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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20220006 Ver 1_T&E report_20211222Threatened & Endangered Species The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has detailed the potentially occurring species for Cumberland County, NC (Table 1). Table 1. Potentially Occurring ME Species within Cumberland County Common Name Scientific Name Taxon Federal Status Record Status American Schwalbea Plant E* Current" Chaffseed americana Michaux's Sumac Rhus michauxii Plant E Current Pondberry Lindera Plant E Current melissifolia Rough -leaved Lysimachia Plant E Current Loosestrife asperulaefolia Red -cockaded Picoides borealis Animal E Current Woodpecker * Endangered. A taxon "in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range." ^Current - the species has been observed in the county within the last 50 years. The NCNHP Element Occurrence GIS data showed that there are no known occurrences of any T&E species within the site or within a mile of the site. However, the site was still evaluated for the presence of supportive habitat for any of the potentially occurring Threatened and Endangered species. American Chaffseed (Schwalbea americana) USFWS Description "American chaffseed is an erect perennial herb with stems that branch only at the base. The leaves are alternate, have no outgrowths at their base, and are fixed and ascend in an overlapping spiral. The leaves, stems, and flowers are hairy throughout (villous-puberulent). The five -lobed flowers are reddish -purple and mature into capsules that burst open, containing numerous linear, yellowish -tan seeds. The showy flowers have a high degree of bilateral symmetry, elaborated for pollination by bees. Flowering occurs from April to June in the southern part of the species' range, and from June to mid -July in the northern part of its range. Fruits start to mature in early summer in the South and October in the North. American chaffseed occurs in fire -maintained longleaf pine flatwoods and savannas. Often it is found in transition zones between peaty wetlands and xeric (dry) sandy soils. American chaffseed habitat has been described as open grass -sedge systems in moist acidic sandy loams or sandy peat loams. Chaffseed is dependent on factors such as fire, mowing, or fluctuating water tables to maintain the open to partly -open conditions that it requires. Several American chaffseed populations were found in powerline rights -of -ways in the 1990s in South Carolina. The likelihood still exists for undocumented American chaffseed populations persisting in powerline rights -of -ways, along roadsides, or within longleaf pine habitat that is being actively managed with fire within the species historic and current range."' Site Analysis No powerline rights -of -way or fire maintained long -leaf pine flatwoods or savannahs exist on the site. Forested habitat generally consists of mixed pine -hardwood forest with crowded understory. Because no suitable habitat exists, and there are no known occurrences, this project will have no effect on the American chaffseed. Michaux's sumac (Rhus michauxii) USFWS Description "Michaux's sumac is a rhizomatous, densely hairy shrub, with erect stems from 1 - 3 feet (ft) (30.5 - 91 centimeters, cm) in height. They have compound, serrated leaves that contain, oblong to lanceolate, leaflets. The flowers are green -yellow and white and form small, dense clusters. Flowering usually occurs from June to July; while the fruit, a red drupe, is produced through the months of August to October." Michaux's sumac grows in sandy or rocky open woods in association with basic soils. This plant survives best in areas where some form of disturbance has provided an open area. Several populations in North Carolina are on highway rights -of way, roadsides, or on the edges of artificially maintained clearings."2 Site Analysis As per the NCNHP GIS data, there no known occurrences of Michaux's sumac within the project area or within one mile of the project area. A large, open area exists on -site, however it appears to be heavily maintained via mowing and would not be suitable habitat, and because there are no known occurrences in the vicinity of the site will have no effect on Michaux's sumac. Pondberry (Lindera melissifolia) USFWS Description "Pondberry is a deciduous shrub that grows to approximately 2 meters (6 feet) tall, and spreads vegetatively by stolons. Pale yellow flowers appear in the spring before the leaves emerge. The 1 USFWS. 2019. American chaffseed (Schwalbea americana). https://www.fws.gov/southeast/wildlife/plants/american-chaffseed/ 2 USFWS. 