that have a loamy or clayey subsoil; formed in material weathered from shale interbedded with limestone.

This unit consists of long, narrow ridges and convex side slopes and is dissected by numerous U-and V-shaped drainageways. Slopes dominantly range from 15 to 65 percent.

Slope and an erosion hazard are the main limitations of this unit for cultivated crops. Slope, the depth to bedrock, and a seepage hazard are the main limitations for community development. 16 percent of the County lies in this soil unit classification.

Moderately deep or shallow, moderately steep to very steep soils that have a loamy subsoil; formed in material weathered from sandstone shale, quartzite, and phyllite.

This map unit is along the Blue Ridge. It consists of very stony mountain ridges, side slopes, and narrow drainageways. Slopes dominantly range from 15 to 65 percent.

Slope makes the soils generally unsuitable for farming and, along with the depth to bedrock, is a major limitation for community development. This unit makes up about 16 percent of the County.

These units consist of loamy and clayey soils formed in material weathered from limestone and shale in the valley area of the County. The units are dominantly made up of broad ridgetops and smooth convex side slopes and are dissected by numerous U-shaped drainageways.

The soils in these units are suited to cultivated crops and to pasture and hay. The soils are dominantly used for farming, but have good potential productivity for woodland.

The soils in these units generally are poorly suited to community development. A seasonal high water table, a clay subsoil, and slope are the main limitations.

Deep, undulating to hilly soils that have a clayey subsoil; formed in material weathered from limestone and shale.

This unit consists of narrow and broad ridgetops and smooth, convex side slopes. Numerous U-shaped drainageways dissect the unit. Slopes range from 2 to 30 percent.

Moderately slow or moderate permeability, the clayey subsoil, a high or moderate shrink-swell potential, and slope are the main limitations of this unit for community development. This map unit makes up 17 percent of the County.

Moderately deep or deep, undulating to hilly soils that have a clayey subsoil; formed in material weathered from limestone and shale.

This unit consists of narrow and broad ridgetops and hills and smooth, convex side slopes. Numerous U-shaped drainageways dissect the unit. Slopes range from 2 to 45 percent.

Moderately slow or slow permeability, the clayey subsoil, a high or moderately high shrink-swell potential, and slope are the main limitations of the unit for community development. This unit makes up about 22 percent of the County.

These map units consist of loamy and clayey soils formed in alluvial sediments and from material weathered from limestone and shale.

The soils in these units are suited to cultivated crops and to pasture and hay. The soils are dominantly used for farming but have good potential productivity for woodland.

The soils in these units generally are poorly suited to community development. A seasonal high water table, a clay subsoil, and slope are the main limitations.

Deep, nearly level to hilly soils that have a loamy or clayey subsoil; formed in alluvium and in material weathered from limestone and shale.

This unit consists of flood plains, terraces, and upland hills. Slopes range from 0 to 30 percent.

A seasonal high water table, moderately slow permeability, and slope are the major limitations of the unit for community development. This unit makes up about 2 percent of the County.

Deep, undulating to hilly soils that have a clayey subsoil; formed in alluvium.

This unit consists of high terraces, broad ridgetops, and convex side slopes. Slopes range from 2 to 30 percent.

Permeability, a clayey subsoil, and slope are the main limitations for community development. A few areas have a seasonal high water table. This unit makes up about 4 percent of the County.

11. Braddock-Wheeling

Deep, nearly level to hilly soils that have a clayey or loamy subsoil; formed in alluvium.

This unit consists of high and low terraces. Slopes range from 0 to 30 percent.

Permeability, a clayey subsoil, and slope are the main limitations of the unit, especially the Braddock soils, for community development. This unit makes up about 3 percent of the survey area.

