SW3191001_Sunflower Study Phases 2 and 3_11/5/2019

CAROLINA WETLAND SERVICES, INC.
550 E. Westinghouse Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28273
704-527-1177 (office)
704-527-1133 (fax)
October 11, 2019
Mr. Gene Vaughan
The Moser Group Inc.
231 Post Office Drive, Suite B-8
Indian Trail, NC 28079
Subject: Protected Species Habitat Assessment Report
Poplin Meadows
Unincorporated Union County, North Carolina
CWS Project No. 2019-0174
Dear Mr. Vaughan,
The Moser Group Inc. has contracted Carolina Wetland Services, Inc. (CWS) to provide a
protected species habitat assessment for the Poplin Meadows site. The Poplin Meadows site
is approximately 31 acres in extent and is located northeast of the Sardis Church Road and
Secrest Shortcut Road intersection in Union County, North Carolina (Figure 1).
Methods
In -office Desktop Review
To determine which protected species are listed as occurring or potentially occurring within the
project vicinity and prior to conducting the on -site field investigation, CWS consulted the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Endangered and Threatened Species and Species
of Concern by County for North Carolina online database for Union County'. In addition, CWS
performed a data review using the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) Data
Explorer2 on August 27, 2019 to determine if any record occurrences of federally -listed,
candidate, endangered, threatened species, or critical habitat are located within the project
limits.
Typical habitat requirements for listed species was discerned from multiple USFWS and
NCNHP online resources including, but not limited to, specific USFWS species profiles3,
recovery plans, NCNHP's Guide to Federally Listed Endangered and Threatened Species of
North Carolina, and List of the Rare Plant Species of North Carolina4. United States
Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) Web Soil
' United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Raleigh Field Office. Accessed July 12, 2019. Endangered and Threatened Species
and Species of Concern by County for North Carolina. https://www.fws.gov/raleigh/species/cntylistlunion.html
2 North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. 2018. Biotics Database. Division of Land and Water Stewardship. Department of
Natural and Cultural Resources, Raleigh, North Carolina. Accessed July 12, 2019.
3 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2006. Optimal Survey Windows for North Carolina's Federally Threatened and Endangered Plant
Species. http://www.fws.gov/nces/es/plant_Survey.htmi. Accessed July 12, 2019.
Buchanan, M.F. and J.T. Finnegan. 2010. Natural Heritage Program List of the Rare Plant Species of North Carolina. NC
Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh, NC. Accessed from https://www.fws.gov/raleigh/species/cntylisttnc_Counties.html
North Carolina - North Carolina
WWW.CWS-INC.NET
Page 1 of 5

Poplin Meadows October 11, 2019
Protected Species Assessment Report CWS Project No. 2019-0174
Survey of Union County5 and aerial imagery were also reviewed for potential habitat conditions
for listed species within the project vicinity (Figures 2 and 3).
Field Survey
CWS scientists Hannah Meeler, Staff Scientist I, Aliisa Harjuniemi, PWS6, and Ian Dunning,
Staff Scientist I, conducted a pedestrian habitat assessment of the project area on August 27
and October 10, 2019. Supporting habitat areas for potentially occurring federally -protected
species that were identified during the desktop review were evaluated in the field. The
evaluation included assessing the quality of physical and/or biological features that would be
supportive of protected species. Additionally, during the pedestrian habitat assessment, habitat
areas were qualitatively reviewed for the occurrence of applicable federally protected species.
However, formal surveys were not conducted for the occurrence of protected species.
Identification references for natural communities include Nelson's'The Natural Communities of
North Carolina.' (1986)7 and Weakley's'Flora of the Southern and Mid -Atlantic States' (2015)8
for plant species identification.
Results
Based on the NCNHP data explorer review, there are two current records of Schweinitz's
sunflower within a mile of the project limits (Attachment A). The USFWS lists three federally
protected species for Union County (Table 1). An official species list has not been obtained
from the USFWS Asheville Field Office.
Table 1. Unofficial List of Federally -Protected Species Potentially Occurring within the
Poplin Meadows site, Union County, NC.
Major Group
Scientific Name
Common Name
Federal Status*
Record Status
Plant
Helianthus
Schweinitz's
E
Current
schweinitzii
sunflower
Plant
Rhus michauxii
Michaux's sumac
E
Current
Lasmigona
Animal
Carolina heelsplitter
E
Current
decorata
* E - Endangered
Three terrestrial community types were identified within the project area during the field survey.
These community types consist of deciduous forest, mixed forest, and herbaceous areas. The
open herbaceous areas are considered potential habitat for federally threatened or endangered
species that could potentially occur within the project limits. A brief description of each species
habitat requirements and determination of effect findings are listed below by species.
Photographs 1-4 are representative of the current site conditions (Attachment B). Photograph
5 is representative of Schweinitz's sunflower reference population. Photograph locations and
photo directions are depicted on Figure 3.
5 United States Department of Agriculture, 2018. Web Soil Survey of Union County, North Carolina. Accessed July 12,
2019.
Source: https://websoilsurvey.nres.usda.gov/app/HomePage.htm
6 Professional Wetland Scientist, The Society of Wetland Scientists Professional Certification Program
Nelson, John B.. 1986. The Natural Communities of North Carolina, Initial Classification and Description.
hftp://m.namethatplant.net/PDFs/JBNDoc.pdf
8 Weakley, A.S. 2015. Flora of the Southern and Mid -Atlantic States. http://www.herbarium.unc.edu/flora.htm.
Page 2 of 5

