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Home My WebLink About20240122_T&E_Assesment DAVEYI Resource Group January 19, 2024 Mr.Tony Johnson Vulcan Materials Company 11020 David Taylor Drive, Suite 400 Charlotte,NC 28262 Dear Mr. Johnson: Subject: Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat Assessment VMC Enka Quarry—Proposed Expansion Area Davey Resource Group(DRG)is pleased to provide Vulcan Materials Company(Vulcan)the results of the Threatened and Endangered Species On-site Habitat Assessment conducted within an approximately 12.5-acre tract within the Vulcan Enka Quarry,Proposed Expansion Area,comprising portions of Buncombe County parcel numbers 960751759700000 and 960770150200000, (Project Area) in Enka, North Carolina(Figure 1). In support of your environmental stewardship,we conducted an on-site habitat assessment for the following species based on the request from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources,received from Assistant State Mining Engineer,Corey Clayton on January 4,2024. DRG mobilized to the Enka Quarry on January 16,2024 to assess the Project Area and conduct a pedestrian survey habitat assessment for the Appalachian elktoe(Alasmidonta raveneliana),bog turtle(Gleptemys muhlenbergii),mountain sweet pitcher plant(Sarracenia jonesii),and rock gnome lichen(Gynmoderma lineare). The results of the federally listed species habitat assessment based upon the request from the NCDEQ Division of Energy,Mineral and Land Resources are summarized below. Supporting information is included in the following supplemental materials: Figure 1 —Vicinity Map Figure 2—USGS Topographic Map Figure 3—Aerial Map Figure 4a—NRCS Current Soils Map Figure 4b—NRCS Historic Soils Map Figure 5—NWI,NHD,FEMA Map Figure 6—LiDAR DEM Map Figure 7—Photo Location and Field Data Map Site Photo Log Daveyresourcegroup.com/Carolinas•Phone:919.645.4350 3101 Poplarwood Court,Suite 120,Raleigh,NC 27604 DAVEY#. Resource Group Table 1:Project Area—Federal Species Database Review Results Common Name Protection USFWS Optimal Years Survey Sciendfrc Name Status Preferred Habitat Survey Window is Valid Appalachian elktoe FE Occurs in relatively shallow, medium-sized creeks and (March-November) 2 Alasrnidmnta ravenetimm rivers with cool, clean, well-oxygenated, moderate- to fast-flowing water. The species is most often found in riffles. runs, and shallow flowing pools with stable, relatively silt-free, coarse sand and gravel substrate associated with cobble, boulders, and/or bedrock. Stability of the substrate appears to be critical to the Appalachian elktoe,and the species is seldom found in stream reaches with accumulations of silt or shifting sand,gravel,or cobble. Mountain sweet pitcher plant FE Native to the seepage bogs of the Appalachian (April-October) 2 Samacenia jonesit mountains of North and South Carolina.Typically,the plants can be found in waterlogged areas due to dense soils that lead to high acid in the soil and low nitrogen. Bog Turtle FT Occupy shallow wetland habitat Preferred wetlands tend (April-October) 2 Glvpienms rnuldenbergii to be open-canopy herbaceous sedge bogs,fens,or wet meadows. Their preferred wetlands comprise microhabitats that are characterized by soft muddy bottoms, interspersed wet and dry pockets, vegetation