The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About20070812 Ver 1_11 Feb 2005 Invasive Exotic Plant Pest Species Draft Report (2)_20080502Yadkin Project FERC No. 2197 INVASIVE EXOTIC PLANT PEST (IEPP) SPECIES DRAFT STUD YREPORT FEBRUARY 2005 YADKIN PROJECT FERC No. 2197 INVASIVE EXOTIC PLANT PEST (IEPP) SPECIES DRAFT STUDYREPORT Prepared for ALCOA POWER GENERATING INC. Yadkin Division 293 NC 740 Highway Badin, NC 28009-0576 Prepared by NORMANDEAU ASSOCIATES, INC. 25 Nashua Road Bedford, NH 03110 R-19556.002 February 2005 Invasive Exotic Plant Pest Species Draft Table of Contents Page SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................................ iv 1.0 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................1 2.0 BACKGROUND ......................................................................................................................1 3.0 STUDY AREA ..........................................................................................................................1 4.0 STUDY PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES ..............................................................................3 5.0 STUDY METHODS .................................................................................................................3 5.1 METHODS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF INVASIVE EXOTIC PLANT PEST SPECIES LIST ............ 3 5.2 PLAN AND SCHEDULE FOR CONDUCTING IEPP FIELD STUDIES .......................................8 5.3 FIELD SURVEYS ................................................................................................................8 6.0 SUMMARY OF EXISTING STUDIES AND INFORMATION ON THE PROJECT AREA ...................................................................................................................11 7.0 RESULTS OF FIELD SEARCHES .....................................................................................11 8.0 EFFECTS OF PROJECT OPERATIONS AND FACILITIES ON IEPP SPECIES .................................................................................................................................15 9.0 CONCLUSIONS ....................................................................................................................16 10.0 REFERENCES CITED .........................................................................................................16 APPENDIX A: List of rare threatened and endangered species for Yadkin Project search IEPP Draft Report 2/18/05 11 Invasive Exotic Plant Pest Species Draft List of Figures Page Figure 1. Locus of Yadkin Project ................................................................................................ ........2 Figure 2. High Rock Reservoir dam facility ................................................................................ ........ 4 Figure 3. Tuckertown Reservoir dam facility .............................................................................. ........ 5 Figure 4. Narrows Reservoir dam facility .................................................................................... ........ 6 Figure 5. Falls Reservoir dam facility .......................................................................................... ........ 7 Figure 6. Invasive Exotic Plant Pest (IEPP) occurrence, 2004. Dark-pink areas represent general locations of observed aquatic beds, with associated IEPP species identified wherever found. Light-pink areas represent locations relatively vulnerable to future IEPP invasions, should reservoir management practices change to benefit aquatic IEPPs .................................................................................... ......13 List of Tables Page Table 1. List of Invasive Exotic Plant Pests potentially occurring in the Yadkin Project Area ........................................................................................................................................ 9 Table 2. IEPP species observed within Yadkin Project Area ...........................................................12 IEPP Draft Report 2/18/05 in Invasive Exotic Plant Pest Species Draft SUMMARY The Invasive Exotic Plant Species Assessment Report presents the results of a survey of invasive exotic plant pests (IEPPs) found within the Yadkin Project area. The study was conducted by Normandeau Associates, Inc. (NAI) as part of the FERC relicensing process for the Yadkin Project The study was conducted in accordance with the Final Study Plan that was developed by Yadkin in consultation with the Wetlands, Wildlife and Botanical Issue Advisory Group (IAG). Specific objectives identified in the Final Study Plan included: ¦ Identify potential impact areas within the Project area and inventory for the presence of IEPP species. ¦ Evaluate the current status of known aquatic IEPPs. ¦ Evaluate potential impacts of IEPPs on natural communities in areas of concern. Invasive exotic plant pests are plant species that are of long term management concern to resource agencies and others. IEPPs are non-native plants that were introduced to this country over the years, and possess characteristics or growth habits that allow them to out-compete native vegetation or occupy new habitats. IEPPs are ubiquitous to developed areas of the United States, and the Yadkin Project area is no exception. Common examples of IEPPs include Japanese honeysuckle and kudzu. IEPPs are of concern in areas where they have the potential to threaten rare plant species or native vegetation that provides important habitat for wildlife. The focus of this study was to survey the Project area for IEPPs that pose a threat to rare plant species or important wildlife habitats at the Yadkin Project. At the outset of the study, a list of IEPPs that were considered likely to occur in the Project area and would be the focus of the inventory, was developed and approved by the Wetlands, Wildlife & Botanical IAG. In total, 32 IEPPs, including both aquatic and terrestrial plants, were included on the initial IEPP search list. Field searches for IEPPs were conducted by NAI during the spring, summer and fall of 2003. Results of the field surveys found 20 species of IEPPs in