Poplin Meadows
Protected Species Assessment Report
October 11, 2019
CWS Project No. 2019-0174
Schweinitz's sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii
Habitat Description:
Schweinitz's sunflower is a perennial herb with yellow rays and yellow centers. They
can reach heights of five feet. Populations are limited to the piedmont of North and
North Carolina. It has been listed as an Endangered species under the ESA since
1991.9 The typical habitat for this plant includes roadsides, old pastures, transmission
line rights -of -way, open areas, either natural or human -maintained habitats, or edges of
upland woods. Major characteristics of soils associated with suitable Schweinitz's
sunflower habitat include thin soils, soils on upland interstream flats or gentle slopes,
soils that are clay like in both composition and texture (and often with substantial rock
fragments), soils that have a high shrinkage swell capacity, and those which vary over
the course of the year from very wet to very dry.
Biological Analysis:
A NCNHP data record review revealed that there are no known current occurrences for
this species within the project limit. There are two known occurrences for Schweinitz's
sunflower within a one -mile radius of the project (Attachment A). The field survey
assessment and desktop review examined the site for potential habitat. The on -site
soils include Secrest-Cid complex and Cid channery silt loam soil series, which have
documented Schweinitz's sunflower occurrences in North Carolina. The open
herbaceous areas were assessed in the field as potential habitat for Schweinitz's
sunflower (Photographs 1 and 2). This field survey was conducted within the optimal
survey window when the Schweinitz's sunflower was flowering and the plant reaches
five feet in height. No individuals of Schweinitz's sunflower or other Helianthus species
were observed during the site visits conducted on August 27 and October 10, 2019.
Due to the lack of observed Helianthus species within the project limits during
the optimal survey window, CWS concludes that this project will not affect the
Schweinitz's sunflower.
Michaux's sumac (Rhus michauxii
Habitat Description:
Michaux's sumac is a rhizomatous shrub. It is densely hairy with compound leaves
exhibiting evenly -serrated leaflets. Flowers are small, greenish to white, in terminal
clusters. Fruits are red drupes produced from August to October. It has been listed as
an Endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) since 1989.10 It is
found on the coastal plains of Virginia to Florida, with most populations occurring in
North Carolina. It prefers sandy or rocky open woods with basic soils, as well as,
highway right-of-ways, roadsides, or edges of artificially -maintained clearings.
Biological Analysis:
A NCNHP data record review revealed that there were no past occurrences for this
species within a one -mile radius of the project (Attachment A). Though disturbed open
areas conducive to early -succession species are present in the project area, these
s United States Fish and Wildlife Services. 1991. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Helianthus schweinitzii
(Schweinitz's sunflower) Determined to be Endangered. hftp://ecos.fws.gov/docs/f`ederal_register/frl852.pdf.
10 United States Fish and Wildlife Services. 1989. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Determ i nation of Endangered
Status for Rhus michauxii (Michaux's sumac). hftp://ecos.fws.gov/docs/federal_register/frl601.pdf.
Page 3 of 5