dominated by low-growing grasses and sedges,and a low volume of standing or slow-moving water. Rock gnome lichen FE Endemic to the southern Appalachian Mountains,with (Year round) 2 Gvmnodcrma lineare most known populations occurring in North Carolina, where it grows on vertical rock faces in the fog zone above an elevation of 1.525 meters or in humid,deep river gorges. ,M-Federally FadengercE:H-FNmtly m d Vegetation within the Project Area consists primarily of Virginia pine(Pinus virginiana),southern red oak (Quercus falcata), sycamore(Platanus occidentalis),and green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica). Secondary growth is comprised of saplings of the aforementioned tree species as well as a mix of shrubs such as alder(Almis sp.),dog wood(Corpus sp.),and blackberry(Rubus sp.). Understory vegetation is sparse in wooded areas,consisting primarily of Christmas fern(Polystichum acrortichoides)and Japanese honeysuckle(Lonicera japonica). Open grassland habitat onsite is dominated by broomsedge bluestem (Andropogon virgincus),intermixed with fennel(Foeniculum sp.).One natural community,Southern Mountain Pine-Oak Forest is located within the Project Area. Classification of the natural community is based on Classification of the Natural Communities of North Carolina—Fourth Approximation). A description of these communities has been provided below: Southern Mountain Pine-Oak Forest Southern Mountain Pine—Oak Forests are distinguished by canopies that are naturally codominated by Pimis echinata,other pines,and combinations of dry-site oaks that include some Quercus falcata or Daveyresourcegroup.com/Carolinas•Phone:919.645.4350 3101 Poplarwood Court,Suite 120,Raleigh,NC 27604 DAVEYI, Resource Group Quercus stellata, as well as Quercus alba,Quercus montana,and Quercus coccinea. Southern Mountain Pine—Oak Forests occur on slopes,spur ridges,and ridge tops,usually convex and usually facing south or west.Ridge-top occurrences tend to be on broader ridges than Low Mountain Pine Forest or Pine— Oak/Heath.Most examples are 1000-2000 feet in elevation,but a few occur higher on steep slopes that face south or west.The herb layer is usually sparse in present-day examples that have not burned,but likely was fairly dense when burned. Based on observations documented during the pedestrian survey,a portion of the Project Area was also comprised of deciduous forest characterized by sycamore and ash with a relatively sparse understory of herbaceous plants and vines consisting of Japanese honeysuckle,oriental bittersweet, and riverbank grape.The composition of this vegetative community is indicative of past disturbance from the historic commercial land use within the Project Area.As such,this habitat is not an example of a natural ecological community when referenced with the Fourth Approximation. The Project Area was also comprised of early successional grassland,primarily within the southwest portion of the site,characterized by brooinsedge and fennel with oak and pine saplings interspersed throughout.Historically,this area was used commercially for the storage of pallets,the current presence of grasses are due to this disturbance and are not indicative of a natural ecological community when referenced with the Fourth Approximation. The