the Yadkin Project area, including 3 aquatic species and 14 terrestrial species that had been included on the original search list. In addition, NAI found 3 other terrestrial IEPP species in the Project area that were not included on the original search list. Among the aquatic IEPP species located, only one, a small population of Hydrilla found on Tuckertown, was of any concern. NAI concluded that this Hydrilla population "bears watching" to see if the population is expanding or stable. Two aquatic IEPP species that were previously reported to occur in one or more of the Project reservoirs, variable-leaf milfoil and Brazilian elodea were never found during the 2004 surveys. Among the terrestrial IEPP species found in the Project area, only one Lonicera X Bella (bush honeysuckle), was determined to be of immediate management concern. On the Falls Reservoir shoreline, this species was found growing in close associated with two RTE species, piedmont indigo- bush (Amorpha schwerinii) and thick-pod white wild indigo (Baptisia alba). At this site, an area commonly referred to as the "Yadkin River Scour Banks", the bush honeysuckle occupied most of the available space that appeared to provide suitable habitat for the two RTE species. Many IEPP species appear to be irreversibly incorporated in their respective plant communities. In most cases, attempts to eliminate or control them would be infeasible. Direct intervention may be IEPP Draft Report 2/18/05 1V Invasive Exotic Plant Pest Species Draft justified in only one instance, to improve the survival prospects of the RTE species Baptisia alba. Nevertheless, aquatic IEPP do have the potential to take hold at any time, particularly in response to any change in reservoir operation. Therefore, periodic monitoring of aquatic IEPPs, in order to identify and evaluate future management problems and practical strategies for solving them, should be considered. IEPP Draft Report 2/18/05 v Invasive Exotic Plant Pest Species Draft 1.0 INTRODUCTION Alcoa Power Generating Inc. (APGI) is applying to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a new license for the Yadkin Project. The Project consists of four reservoirs, dams, and powerhouses (High Rock, Tuckertown, Narrows, and Falls) located on a 38-mile stretch of the Yadkin River in central North Carolina (Figure 1). The Project generates electricity to support the power needs of Alcoa's Badin Works and its other aluminum operations, or is sold on the open market. The presence of invasive exotic plant pest (IEPP) species in the Project area and their potential impacts on natural terrestrial and aquatic plant communities is of concern to natural resource agencies. The focus of this study was on areas of concern including Uwharrie National Forest (UNF), Morrow Mountain State Park and Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) Conservation Zones (including islands), and on areas with impact potential on Narrows Reservoir. 2.0 BACKGROUND As part of the relicensing process, APGI prepared and distributed, in September 2002, an Initial Consultation Document (ICD), which provides a general overview of the Project. Agencies, municipalities, non-governmental organizations and members of the public were given an opportunity to review the ICD and identify information and studies that were needed to address relicensing issues. To further assist in the identification of issues and study needs, APGI formed Issue Advisory Groups (IAG) to advise APGI on resource issues throughout the relicensing process. Through meetings, reviews and comments, the IAGs assisted in developing the Study Plans for the various resource issues, and will further review and comment on the findings resulting from the implementation of the study plans. The Wetlands, Wildlife and Botanical JAG was interested in the presence of IEPP species in the Project area, their potential impacts on natural terrestrial and aquatic plant communities in areas of concern under existing conditions, and in assessing how these species could be affected by existing Project operations. Any changes that may occur as a result of altered Project operations, if proposed, were assessed. This report presents the findings of the IEPP Species studies, following implementation of the Final Study Plan, dated June 2003. 3.0 STUDY AREA The IEPP Study Area encompassed all four reservoirs under APGI management: High Rock, Tuckertown, Narrows, and Falls. Upstream Project limits extended up the Yadkin River to the Project limits defined by the 623.9-foot water level elevation (local datum). This point is approximately 1 mile north of Boone's Cave State Park. On the South Branch of the Yadkin, the Project limits were defined by the same water level elevation, which occurred approximately 6 miles from its confluence with the Yadkin River. The downstream Project limits extended approximately 0.5 miles below Falls Dam, which was estimated to be the maximum extent of riverine flow in the Falls dam tailrace during low water on Tillery Reservoir. All wetlands and riparian habitats within the zone of influence of reservoir operations were included in the study area, as well as all lands within 200 feet of the shoreline. IEPP Draft Report 2/18/05 Invasive Exotic Plant Pest Species Draft Figure 1. Locus of Yadkin Project. IEPP Draft Report 2/18/05 2 Invasive Exotic Plant Pest Species Draft IEPP surveys were also performed on the Falls and Narrows transmission corridors and Project land within the vicinity of the four dams and powerhouses. The combined length of the two transmission corridors is approximately 4.6 miles. The survey included the maintained corridor plus an additional area extending 50 feet from either side. The land and facilities in the immediate area of the four dams, including parking lots and access roads were also included (Figures 2-5). 4.0 STUDY PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES Over a series of meetings the Wetlands, Wildlife and Botanical JAG discussed objectives for IEPP species study. Over the course of those discussions the following objectives were identified for the study. ¦ Identify potential impact areas within the Project area and inventory for presence of IEPP species. ¦ Evaluate the current status of known aquatic IEPPs. ¦ Evaluate potential impacts of IEPPs on natural communities in areas of concern. 