The site consists of several natural areas / public lands, plus some private land. The site includes two large natural lakes - Phelps and Pungo. Also, the site includes at least 15,000 acres of cropland that provide foraging habitat in the winter months for tens of thousands of Tundra Swans and Snow Geese. Also included are several flooded fields / impoundments, mature hardwood forests along the north shore of Lake Phelps (including some national and state champion trees), and a few thousand acres of pocosin habitat ( pond pines and dense shrubs over peat.) Included in the site are all of Pungo Refuge, which is now a part of Pocosin Lakes NWR: Pettigrew State Park, including Lake Phelps: and private farmland west of these two lakes.

The site probably rates of National significance for its very large wintering populations of Tundra Swans, Snow Geese, and other waterfowl. Pungo Refuge has 80,000 to 100,000 waterfowl during an average winter, of which the above two species combine for more than half of this total. Common Mergansers winter regularly on Lake Phelps and on several occasions over 200 birds have been reported, representing 80% or more of the state's wintering population. The fields west of Lake Phelps have a good wintering population of the uncommon Short - eared Owl; sometimes 5 - 10 have been reported.

Lakes susceptible to drought. Also,. during wildfires in 1984 water taken from lakes to fight fires. Some blowing sand/dirt from ag. lands into Lake Phelps. As there are many rare plants growing in the shallow water zone of Phleps, and adequate water supply, including quality, is imperative. Phragmites is starting to appear at Pungo.