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Home My WebLink About7126_Old Beatty Ford Road_Schweinitz's Sunflower Surv_9.15.21® D ill PILU� PILOT ENVIRONIVI E N T A L, I N C September 15, 2021 Mr. Bryan Tompkins U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Asheville Field Office 160 Zillicoa Street Asheville, North Carolina 28801 Reference: Request for Review and Comment Detailed Schweinitz's Sunflower Survey Stalite — Approximate 75-Acre Tract 16740 Old Beatty Ford Road Gold Hill, Rowan County, North Carolina Pilot Project 7126 Dear Mr. Tompkins: Pilot Environmental, Inc. (Pilot) is requesting your review and comment concerning our findings for the detailed survey of Schweinitz's sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii) conducted at the above -referenced site. The site is depicted on the attached USGS Topographic Map (Drawing 1) and Aerial Photograph Map (Drawing 2). Background The site is being evaluated for a mine permit modification and for use as a proposed material storage area for the adjacent Carolina Stalite Company. Due to the proximity to known occurrences of Schweinitz's sunflower, Pilot was requested to conduct a detailed survey within the proposed material storage area. A summary of the species/habitat description, survey methodology, and our findings is provided below. Species/Habitat Description Description: Schweinitz's sunflower is a perennial that regularly grows approximately 6.5 feet tall (though it can be shorter if young or injured) and can occasionally reach heights of 16 feet. It has thickened roots that are used by the plant to store starch. The stem is purplish in color, and the upper third bears secondary branches at 45-degree angles. The leaves are arranged in pairs on the lower part of the stem but usually occur singly (or alternate) on the upper parts. Leaves are attached to the stem at right angles, and the tips of the leaves tend to droop. The leaves are thick and stiff, with a rough upper surface. The upper leaf surfaces have broad spiny hairs that are directed toward the tip and soft white hairs cover the underside. The plant produces small yellow flowers from late August until frost. This species is able to colonize through the dispersal of seeds that readily germinate without a dormant period. PO Box 128, Kernersville, NC 27285 www.pilotenviro.com Detailed Schweinitz's Sunflower Survey Report Pilot Project 7126 September 15, 2021 Habitat: Schweinitz's sunflower occurs in full to partial sun and is found in areas with poor soils, such as thin clays that vary from wet to dry. It is believed that this species once occurred in natural forest openings or grasslands. Many of the remaining populations occur along roadsides. Methodology Pilot conducted a literature review to determine specific habitat requirements for this species. Prior to our site visit, Pilot studied a nearby population for reference. The reference population is located approximately 1,600 feet east of the site and was in bloom during our examination. Pilot personnel conducted the detailed survey within areas of suitable habitat on September 10, 2021 to determine the presence or absence of this species. Areas of potential habitat were determined based on a literature review, a review of aerial photography, and our observations during the site visit. The survey was conducted via pedestrian and transects within areas of suitable habitat. Areas surveyed based on their habitat include roadsides, access roads, an existing laydown yard, maintained lawn edges, and a disturbed forested area lacking dense canopy cover. Site photographs taken in surveyed areas are included as an attachment. Findings and Conclusions Areas with suitable habitat are dominated by various grass species as well as ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium), American pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), sawtooth blackberry (Rubus argutus), roundleaf greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia), Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), common boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), broadleaf plantain (Plantego major), yellow foxtail (Setaria pumila), fragrant flatsedge (Cyperus odoratus), woolgrass (Scirpus cyperinus), sensitive pea (Chamaecrista nictitans), Japenese stilt grass (Microstegium viminea), purple clover (Trifolium pretense), trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans), winged sumac (Rhus copallinum), black willow saplings (Salix nigra), sweetgum saplings (Liquidambar styraciflua), persimmon saplings (Diospyros virginiana) and loblolly pine saplings (Pinus taeda). Species within the Aster family with analogous characteristics to Schweinitz's sunflower observed include camphorweed (Heterotheca subaxillaris), goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), small woodland sunflower (Helianthus microcephalus), giant ironweed (Vernonia gigantea), yellow sneezeweed (Helenium amarum), bearded beggarticks (Bidens aristosa), greater tickseed (Coreopsis major), Maryland golden aster (Chrysopsis mariana) and wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia). While suitable habitat for Schweinitz's sunflower was observed, no individuals or populations were identified during the survey. Based on the findings of the survey, we have made a determination of no effect for the Schweinitz's sunflower. Detailed Schweinitz's Sunflower Survey Report Pilot Project 7126 September 15, 2021 Closing We appreciate your assistance. Please contact us at 336.310.4527 if you have any questions concerning the site or this request. Sincerely, /L../ -7 90;�_2' Michael T. Brame, PWS David S. Brame, PWS Principal Senior Project Manager Attachments: Drawing 1— USGS Topographic Map Drawing 2 —Aerial Photograph Map Site Photographs s o o p # �, I L ,Z;�47h N 110 ;4 r% old 'Hill— _ h 't io r'L . I... 16 . t I o terra T D S H i P q l+. - 2$ t - - T fro 4. fz M. ". Ir LEGEND �- �' ;''1f"•� Site Boundary [ �N Drawing 1 USGS Topographic Map USGS Topographic Map t k Carolina Stalite Company Gold Hill and Richfield, - = Approximate 75-Acre Tract NC Quadrangles PILO Gold Hill, Rowan County, NC Scale: 1"=2,000' PILOT ENVIRONMEN,AL.INPilot Project7126 RPM p^.umIIIIIIIIIIIII in i I thus Schweinitzk- JE L Legend Site Boundary 1W Aar' . mwp- . J Aerial Photograph Map Drawing 2 Carolina Sta|iteCompany 2019 Aerial Imagery from ESR| t Approximate 75'Acre Tract Scale: 1"=8OO' PILO Gold Hill, Rowan County, NC 0 �~m/' �`�~~~~�~—. 8 SITE PHOTOGRAPHS Photograph 1— Representative view of the laydown yard. Photograph 2 — Representative view of the laydown yard. SITE PHOTOGRAPHS Photograph 3 - View of disturbed forested area centrally on the site. SITE PHOTOGRAPHS Photograph S - Representative view of roadside looking west. Photograph 6 — Representative view of roadside looking east. IW -'It fir, ivy _ •� �-. .A��g': .:�s Yy.- s. �'s--fir ,- ,w. SITE PHOTOGRAPHS Photograph 11—View of off -site reference population area located approximately 1,600 feet east of the site. Photograph 12 - View of Schweinitz's sunflower located within off -site reference population approximately 1,600 feet east of the site.