5.0 STUDY METHODS 5.1 METHODS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF INVASIVE EXOTIC PLANT PEST SPECIES LIST A preliminary list of invasive exotic plant pest (IEPP) species was compiled from lists produced by five sources: North Carolina Aquatic Weed Control Program (NCDACS 2003a); North Carolina Department of Agriculture Noxious Weeds List (NCDA 2003b); North Carolina State University Aquatic Weed Management Program (NCSU 2003); the Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council (USDA Forest Service 2001); and the USDA Forest Service Regional Invasive Exotic Plant Species List (Miller et al. 2003). These species were divided into two groups, Aquatic and Terrestrial. Because the Terrestrial species are commonly abundant in several habitat types, and because they are only minimally affected by reservoir operations, these species were noted as they appeared in the field but were not individually investigated. The Aquatic species were divided into two groups via the assistance of Dr. Alan Weakley (UNC Herbarium Curator), who has performed botanical surveys along the Yadkin Project, and recently completed an invasives inventory for the Uwharrie National Forest (S. Sharp, 2004). Dr. Weakley was recommended as the most appropriate reviewer for invasive plants by the other two botanists who contributed to the development of the rare, threatened and endangered species list (Dr. Mom Bates, Dr. Pete Diamond), and by Shannon Sharp, USFS botanist at the Uwharrie. Dr. Weakley noted those species that are present, questionable, unknown or unlikely to occur within the Project boundaries. Normandeau then ranked the species according to their likelihood of being influenced by changes in Project operations. The following categories were used: Primary Aquatic- aquatic species that are currently present, or their status is unknown but potentially could occur; Secondary Aquatic - aquatic species not known or unlikely to occur in the Project boundaries; and IEPP Draft Report 2/18/05 Invasive Exotic Plant Pest Species HIGH ROCK POWERHOUSE HIGH ROCK RESERVOIR Normal Full Reservoir Elevation 623.9 ft 1 1 1 1 1 ? Survey of 50' swath outside of development HIGH ROCK DAM Draft 1 1 Survey of 50' swath loutside of development 1 TUCKERTOWN RESERVOIR Normal Full Reservoir Elevation 564.7 ft \ ----- Full Pond Field Survey Areas Around High Rock FERC Project Boundary Dam and Powerhouse Roads Fence Yadkin Project - - - - 50' Perimeter H-H+ Railroad Tracks ® Land impacted by 0 50 100 150 250 a Dam Facilities ennngww? Figure 2. High Rock Reservoir dam facility. IEPP Draft Report 2/18/05 4 Invasive Exotic Plant Pest Species Draft 1 \ Survey of 50'smth outside of development TUCKERTOWN RESERVOIR Normal Full Reservoir Elevation 564.7 ft This area inspected visually from footpath TUCKERTOWN TUCKERTOWN POWERHOUSE DAM . / j NARROWS RESERVOIR Normal Full Reservoir Elevation 509.8 ft Survey of 50'swath beyond dam sWCtures ----- Full Pond Field Survey Areas Around Tuckertown FERC Project Boundary Dam and Powerhouse Roads Fence Yadkin Project }}{-?? Railroad Tracks - - - - 50' Perimeter a 75 150 225 375 H ® Land Impacted by Dam Facilities Figure 3. Tuckertown Reservoir dam facility. IEPP Draft Report 2/18/05 5 Invasive Exotic Plant Pest Species Draft NARROWS RESERVOIR Normal Full Reservoir Elevation 509.8 it Visual inspection from East end of d NARROWS DAM Survey of 50'swath \ outside of development NARROWS POWERHOUSE / Survey of bo horelines b / t NARROWS TRANSMISSION \ LINE CORRIDOR \ l o \ ll I FALLS RESERVOI rrnal Full Reservoir E evgtio 332.8 It / I I (/ 1 \ / I / I O 1 j O I - l O ---- Full Pond Field Survey Areas Around Narrows FERC Project Boundary Dam and Powerhouse Roads Yadkin Project --?-- Fence - - - - 50' Perimeter ® Land Impacted by 0 100 200 400rt Dam Facilities Figure 4. Narrows Reservoir dam facility. IEPP Draft Report 2/18/05 6 Invasive Exotic Plant Pest Species Draft FALLS DAM ??- FALLS RESERVOIR c` Normal Full Reservoir Elevation 332.8 ft Survey of both shorelines by boat FALLS POWERHOUSE \ r J FALLS TRANSMISSION LINE CORRIDOR / j TILLERY ` RESERVOIR ?J , ----- Full Pond Field Survey Areas Around Falls Dam FERC Project Boundary and Powerhouse Roads -x- Fence Yadkin Project ---- 50' Perimeter ® Land Impacted by o W 100 ieo 250 n Dam Facilities ITTTTSE? Figure 5. Falls Reservoir dam facility. IEPP Draft Report 2/18/05 7 Invasive Exotic Plant Pest Species Draft Secondary Terrestrial - terrestrial species that are likely to occur within the Project Area, but do not typically occur within the full pond of the reservoirs. The Preliminary IEPP list was distributed at the February 8, 2004 Wetlands, Wildlife and Botanical Interagency Advisory Group meeting. It contained 7 Priority Aquatic species, 7 Secondary Aquatic species and 18 Secondary Terrestrial species. No additional modifications were made following that meeting, thus the list became final (Table 1). 5.2 PLAN AND SCHEDULE FOR CONDUCTING IEPP FIELD STUDIES Two brief field surveys were performed in the Fall 2003 to look at emergent vegetation in High Rock Reservoir and to perform some preliminary ground truthing. Three extended field surveys were planned and undertaken during 2004. Each coincided with a different field season (spring, summer and fall) and lasted 10, 9, and 13.5 days, respectively. Three NAI senior biologists participated for a total of 55 person-days. For 2, 3 and 3 days respectively during each field season, they were joined by a local botanist, Dr. Peter Diamond from the North Carolina Zoological Park in Asheboro. Scheduling of the field surveys throughout the growing season ensured that all plant species on the IEPP search list could be encountered, if present, in a reasonably detectable and identifiable condition during at least one life-history stage. The search for IEPP species was only one component of the work being performed during the field studies, along with rare, threatened and endangered species and ground-truthing the vegetation cover type maps. However, during all types of surveys, data on invasive species