FIGURE 3 - SOIL ASSOCIATION

FIGURE 4 - DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF SOIL ASSOCIATIONS

The land area of Pulaski County is 327 square miles. Located on a plateau in southwest Virginia, the County is bordered by Bland, Carroll, Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, and Wythe Counties, and the City of Radford. The County lies within the Valley and Ridge and the Blue Ridge physiographic provinces. Pulaski County's topography ranges from 1,800 to 2,850 feet above sea level. The area is drained by the New River which was dammed by Appalachian Power Company (American Electric Power) to form Claytor Lake.

Topographic information is important in planning because slope and topographic relief affect the suitability of land for development (See Figure 5). Topography influences the type and cost of development, controls the direction and rate of water runoff, influences the weather and climate, and affects the type of vegetation and wildlife. Slope, then, can indicate those areas of the County which are best suited for particular types of development.

Percent Slope      Description                      Suitability

0-5%                     Flat                                    Drainage or floor problems under 3%. A slope of 3% is generally ideal for industrial sites. Depending on other conditions, such as soil conditions, flat land is highly suitable for and tolerant to development.

5-20%                    Low-Moderate                    Fairly tolerant to development although excessive removal of ground cover may cause erosion. It has generally good sites for residential development. The upper practical limit for road and street grades is typically 8%. Very high construction costs can be incurred when slopes are over 8%. Loss of ground cover may cause erosion and land slippage in areas with more than an 8% slope.

>20%                     Steep                                     Development causes major erosion problems by increasing runoff velocity. Major site engineering is necessary. This land is suitable for recreation, wildlife management, and watershed protection. It is generally unsuitable for cultivation.

When developing residential units in slopes between 5 and 20 percent, there are several considerations that should be taken into account:

The location and properties of water resources are determined by geology, soils, topography, and climate. Water is one of the most important variables in the selection of sites for development. Water may be categorized into surface water and groundwater.

Two examples of surface water are the New River and Claytor Lake. The New River is capable of supplying 3.2 billion gallons per day during average flow, and 457 million gallons per day during drought flow. Claytor Lake and two other smaller lakes (Gatewood and Hogan Lakes) provide 489.9 acres of surface water storage within the County. In 1988, the Virginia Water Control Board concluded that the available supply of surface water was adequate to meet projected demand over the 50 year study period.

As of July 1997, there were seventeen Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permits in Pulaski County, excluding alternative home wastewater treatment processes. Six of these discharges are to the New River below Claytor Lake, while the remaining eleven are to Claytor Lake or one of its tributaries. Seven of these discharges have been discontinued. In the past, discharges have exacerbated existing water quality problems, for example, the Town of Pulaski's wastewater discharge to Peak Creek contributed to eutrophication problems experienced in Claytor Lake. There are six surface water intakes in the County which include municipal and industrial water supply intakes.

Groundwater is water which is present in rock strata. Supplies of groundwater are replenished at recharge areas. If the soil near these areas is contaminated, the aquifer will be contaminated. An additional constraint posed by recharge areas is that in many cases, only a small portion of total ground water can be replenished annually.

A large percentage of the water consumed in Pulaski County is obtained from wells. Wells drilled in limestone have a wide range of yield because of the irregular distribution and size of fractures and solution openings containing water. Typical well depth ranges from 50 to 225 feet deep and well yields average 20 to 30 gallons per minute. Some wells in the Shiloh area yield as much as 100 to 500 gallons per minute. Groundwater from limestone areas is typically hard but otherwise of good quality.

Floodplain is the land area which accommodates the flood flow of rivers and streams. Increasingly, the 100 year floodplain is being accepted as that area from which most development should be excluded. Uses that could be permitted are agriculture, forestry, recreation, institutional open space and open space for housing. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has developed floodplain maps of the County estimating the location of the 100 and 500 year floodplains. These maps serve as reference guides for local ordinances related to construction in floodplains.

Pulaski County has 118,971 acres of forest land, comprising 58 percent of all land in the County (1992 Forest Survey). The forests have a significant impact upon the County's economy, social conditions, climate, and many diverse ecosystems.

