20221561 Ver 1_17BP_12_R_64_NRTR_20221107

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Roy COOPER J. ERIc BOYETTE
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
DATE: November 4th, 2022
TO: Jeffrey Wyatt, Division 12 Environmental Officer
FROM: Caleb BrabbleRose, Division 12 Environmental Specialist
SUBJECT: Natural Resources Technical Memorandum
INTRODUCTION
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to replace bridge
no. 354 on SR 1422 (Carol Road) over an UT to Gilliam Creek (17BP.12.R.64) in Gaston
County. The following Natural Resources Technical Report (NRTR) has been prepared to
assist in the preparation of the appropriate environmental documentation.
PROTECTED SPECIES
Endangered Species Act Protected Species
As of September 30th, 2022, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
Information for Planning and Consultation (IPAC) lists the following federally protected
species within the study area, under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (Table 1). 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.

Table 1. ESA federally protected species within the Study Area
Scientific Name
Common Name
Federal
Habitat
Biological
Status
Present
Conclusion
Glyptemys muhlenbergii
Bog Turtle
T(S/A)
No
Not required
Hexastylis naniora
Dwarf -flowered Heartleaf
T
No
No Effect
T - Threatened
T(S/A) - Threatened due to similarity of appearance
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. However, a June 20, 2022 survey of the PSA found
no suitable habitat in the form of wet or boggy areas. A June 2022 review of the
NCNHP database indicated there are no occurrences of the bog turtle within a one -
mile radius of the project site.
Dwarf -flowered heartleaf
USFWS Optimal Survey Window: March -May
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
An on -site investigation indicated the study area does not contain suitable habitat
for DFH in the form of moist to rather dry forests along bluffs; boggy areas next to
streams and creek heads; and adjacent hillsides, slopes, and ravines. The area was
surveyed on April 18, 2018, by walking multiple intersecting transects but found
no DFH habitat, and was confirmed during a survey on June 20, 2022. A review of
NHP records on June 24, 2022, indicates no known occurrences within 1 mile of
the study area. Since no habitat was found to be a part of the project study area
during the on -site survey, this project should not affect this species.
Northern Long -Eared Bat
The Northern Long -Eared Bat is no longer listed for the project study area, as the USFWS
range for NLEB has changed as of September 30th, 2022. However, the bridge was
surveyed before the range shift. The findings of that survey are as follows:
The existing bridge 9354 is a timber and steel bridge, and a survey on June 20th, 2022,
found no evidence indicating bat utilization within the existing bridge structure. Natural
Heritage Program records also indicated no known long-eared bat occurrences within 20
miles of the study area, with the closest known occurrences being 21 miles to the northwest
in Burke County NC (observed pre -white nose syndrome in 2001 by NCWRC and NRID).
The Closest post-WNS observation is in Rutherford County NC, 31 miles to the northwest
in 2013. There are currently no known hibernaculum or maternity roost trees in Division
12 counties for NLEB. Likewise, Gaston County is not listed within the current range per
the FWS ECOS website.

Tri-colored Bat
As of November 4th, 2022, Tricolored -Bat (hereafter TCB) is proposed as endangered by
the USFWS, and as such, receives no formal protection under the ESA. As such, a likely
habitat will be discussed, but no biological conclusion will be recommended.
Currently, NCDOT Biological Surveys Group recommends following the survey
guidelines for Indiana bat and Gray Bat: The existing bridge 9354 is a timber and steel
bridge, and a survey on June 20th, 2022, found no evidence indicating bat utilization within
the existing bridge structure. Trees onsite could also represent habitat for TCB. Natural
Heritage Program records also indicated no known TCB occurrences within 1 mile of the
study area.
Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act is enforced by the USFWS. Golden eagles do
not nest in North Carolina. 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 June 20th, 2022 using recent color aerials.
One water body large enough and sufficiently open to be considered potential feeding
sources were identified, in the form of a 5.5 acre pond 0.5 miles to the southwest. A review
of the NHP database revealed no known occurrences of this species within 1.0 mile of the
project study area. Since there was foraging habitat within the review area, a survey of the
project study area and the area within 660 feet of the project limits was conducted, and
found no nests in the PSA large enough to be considered eagle nests. Due to the lack of
nests, known occurrences, and minimal impact anticipated for this project, it has been
determined that this project will not affect this species.
Essential Fish Habitat
There is no essential fish habitat associated with the current project.
WATER RESOURCES
Water resources in the study area are part of the Broad River basin [U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS) Hydrologic Unit: 03050105]. One stream was identified in the study area (Table
2).

Table 2. Streams in the study area
NCDWR
Bank
Bankfull
Best Usage
Depth
Stream Name
Index
width
ClassificationL��
(in)
Number
ft
UT to Gilliam Creek
9-53-6-1
C
12
20
8
There are no designated High -Quality Waters (HQW) or water supply watersheds (WS-I
or WS-II) within the project study area, or within 1.0 mile downstream of the study area.
The North Carolina 2022 Final 303(d) list of impaired waters does not identify Gilliam
Creek as an impaired water.
REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS
Clean Water Act Waters of the U.S.
One stream was identified in the study area. All streams in the study area have been
designated as warm water streams for the purposes of stream mitigation.
Table 3. Status of streams in the study area
Length
Compensatory
River Basin
Map ID
Classification
ft.
Miti ation Required
Buffer
UT to Gilliam
100
Perennial
Undetermined
Not Subject
Creek
Total
100
No wetlands were identified within the study area. NRCS soil survey records list no hydric
soils for the project study area.
N.C. River Basin Buffer Rules
No part of the project study area falls within a NC River Basin Buffer.
Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10 Navigable Waters
There are no Navigable Waters under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act within the
PSA.

Qualifications of Contributors
Principal
Investigator Jeff Wyatt
Education: B.S. Biology, 2004
Experience: Division Environmental Officer, 2020 — present
Environmental Specialist, NCDOT, 2007-2020
Environmental Consultant, HDR Engineering, 2005-2007
Responsibilities: T/E species assessment, wetland and stream delineation, document prep
Secondary
Investigator: Caleb BrabbleRose
Education: B.S. Biology, Environmental Science; 2018
Experience: Environmental Specialist, NCDOT, 2022-present
Restoration Specialist, HARP, 2021
Research Scientist, Wake Forest University, 2018-2021
Responsibilities: T/E species assessment, wetland and stream delineation, document prep