were collected when they were encountered. Most the entire shoreline of the Project Area was visited one or more times in the course of 2003-2004 field work. 5.3 FIELD SURVEYS Aquatic plants (submergent, floating, and emergent) formed the basis of the IEPP field survey, since they were the species expected to undergo the direct impacts of any reservoir water-level management change. The choice of search locations for aquatic IEPP species observed the following criteria: ¦ Shallow bottoms (to 10 vertical feet below full-pool elevation, depending on water clarity). ¦ The slack water of creek mouths and embayments with low current and wave energy. ¦ Water bodies with presumed or observed high dissolved nutrient concentrations. Other plant communities received attention commensurate with the degree to which human disturbance appeared to be a factor, because of the frequent association of invasives with human activity. Therefore, the immediate vicinity of dam facilities, power transmission lines and transportation corridors became central to the relatively terrestrial component of the IEPP survey. Incidental observations of IEPP occurrence were also made in the course of all study components. Residential and commercial areas were not surveyed because of the frequent use of exotic plant species in landscaping and gardens. IEPP Draft Report 2/18/05 Fn 0 v C 0 0 Q0 0 N Table 1. List of Invasive Exotic Plant Pests potentially occurring in the Yadkin Project Area. Scientific Name Common Name Life Form Source State Fed Occurrence Primary - Aquatic Egeria densa Brazilian elodea SAV* 2, 5, 6 undocumented report Hydrilla verticillata Hydrilla SAV 1, 2, 3,5, 6 Class A Y undocumented report Ludwigia hexapetala/uruguayensis Uruguay waterprimrose SAV 2, 3, 5 Class B may be present Myriophyllum aquaticum Parrotfeather SAV 1,2, 5 may be present Myriophyllum heterophyllum Variable-leaf milfoil SAV 2,5 undocumented report Myriophyllum spicatum Eurasian watermilfoil SAV 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 Class B may be present Najas minor Brittle naiad SAV 2,5 may be present Secondary - Aquatic Alternanthera philoxeroides Alligatorweed SAV 1, 2, 5, 6 unlikely in the area Azolla pinnata Feathered waterfern SAV 2, 3, 5 Class A Y not known anywhere in the vicinity Crassula helmsil Swamp stonecrop SAV/emer 3,5 Class A not known anywhere in the vicinity Lagarosiphon major African elodea SAV 3,5 Class A Y not known anywhere in the vicinity Polygonum perfoliatum Mile-A-Minute Emergent 3, 5, 6** Class A not known anywhere in the vicinity Salvinia molesta Giant salvinia/ water fern SAV 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 Class A Y not known anywhere in the vicinity Trapa natans Water chestnut SAV 3,5 Class A not known anywhere in the vicinity Secondary - Terrestrial Ailanthus altissima Tree of Heaven Tree 5, 6,7,8,9,10 definitely present Albizia julibrissin Mimosa Tree 4, 5, 6 definitely present along shorelines Arthraxon hispidus Small carpgrass/hairy jointgrass Grass 5,6 definitely present Elaeagnus umbellata Autumn/Russian olive Tree 5, 6,7,8,9,10 definitely present Lespedeza bicolor Bicolor lespedeza Shrub 4,5 definitely present Lespedeza cuneata Chinese lespedeza Grass 5, 6,8,9,10 definitely present Ligustrum japonicum Japanese privet Shrub 4, 5, 6 may be present Ligustrum sinense Chinese privet Shrub 4, 5, 6 definitely present Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle Vine 4, 5, 6 definitely present Lonicera spp (morrowii, Bella, tartarica) Bush honeysuckle Shrub 5, 6, 7 definitely present Melia azedarach Chinaberry Tree 4, 5, 6 definitely present along shorelines Microstegium vimineum Nepalese browntop Grass 5,6,8,9,10 definitely present Miscanthus sinensis Chinese silvergrass Grass 5,6,8,9 definitely present Pueraria montana Kudzu Vine 4, 5, 6 definitely present Rosa multiflora Multiflora rose Shrub 4, 5, 6 definitely present Sapium sebiferum Chinese tallowtree Tree 4,6 not known anywhere in the vicinity Vinca minor Common periwinkle Forb 5,7,8,10 definitely present Wisteria sinensis Chinese wisteria Vine 4, 5, 6 definitely present O (continued) Fn Table 1. (Continued) ° Notes v Class A, any noxious weed on the Federal list or is not native to the State and poses a serious threat Class B, any noxious weed not native to the State, is of limited distribution statewide and poses a serious threat 0 1 = NC Aquatic Weed Control Program 0 2 = NCSU Aquatic Weed Management 3 = NCDA Noxious Weeds List 4 = Invasive Plants in Southern States, as occurring in NC 5 = Dr. Alan Weakley, UNC Herbarium Curator, Chapel Hill 6 = USDA Forest Service Southern Region 7= Tennessee 8 = Kentucky 9 = Georgia 10 = Virginia * Submerged aquatic vegetation * * Not listed as occurring in NC 0 O a?i Invasive Exotic Plant Pest Species Draft It had been the hope that toward the end of the 2004 growing season, with plant biomass at or near its peak, falling reservoir water levels would have exposed emergents and aquatic beds sufficiently to facilitate the description of these plant communities by their extent and species composition. Instead, the passage of two successive tropical storms through the Project Area kept reservoir water at or near full-pool elevation, with high turbidity, during the Fall Project-Area inspection. Aquatic beds had to be sampled primarily by scraping the bottom and grappling water-column growth with a 10-foot-long extensible rake. Some of the shorter species components of the emergent plant community were inundated in a mature, inflorescent state. The degree to which an aquatic invasive like Hydrilla verticillata constituted a current threat to its native counterparts had to be deduced by its frequency of appearance and relative abundance in rake-head samples. Qualitative assessment of the relatively terrestrial IEPPs was effected by field notes and photographs. 6.0 SUMMARY OF EXISTING STUDIES AND INFORMATION ON THE PROJECT AREA Invasive exotic plants have been listed for the southeastern USA (USDA Forest Service 2001, Miller et al. 2003). The same exercise has been performed for the State of North Carolina (North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 2003a, 2003b; North Carolina State University Aquatic Weed Management Program 2003). Additional Project-specific information on invasives was garnered during discussions in the JAG meetings with individuals familiar with the reservoirs, and Yadkin personnel (R.Smet 2004). 