Project Area was assessed for Waters of the US (WOTUS)using the routine on-site method as outlined in the United States Army Corp of Engineers(USACE)Regional Supplement(Eastern Mountains and Piedmont Region,2012), and the North Carolina Division of Water Resources, Stream Identification Form,in which no WOTUS were identified onsite.The WOTUS investigation is provided in a separate report to Vulcan. The Project Area consists entirely of upland habitat. Table 2:Project Area-Federal On-site Species Assessment and Biological Opinion Common Name Suitable Habitat Present? Species Observed? Biological Opinion(DRG) Appalachian elktoe N N No Effect Mountain sweet pitcher plant N N No Effect Bog Turtle N N No Effect Rock gnome lichen N N No Effect Findings Based on observations recorded during the on-site pedestrian survey,the site does not have suitable habitat for any of the threatened and endangered species listed.It should be noted that we conducted this assessment outside of the suggested survey window for these species,however the biological opinion of DRG is"no effect"for the proposed work within the Mine Expansion Area. Daveyresourcegroup.com/Carolinas•Phone:919.645.4350 3101 Poplarwood Court,Suite 120,Raleigh,NC 27604 DAVEY#,a Resource Group DRG appreciates the opportunity to provide you with this letter report and assist you with your project.If you have any questions regarding this report,please feel free to contact Kevin Thomas at(410)259-4745 or kevin.thomas(a Davey.com.Thank you for allowing DRG the opportunity to assist you with this evaluation. Sincerely, Kevin Thomas,PWS&NC LSS Nick Dominic Principal Consultant Environmental Scientist Davey Resource Group,Inc. www.daveyresourcegroup.com �p SOIL SCi p.T/10 �wrt. ,9N KEVINA.THOMAS '•. 282 Q' sesa Pws �,Qc� 9r 1282 o2 4.WLrTL. FOF NORTH CPC Daveyresourcegroup.com/Carolinas•Phone:919.645.4350 3101 Poplarwood Court,Suite 120,Raleigh,NC 27604 +' ` 1/12/202410:15 AM Date Exported: 1/12/202410:15 AM o� { SOuK : 1. ESRI Wald / Hlllshade nz Snit n qOD» 4e�� 4.0 c S � DEG Candler --- - Project ENV #: -- ENV Project Information Center -om-us mz.vnwe\ Coordinates: . / 82.6712815816°W 35.5387241552°N J°pm,° Watershed Information HUC 8 Name:Upper French Broad 22X rt HUC 08:06010105 HUC 10:05 t HUC 12:03 n � + Nearest5tream: Hominy Creek 2272rt Vul�nn Materials Company 2e62rt4ac enr.•. tt '' Legend NFN NGAOsGS,FWj E..Cgn .ni,Map,Co riO Ors.Nu ..eC.M, project Area V z SahGraph.GWxhroI,,,,.I,WrINA. ua Boundary VMC Enka Quarry o soo a,000 6,000et jN DANEY Figure 1: Vicinity Map 1 equals 1,500 to Tabloid A APPROXIMATE SITE LOCATION Stale Applies to Tabldd(1l•1T)Pnn[ °Tam Ga,.,FAO.NOAA u5G5. Resource Group Buncombe Investigation;Th eatened and Endangered Species Habitat Assessment EPAUSFWS Buncombe Co,NC �., '�J1� p �' � ✓�� 1. I ml FM in r „ayi � ,..� [ ♦ i �j L � ;'�, �"= ' ( C �l �� --''� -�� 4T +sir.■.■■��L��1 � r / . • IS 0 . . . . 1 •. Date Saved: 'r 1• •• , i. -��.i•`.1�- �� - _ �,t _ 1', 1/12/202410:15 AM Dare Faported: 1/121202410:16 AM �« . /• _} c• ,w "' `T7'�"""�^`-r i .. - - — - 1. N OmMap latest Ormai aigery r x n Y• �. -ec ! >i.�- Rf71 •ate • •j ty • ENV 960782100775LOOD 1. /'`A'.. Project 96W82107500000' ` Information�i _ ^s Caordlnates: 82.6712815816°W \� 35.5387241552°N 960751759700000 960791039fiL00DI Watershed • � "� ' t Information h" } HUC 8 Name:Upper _- French Broad HUC 08:06010105 HUC 10:05 HUC 12:03 960//O150200000 .