20221394 Ver 1_17BP.13.R.160_Yancey274_NRTR_FINAL_Submittal_20180813_20221007

NATURAL RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT
Replace Bridge No. 274 on SR 1410 (Brad Rd.)
over Little Creek
Yancey County
TIP 17BP.13.R.160
THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Division 13
August 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................... 1
2.0 METHODOLOGY.................................................................................................... 1
3.0 TERRESTRIAL COMMUNITIES.......................................................................... 1
4.0 PROTECTED SPECIES........................................................................................... 1
4.1 Endangered Species Act Protected Species......................................................................1
4.2 Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act............................................................................. 5
4.3 Essential Fish Habitat......................................................................................................... 5
5.0 WATER RESOURCES............................................................................................. 5
6.0 REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS................................................................... 6
6.1 Clean Water Act Waters of the U.S.................................................................................. 6
6.2 Construction Moratoria..................................................................................................... 6
6.3 N.C. River Basin Buffer Rules........................................................................................... 6
6.4 Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10 Navigable Waters .................................................... 6
6.5 Coastal Area Management Act Areas of Environmental Concern ................................ 6
6.6 Coastal Barrier Resources System.................................................................................... 6
6.0 REFERENCES...........................................................................................................7
Appendix A Figures
Figure 1. Vicinity Map
Figure 2. Project Study Area Map
Figure 3. Jurisdictional Features Map
Figure 4. Terrestrial Communities Map
Appendix B Qualifications of Contributors
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Coverage of terrestrial communities in the study area .................................. 1
Table 2. ESA federally protected species listed for Yancey County ............................ 2
Table 3. Streams in the study area................................................................................. 5
Table 4. Characteristics of jurisdictional streams in the study area ........................... 6

Natural Resources Technical Report 17BP.13.R.160, Yancey County, N.C.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to replace bridge
No. 274 on SR 1410 (Brad Rd.) over Little Creek (STIP 17BP.13.R.160) in Yancey
County (Figure 1). The following Natural Resources Technical Report (NRTR) has been
prepared to assist in the preparation of a document for the purposes of the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) or the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).
2.0 METHODOLOGY
All work was conducted in accordance with the NCDOT Environmental Coordination
and Permitting's Preparing Natural Resources Technical Reports Procedure and the latest
NRTR Template November 2017. Field work was conducted on May 23, 2018.
Jurisdictional areas identified in the study area have not yet been verified by the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) or the North Carolina Division of Water Resources
(NCDWR). The principal personnel contributing to the field work and document is
provided in Appendix B.
3.0 TERRESTRIAL COMMUNITIES
Two terrestrial communities were identified in the study area. Figure 4 shows the
location and extent of these terrestrial communities. Terrestrial community data are
presented in the context of total coverage of each type within the study area (Table 1).
Table 1. Coverage of terrestrial communities in the study area
Community
Dominant Species (scientific name)
Coverage
ac.
Maintained / Disturbed
Polygonum cuspidatum, Platanus
occidentalis, Lonicera japonica,
2.3
Festuca sp.
Montane Oak -Hickory Forest
Betula nigra, Quercus rubra, Carya
tomentosa, Liriodendron tulipifera,
1.1
Verbesina alternifolia, Aesculus
sylvatica
Total
3.4
4.0 PROTECTED SPECIES
4.1 Endangered Species Act Protected Species
As of June 27, 2018 the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) lists eleven
federally protected species for Yancey County (Table 2). For each species, a discussion
of the presence or absence of habitat is included below along with the Biological
Conclusion rendered based on survey results in the study area.
1 August 2018