Poplin Meadows
Protected Species Assessment Report
October 11, 2019
CWS Project No. 2019-0174
areas consist of acidic soils that are not suitable for Michaux's sumac (Figure 2). Due
to the lack of supportive habitat and known current occurrences within a mile of the
project limits, CWS concludes that this project will not affect Michaux's sumac.
Carolina Heelsplitter (Lasmigona decorata)
Habitat Description:
The Carolina heelsplitter was historically known from several locations within the
Catawba and Pee Dee River systems in North Carolina and the Pee Dee and
Savannah River systems, and possibly the Saluda River system in North Carolina. The
species exists in very low abundances, usually within 6 feet of shorelines, throughout its
known range. The general habitat requirements for the Carolina heelsplitter are shaded
areas in large rivers to small streams, often burrowed into clay banks between the root
systems of trees, or in runs along steep banks with moderate current. Recently, the
Carolina heelsplitter has been found in sections of streams containing bedrock with
perpendicular crevices filled with sand and gravel, and with wide riparian buffers."
Biological Analysis:
There are no perennial streams located within the project limits; therefore, habitat is not
present for the Carolina heelsplitter (Photograph 4). Additionally, the NCNHP data
record review revealed that there are no current occurrences for this species within the
project limits, or within a one -mile radius of the project (Attachment A). Therefore,
CWS concludes that this project will not affect the Carolina heelsplitter.
Summary
Based on the literature search, desktop review, and the results of the field assessment for
suitable habitat of federally -protected endangered, threatened, and candidate species, suitable
habitat was not observed within the project limits for Michaux's sumac or the Carolina
heelsplitter. Suitable habitat was observed within the project limits for Schweinitz's sunflower;
however, no sunflowers were observed during the habitat assessment that was conducted
during the optimal survey window. CWS has concluded that project related activities within the
project boundary will not directly or indirectly jeopardize Michaux's sumac, Carolina heelsplitter,
or Schweinitz's sunflower. Effects on federally protected species and biological determination
requirements are summarized in Table 2.
NCDOT TE Animal Habitat Descriptions. 2015.
https://con nect. ncdot.gov/resources/Environmental/Compliance%20G u ides%20and%20 Procedu resfTE%2OAni mal %20 Habitat%2
Descriptions%20 Mar_6_2015. pdf
Page 4 of 5

Poplin Meadows
Protected Species Assessment Report
October 11, 2019
CWS Project No. 2019-0174
Table 2. Biological Determination Requirements Summary Table for Federally Protected Species
Federal
Effect on Listed
Biological
Scientific Name
Common Name
Status*
Species
Determination
Required
Helianthus schweinitzii
Schweinitz's sunflower
E
No Effect
No
Rhus michauxii
Michaux's sumac
E
No Effect
No
Lasmigona decorata
j Carolina heelsplitter
j E
j No Effect
j No
* E - Endangered
A biological assessment was not conducted for this project. All biological determinations of
effect represent the best professional opinion of CWS and are not official determinations of
effect. It is the responsibility of the lead federal agency to render an official determination of
effect. Should the lead federal agency agree with CWS's initial findings of no effect, then no
USFWS consultation is required to comply with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.
Should the lead federal agency's determination of effect differ from the findings of CWS, formal
or informal consultation with USFWS may be required.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide these services on this important project. Please do
not hesitate to contact Aliisa Harjuniemi at 980-259-1222 or [e-mail] should you
have any questions or comments regarding this report.
Sincerely,
Aliisa Harjuniemi, PWS
Project Manager
Attachments
Christine A. Geist, PWS, CE
Consulting Group Manager
Figure 1: USGS Topographic Map
Figure 2: USDA-NRCS Web Soil Map of Union County
Figure 3: Aerial Map
Attachment A: North Carolina Natural Heritage Program Letter
Attachment B: Representative Photographs (1-5)
Page 5 of 5

_ O
H emlr7 Bridge
Elementary .. 9
School ,N
-v \
c
rooKe \� %
- p otk
'forth
oked Cr
�a
Hemby BridgeA JRgP o
f Z
S
f y_
N
q
P
Li e Park - PO
-
\ O
D ��CF✓/EW - bH��\1� Imo\ uN/oNViCCpi�yD/AN rqA/[RO by\ UN,
a ..
Sils
- Elementary
sdiool O /
[[F /NDIAN TR D-W / �Q
P
Legend
Project Limits (31 ac.)
2,000 1,000 0 2,000 Feet
REFERENCE: USGS 7.5 MINUTE TOPOGRAPHIC QUADRANGLE(S): BAKERS, NC (2017). .,0�
SCALE: DATE: FIGURE NO.
1 inch = 2,000 feet 8/30/2019 USGS Topographic Map
CWS PROJECT NO: DRAWN BY: 1
2019-0174 HEM Poplin Meadows Of
COORDINATES: CHECKED BY: C A R O L I N A Unincorporated Union County
35.084034,-80.608191 CAG WETLAND SERVICES Union County, North Carolina 3
G:\Shared drives\Consulting Team Drive\2019\2019 Consulting Projects\2019-0174 Brigman and Honeycutt\PETS\ArcGIS\Figure2_USGS.mxd

