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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20171204 Ver 1_Supporting Documentation_20170920PNG Line 434 30 -inch Natural Gas Pipeline r6,11 Piedmont Natural Gas September 2017 Page intentionally blank Inserted for double sided printing 0111 Piedmont Natural Gas Supporting Documentation for PCN Application Table of Contents A. Applicant Information..................................................................................................................................1 A.1 Owner Information.....................................................................................................................................1 B. Project Information and General Project History..........................................................................................1 B.1 Property Identification................................................................................................................................1 B.2 Nearest Body of Water and Water Quality Classification..........................................................................1 B.3 Project Description......................................................................................................................................2 B.4 Jurisdictional Determinations.....................................................................................................................3 C. Proposed Impacts Inventory.........................................................................................................................3 C.1 Impacts Summary............................................................................................................................................3 C.1.1 Temporary Impacts................................................................................................................................3 C.1.2 Permanent Impacts................................................................................................................................3 C.2 Wetland Impacts.............................................................................................................................................3 C.3 Stream Impacts...............................................................................................................................................9 D. Impact Justification and Mitigation............................................................................................................10 D.1 Avoidance and Minimization....................................................................................................................10 D.2 Compensatory Mitigation for Impacts to Waters of the U.S. or Waters of the State...............................10 F. Supplementary Information.......................................................................................................................11 F.S Endangered Species and Designated Critical Habitat...................................................................................11 F.5.1 Wild and Scenic Rivers.........................................................................................................................12 F.7 Historic or Prehistoric Cultural Resources......................................................................................................12 List of Tables Table 1. Water Quality Classification of Named Streams within the Project Vicinity..............................................1 Table2. Wetland Impacts......................................................................................................................................3 Table3. Stream Impacts........................................................................................................................................9 Table 4. Wetland Compensatory