US Fish & Wildlife Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge The Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge ( ARNWR ) is a 152,000‐acre National Wildlife Refuge surrounding DCR , located in eastern North Carolina along the Atlantic Coast . DCR and ARNWR together make up more than 90 percent of the ownership of the Dare County mainland . The refuge was established on March 14 , 1984 to preserve and protect a unique wetland habitat type and its associated wildlife species . Along with wetland habitat and species management , the refuge has been working toward restoring the area to the previous historic water levels by plugging man‐made drainage ditches . The refuge also provides for the public opportunities for hunting , fishing , wildlife interpretation , observation , photography , and environmental education . Over 42,000 people visit the refuge annually , which is staffed by about 30 workers .
Sources : www . outerbanks . com / alligator‐river‐national‐wildlife‐refugehtml ; www . fws . gov / refuge / alligator _ river ; en . wikipedia . org / wiki / Alligator _ River _ National _ Wildlife _ Refuge
2.3 Study Area Growth Trends
The following provides a profile of the Study Area ’ s trends concerning population change , economic development , housing stock , and transportation infrastructure , all of which establish the regional context for growth potential in the region .
The population data is based on information obtained from the US Census Bureau and shows the growth or decline within the Study Area . Table 2‐1 provides a comparison of the changes in population in the region between 2000 and 2010 , noting the percentage change over the decade .
Population levels overall fluctuated throughout the Study Area between 2000 and 2010 . Dare County experienced the highest population growth rate in the Study Area . Wayne , Beaufort , Bertie , and Ty relatively stable in population growth between 2 Washington County , along with the cities of Was decreases in population by 2010 . The City of Gol largest decrease of 8.45 percent with Washingto decline of 3.61 percent . While Hyde County and minimal decrease in population growth .
Table 2-1 . |
Population Change 2000-2010 ; |
Jurisdiction |
2000 |
2010 |
Perce Increa |
North Carolina 8,049,313 9,535,483 18.4 Wayne County 113,329 122,623 8.2
Beaufort County
44,958 47,759 6.2
Bertie County 19,773 21,282 7.6 Dare County 29,967 33,920 13.1 Hyde County 5,826 5,810 -0.2 Tyrrell County 4,149 4,407 6.2
Washington County
City of Goldsboro
13,723 13,228 -3.6
39,801 36,437 -8.4
City of
9,796 9,744 -0.5 Washington Source : US Census Bureau , 2000 Census counts and 2010 Office of State Budget and Management County / State Po Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan , 2008
Dare , Hyde , and Wayne Counties expect to see p coming decades . The population in Beaufort Co relatively stable . Bertie , Tyrrell , and Washington lose population in the future .
Background Report