Since 1992, forest land in Pulaski County has increased by 1,730 acres. Gains in forest land evolve from the abandonment of former agricultural land following a natural successional change toward reforestation. The agricultural sector's share of the total forest land decreased over the past decade, continuing a past trend. Nearly all forest land in the County is now considered "commercial" (producing or capable of producing crops of industrial wood and not withdrawn from timber utilization).

Eighty-one percent of all forest land in the County is privately owned. Miscellaneous private landowners showed a corresponding increase. This is similar to a statewide trend of non-farming private landowners steadily replacing farmers as major owners of forest land. This trend is important for County analysis of real estate taxation, evaluation of land use decisions, and resource availability for attracting forest industry.

Of the 22,858 acres of forest land held in public ownership, 83 percent, or 19,039 acres, is located in the Jefferson National Forest. These lands are managed under multiple-use principles for timber, fish and wildlife, recreation, water quality, and community development. The national park lands can be found in the northwest corner of the County.

Due to heavy timber cutting in the 1920s and 1930s, the age and size of the trees in the County are imbalanced. Fifty-five percent of all forest land is in pole timber stands, while only thirty percent is on sawtimber size and fifteen percent is at the sapling and seedling stage.

Continuing to recover from the over cutting fifty years ago, the forest stands in the County are increasing in timber volume. The volume of sawtimber for all species has increased by nearly 110 million board feet since the 1980s and now totals 353.8 million board feet. Much of this expansion is in marketable hardwood and softwood sawtimber. The average net annual growth between 1986-1991 for Pulaski County was 16.19 million board feet of sawtimber; 1.75 million board feet of pine and other softwoods; 3.04 million board feet of soft hardwood; and 11.39 million board feet of hard hardwood.

The major conservation needs for the forest of Pulaski County are the improvement of the timber stands, to bring them up to full stocking with desirable trees. Recent reforestation efforts have resulted in the placement of 150,000 seedlings by 26 landowners in 1988. This includes the reforestation of 33 acres and the development of 146 acres of Christmas tree farms.

While utilizing only a small percentage of the sustainable timber growth available in Pulaski County, the forest industry is a significant factor in the local economy. Pulaski has one sawmill, one plywood-veneer plant and two furniture plants, with numerous support services, businesses and employment in the surrounding area. However, a substantial volume of wood is brought into the County to supply the local forest products industry.

The County's forest lands offer considerable recreational opportunities for residents in the local area and region. The 1977 Outdoor Recreation Inventory identified 35,978 acres of land in Pulaski open for recreational use. Much of this land consists of the 19,288 acres of the Jefferson National Forest and the 16,000-acre Blue Ridge Scout Reservation. The latter is owned by the Boy Scouts of America. Other forested recreation areas include Claytor Lake State Park (4,475 acres), Gatewood Reservoir (162 acres), Hogan Lake (40 acres), and a few private campgrounds and smaller facilities throughout the County.

These recreational lands support 624 campsites on 192 acres, plus 50 acres of picnic areas. There are an estimated 43 miles of hiking trails, mostly on the Scout Reservation, and several miles of bridle trails, principally at Claytor Lake State Park and the New River Trail State Park. Much of the woodland is used for hunting and fishing, but only the National Forest is open to the public for this purpose.

The overall diversity of land use and terrain in Pulaski County provides good habitats for a variety of fish and wildlife. The maintenance of forested areas, under a forest management program to create a balanced range of timber stand ages and size classes is important to continue or improve the abundance and diversity of wildlife. In addition, identification and proper management of the sites of rare and endangered species in the County are necessary to protect our natural heritage and provide a sufficient pool of biological resources to meet our future needs.

The following table (Table 1) identifies flora and fauna found in Pulaski County that have been listed as endangered, threatened, extirpated, or special concern. A map (Figure 6) illustrating the general location of endangered and rare species follows.