7.0 RESULTS OF FIELD SEARCHES Observations of IEPP species fall into five discrete categories: water, forested wetland and floodplain, dam facilities, power transmission lines and travel corridors, and forested upland. Excepting Nepalese Browntop (Microstegium vimineum), different IEPP species were found in association with each of these categories (Table 2). Water. Of all five categories, this one proved most free of domination by IEPP species. Figure 6 shows the shallows (within about 10 vertical feet of full pool elevation) where aquatic bed vegetation and aquatic IEPP species were found during the 2004 NAI survey of the Project Area. Two Primary Aquatic target species listed in Table 1 as occurring in the Project Area, Variable-leaf Milfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum), and Brazilian elodea (Egeria densa) were never found. Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), another previously reported Primary Aquatic, occurred just once, in a rake sample in Flat Creek, Tuckertown Reservoir, among abundant native submergents. The only other listed IEPP aquatic species found was Uruguay Water-primrose (Ludwigia uruguayensis (L. hexapetala)), and this species occurred in a large monotypic stand in only one location, Abbotts Creek, High Rock Reservoir, just downstream of the Rte. 47 bridge (Figure 2). Elsewhere (chiefly Tuckertown and Narrows Reservoirs), it appeared to compete on no better than equal terms with its closest congener, Floating Seedbox (L. peploides), in small backwater patches among many other aquatic species. Three small specimens of an unlisted IEPP species, the floating Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes), were found stranded near one another by autumnal floodwaters in Narrows Reservoir, apparently far from their point of origin. Two native submergents, Broad Water-weed (Elodea canadensis) IEPP Draft Report 2/18/05 11 Fn v v v C C) ; 0 20 0 N N Table 2. IEPP species observed within Yadkin Project Area Scientific Name Common Name Life Form Habitat Aquatic Hydrilla verticillata Hydrilla SAV Aquatic bed Ludwigia hexapetala/uruguayensis Uruguay waterprimrose SAV Aquatic bed Pistia stratiotes Water lettuce SAV Aquatic bed Terrestrial Ailanthus altissima Tree of Heaven Tree Upland, dams Albizia Julibrissin Mimosa Tree Upland, dams Arthraxon his idus Small ca ass/hai oint rass Grass Powerline Les edeza cuneata Chinese les edeza Grass Powerline, dams Ligustrum japonicum Japanese privet Shrub Upland Ligustrum sinense Chinese privet Shrub Upland, forested wetlands Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle Vine Upland, forested wetlands Lonicera spp (morrowii, Bella, tartarica) Bush honeysuckle Shrub Upland, forested wetlands Melia azedarach Chinaberry Tree Powerline Microstegium vimineum Nepalese browntop Grass Powerline, upland, forested wetlands Miscanthus sinensis Chinese silvergrass Grass Powerline Pueraria montana Kudzu Vine Dams Rosa multiflora Multiflora rose Shrub Upland, dams Wisteria sinensis Chinese wisteria Vine Dams New Listings Glechoma hederacea Gill-over-the-ground Herb Forested wetlands Lysimachia nummularia Moneywort Herb Forested wetlands Rosa wichuraiana Memorial rose Vine Dams 03 15 Ce O 15 n' cD y ti cD n cD' y O a?i Fn v 0 0 Abbotts Ludwigia uruguayensis )h Rock Dam Flat Cree Riles C w Tuckerlrtown Hydrilla verticillata Ellis Creek i ?'Tuckertown Ludwigia ?? Darn uruguayensis Yadkin Project h Invasive Species Habitat NORMANDEAU ASSOCIATES INC. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS 2.5 Nashua Road Bedford. New Hampshire 03110-5500 ti d 6-000 12.000 24.000 Feet Dale: Dec. 10. 2004 ,r Albemarle _ J410 _ I/ Lexington Figure 6. Invasive Exotic Plant Pest (IEPP) occurrence, 2004. Dark-pink areas represent general locations of observed aquatic beds, with associated IEPP species identified wherever found. Light-pink areas represent locations relatively vulnerable to future IEPP invasions, should reservoir management practices change to benefit aquatic IEPPs. Potential Invasive Speck Known I nvasive Swedes 03 15 y O n O c? y fD n cD' y ro a?i Invasive Exotic Plant Pest Species Draft and Thread-like Naiad (Naias gracillima), were abundant in quiet shallows in Narrows and Tuckertown, but their two respective lookalike IEPP species, Brazilian Elodea (Egeria densa) and Brittle Naiad (Naias minor), both on the Primary Aquatic list, were not detected. Instead of the listed IEPP Feathered Water Fern (Azolla pinnata), its lookalike the native Mosquito Fern (A. carohniana) was observed, as a minor constituent of floating duckweed mats. Forested wetland and floodplain. Floodplain habitat at the around the Yadkin Project reservoirs is limited and occurs primarily on the upper end of High Rock Reservoir along the Yadkin mainstem and the SouthYadkin River. In this area, upstream of the Interstate 85 bridge, typical floodplain structure is apparent: a clearly defined river channel bordered by natural levees of well-drained sediment, behind which the alluvium slopes down gradually into forested wetland and often semi- permanent standing water. The floodplain area invaded most aggressively by IEPP species coincides with the relatively high and dry levees, some of which comprise an essentially upland understory flora. At least three IEPP species occur here as understory dominants: Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense), Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), and Nepalese Browntop (Microstegium vimineum). Gill-over-the-Ground (Glechoma hederacea) and Moneywort (Lysimachia nummularia), naturalized European species often listed as invasives in North America, were ground-cover dominants. All but the browntop are semi-evergreen at this latitude, an attribute that confers a competitive advantage over the many native species also present. Dam facilities. Seven IEPP species were found to be most invasive around the dams and related facilites. Three were trees: Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin), Japanese