Mitigation........................................................................................................11 Appendices Appendix A: Property Owners List.........................................................................................................................A AppendixB: Figures...............................................................................................................................................B Appendix C: USACE Preliminary JD.........................................................................................................................0 Appendix D: RIBITs Report and NCDEQ DMS Mitigation Acceptance Letter.......................................................... D AppendixE: USFWS Coordination.......................................................................................................................... E Appendix F: NPS Coordination Letter..................................................................................................................... F AppendixG: NC HPO Coordination....................................................................................................................... G PNU Line 4A Extension Project Page intentionally blank Inserted for double sided printing r6111Piedmont Natural Gas Supporting Documentation for PCN Application The following sections correspond to the sections located in the Pre -Construction Notification (PCN) Form that require additional space to provide a full response. A. Applicant Information A 2 Owner Information A list of owner properties is provided in Appendix A. Piedmont Natural Gas (PNG) will have an easement agreement with each property owner prior to construction activities. _ Project Information and General Project History ^ 7 Property Identification A list of owner properties is provided in Appendix A. Figure 1 in Appendix B depicts the project location. 2 Nearest Body of Water and Water Qualitv Classification The project area is located in the Lower Pee Dee River Basin (HUCs 03040201, 03040203, and 03040204) (Figure 1 in Appendix B). Named streams within the vicinity of project area and their Water Quality Classifications are listed in Table 1. Table 1. Water Quality Classification of Named Streams within the Project Vicinity Label Stream Name n�llndex Number QualityWatershed Water C; Sw SA Bear Swamp 14-9-(0.5) SB Mill Branch 14-6 C SC Little Juniper Branch 14-5-2 C SD Gum Swamp 14-5 C SE Lumber River 14-(4.5) B, Sw, HQW SF Maxton Branch 14-34-7 C, Sw SG Shoe Heel Creek (Big Shoe Heel Creek/Maxton Pond) 14-34 C, Sw SH McCormick Pond 14-34-6 C, Sw SI Leith Creek (Johns Pond) 14-33 C Sw Si McNair Fishpond 14-33-1 C, Sw SK Gum Swamp Creek (Richmond Mill Lake) 14-32-(7) B SL UpperBeaverdam Creek 14-32-9 B SM Lower Beaverdam Creek 14-32-13 C; Sw SN McNeil Pond 14-32-14-3 C; Sw SO Joes Creek (Guinns Mill Pond) 14-32-14 C, Sw SP Crooked Creek 13-48 B PNG Line 434 Extension Project 1 r6111Piedmont Natural Gas Supporting Documentation for PCN Application B.3 Project Description The proposed project is located in the Southeastern Plains Ecoregion of southeastern North Carolina (MLRA 133A) within Richmond, Scotland, and Robeson counties. Land use within the area consists of rural housing, agriculture, commercial businesses and military installations. The Laurinburg-Maxton Airport, Gryphon Group Military Training Center, large solar power facilities, and a 400 -acre certified megasite are all located within a mile of the proposed pipeline. Cities and towns within the vicinity include Maxton, Prospect, Laurel Hill, and Laurinburg. Rolling hills capped with sandy soils characterize the topography of the Sandhills region, which comprises approximately one-third of the study area. The remaining project study area is within the coastal plain, which contains unique oval depression features known as Carolina Bays and very little other topographic variation. The Sandhills region is comprised of a very specific