20210446 Ver 1_B-5808 2021-10-18 Sunflower Survey_20220215

Three Oaks Engineering, Inc.
324 Blackwell Street, Suite 1200
Durham, NC 27701
[phone]
November 30, 2021
North Carolina Department of Transportation
ATTN: Michael Turchy
ECAP Western Regional Team Lead
Mailing Address:
1598 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1598
Physical Address:
Century Center, Building A
1000 Birch Ridge Drive
Raleigh, NC 27610
SUBJECT: Schweinitz’s’ sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii) Survey Report for STIP No. B-5808
in Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina
Mr. Turchy:
Below is the Schweinitz’s’ sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii) species survey report for STIP No. B-5808
in Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina.
Project Description and Survey Methodology
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is proposing to replaceBridge Nos. 57 and 59
on US 29 / US 601 over Irish Buffalo Creek in Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina. Three Oaks
Engineering, Inc. (Three Oaks) was contracted by NCDOT to perform protected species surveys for
Schweinitz’s sunflower in suitable habitat within the approximately 18.3-acre project site (Figure 1). The
purpose of these surveys was to update previously completed surveys and the following survey report
will be used to support environmental documentation for the project and environmental permitting, if the
latter is required.
Species Morphology and Habitat Description
Schweinitz’s’ sunflower
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Optimal Survey Window: late August – October (or first ground-
level frost)
Schweinitz’s’ sunflower is a tall (6.5-foot) perennial plant that is found along the edges of open woodlands
and prairie habitats. It is found in maintained utility corridors and in road rights-of-way (ROW) in the
Piedmont regions of North and South Carolina. Schweinitz’s sunflower is a composite flower that produces
yellow rays and blooms from late August until frost. Distinguishing characteristics include a thick tuberous
root, a purple stem, opposite leaves on the lower stem with alternate leaves on the upper stem, thick leaves
with recurved edges, and stiff hairs along the leaf margins with soft hairs underneath.
Survey Results
On October 18, 2021, Three Oaks staff members Wade Biltoft and Caitlan Bell conducted a plant-by-plant
survey for Schweinitz’s’ sunflower within the project site. Marginally suitable habitat for Schweinitz’s’
sunflower was present within the project site in areas with moderate disturbance regimes and little-to-no
canopy cover. However, no individuals were present. Additionally, no typical associate species were
identified. A review of the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) October 2021 dataset
revealed no known Schweinitz’s’ sunflower occurrences within the study area or within one mile of the
project site. Due to the negative survey results of this survey and the lack of known occurrences within one
mile, the Biological Conclusion rendered for the species is “No Effect”.
Please let me know if you have any questions or require any additional information.
Sincerely,
James Mason
Senior Environmental Scientist
Three Oaks Engineering, Inc.
[e-mail]
Office: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]
Appendix A
Figure