Privet (Ligustrum japonicum); four were climbers: Memorial Rose (Rosa wichuraiana), not listed in Table 1, Multiflora Rose (R. multijlora), Kudzu (Pueraria montana), and Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis). All are light-demanding, fast-growing species with an ability to exploit canopy gaps and, in this instance, the openings created by periodic removal of robust woody growth in the immediate vicinity of the fenced dam compounds, buildings and roads. Although often subject to the same routines of periodic cutting and herbicide treatment as all other species, the dominant IEPP species proved able by their superior powers of regeneration to outcompete much of the native vegetation. Power transmission lines and transportation corridors. About a dozen of the IEPP species listed in Table 1 as terrestrial invasives were found in the primarily upland vegetation of both the Falls Dam and Narrows Dam transmission lines. However, only two occurred with sufficient frequency and abundance to indicate a state of pre-emptive dominance: Chinese Bush Clover (Lespedeza cuneata) and Nepalese Browntop (Microstegium vimineum). With its erect, unspreading growth habit, the bush clover never grew in closed, monotypic stands to the exclusion of all other species, but its numbers clearly amounted to significant biomass over a wide variety of open upland conditions, particularly in the drier sites. By contrast, the browntop's distribution was far more restricted in its transmission-line distribution, but where conditions were suitable (relatively high soil moisture content), it could overwhelm almost all competition in patches up to 25 mZ. It compensates for its relatively small size by lateral spreading with a density and rapidity that inhibits germination and establishment of most other species, and its matted overwintering remains serve effectively as a mulch that deters regenerating competition well into the next growing season. One listed IEPP species, Hairy Joint Grass (Arthraxon hispidus), peaked in abundance in association with the wet meadow of Wetland 1 on the Falls Dam power transmission line. IEPP Draft Report 2/18/05 14 Invasive Exotic Plant Pest Species Draft Upland forest. This fifth category includes essentially all forest not associated with the preceding four. As it constitutes generally the least disturbed of any category, it also appears less threatened by IEPP domination. Only two IEPP species, a hybrid bush honeysuckle (Lonicera X Bella) and the Nepalese Browntop, were observed in situations that appeared threatening to native flora. On the Falls Reservoir shoreline, Lonicera X Bella was found in close association with two RTE species, Piedmont Indigo-bush (Amorpha schwerinii) and Thick-pod White Wild Indigo (Baptisia alba) in an area referred to as the Yadkin River Scour Banks (Baranski 1994, Normandeau 2004). The bush honeysuckle occupied the preponderance of the available space in this particular site, a rocky shelf under a thin tree canopy near enough to the reservoir to undergo occasional flood-water scouring. The Amorpha may be of a size to hold its own against the bush honeysuckle, albeit at some possibly reduced level of viability. However, the Baptisia, which attains little more than I in in stature and dies back to the root every winter, is probably more vulnerable. Nepalese Browntop may be found in lowland and mesic forest almost anywhere in the Project Area, often as a major component of the understory flora. Although its very presence in a habitat always precludes the use of certain habitat resources by other species, it attains a fully aggressive state (maximum biomass) in forest canopy gaps and other situations of relatively strong light. Because of its recumbent growth habit and short stature, it is likely to prove most injurious to other species of small size, e.g. members of the Violet Family (Violaceae). 8.0 EFFECTS OF PROJECT OPERATIONS AND FACILITIES ON IEPP SPECIES The only direct impacts of current Project operation on IEPP species are those caused by the movement and elevation of water within the reservoir system. Such movement affects the hydrologic regime of all aquatic and swamp forest lakeshore habitats. Qualitative observations from the 2004 NAI surveys indicate that current reservoir management practices have not resulted in the presence of large or diverse aquatic IEPP populations. In fact, two species reported from previous years on High Rock, Variable-leaf Milfoil and Hydrilla, were not observed in 2004. A small population of Hydrilla in Tuckertown noted in the 2004 field surveys bears watching to see if the population is expanding or stable. IEPP species of the floodplain plant community are comparatively numerous and well established. Because of their location on floodplains at the upper end of High Rock Reservoirs, they are chiefly influenced by river flows and flooding rather than reservoir operations. IEPP species would be expected to continue to flourish around the four dam facilities and the Narrows and Falls connecting power transmission lines, now (2004) in the process of being widened. In both cases, vegetation management by APGI introduces disturbance that sets back plant succession, and often promotes the dominance of certain IEPP species. IEPP species response at the dam facilities includes primarily woody plants; along the power transmission lines, IEPP species are primarily herbaceous. Any changes in Project operations could alter the potential for IEPPs. For example, aquatic vegetation is limited in shallow water areas of High Rock Reservoir due to fluctuations in reservoir water levels and periodic exposure that these areas experience under existing Project operations. These shallow areas in High Rock have high potential for establishment of aquatics should reservoir IEPP Draft Report 2/18/05 15 Invasive Exotic Plant Pest Species Draft levels be maintained at a more constant elevation, some of which could be IEPPs. In general, the longer that stable reservoir pool elevations are maintained during the growing season, the more aquatic plant biomass will be produced, including that of IEPP species. Winter drawdown would serve to control this