forest system adapted to live within its harsh environment that is dominated by turkey oak and longleaf pine with a wiregrass understory. Upland soils in the study area are dominated by Autryville sand and Norfolk loamy sand, while Wakulla and Candor soils and Rains sandy loam are often found in the wetter areas. Elevations in the project area range from about 180 to 340 feet above mean sea level. Upland vegetative communities in the project area are predominantly agriculture, loblolly pine plantation, and undeveloped forestland. Vegetative communities in the lower and wetter areas of the project area are mostly Carolina Bays. In order to meet customer demand, PNG is proposing the Line 434 Looping and Extension Project to expand their existing system. PNG will be installing approximately 28 miles of 30 -inch new pipeline that will loop the existing 20 -inch Line 175 (Sutton Line), collocated with the existing line.. This new line will begin at Junction A near the intersection of Prospect Road and Highway 710 in Robeson County (Figure 1 in Appendix B), and will run west for approximately 28 miles to reconnect with Line 175. An additional 7 miles of 30 -inch pipeline will begin at the western tie-in of the 28 mile line, and extend to Duke Energy's Smith Energy Center near Hamlet in Richmond County. Standard pipeline construction equipment will be used to install the new pipeline. Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) will be used to cross wide wetlands and streams within the project easement. The project would maintain a permanently cleared easement ranging from 20 feet to 70 feet within the pipeline corridor. Temporary Work Space (TWS) and Extra Work Space (EWS), typically ranging from 20 to 110 feet, will be required to install the new pipeline. Post -construction, the TWS and EWS will be seeded with a native grass mix and allowed to revert back to a forested condition via natural seed recruitment from the adjacent canopy. Detailed construction methods are presented on the enclosed Line 434 Pipeline Project WOUS Plans. PNG is requesting a Department of the Army Nationwide #12 permit for the proposed project for unavoidable impacts to Waters of the US (WOUS) from temporary construction activities, and the PNG Line 434 Extension Project 2 r6111Piedmont Natural Gas Supporting Documentation for PCN Application permanent conversion of forested wetlands to emergent wetlands for the permanent pipeline easement. No permanent fill in wetlands or streams is proposed. 13.4 Jurisdictional Determinations AECOM conducted a field delineation of jurisdictional water resources within the project study area in November and December of 2016, and in March, April, and June of 2017. A preliminary Jurisdictional Determination (JD) request was submitted to the USACE on June 21, 2017. A preliminary JD for the project was issued on July 21, 2017 (SAW -2016-02207) (Appendix C). C. Proposed Impacts Inventory C.1 Impacts Summary Below, Table 2 lists the proposed project wetland impacts, and Table 3 lists the proposed project stream impacts. Table 4 in the PCN form lists the proposed project open water impacts. Detailed impacts are depicted on the enclosed Line 434 Pipeline Project WOUS Plans. C.1.1 Temporary Impacts Temporary wetland impacts (43.87 acres) would be associated with construction activities, including the excavation of the pipeline trench through non -forested wetlands and the clearing of forested wetlands within the TWS and EWS areas and five access roads. Post construction, the TWS and EWS will be seeded with a native grass mix and allowed to revert back to a forested condition via natural seed recruitment from the adjacent canopy. Temporary stream impacts (2,691.1 linear feet) and pond impacts (0.15 acre) would occur for the open cut of the pipeline excavation trench and by construction equipment crossings. During construction, bridges, mats, and temporary culverts