Natural Resources Technical Report 17BP.13.R.160, Yancey County, N.C.
Table 2. ESA federally protected species listed for Yanecy County.
Scientific Name
Common Name
Federal
Status
Habitat
Present
Biological
Conclusion
Glyptemys muhlenbergii
Bog turtle
T (S/A)
No
Not Required
Glaucomys sabrinus
coloratus
Carolina northern flying
squirrel
E
No
NE
otis grisescens
Gray bat
E
Unknown
Unresolved
otis septentrionalis
Northern long-eared bat
T
Unknown
MA-NLAA
lasmidonta raveneliana
Appalachian elktoe
E
Yes
Unresolved
ombus afnis
Rusty -patched bumble bee*
E
No
NE
icrohexura montivaga
Spruce -fir moss spider
E
No
NE
edyotis purpurea var.
montana
Roan mountain bluet
E
No
NE
Geum radiatum
Spreading avens
E
No
NE
piraea virginiana
Virginia spiraea
T
Yes
NE
Gymnoderma lineare
Rock gnome lichen
E
No
NE
E - Endangered
T - Threatened
T(S/A) - Threatened due to similarity of appearance
MA-NLAA - May Affect — Not Likely to Adversely Affect
MA-LAA - May Affect — Likely to Adversely Affect
NE - No Effect
* - Historic record (the species was last observed in the county more than 50 years ago)
Bog turtle
USFWS optimal survey window: April 1 — October 1 (visual surveys); April 1-June 15
(optimal for breeding/nesting); May 1-June 30 (trapping surveys)
Biological Conclusion: Not Required
Species listed as threatened due to similarity of appearance do not require Section
7 consultation with the USFWS. Bog turtle habitat does not exist within the study
area. There are no open, groundwater supplied wetlands or seepage slopes found
within the study area. No bog turtles were observed during field activities.
However, no specific surveys were performed due to the T(S/A) status of the
species. A review of NHP records, updated April 2018, indicates no known
occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area.
Carolina Northern flying squirrel
USFWS Recommended Survey Window: May -October; coldest days in coldest winter
months (nest box surveys)
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Suitable habitat for the Carolina northern flying squirrel does not exist within the
study area. Elevations in the study area do not exceed 2,550 feet above mean sea
level. A review of the NCNHP records, updated April 2018, indicates no known
Carolina northern flying squirrel occurrence within 1.0 mile of the study area.
2 August 2018

Natural Resources Technical Report 17BP.13.R.160, Yancey County, N.C.
Gray bat
USFWS optimal survey window: May 15-August 15 (summer); January 15-February 15
(winter)
Biological Conclusion: Unresolved
Construction activities for this project will not take place until Endangered
Species Act compliance is satisfied for gray bat. The NCDOT Division 13
Environmental Staff will be responsible for habitat for the gray bat. A review of
NHP records, updated April 2018, indicates no known occurrences within 1.0
mile of the study area.
Northern long-eared bat
USFWS Recommended Survey Window: June 1 — August 15
Biological Conclusion: May Affect — Not Likely to Adversely Affect
Construction activities for this project will not take place until Endangered
Species Act compliance is satisfied for NLEB. The NCDOT Division 13
Environmental Staff will be responsible for habitat assessment for the NLEB. A
review of North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NHP) records, updated April
2018, indicates no known NLEB occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area.
Based upon the guidance published by the Asheville USFWS office, the
biological conclusion for Northern Long Eared Bat (NLEB) is a "may affect not
likely to adversely affect" for Yancey County. Yancey County is located in the
white nose syndrome area. There are known hibernacula or roosting trees within
the county, but the project is not located in these areas. The closest known
watersheds are approximately 5 miles south of the project area.
Appalachian elktoe
USFWS Recommended Survey Window: year round
Biological Conclusion: Unresolved
NCDOT Biological Surveys Group will perform screening for potential habitat
for the Appalachian elktoe. A Biological Conclusion will be added upon receipt
of the Survey Report. A review of North Carolina Natural Heritage Program
(NHP) records, updated April 2018, indicates one known Appalachian elktoe
occurrence (EO ID 21349) within 1.0 mile of the study area. This population is
located about 0.75 mile downstream in the Cane River.
Rusty -patched bumble bee
USFWS Recommended Survey Window: early -June and mid -August
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Suitable habitat for the rusty -patched bumble bee does not occur in the study area.
The USFWS has categorized Yancey County as an "Uncertain Zone" for potential
rusty -patched bumble bee. Based off the USFWS Survey Protocols, paved areas;
mowed lawns; areas planted to annual row crops; forest where invasive shrubs are
3 August 2018