vegetation, but not to eliminate it. By this reasoning, alternative Project operations that produce more stable water levels year-round would produce conditions most conducive to the growth and spread of IEPP aquatics, while a greater or longer winter drawdown than currently seen would promote the least favorable conditions. Overall, modifying the operation of the Project, and thereby the water level regime of High Rock Reservoir, creates the risk of a corresponding increase in undesirable IEPP aquatics. For instance, the North Carolina Extension Service (1992) reminds us that "the explosive growth of this weed and its competitiveness with native vegetation make Hydrilla the most serious weed threat in North Carolina's inland waters". The only IEPP species that seems in need of immediate control is Lonicera X Bella at the site where it is suspected of inhibiting the survival of Baptisia alba (Section 7.0). The area in question amounts to a few hundred square meters, since the Baptisia population is so small and strictly confined. A manual search-and-destroy operation to root out the Lonicera bushes or apply a contact herbicide would be the work of a single day for a knowledgeable botanist or two. 9.0 CONCLUSIONS In aquatic plant communities, IEPP species constitute no apparent threat to native species, navigation, or water quality under existing conditions. In forested lakeshore upland, IEPP species appear to be relatively inconspicuous, but perhaps most deleterious to the survival of known RTE species, e.g. Baptisia alba. IEPP species did occur in large numbers and high biomass in some habitats in the Project Area. Around the dams and associated facilities, they often assumed dominance. In the Project Area's only extensive remaining floodplain, in the upper mainstem Yadkin River above the 185 bridge, IEPP species dominate the herbaceous ground cover and shrub understory. In the Narrows and Falls transmission-line corridors, they reach peak species diversity. Any changes in Project operations that alter reservoir water levels would directly affect aquatic plant communities (submergent, floating, emergent), and to a lesser extent on the contiguous forested wetlands and floodplains on the reservoirs. Maintaining relatively stable reservoir water levels may promote an increase in the number and biomass of many aquatic plant species, including IEPP species, wherever these can exploit previously unvegetated reservoir shallows. However, the limited availability of such shallows imposes limits on the magnitude of this impact, and the sedimentation dynamics in the most extensive shallows (the upper High Rock Reservoir) would probably continue to favor exploitation by native floodplain trees rather than IEPP species. 10.0 REFERENCES CITED Baranski, M.J. 1993. Natural areas inventory for Yadkin River corridor in Davie, Davidson and Rowan counties, North Carolina. Conservation Trust for North Carolina, Raleigh, NC. Batcher, M. S. undated. Element stewardship abstract for Hydrilla verticillata. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, Virginia. IEPP Draft Report 2/18/05 16 Invasive Exotic Plant Pest Species Draft Miller, J. H., E. B. Chambliss and C. T. Bargeron. 2003. Invasive plants of the thirteen southern states. University of Georgia Bugwood Network, USDA Forest Service, USDA APHIS PPQ. Internet website: www.invasive.org North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service. 1992. Hydrilla-a rapidly spreading aquatic weed in North Carolina. Publication No. AG-440. North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. 2003a. North Carolina Aquatic Weed Control Act of 1991, and Aquatic Weed Control Regulations. Internet website: www.agr.state.nc.us/plantind/regs/gqlaw.htm North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. 2003b. North Carolina Noxious Weeds List. Internet website: www.agr.state.nc.us/plantind/plant/weed/noxweed.htm North Carolina State University Aquatic Weed Management Program. 2003. North Carolina State University Aquatic Weed Management Website, www.weedscience.ncsu.edu/aquaticweeds/Publications.html Sharp, S. 2004. Personal communication. Botanist, USDA Forest Service. Uwharrie National Forest, Troy, NC. Smet, Robert. 2004. Personal communication. Natural Resource Coordinator, Alcoa Power Generating Inc, Yadkin Division, Badin, NC USDA Forest Service. 2001. Regional invasive exotic plant species list. Southeast exotic Plant Pest Council. Internet website: www.invasive.org/seweeds.cfm Weakley, A. S. 2004. Personal communication. University of North Carolina Herbarium, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. IEPP Draft Report 2/18/05 17 Invasive Exotic Plant Pest Species Draft APPENDIX A List of Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species for Yadkin Project Search IEPP Draft Report 2/18/05 Fn 0 v C 0 0 20 0 N Appendix Table 1. Final List of Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species for Yadkin Project Search for Terrestrial and Wetland Species only, Including Insects. Birds and Aquatic Wildlife were handled by others. Scientific Name Common Name Source State* Federal- County Habitat Notes Priority Amorpha schwerinii Piedmont indigo-bush 1 SR-T M, R, S, Dd dry forests Aster georgianus Georgia aster 1,2 T Cl M, R, S, Dd open woods and roadsides Aster mirabilis Piedmont aster 1 SR-T S rich slopes and bottomlands Baptisia alba Thick-pod white wild indigo 1 SR-P M, S open woodland clearings Baptisia albescens Thin-pod white wild indigp 1 SR-P M, R, S open woodland clearings Cardamine dissecta Dissected toothwort 1 SR-P M, R, Dd rich woods, bottomlands Carex impressinervia Ravine sedge 1,2 SR-T FSC M wet forests Cirsium carolinianum Carolina thistle 1 SR-P M, R forests, disturbed areas, basic soils Helenium brevifolium Littleleaf sneezeweed 1 E M, R bogs, seeps, riverbanks Helianthus schweinitzii Schweinitz's sunflower 1, 2, 3 E E M, R, S, Dd open woods and roadsides Plantago cordata Heart-leaf plantain 1 E Dd beds of small, slate-bottomed perennial streams Porteranthus stipulatus Indian Physic 1 SR-P M, Dd forests and open woods, mainly over mafic rocks Solidago plumosa Yadkin River goldenrod 1,2 E FSC M, S riverside rocks Solidago radula