will be used for construction vehicle crossings. Post construction, stream beds and banks will be restored to pre -construction condition. C.1.2 Permanent Impacts Per safety protocols, and to accommodate the utility line maintenance easement, the permanent easement will permanently convert forested wetlands (27.76 acres) to an emergent wetland condition. No permanent fill in wetlands or streams is proposed. C.2 Wetland Impacts Table 2. Wetland Impacts 1 WR1 P Land Clearing Headwater Forest Yes Corps 0.42 Non -Tidal 1 WR1 T Land Clearing No Corps 0.20 Freshwater Marsh PNG Line 434 Extension Project 3 ONPiedmont Natural Gas Supporting Documentation for PCN Application PNG Line 434 Extension Project Type W Ir Wetland mpact numb 2c. 2d. 2f. Plan Sheet # Permanent P Type of impac ype of wetland Foreste Corps 404110). im pact Temporaryor . -� 5 WQ3 P Excavation Headwater Forest Yes Corps 0.07 5 WQ3 T Excavation Headwater Forest Yes Corps 0.66 7 WQ2 P Excavation Headwater Forest Yes Corps 0.08 7 WQ2 T Excavation Headwater Forest Yes Corps 0.23 7/8 WQ1 P Excavation Headwater Forest Yes Corps 0.03 7/8 WQ1 T Excavation Headwater Forest Yes Corps 1.46 RPWQ Non -Tidal 8 T Excavation No Corps 0.04 1 Freshwater Marsh gottomland 9/10 WP3 P Excavation Yes Corps 0.12 Hardwood Forest gottomland 9/10 WP3 T Excavation Yes Corps 1.04 Hardwood Forest 11 W131 T Excavation Seep No Corps 0.46 11 WP2 P Excavation Headwater Forest Yes Corps 0.23 11 W132 T Excavation Headwater Forest Yes Corps 0.58 13 WO5 P Excavation Headwater Forest Yes Corps 0.09 13 WO5 T Excavation Headwater Forest Yes Corps 0.12 13/14 WO4 P Excavation Headwater Forest Yes Corps 0.04 13/14 WO4 T Excavation Headwater Forest Yes Corps 0.55 15 WO3 P Excavation Headwater Forest Yes Corps 0.05 15 WO3 T Excavation Headwater Forest Yes Corps 0.32 16 WO2 T Excavation Hardwood Flat Yes Corps 0.14 gottomland 20 WO1 P Excavation Yes Corps 0.46 Hardwood Forest gottomland 20 WO1 T Excavation Yes Corps 1.02 Hardwood Forest 20 WN3 P Excavation Headwater Forest Yes Corps 0.07 20 WN3 T Excavation Headwater Forest Yes Corps 0.29 23 WM2 P Excavation Hardwood Flat Yes Corps 0.17 23 WM2 T Excavation Hardwood Flat Yes Corps 0.27 24 WM3 P Excavation Pocosin Yes Corps 1.48 24 WM3 T Excavation Pocosin Yes Corps 1.94 Non-Riverine 25 WM5 P Excavation Yes Corps 0.32 Swamp Forest Non-Riverine 25 WM5 T Excavation Yes Corps 0.30 Swamp Forest PNG Line 434 Extension Project ONPiedmont Natural Gas Supporting Documentation for PCN Application PNG Line 434 Extension Project Type IrPermanent Wetland iml mpact numnlbe 2c. 2d. 2f. rea of Plan Sheet # (P (P Type of ..40410. Corps .. or Temporaryor . -� 1 (mai Bottomland 29 WL2 P Excavation Yes Corps 1.05 Hardwood Forest Bottomland 29 WL2 T Excavation Yes Corps 0.65 Hardwood Forest Bottomland 30/31 WK9 P Land Clearing Yes Corps 2.07 Hardwood Forest Bottomland 30/31 WK9 T Land Clearing Yes Corps 1.12 Hardwood Forest WK9 Bottomland 30/31 P Land Clearing Yes Corps 0.08 PSS Hardwood Forest Bottomland 32 WK10 P Land Clearing Yes Corps 1.55 Hardwood Forest Bottomland 32 WK10 T Land Clearing Yes Corps 0.61 Hardwood Forest Non -Tidal 37 WK8 T Excavation No Corps 6.35 Freshwater Marsh 41 RPW13 T Excavation Headwater Forest Yes Corps 0.03 Bottomland 41 W15 P Excavation Yes Corps 0.05 Hardwood Forest Bottomland 41 W15 T Excavation Yes Corps 0.09 Hardwood Forest Bottomland 42 W14 P Excavation Yes Corps 0.02 Hardwood Forest Bottomland 42 W14 T Excavation Yes Corps 1.54 Hardwood Forest Bottomland 42/43 W13 P Excavation Yes Corps 0.03 Hardwood Forest Bottomland 42/43 W13 T Excavation Yes Corps 0.05 Hardwood Forest Non -Tidal 43 RPW12 T Excavation No Corps 0.01 Freshwater Marsh Bottomland 44 W12 P Excavation Yes Corps 0.65 Hardwood Forest Bottomland 44 W12 T Excavation Yes Corps 0.98 Hardwood Forest 45 W11 P Excavation Headwater Forest Yes Corps 0.14 45 W11 T Excavation Headwater Forest Yes Corps 0.10 47 WA T Excavation Seep No Corps 0.02 47/48 WJ2 P Excavation Hardwood Flat Yes Corps 0.01 PNG Line 434 Extension Project r6111Piedmont Natural Gas Supporting Documentation for PCN Application PNG Line 434 Extension Project Type IrPermanent Wetland iml .. 