2017. Michaux's Sumac (Rhus michauxii). https://www.fws.gov/raleigh/species/es_michauxs_sumac.html. Accessed 8/3/2021. oval -shaped fruits are 0.5 inch (12 millimeter) long and turn from green during the summer to bright red in the fall. Pondberry is distinguished from the two other North American members of the genus (Lindera benzoin and Lindera subcoriacea) by its drooping foilage, obtuse or rounded leaf base, conspicuous venation and the two lowest pairs of lateral nerves are not parallel to the ones above. Pondberry leaves have a distinct sassafras -like odor when crushed. Pondberry, for the most part, is associated with wetland habitats such as bottomland and hardwoods in the interior areas, and the margins of sinks, ponds and other depressions in the more coastal sites. The plants generally grow in shaded areas but may also be found in full sun.3" Site Analysis As per the NCNHP GIS data, there no known occurrences of pondberry within the project area or within one mile of the project area, and according to the USFWS, there is just one known population in Cumberland County.3 Bottomland hardwood wetland habitat is present on the site, however it is not the ideal type (sink, pond, depressional areas) that would support pondberry. Therefore, this project will have no effect on the pondberry. Rough -leaved Loosestrife (Lysimachia asperulaefolia) USFWS Description "Rough -leaf loosestrife is a perennial herb that grows 11.8 - 23.6 inches (in) (30 - 60 centimeters; cm) tall. The triangular shaped leaves are often opposite on shorter stems (less than 30 cm tall) and tend to be arranged in whorls of three or four encircling taller stems. The leaves are widest at the base (0.3 - 0.8 in or 0.8 - 2.0 cm wide) and have three prominent veins. Contrary to the common name, the leaf surfaces are smooth to the touch. The yellow flowers are 0.6 (1.5 cm) across with yellow -orange anthers and occur on terminal racemes that are 1.2 - 3.9 in (3 - 10 cm) long. Flowering occurs from mid -May through June, with fruits (capsules) present from July through October. Since only a few stems in each population flower in any given year, surveyors should look for the leaves rather than yellow flowers. Stipitate glands are usually present on most parts of the plant. This species is easily distinguished from Loomis' yellow loosestrife (Lysimachia loomisii) a similar southeastern species by its broader, glandular leaves and much larger flowers. This species generally occurs in the ecotones or edges between longleaf pine uplands and pond pine pocosins (areas of dense shrub and vine growth usually on a wet, peaty, poorly drained soil) on moist to seasonally saturated sands and on shallow organic soils overlaying sand. Rough -leaf loosestrife has also been found on deep peat in the low shrub community of large Carolina bays (shallow, elliptical, poorly drained depressions of unknown origin). The grass - shrub ecotone, where rough -leaf loosestrife is found, is fire -maintained, as are the adjacent plant communities (longleaf pine - scrub oak, savanna, flatwoods, and pocosin). Suppression of 3 USFWS. 2020. Pondberry (Lindera melissifolia). https://www.fws.gov/raleigh/species/es_pondberry.html. Accessed 10/18/2021 naturally -occurring fire in these ecotones results in shrubs increasing in density and height and expanding to eliminate the open edges required by this plant. Several populations are known from roadsides and power line rights of way where regular maintenance mimics fire and maintains vegetation so that herbaceous species are open to sunlight."4 Site Analysis As per the NCNHP GIS data, there no known occurrences of rough -leaved loosestrife within the project area or within one mile of the project area and ecotonal areas longleaf pine upland and pond pine does not exist on the site, nor do Carolina bays. Furthermore, the maintained open area on -site appears to be too frequently maintained via mowing to support rough -leaved loosestrife. Therefore, this project will have no effect on the rough -leaved loosestrife. Red -cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) USFWS Description "The red -cockaded woodpecker (RCW) is a small bird measuring about 7 inches in length. Identifiable by its white cheek patch and black and white barred back, the males have a few red feathers, or "cockade". These red feathers usually remain hidden underneath black feathers between the black crown and white cheek patch unless the male is disturbed or excited. Female RCWs lack the red cockade. Juvenile