                                                                    Ranking                                 State

Amphibians

Hellbender                                         G4             S2S3             SOC             SC

Appalachian Terrestrial                         G2             S2

Dung/Transitory Organic Matter Cave

Submesotrophic Scrub

Submesotrophic Woodland

Significant Cave

Henrot's Cave Isopod                         G2                 S1S2

Atlantic Hellsplitter                               G3                 S2           SOC             SC

A Cave Dipluran                                   G?                 S1

Virginia Fringed Mountain Snail             G1                 S1             LE             LE

A Cave Beetle                                       G1                 S1

A Cave Mite                                         G3                 S2?

Regal Fritillary                                       G3                 S1           SOC

James Cave Amphipod                          G1                 S1

A Millipede                                           G3Q               S2

Creeping Aster                                     G4G5             S1

Piratebush                                             G2                 S2           SOC            LE

A Bittercress                                         G3                 S1

Chestnut Lipfern                                     G5?              S2

Fee's Lipfern                                         G5                 S1

Virginia White-Haired Leatherflower     G3                 S2S3

Smooth Coneflower                             G2G3             S2             LE

Sweet-Scented Indian Plantain             G3                   S2

Tall Gay-Feather                                 G4G5               S2

American Gromwell                             G5                     S2

Plains Muhly                                        G4                     S2

Stiff Goldenrod                                     G5T5                S2

Canby's Mountain-Lover                       G2                    S2         SOC

Sword-Leaved Phlox                             G2                     S2

Prostrate Blue Violet                             G4G5                 S2

In 1972, the Division of State Planning and Community Affairs' Critical Environmental Areas identified the New River as a relatively unspoiled natural area in the midst of rapidly growing, urbanizing area. The study noted that the New River afforded excellent recreational potential as well as adjoining historic sites such as Ingles Ferry. The New River met several criteria for designation including:

• Worthy of State protection;
• Crucial to an ecological system;
• Endangered by the activities of man.

Since the report was first published over twenty-five years ago, the section of the New River south of Allisonia and north of Whitethorne has been identified as "desirable components" of the State's scenic rivers program. Big Reed Island Creek at the Carroll-Pulaski County line has been similarly identified. Ingles Ferry has been designated a potential historic preserve.

In July 1998, the New River was designated as one of fourteen "American Heritage Rivers." The grassroots effort to obtain national recognition for the New River's historical, cultural, and natural heritage will result in increased support for community-based programs and projects throughout the New River watershed.

The wildlife habitat condition of Pulaski's forests and role of the forest product industry in the local economy may be improved in the future by:

Besides the demand for timber, recreation, and wildlife, Pulaski's forests are becoming increasingly attractive as places to live. Trees and forests in a residential area have tremendous benefits. They provide shade, wildlife habitat, noise buffers, air and water purification, erosion and sediment control, and improve site aesthetics. Protecting trees during construction can increase the value of houses substantially. Wind protection and shade can reduce energy consumption in summer and winter. Builders and developers should be encouraged to plant trees and, when building in wooded areas, take the necessary steps to protect existing trees and critical ares where possible.

The visual enhancement provided by the County's trees and forests offer an aesthetic and economic attraction to people and businesses. The forests also play a vital role in producing clean water for household and industrial use, moderating run-off and stream flows, and in reducing potential flood levels.

Areas of high timber productivity also tend to be suitable for agriculture, and other land uses. It is anticipated that demand for these other uses will continue and forested areas will be primarily confined to steep slopes, streambanks, drainage and similar areas. Developments in this area should give the existing trees and vegetation careful consideration to prevent erosion, enhance property values, and promote the other advantages of trees in residential areas. Farmland and other land uses abandoned in this area should be promptly reforested with desirable tree seedlings. Areas lying in floodplains and other sites found unsuitable for residential or commercial/industrial building can be reforested.

Although less productive soils will not generate as large a timber crop, these areas are the best suited for forest cover since steep slopes and thin, erodible soils limit much of the areas' potential for other uses. Much of the County's existing forestland is within these areas. These woodlands have a vital role in protecting the County's water supply, producing wood, providing wildlife habitat and recreation, and influencing the air quality and aesthetics of the local area.