- � � Nearest Stream: Hommy,Creek 96076091SBOD000 _ 960760108300000 960760309100000 �.. l" Vulinn 960669380900000 '• Materials Company • °..� "'y�`.' 960669377500000 All _ „I 'Legend _.Project Area Quarry Boundary Buncombe Coun Par VMC Enka Quarry 0 375 750 11500 2.250 3.000 et IN DAVEYM Figure 3: Aerial Map 11 dH150d(t Scale App pliesplies ro Tabloid(11'17•)Prim e Resource Group Ecological Investigation;Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat Assessment Buncombe Co,INC MaP r+1'mbol Unk Desulptlon Xydrlc S'htus Ayesf, Date Saved: ^1 " J' 1/1212 02 4 10:15 AM CkQ Clifton day loam,8-15%slopes,moderately eroded No 0.6 \\� EvD2 Evard-Ccwee coplex,15-30%slopes,moderately eroded No 0.2 ' `Y ~r - � ®E�.•� ,v' ,-_ 1112120224 0:19 AM Ft Pits,quarry No • - i- - `� vr. 1 NC OneMaip latest r ` - b 1_ - -P'`_��►"'[i ; "fit. I _ 2.NR 6p SiI ' r ,,�y1 1 NCl Geographic(SSURGO) DMbm,2019 .4. i. '1'. \•-- ..� - DRG Project#: __ 1 >.yf-•. ENV Project /—VA 1 �N4f5 _ Information Center Coordinates: 82.6712815816°W I 35.5387241552°N Watershed Information HUC 8 Name:UPper French Broad HUC\ 1 :06010105 0 HUC 12:05 +'= HUC 12:03 •r� .A✓s` Nearest Stream: Hominy Creek \` VU1[an Materials Company t r Legend �' _ a Pm1eG Area Quarry Boundary 5011 Untt VMC Enka Quarry 0 375 750 1.500 2,250 3,000Feet IN DAVEY Figure 4a: Current Soils Map 1 Inch Nuals 750 feet A Resource Group Ecological Investigation;Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat Assessment Sole Applies to lbbldd(It-17')Print Buncombe Co,NC Map symbol UnIt Description Hydde Status Aaes -�,•c•!`'• 2 T!� �^-� o,:te20241 1 - T' ` '• '` 1/12/2029ted: AM CkC2 Clifton day loam,8-15%slopes,moderately eroded No 0.6 -- ,t EvD2 Evard.Cowee coplex,15-30%slopes,moderately eroded No 0.2 - � u� �'�\ ux ; r 1/12Dnte Exported; I? -. •9 UtE `.' UU 1/12/2tB910:IDAM Pt Pits,quarry No 11.7 - _. - -_-. •^- i Sources: 1. USDA,NRCS Soil Sur,a1'Gea9raPtiK n ; _ - ,'EtOZY.'• ( TAB ue (68URG0)Database - :� for Buncombe County, >✓ "Unit. Is. CYC2 r 1 ..' .. CkC2 U� ! NC 2p09 D ac cz 1 EvG2 mB: •,1 Ew RA FX2 _. <U� EiU2 T✓B TAC 1 ,r',aJ t. cuc•: \ Z - EtOY UpE, .,. �v-- y 1m C'i DNV Project#: BiA Project E E�SI_ - '� information 4 t a <Pi0 tenter Ia7t.r, .a ' n • _ t>ti .. ,F ! ,9baC�' ,p' Coordinates: 82.6712815816°W r _ CrBe k t,- r ,:. - 35.5387291552°N Watersh w' IN / v CkC2 C1QI2 7AC �• 4 Information HUC B Name:Upper French Broad HUC 08:06010105 Ud HUC 10:05 CA HUC 12:03 EvU2 Nearest Stream: i . Hominy Creek UUIEon _ / Materials Company - - -—- - un . Eva-2 / A 08C .�� SRC fy� ' a , - � .• ' . ac ' cre Till a®i > i. &C2 Legend Project Ared • J7, _, � a i. _tic• . � d, Ouarry Boundary CkC2- s• _ 'Y` VMC Enka Quarry 0 375 750 1,500 2,250 3.000 N Feet DAVEYM. Figure 4b: Published Soils Map 1in&equals 150feet Scale Applies to TabkNd(11.17")Print Resource Group Ecological Investigation;Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat Assessment Bunmmbe Co,NC Date Savw; 1/1W02410:15 AM Date Exported: 1/12/2024 10:21 AM Sources: ! - 1. NCOneMapTand 100'Contour r - y •„ _ "Q 2.05FWINation Wetland / ,JfM%-✓ . 