Fish

Although the New River does not adjoin BMP, The North Fork New River supports seven rare species, including two endemic fishes: the Kanawha darter (Etheostoma kanawhae) and Kanawha minnow (Phenacobius teretulus), and the green floater (Lasmigona subviridis), a state endangered bivalve mollusk (NCNHP 1999).  The South Fork of the New River supports 16 rare species, including the Kanawha darter and Kanawha minnow, as well as the state threatened log perch (Percina caprodes), the special concern sharpnose darter (Percina oxyrhynchus), and two bivalve mollusks: the spike (Elliptio dilatata), a special concern species and the very rare green floater. The presence of fishes endemic to the New River drainage is an indication of its great age: other endemic species might be found with additional survey. The rare mollusks, stoneflies, mayflies, and caddisflies that are present are good ecological indicators of water quality.  The mayfly (Ephemerally forepart) and Gammon’s stenelmis riffle beetle (Stenelmis gammoni) are known in North Carolina only from the South Fork New River. The New River also contains important habitats for several rare dragonflies.  BMP protects the New River’s headwaters and helps maintain water quality by protecting the watershed.

Several animal species of open habitats and forest edges are present. These include several rare butterflies, such as the Appalachian azure (Celastrina neglectamajor) and the early hairstreak (Erora laeta) which are usually seen only at high elevations. The giant swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes) normally occurs in the Coastal Plain, but the presence of a host plant — wafer-ash (Ptelea trifoliata) — along the New River helps explain its presence. The Appalachian cottontail (Sylvilagus obscurus) is documented from openings atop Mount Jefferson. Several bird species have also been recorded from open habitats in large, relatively undisturbed, ecologically intact natural areas. These include Cooper’s hawk (Accipiter cooperii), recorded from Mount Jefferson and Long Hope Valley, and the alder flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum), from bogs at Long Hope Valley. Other species have been recorded from open habitats such as pastures. They include the savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) and the loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus). The regal fritillary (Speyeria idalia) was formerly found in extensive meadows but is thought to be extirpated from the county. The blue-winged warbler (Vermivora pinus) and warbling vireo (Vireo gilvus) are known from thickets and open groves of hardwoods along the New River.

Surveys of rare and listed wildlife species may include northern myotis, pigmy salamanders, Appalachian woodrat, eastern spotted skunk, Appalachian cottontail, and black-billed cuckoo. Listed animal species and their habitats are protected and restored by following approved federal and state recovery plans, guidelines and other scientific recommendations.  Land management activities including mechanical soil disturbance, prescribed burning, and timber stand improvements take into account rare species requirements, habitat needs and the potential for negative impacts from recreational activity or habitat management programs.