W Ta B
CmB
Ta B
MoSFR C,
RD
FAITH LN
CmB
X
OQ��O O\JO
GP
�O
SP�P
OG
V-
�Q
W�
W
lowBdB2
Soil Unit Name and Description
Hydric
Coveragf
CmB
Cid channery silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes
No
61.9
GsB
Goldston-Badin complex, 2 to 8 percent slopes
No
22.4
ScA
Secrest-Cid complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Yes
15.7
Total Coverage:
100
REFERENCE: USDA-NRCS WEB SOIL SURVEY OF UNION COUNTY, NC, DATED 2017.
SCALE: DATE
z
J
> J
m
0
> of
LU
Q �
z z
U
Q
1 inch = 1,000 feet 8/30/2019
CWS PROJECT NO: DRAWN BY:
2019-0174 HEM
COORDINATES: CHECKED BY: Cj A R O L I N A
35.084034,-80.608191 CAG WETLAND SERVICES
CmB
ChA
�O WyB \
0�00 a B O�A �o
�
O�
B
ti
ScA 1P
BaB
Q
G4
�O
Q/
Legend
Project Limits (31 ac.)
Roads
F
\\ 1,000 500 0 1,000 Feet
USDA-NCRS Web Soil Survey FIGURE NO.
of Union County 2
Poplin Meadows of
Unincorporated Union County 3
Union County, North Carolina
G:\Shared drives\Consulting Team Drive\2019\2019 Consulting Projects\2019-0174 Brigman and Honeycutt\PETS\ArcGIS\Figure2_CurrentSoil.mxd

G:\Shared drives\Consulting Team Drive\2019\2019 Consulting Projects\2019-0174 Brigman and Honeycutt\PETS\ArcGIS\Figure3_Aerial.mxd

Poplin Meadows
Attachments
October 11, 2019
CWS Project No. 2019-0174
ATTACHMENT A:
NCNHP Report

■ ■■■ Roy Cooper. Governor
00 0 NC DEPARTMENT OF Susi Hamilton, Secretary
■■L■■ NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES
E won Walter Clark, Director, Land and Water Stewardship
NCNHDE-10114
August 27, 2019
Hannah Meeler
Carolina Wetland Services
550 East Westinghouse Blvd
Charlotte , NC 28273
RE. Brigman and Honeycutt, 2019-0174
Dear Hannah Meeler.
The North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) appreciates the opportunity to provide
information about natural heritage resources for the project referenced above.
Based on the project area mapped with your request, a query of the NCNHP database indicates that
there are no records for rare species, important natural communities, natural areas, and/or
conservation/managed areas within the proposed project boundary. Please note that although there
may be no documentation of natural heritage elements within the project boundary, it does not
imply or confirm their absence, the area may not have been surveyed. The results of this query
should not be substituted for field surveys where suitable habitat exists. In the event that rare
species are found within the project area, please contact the NCNHP so that we may update our
records.
The attached `Potential Occurrences' table summarizes rare species and natural communities that
have been documented within a one -mile radius of the property boundary. The proximity of these
records suggests that these natural heritage elements may potentially be present in the project area
if suitable habitat exists. Tables of natural areas and conservation/managed areas within a one -mile
radius of the project area, if any, are also included in this report.
If a Federally -listed species is found within the project area or is indicated within a one -mile radius of
the project area, the NCNHP recommends contacting the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for
guidance. Contact information for USFWS offices in North Carolina is found here:
httr)s://www.fws.gov/offices/Directory/ListOffices.cfm?statecode=37.
Please note that natural heritage element data are maintained for the purposes of conservation
planning, project review, and scientific research, and are not intended for use as the primary criteria
for regulatory decisions. Information provided by the NCNHP database may not be published
without prior written notification to the NCNHP, and the NCNHP must be credited as an information
source in these publications. Maps of NCNHP data may not be redistributed without permission.
The NC Natural Heritage Program may follow this letter with additional correspondence if a
Dedicated Nature Preserve, Registered Heritage Area, Clean Water Management Trust Fund
easement, or Federally -listed species are documented near the project area.
If you have questions regarding the information provided in this letter or need additional assistance,
please contact Rodney A. Butler at rod nev.butlerWncdcr.gov or 919-707-8603.
Sincerely,
NC Natural Heritage Program
DEPARTMENT 0F NA7URAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES

Natural Heritage Element Occurrences, Natural Areas, and Managed Areas Within a One -mile Radius of the Project Area
Brigman and Honeycutt
Project No. 2019-0174
August 27, 2019
NCNHDE-10114
Element Occurrences Documented Within a One -mile Radius of the Project Area
Taxonomic
EO ID
cientific Name
Common Name
Element
Accuracy
Group
0Date
Observation
Occurrence
A11110011111110
Rank
Freshwater Fish29660
Etheostoma collis
Carolina Darter
2010-05-26
E
3-Medium
Vascular Plant
28379
Buchnera americans
American Bluehearts
1993-06-29
E
3-Medium
Vascular Plant
15301
Helianthus schweinitzii
Schweinitz's Sunflower
2018-10-30
D
2-High
Vascular Plant
28607
Helianthus schweinitzii
Schweinitz's Sunflower
2018-10-30
D
2-High
Vascular Plant
34596
Symphyotrichum
Georgia Aster
2018-10-30
D
2-High
georgianum
Natural Areas Documented Within a One -mile Radius of the Project Area
Site Name epresentational Rating i
YAD/Crooked Creek Aquatic Habitat R3 (High)
No Managed Areas are Documented Within a One -mile Radius of the Project Area
Federal
State
Global
State
Status
Status
Rank
Rank
� J&
A
---
Special
G3
S3
Concern
---
Endangered
G5?
S1
Endangered
Endangered
G3
S3
Endangered
Endangered
G3
S3
Candidate
Threatened
G3
S3
Collective Rating
C4 (Moderate)
Definitions and an explanation of status designations and codes can be found at httr)s://ncnhde.natureserve.ora/content/heir). Data query generated on August 27, 2019; source: NCNHP, Q3 Jul
Please resubmit your information request if more than one year elapses before project initiation as new information is continually added to the NCNHP database.
Page 2 of 3

NCNHDE-10114: Brigman and Honeycutt
S
O Ry
tJPe
f ti im Ra
Prce Rd
�yd haw
Fauna
a`
o
aro 1. Ave - `
J tcrP'G,
Y
pan Ln
�
fi; non N
8
Goy
CP
a
'-phn Rtl
�e
%
Pik
iCG
,
uj
P '
�a Lake Park
F
S
�cr
o
as
'p
y
�Qu �r9 aPerY� a
~
Unon
c—ty
we rea
C
r" �p omg-
en E
me -
xn Gr
y
U d
Pdff,Hff
`�
e
�p �
n 1ml Rrf tN yp
4
3
w,
c
a
Or
l
ee ed k
/��
�40f,'`IS
d $ =
c
��.Y
Pafk
m''Itr
C� �
6
P�
+ay
-� Glassy
O
`�e
! a 673 R
fAH
V b
O
S
N
August 27, 2019
Project Boundary
Buffered Project Boundary
E3 NHP Natural Area (NHNA)
Page 3 of 3
1:23,649
0 0.2 0.4 0.8 mi
0 0.325 0.65 1.3 km
Sources' Esri, HERE, Garmia, Intermap, increment P Corp-. GEBCC,, USGS,
FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan,
METI, Esn China (Hong Kong), (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS
User Community

Poplin Meadows
Attachments
October 11, 2019
CWS Project No. 2019-0174
ATTACHMENT B:
Photopage (Photographs 1-5)

Poplin Meadows
Attachment B: Photopage
October 11, 2019
CWS Project No. 2019-0174
Photograph 1. View of potential Schweinitz's sunflower habitat. No individuals of Schweinitz's sunflower
observed.
c
Y- -
„�
s.
Photograph 2. View of potential Schweinitz's sunflower habitat. No individuals of Schweinitz's sunflower
observed.
Photopage 1 of 3

! ...�. '.' J: `. I+• •- A off
17
Ipwr
rq ��' i • y;� ..S
x.
.S ,- tti•
�• iTj .:�.k' -�.t0 .. �'•: ��. �•%' �� ••'fie" ^ �� .•�
i• � i ' x� "i-� - � �(}�� bey Ha
e'ter
NN�t"" may' '�} �' n :�'y`� _ —•.: �'
Vil
^_'
ram•. �, • .. � _: "°'• �- _ � . - __

Poplin Meadows
Attachment B: Photopage
October 11, 2019
CWS Project No. 2019-0174
411 TA
a"*'R A=
i - 4
A
,W� 1�
Photograph 5. View of Schweinitz's sunflower located at the reference population on July 16, 2019.
Photopage 3 of 3