4I , � t )I . Inventory (NWNto far N 3. nography et I�D)-NC V. 4.FEMA Flood Hazartl / lA Sf ✓ �, a `4y Y\ Yi f for NC Ar :` DRG Project#: ENV rr . - `^ a I\ �'.� — Project InfarmaHon Center j Coordinates: 82.6712815816°W 35.5387241552°N Watershed Information ,A a��' r�. HUC8 Name:Upper li �- A'� French Broad ;A / 4' �r - HUC 08:06010105 f t �'�` c. _ HUE 10:05 ' °F HUC 12:03 A - 11�C ( j� Nearest Stream: Hominy Creek Legend Vukan 9 ,..� rye bs s�. �la 't'a Projea Area C �"";rR" � a3 �\— Materials Company } t', , O Qua-ry aounaay 2 contour NWI WetlaM FEMA Flood Hazard - •'�` 0.2%Annual cna.Flm Harald rt-1 1%Annual Derce Hand Harard Future Con atbrs 1%Annual o,arce Fbod H.d Reguma r,HoccWa, , Area with RMural Rusk we to is a '4.. Spenal FImM� VMC Enka Quarry 0 375 750 1,500 2,250 3,000 N MMYM. Figure 5: NWI, NHD, FEMA Map 1 inch aquals 750 feet A stale Applies to Tabloid(11'17')Print Resource Group Ecological Investigation;Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat Assessment Buncombe Co,NC Date Saved: 1/121202410:15 AM Dale E10: I � 1/12/202402410:33 AM 1.NC Ddtd oatl tiles 00960606-717 DRG Project„ I ENV £� • �� _�� r}^^-'�. P //!(,C��; h t I , Project ID / ......... �� Cnfatlon en Coordinates: �i r ., ,�_ � _ j. �- ;' G 82.6712815816'W 35.5387241552°N .III �)� { '�Y' 4 Watershed Information HUC 8 Name:Upper French Broad HUC 08:06010105 HUC 10:05 I HUC 12:03 2 v� a. I ANNE, y /,t_ j,.` Nmmt Stream: V ffc aw� Hominy Creek � ItQ : hNs) f UU11an r/l r V6 Materials Company �L Legend Project Arm Quarry Boundary r EM Values(ft).tif alue 2466 VMC Enka Quarry 0 375 750 1,500 2.250 3.000 N Feet DAVEYM Figure 6: UDAR DEM Map I Inch equah 750 feet A Sole Applies to Tabldd(ll•IT)Pdn[ Resource Group Ecological Investigation;Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat Assessment Buncombe Co,NC q. Date Saved: 1/12/2024 11:23 AM 2100 Date Exported: 1/18/2024 3:29 PM Sources: 1.NC OneMaP 1a1e t � SS.I�A i• o `` OrMdmagery Y[ - 7t�jnri5 ry DRG Project 0: i ENV Project Wad t � �tilll �.�j �"' -- - - :.r, I � �• t , Information yC Center Coordinates: �� rl � r l -'.•. -"'^ ! -; y - 82671281N "�/ �� j� � t 6 y i r -ok •+� � .� �• 35.53872g15521552o Watershed informauon �T y � ! - HUC 8 Name:Upper 11' � French Broad •... iy t HUC 08:06010105 �'� 7 $4 a t� ✓< 40r to HUC 10:05 i N HUC 12:03 d i a r 'r Fr Vt Leo- IV Nearest Stream: _� ''\ "��, , /,/{ (" •Tra t �- Hominy Creek ,\ \ .'� �i n \➢ ('IV ♦ "M1rklt��t rr / Y7ir' �r�a.�y�N?,' /�s(��\.. �,3 9�11 L Vulcan Materials Company Legend 230� a Pmje¢Area `;5 c Quarry eouMary 300'l.'Dnalnr 2'Contour oints Photograph Location i VMC Enka Quarry 0 375 750 1,500 2,250 3,000Feet N DAVEY4M. Figure 7: Photo Location and Field Data Map 1 inch equals 750 feet A Sole Applies to Tatudd(I I.17')Pdnt Resource Group Ecological Investigation;Threatened and Endangered Spedes Habitat Assessment Buncombe Co,NC Vulcan Enka Quarry — Mine Expansion Area Photo Log DAVEY`_ DRG Project#: ENV0001112 Resource Group y,.,l f_. Photo Site#1 Typical Site Conditions Photo Site#2 Typical Site Conditions i Photo Site#3 Typical Site Conditions Photo Site#4 Typical Site Conditions Note: All photos taken January 16,2024. Vulcan Enka Quarry—Mine Expansion Area Photo Log «§ DA EYE n owl+KEN gmno ResourceGn4 \ { / w Photo we y Typical Site Co +, s m, \ zp22. . y DP-1 UP Note: All photos take nmae »z4.