Natural Resources Technical Report 17BP.13.R.160, Yancey County, N.C.
dominant and spring ephemeral flowers are absent; and areas mowed too
frequently to allow development of diverse wildflower resources are not suitable
habitat for the rusty -patched bumble bee.
Spruce -fir moss spider
USFWS Recommended Survey Window: May -August
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Suitable habitat for the spruce -fir moss spider does not exist within the study area.
Elevations in the study area do not exceed 2,550 feet above mean sea level. A
review of the NCNHP records, updated April 2018 indicates no known spruce -fir
moss spider occurrence within 1.0 mile of the study area.
Roan mountain bluet
USFWS Optimal Survey Window: June -July
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
There is no suitable habitat for spreading avens within the study area. There are
no areas exposed to full sunlight at or above 4,200 feet above mean sea level
within the study area. Elevations in the study area do not exceed 2,550 feet above
mean sea level. A review of the NHP records, updated April 2018, indicates no
known roan mountain bluet occurrence within 1.0 mile of the study area.
Spreading avens
USFWS Optimal Survey Window: June -September
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
There is no suitable habitat for spreading avens within the study area. There are
no areas exposed to full sunlight at or above 4,200 feet above mean sea level
within the study area. Elevations in the study area do not exceed 2,550 feet above
mean sea level. A review of the NHP records, updated April 2018, indicates no
known spreading avens occurrence within 1.0 mile of the study area.
Virginia spiraea
USFWS Optimal Survey Window: May -early July
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Suitable habitat for the Virginia spiraea exists in the project study area including
rocky river banks of second and third order streams. Surveys were conducted in
conjunction with stream delineation in areas of suitable habitaton May 23, 2018.
No individuals were found during the survey. A review of the NHP records,
updated April 2018, indicates no known Virginia spiraea occurrence within 1.0
mile of the study area. This occurrence is located about 2 miles downstream in
the Cane River.
4 August 2018

Natural Resources Technical Report 17BP.13.R.160, Yancey County, N.C.
Rock gnome lichen
USFWS Optimal Survey Window: year round
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Suitable habitat for the rock gnome lichen does not exist within the study area.
There are no rocky outcrops or cliff habitats with a great deal of humidity and
seepage that flows only during wet periods. Elevations in the study area do not
exceed 2,550 feet above mean sea level. A review of the NHP records, updated
April 2018, indicates no known rock gnome lichen occurrence within 1.0 mile of
the study area.
4.2 Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
The bald eagle is protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and
enforced by the USFWS. Habitat for the bald eagle primarily consists of mature forests
in proximity to large bodies of open water for foraging. Large dominant trees are utilized
for nesting sites, typically within 1.0 mile of open water.
A desktop-GIS assessment of the project study area, as well as the area within a 1.0-mile
radius of the project limits, was performed on April 16, 2018 using 2014 color aerials.
The Cane River is large enough and sufficiently open to be considered potential feeding
sources for eagles. A review of the NHP records, updated April 2018, revealed one
known occurrences of golden eagle (EO ID 33948) within 1.0 mile of the project study
area. The population is located about 0.75 mile northwest of the site in the Pisgah
National Forest. A survey of the project study area and the area within 660 feet of the
project limits was conducted on May 23, 2018. No bald or golden eagle nests or
individuals were observed. Therefore, it has been determined that this project will not
effect this species.
4.3 Essential Fish Habitat
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has not identified any streams within the
project area as an Essential Fish Habitat.
5.0 WATER RESOURCES
Water resources in the study area are part of the French Broad River Basin [U.S.
Geological Survey (USGS) Hydrologic Unit 06010108]. Two streams were identified in
the study area (Table 3). The location of each stream is shown in Figure 3.
Table 3. Streams in the study area
NCDWR
Bank
Bankfull
Stream Name
Map ID
Index
Best Usage
Height
width
Depth
Number
Classification
ft
ft
(in)
Little Creek
SA
7-3-33
C, Tr
5
18
18
UT to Little Creek
SB
7-3-33
C, Tr
4
7
12
5 August 2018