males have a red 'patch' in the center of their black crown. This patch disappears during the fall of their first year at which time their 'red -cockades' appear. Red -cockaded woodpecker habitat includes forests with trees old enough for roosting, generally at least 60-120 years old, depending on species of pine. The most prominent adaptation of RCWs is their use of living pines for cavity excavation. For nesting and roosting habitat, red -cockaded woodpeckers need open stands of pine containing trees 60 years old and older. RCWs need live, large older pines in which to excavate their cavities. Longleaf pines (Pinus palustris) are preferred, but other species of southern pine are also acceptable. Dense stands (stands that are primarily hardwoods, or that have a dense hardwood understory) are avoided. Foraging habitat is provided in pine and pine hardwood stands 30 years old or older with foraging preference for pine trees 10 inches or larger in diameter. In good, moderately -stocked, pine habitat, sufficient foraging substrate can be provided on 80 to 125 acres. Roosting cavities are excavated in living pines, and usually in those which are infected with a fungus known as red -heart disease. The aggregate of cavity trees is called a cluster and may 4 USFWS. 2011. Rough -leaf Loosestrife (Lysimachia asperulaefolia). httl2s://www.fws.gov/raleigh/si2ecies/es rough - leaf loosestrife.html. Accessed 10/18/21. include 1 to 20 or more cavity trees on 3 to 60 acres. The average cluster is about 10 acres. Completed cavities that are being actively used have numerous, small resin wells which exude sap. The birds keep the sap flowing as a cavity defense mechanism against rat snakes and other tree climbing predators."5 Site Analysis The NCNHP GIS data indicates that no RCWs exist on -site or within one mile of the site, however a significant population is known from approximately two miles north of the site. The site was evaluated for supportive habitat. No extensive stands of mature pine exist on -site. On - site forested habitat consists of mixed pine -hardwood with dense understory, which is not suitable habitat for the RCW. Therefore, this project will have no effect on the RCW. Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) USFWS Description "Distinguished by a white head and white tail feathers, bald eagles are powerful, brown birds that may weigh 14 pounds and have a wingspan of 8 feet. Their habitat includes relatively undisturbed wooded areas bordering estuaries, large lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and some seacoasts. In winter, the birds congregate near open water in tall trees for spotting prey and night roosts for sheltering."6 Bald eagle survey protocols have been established by the USFWS and NCDOT.7,1 A bald eagle survey area consists of the study area and a 660 feet radius from the edge of the study area. A survey is necessary when the study area is within 1 mile of a forage source, such as a large body of water (typically greater than 2 acres). If no forage source exists within 1.0 mile of the bald eagle survey area, then no survey is necessary. Site Analysis Potential on -site habitat is limited to the mixed -pine hardwood forest within the project area (Aerial Imagery). The site is within 1 mile of a significantly large body of water (Beaver Creek Pond, approximately one -mile south), however on -site forested habitat is heavily disturbed by human activity, and it is bordered on all sides by developed area, making the site unsuitable for bald eagles. The NCNHP GIS data documented no occurrences of bald eagle nests within the 5 USFWS. 2017. Red -cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis). https://www.fws.gov/raleiVh/species/es red cockaded woodpecker.html. Accessed 10/18/21 6 USFWS. 2015. Bald and Golden Eagle Information. https://www.fws.gov/birds/management/managed-species/bald-and-golden- eagle-information.php. Accessed 10/26/21. 7 USFWS. 2007. NATIONAL BALD EAGLE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES. https://www.fws.gov/northeast/ecologicalservices/pdf/NationalBaIdEagleManagementGuidelines.pdf. Accessed 10/26/21 8 NCDOT. 2015. NCDOT Guidelines to Assess Potential Project Impacts to the Bald Eagle and Survey Protocols. https:Hconnect.ncdot. gov/resources/Environmental/Compliance%20Guides%20 and%20Procedures/NCDOT%2OGuidelines%20and %20Survey%20protocols%20for%20bald%20eagle%207-20-15.pdf. Accessed 10/26/21. project limits or within a mile of the project limits (T&E occurrences figure). Therefore, this project will have no effect on the bald eagle.