var. radula Western rough goldenrod 1 SR-P S dry woodlands over mafic rocks Secondary Ambystoma talpoideum Mole salamander 1 SC M, R fish-free semipermanent woodland ponds Anemone berlandierz Southern anemone/thimbleweed 1 SR-P M, R, S thin soils around rock outcrops Carex bushii Bush's sedge 1 SR-P R open wet areas Collinsonia tuberosa Piedmont horsebalm 1 SR-P M rich hardwood forests Corynorhinus rafinesquii Rafinesque's big-eared bat * * * E FSC old buildings, hollow trees, caves, mines, near water Crotalus horridus Timber rattlesnake 1 SC M, S, Dd rocky, upland forests Fothergilla major Large witch-alder 1 SR-T M, S dry ridgetop or bluff forests Gomphus abbreviatus Spine-crowned clubtail 1 SR M rivers Gomphus fraternus Midland clubtail 1 SR S rocky rivers Hemidactylium scutatum Four-toed salamander 1 SC M wetlands in hardwood forests Hexalectris spicata Crested coralroot 1 SR-P S, Dd, D dry or mesic woods on basic soils Quercus austrina Bluff oak 1 SR-P M bluff and bottomland forests Ruellia purshiana Pursh's wild-petunia 1 SR-O M glades, woodlands over mafic/calcareous rocks Spartina pectinata Freshwater cordgrass 1 SR-P M freshwater marshes Stachys sp I Yadkin hedge nettle 1 SR-T M sandy edges of forested floodplains Tradescantia virginiana Virginia spiderwort 1 SR-P M rich woods on circumneutral soils Verbena rzparia Riverbank vervain 1,2 SR-T FSC S habitat not known Transmission lines Echinacea laevigata Smooth coneflower 1, 2, 3 E-SC E M glades and open areas over mafic rocks Gnaphalium hellerz var hellerz Heller's rabbit tobacco 1 SR-P M, R, Dd dry woodlands, openings, glades over mafic rocks Helianthus laevigatus Smooth sunflower 1 SR-P M, R, S shaly open woods and roadsides (continued) Fn v v v C C) 0 N W 0 N Appendix Table 1. (Continued) Scientific Name Common Name Source State* Federal- County Habitat Notes Lotus helleri Carolina birdfoot-trefoil/Heller's trefoil 1,2 SR-T FSC R, S, Dd, D open woods over clay soils, roadsides Parthenium auriculatum Glade wild quinine 1 SR-T M glades and openings over mafic rocks Excluded Arabis missouriensis Missouri rockcress 1 SR-P S thin soils around basic rock outcrops Aster laevis var concinnus Narrow-leaf aster 1 SR-P S forests, woodland borders over mafic rocks Baptisia minor Prairie blue wild indigo 1 T S glades and open forests on basic soils Clemmys muhlenbergii Bog turtle 2,3 T T/SA Dd bogs, wet pastures Cyperus houghtonii Houghtons umbrella sedge 1 SR-P dry soil Desmodium ochroleucum Cream ticktrefoil 1,2 SR-T FSC D sandy/rocky woodland openings Dicanthelium annulum Ringed witch grass 1 SR-P dry, sandy or rocky woods, borders of thickets Dodecatheon meadia var meadia Eastern shooting star 1 SR-P S, Dd rich rocky woods over mafic or calcareous rocks Erynnis martialis Mottled duskywing 1 SR M upland woods, needs Ceanothus americanus Fixsenia favonius ontario Northern oak hairstreak 1 SR M dry oak-dominated woods Gomphus consanguis Cherokee clubtail 1 SR D spring-fed streams Helenium pinnatifidum Dissected sneezeweed 1 SR-P R savannahs and open mucky sites flex amelanchier Sarvis holly 1 SR-P M blackwater swamps and riverbanks Isoetes piedmontana Piedmont quillwort 1 T R granite flatrocks and diabase glades Isoetes virginica Virginia quillwort 1,2 SR-L FSC R upland depression swamp forests Juglans cinerea Butternut 2 FSC S coves, stream benches, rock ledges Lilium canadense ssp editorum Red Canada lily 1 SR-P S bogs, wet meadows Lindera subcoriacea Bog spicebush 1,2 E FSC M streamhead pocosins, white cedar swamps, bogs Masticophis flagellum Coachwhip 1 SR S dry sandy woods, pine/oak sandhills Matelea decipiens Glade milkvine 1 SR-P S, Dd thin woodlands over mafic or calcareous rocks Minuartia unifiora Single-flowered sandwort 1 E R granite flatrocks Oxypolis ternata Savanna/Piedmont cowbane *** FSC wetlands, wet swales, bogs Pellaea wrightiana Wright's cliff-brake 1 E-SC S rock outcrops, mafic or with nutrient-rich seepage Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus Northern pinesnake 1,2 SC FSC M dry, sandy woods, pine/oak sandhills Platanthera integra Yellow fringeless orchid 1 T R savannas Portulaca smalhi Small's portulaca 1 T R granite flatrocks and diabase glades Puma concolor couguar Eastern cougar 1, 2, 3 E E M needs open forest Quercus prinoides Dwarf Chinquapin oak 1 SR-P S dry, rocky slopes Rhus michauxii Michawes sumac 1, 2, 3 E-SC E D sandhills, sandy forests, woodlands and edges Silphium terebinthinaceum Prairie dock 1 SR-P D diabase glades, open/semi-open areas, mafic rocks Sistrurus miliarius Pigmy rattlesnake 1 SC M pine flatwoods, pine/oak sandhills Solidago ptarmicoides Prairie goldenrod 1 E R diabase glades (continued) 03 15 y CfD O_ n fD y fD C? y ro a?i Fn v v v C 0 0 N Q0 N Appendix Table 1. (Continued) Notes: 1 NC Natural Heritage Program County lists updated May 2003, NHP List of Rare Animal Species 2001, and NHP list of Rare Plant Species, 2002 2 US Fish & Wildlife Service North Carolina County lists updated 2/2003 3 US Fish and Wildlife Service TESS State list updated 2/2004 * based on NCNHP County lists updated May 2003 ** based on USFWS County lists updated 2/2003 *** State and/or Federally listed but not found in counties CI = Consideration for listing- no protected status E = Endangered E/PT = Endangered Potentially Threatened E-SC = Endangered but available commercially FSC = Federal Special Concern - no protected status SC = Special Concern SR = Significantly Rare SR-L = Significantly Rare Limited SR-O = Significantly Rare Other SR-P = Significantly Rare Peripheral SR-T = Significantly Rare Throughout T = Threatened T/SA = Threat. due to Similarity of Appearance - no effect on land-management activities by private landowners Counties S Stanly R Rowan M Montgomery Dd Davidson D Davie Expert Reviewers Dr. Alan Weakley, Curator, UNC Herbarium, Chapel Hill, NC Dr. Moni Bates, NC Plant Conservation Program Dr. Peter Diamond, NC Zoological Park, Asheboro, NC Sarah McRae, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh, NC Dr. Mary Kay Clark, NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, NC Mr. Mark Lewis, NC Zoological Park, Asheboro, NC Dr. Dennis Herman, NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, NC rz)