Natural Resources Technical Report 17BP.13.R.160, Yancey County, N.C.
No streams have been designated as an Outstanding Resource Water (ORW). There are
no designated High Quality Waters (HQW) or water supply watersheds (WS-I or WS-II)
within or within 1.0 mile downstream of the study area. The North 2016 Final 303(d) list
of impaired waters identifies no waters within the study area as an impaired water. No
surface waters or wetlands were identified in the study area.
6.0 REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS
6.1 Clean Water Act Waters of the U.S.
Two jurisdictional streams were identified in the study area (Table 4). The location of
each stream is shown on Figure 3. North Carolina Stream Assessment Method (NCSAM)
and NCDWR stream identification forms are included a separate Preliminary
Jurisdictional Determination (PJD) Package. All jurisdictional streams in the study area
have been designated as cold water streams for the purposes of stream mitigation.
Table 4. Characteristics of jurisdictional streams in the study area
Map ID
Length
ft.
Classification
Compensatory
Miti ation Required
River Basin
Buffer
Little Creek (SA)
461
Perennial
Undetermined
Not Subject
SB
319
Perennial
Undetermined
Not Subject
Total
780
* NCSAM forms are available in the PJD package
6.2 Construction Moratoria
No streams in the study area have been identified as trout waters by NCWRC. However,
Little Creek is classified as a trout water by NCDWR. No streams have been identified as
anadromous fish, or primary nursery waters. No construction moratorium anticipated.
6.3 N.C. River Basin Buffer Rules
The project is located within the French Broad River Basin. Streamside riparian zones
within the study area are not protected under provisions of the administered by NCDWR
6.4 Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10 Navigable Waters
No streams within the study area have been designated by the USACE as a Navigable
Water under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act.
6.5 Coastal Area Management Act Areas of Environmental Concern
Yancey County is not under the jurisdiction of the Coastal Area Management Act
(LAMA).
6.6 Coastal Barrier Resources System
No Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) units exist within the study area.
6 August 2018

Natural Resources Technical Report 17BP.13.R.160, Yancey County, N.C.
6.0 REFERENCES
Environmental Laboratory. 1987. Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual.
Technical Report Y-87-1, U. S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station.
Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Environmental Laboratory. 2012. Regional Supplement to the Corps of
Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Eastern Mountains and Piedmont
Region Version 2.0. Vicksburg, Mississippi
Menhinick, Edward F. 1991. Freshwater Fishes of North Carolina. Charlotte: North
Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. 227 pp.
NatureServe. 2010. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web
application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available
http://www.natureserve.org/explorer. (Accessed by NCDOT: October 19,
December 14, 2010).
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Resources.
2011 Basinwide Assessment Report. French Broad River Basin.
https:Hdeq.nc.gov/about/divi si ons/water-resources/planning/basin-planning/water-
resource-plans/french-broad
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water
Quality. 2010. North Carolina Stream ID Manual Version 4.11.
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wq/swp/ws/40 I/waterresources/streamdeterminati ons
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Resources.
Water Quality Assessment and Impaired Waters List 2016 303(d) list.
https:Hdeq.nc.gov/about/divi si ons/water-resources/planning/classificati on-
standards/3 03 d/3 03 d-fi 1 e s .
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Resources. NC
Water Classifications by Standards. http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-
resources/planning/classificati on-standards/classificati ons
North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. 2001. Guide to Federally Listed
Endangered and Threatened Species of North Carolina. Raleigh, NC.
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. North Carolina Species.
http://www.ncwildlife.org/Leaming/Species.aspx. (Accessed: April, 16 2018).
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. 2005. Northern Flying Squirrel Fact
Sheet.
http://www.ncwildlife.org/pg07_W ildlifeSpeci esCon/nongame_noflysquirrel_l ore
s.pdf. (Accessed by NCDOT: February 18, 2008).
7 August 2018

