20210303 Ver 1_Macon County - B204 - NC Hertiage Program_20230823

Roy Cooper, Governor
�00■0 INC DEPARTMENT OF
■ ■
■■u■■ NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES
■ ■■■
June 9, 2023
Patrick Breedlove
NCDOT-Division 14
253 Webster Road
Sylva, NC 28779
RE: Macon County - Bridge 204; 17BP.14.R.159
Dear Patrick Breedlove:
D. Reid Wilson, Secretary
Micky Buchanan
Deputy Director, Natural Heritage Program
N CN H DE-22261
The North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) appreciates the opportunity to provide
information about natural heritage resources for the project referenced above.
A query of the NCNHP database indicates that there are records for rare species, important natural
communities, natural areas, and/or conservation/managed areas within the proposed project
boundary. These results are presented in the attached 'Documented Occurrences' tables and map.
The attached 'Potential Occurrences' table summarizes rare species and natural communities that
have been documented within a one -mile radius of the property boundary. The proximity of these
records suggests that these natural heritage elements may potentially be present in the project area
if suitable habitat exists. Tables of natural areas and conservation/managed areas within a one -mile
radius of the project area, if any, are also included in this report.
If a Federally -listed species is documented within the project area or indicated within a one -mile
radius of the project area, the NCNHP recommends contacting the US Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS) for guidance. Contact information for USFWS offices in North Carolina is found here:
https://www.fws.gov/offices/Di rectory_/ListOffices.cfm?statecode=37.
Please note that natural heritage element data are maintained for the purposes of conservation
planning, project review, and scientific research, and are not intended for use as the primary criteria
for regulatory decisions. Information provided by the NCNHP database may not be published
without prior written notification to the NCNHP, and the NCNHP must be credited as an information
source in these publications. Maps of NCNHP data may not be redistributed without permission.
Also please note that the NC Natural Heritage Program may follow this letter with additional
correspondence if a Dedicated Nature Preserve, Registered Heritage Area, Land and Water Fund
easement, or an occurrence of a Federally -listed species is documented near the project area.
If you have questions regarding the information provided in this letter or need additional assistance,
please contact Rodney A. Butler at rod ney.butler(a)ncdcr.clov or 919-707-8603.
Sincerely,
NC Natural Heritage Program
DEPAR71MEN7 OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES
fl 121 W. JONES STREET, RALEIGH. NC 27603 • 16S1 MAIL SERVICE CENTER, RALEIGH. Nc 27699
OFC 919.707.9120 • FAX 919.707,9121

Natural Heritage Element Occurrences, Natural Areas, and Managed Areas Intersecting the Project Area
Macon County - Bridge 204
Project No. 17BP.14.R.159
June 9, 2023
NCNHDE-22261
No Element Occurrences are Documented within the Project Area
There are no documented element occurrences (of medium to very high accuracy) that intersect with the project area. Please note, however, that although the
NCNHP database does not show records for rare species within the project area, it does not necessarily mean that they are not present; it may simply mean that
the area has not been surveyed. The use of Natural Heritage Program data should not be substituted for actual field surveys if needed, particularly if the project
area contains suitable habitat for rare species. If rare species are found, the NCNHP would appreciate receiving this information so that we may update our
database.
No Natural Areas are Documented within the Project Area
Managed Areas Documented Within Project Area
Managed Area Name Owner Owner Ty
Nantahala National Forest - Nantahala Ranger US Forest Service Federal
District
NOTE: If the proposed project intersects with a conservation/managed area, please contact the landowner directly for additional information. If the project intersects with a Dedicated Nature Preserve
(DNP), Registered Natural Heritage Area (RHA), or Federally -listed species, NCNHP staff may provide additional correspondence regarding the project.
Definitions and an explanation of status designations and codes can be found at https://ncnhde.natureserve.ora/help. Data query generated on June 9, 2023; source: NCNHP, Spring (April) 2023. Please
resubmit your information request if more than one year elapses before project initiation as new information is continually added to the NCNHP database.
Page 2 of 4

Natural Heritage Element Occurrences, Natural Areas, and Managed Areas Within a One -mile Radius of the Project Area
Macon County - Bridge 204
Project No. 17BP.14.R.159
June 9, 2023
NCNHDE-22261
Element Occurrences
Documented
Within a One
-mile Radius of the Project Area
Taxonomic
EO ID
Scientific Name
Common Name
Last Element
Accuracy
Federal State
Global
State
Group
Observation Occurrence
Status Status
Rank
Rank
Date Rank
Dragonfly or
33445
Calopteryx amata
Superb Jewelwing
2004-Pre H?
5-Very
--- Significantly
G5
S1S2
Damselfly
Low
Rare
Freshwater Fish42043
Salvelinus fontinalis
Brook Trout
2022-10-26 E
3-Medium
--- Significantly
G5
S4
Rare
Natural
31061
Chestnut Oak Forest
---
2011-05-09 BC
3-Medium
--- ---
G5
S5
Community
(Dry Heath Subtype)
Natural
29040
Montane Red Cedar-
---
2011-05-09 AB
2-High
--- ---
G2
S2
Community
Hardwood Woodland
Vascular Plant
9551
Gentianopsis crinita
Fringed Gentian
1968-Pre H
5-Very
--- Endangered
G5
S1
Low
Vascular Plant
23934
Hackelia virginiana
Virginia Stickseed
1968-Pre H
5-Very
--- Significantly
G5
S2
Low
Rare
Peripheral
Natural Areas Documented Within a One -mile Radius of the Project Area
Site Name Representational Rating Collective Rating
Grindstone Knob/Cedar Knob R3 (High) C3 (High)
Houston Knob R5 (General) C5 (General)
Managed Areas Documented Within a One -mile Radius of the Project Area
Managed Area Name Owner Owner Type
Nantahala National Forest - Nantahala Ranger US Forest Service Federal
District
Highlands -Cashiers Land Trust Easement Highlands -Cashiers Land Trust Private
Definitions and an explanation of status designations and codes can be found at httos://ncnhde.natureserve.org/help. Data query generated on June 9, 2023; source: NCNHP, Spring (April) 2023. Please
resubmit your information request if more than one year elapses before project initiation as new information is continually added to the NCNHP database.
Page 3 of 4

NCNHDE-22261: Macon County - Bridge 204
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June 9, 2023
® NHP Natural Area (NHNA) Q Buffered Project Boundary
® Managed Area (MAREA) Q Project Boundary
Natural Heritage Element Occurrence (NHEO)
Sources: Esri, Airbus IDS, USGS, NGA. NASA, CGIAR, N Robinson, NCEAS.
NLS, OS, NMA. Geodatastyrelsen, Rijkswaterstaat, GSA, Geoland, FEMA.
Intermap and the GIS user community
Sources: Esri. HERE, Garmin, FAO, NOAA, USGS, © OpenStreetMap
contributors, and the GIS User Community
Page 4 of 4