Blackwater and Nottoway Watersheds

<p style='margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal'>The watershed is an important headwater to the Albemarle and Pamlico
Sounds, is uniquely pristine, and is a recognized <span style='background:white;
mso-highlight:white'>North American Coastal Plain global biodiversity hotspot. </span>This
area historically supported longleaf pine dominated ecosystems and their unique
community of species, including the red-cockaded woodpecker. We will pursue
funding to restore longleaf pine habitat for the red-cockaded woodpecker and
priority migratory birds in coordination with partners, such as the <span style='background:white;mso-highlight:white'>Virginia Longleaf Pine Cooperators
local implementation team </span>(Regional Working Group for America’s Longleaf
2009). We will also support projects that restore or enhance habitat and water
quality to promote conservation of Atlantic slope mussels (e.g., dwarf
wedgemussel, Atlantic pigtoe). The watershed hosts multiple fisheries species
of conservation concern and priority migratory bird species (see Service Trust
Resources section). Roanoke logperch (see Roanoke Logperch Priority Area
information below) also occurs in the Nottoway River drainage and we will work
with our partners to engage in outreach and support survey efforts for Roanoke
logperch as well as projects that enhance habitat and water quality such as
barrier removal (restore connectivity), implementing agricultural BMPs (e.g.,
excluding livestock from streams), and stream and riparian restoration.</p>