Natural Resources Technical Report 17BP.13.R.160, Yancey County, N.C.
Radford, A.E., H.E. Ahles, and C.R. Bell. 1968. Manual of the Vascular Flora of the
Carolinas. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. 1183 pp.
Schafale, M.P. and A.S. Weakley. 2012. Guide to the Natural Communities of
North Carolina: Fourth Approximation. Natural Heritage Program, Division of
Parks and Recreation, N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Raleigh, NC. 592 pp.
United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2003.
Soil Survey of Yancey County, North Carolina.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors
Appropriation Act of 1899.
http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/guidance/wetlands/sectIO.cfm
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 2006. Optimal Survey Windows for North
Carolina's Federally Threatened and Endangered Plant Species.
http://www.fws.gov/nces/ es/plant survey.html. (Accessed by NCDOT: December
14, 2010).
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 2014. Northern Long -Eared Bat Interim
Conference and Planning Guidance. USFWS Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6.
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/mammals/nlba/pdf/NLEBinterimGuidanc
e6Jan2014.pdf. (Accessed by NCDOT: February 20, 2015.)
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Northern Long -Eared Bat Project Planning
Guidance. Asheville Ecological Services Field Office.
https://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmis/project review/NLEB_in "C.html
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Carolina northern flying squirrel.
http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmis/listedspeci es/Carolina_northern_flying_squirre
l.html (Accessed by NCDOT: October 19, 2010).
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Endangered Species, Threatened Species, Federal
Species of Concern, and Candidate Species, Yancey County, NC.
https://www.fws.gov/raleigh/species/cntylist/yancey.html. (Accessed: April 16,
2018).
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Gray Bat in North Carolina.
http://www.fws.gov/nc-es/mammal/graybat.html. (Accessed by NCDOT: October
19, 2010).
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Appalachian elktoe Fact Sheet.
http://www.fws.gov/asheville/pdfs/AppalachianElktoe.pdf. (Accessed by NCDOT:
October 20, 2010).
8 August 2018

Natural Resources Technical Report 17BP.13.R.160, Yancey County, N.C.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Roan Mountain Bluet in North Carolina.
http://www.fvvs.gov/nc-es/plant/nnbluet.html. (Accessed by NCDOT: December
14, 2010).
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Rusty -Patched Bumble Bee Survey Protocols.
https://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/insects/rpbb/guidance.htmlgmap
(Accessed: April 16, 2017).
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Spreading Avens in North Carolina.
http://www.fws.gov/nc-es/plant/spreadavens.html. (Accessed by NCDOT:
December 14, 2010).
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Spruce -fir Moss Spider in North Carolina.
http://www.fws.gov/nc-es/spider/sprummoss.html. (Accessed by NCDOT: October
18, 2010).
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Virginia Spiraea in North Carolina.
http://www.fws.gov/nc-es/plant/vspiraea.html. (Accessed by NCDOT: December
14, 2010).
9 August 2018

Appendix A
Figures

Lat 36.0016 / Long-82.3993
r s
0
creek Rd C re@4
Jade ad
tt"' Pro
rP
�4
J
S
F
�r
Cr@
^'k
creex Rd
r
6
s /Y.
11-4y
rsyt,
Dad R
rain �d 0
Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, USGS, Intermap, increment P Corp., NRCAN, Esri Japan, METI,
Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri (Thailand), IM mylndia, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS
User Community 9'�n
F "ORT" Figure 1: Vicinity Map
0.5 0.25 0 0.5 N
Replace Bridge No. 274 on SR 1410
Miles w E Study Area
over Little Creek
May 2018 S Yancey County
P
?p��NTOF TRAN�'POII

-�
USGS The National Map: National Boundaries Dataset, National Elevation Dataset, Geographic
Names Information System, National Hydrography Dataset, National Land Cover Database, National
Structures Dataset, and_NationalTransportation Dataset; U.S. Census Bureau - TIGER/Line; HERE
Road Data ;
%F N°RTk Figure 2: USGS Map
N
co 1,000 500 0 1,000 W E Study Area Replace Bridge No. 274 on SR 1410
Feet
over Little Creek
s Data Source: USGS TNM Topo Base Map Yancey Count
"roFTHA May 2018 Chestoa and Bald Creek 3 3

V'�

Appendix B
Qualifications of Contributors
Principal
Investigator: Joseph Sullivan
Education: M.S. Natural Resources 2011
B.S. Biology 2008
B.A. Environmental Studies 2008
Experience: Environmental Scientist, KCI Associates of NC., 2015-Present
Environmental Scientist, Carolina Ecosystems Inc. 2013-2015
Ecological Technician, N.C. Dept. Cultural Resources 2009-2012
Responsibilities: Wetland and stream delineations, GPS data collection, stream
assessment, natural communities assessment, T/E species assessment,
document preparation
Investigator: Tommy Seelinger
Education: B.A. Biology, 2013
Experience: Environmental Scientist, KCI Associates of NC., 2012-Present
Responsibilities: Document review