2f. Plan Sheet # (P (P Type of .. Corps �- �. ..ct Temporaryor Yes . -� 1 Corps (mai 0.54 47/48 WJ2 T Excavation Hardwood Flat 48/49 WJ1 P Excavation Pocosin Yes Corps 1.11 48/49 WJ1 T Excavation Pocosin Yes Corps 4.33 Non -Tidal 50 RPW11 T Excavation No Corps 0.04 Freshwater Marsh Non -Tidal 51 RPWH5 T Excavation No Corps 0.02 Freshwater Marsh Non -Tidal 51 RPWH6 T Excavation No Corps 0.06 Freshwater Marsh Non -Tidal 51/52 RPWH4 T Excavation No Corps 0.02 Freshwater Marsh Non -Tidal 52 RPWH1 T Excavation No Corps 0.03 Freshwater Marsh Non -Tidal 52 RPWH2 T Excavation No Corps 0.02 Freshwater Marsh Non -Tidal 52 RPWH3 T Excavation No Corps 0.02 Freshwater Marsh Non -Tidal 54 RPWH8 T Excavation No Corps 0.04 Freshwater Marsh Non -Tidal 54 RPWH9 T Excavation No Corps 0.04 Freshwater Marsh Non -Tidal 55 RPWG1 T Excavation No Corps 0.03 Freshwater Marsh Non -Tidal 55/56 RPWG2 T Excavation No Corps 0.08 Freshwater Marsh 56 WG4 T Excavation Seep No Corps 0.14 56/57/58 WG2 P Land Clearing Riverine Swamp Yes Corps 3.72 Forest 59 WF2 P Excavation Hardwood Flat Yes Corps 0.02 59 WF2 T Excavation Hardwood Flat Yes Corps 0.20 61 WE3 P Excavation Hardwood Flat Yes Corps 0.10 61 WE3 T Excavation Hardwood Flat Yes Corps 0.14 Non -Tidal 63 RPWE1 T Excavation No Corps 0.04 Freshwater Marsh 64/65 WE2 P Land Clearing Riverine Swamp Yes Corps 2.63 Forest 64/65 WE2 T Land Clearing Riverine Swamp Yes Corps 0.10 Forest 65/66 WE1 P Excavation Headwater Forest Yes Corps 2.38 PNG Line 434 Extension Project ONPiedmont Natural Gas Supporting Documentation for PCN Application PNG Line 434 Extension Project Type Ir Wetland mpact numb 2c. 2d. 2f. Plan Sheet # Permanent P If Type of impac ype of wetland Foreste Corps 404110). im pact Temporaryor . -� 65/66 WE1 T Excavation Headwater Forest Yes Corps 4.03 Non -Tidal 68 RPWD2 T Excavation No Corps 0.02 Freshwater Marsh 68/69 WD2 P Excavation Pine Flat Yes Corps 3.05 68/69 WD2 T Excavation Pine Flat Yes Corps 5.82 Non -Tidal 69 RPWD1 T Excavation No Corps 0.03 Freshwater Marsh Non -Tidal 70 RPWD3 T Excavation No Corps 0.01 Freshwater Marsh 70 WD3 P Excavation Pocosin Yes Corps 0.62 70 WD3 T Excavation Pocosin Yes Corps 0.90 71/72/73 WD1 P Land Clearing Headwater Forest Yes Corps 3.62 71/72/73 WD1 T Excavation Headwater Forest Yes Corps 1.28 73/74 WC2 P Excavation Hardwood Flat Yes Corps 0.55 73/74 WC2 T Excavation Hardwood Flat Yes Corps 0.53 Non -Tidal 74 RPWC4 T Excavation No Corps 0.02 Freshwater Marsh Non -Tidal 75 RPWC3 T Excavation No Corps 0.01 Freshwater Marsh Non -Tidal 75 RPWC2 T Excavation No Corps 0.03 Freshwater Marsh Bottomland 75/76 WC1 P Excavation Yes Corps 0.21 Hardwood Forest Bottomland 75/76 WC1 T Excavation Yes Corps 0.79 Hardwood Forest Non -Tidal 76 RPWC1 T Excavation No Corps 0.02 Freshwater Marsh 77/78 W134 P Excavation Pine Flat Yes Corps 0.37 77/78 W134 T Excavation Pine Flat Yes Corps 1.78 Non -Tidal 78 RPWB5 T Excavation No Corps 0.01 Freshwater Marsh Non -Tidal 78 RPWB6 T Excavation No Corps 0.02 Freshwater Marsh Non -Tidal 78 RPWB7 T Excavation No Corps 0.01 Freshwater Marsh Non -Tidal 80 RPWB2 T Excavation No Corps 0.02 Freshwater Marsh 80 W132 P Excavation Headwater Forest Yes Corps 0.05 PNG Line 434 Extension Project ONPiedmont Natural Gas Supporting Documentation for PCN Application PNG Line 434 Extension Project I Type IrPermanent Wetland mpact numnIbe 2c. 2d. 2.f. Plan Sheet # or .. Type of .. Corps �- �. .. . -0 Corps Excavation Headwater Forest Yes 80 W132 T 0.36 80 W133 P Excavation Headwater Forest Yes Corps 0.05 80 W133 T Excavation Headwater Forest Yes Corps 0.37 Non -Tidal 81 RPWB1 T Excavation No Corps 0.04 Freshwater Marsh 81 W131 T Excavation Hardwood Flat Yes Corps 0.33 L434 -W- WR1 T Land Clearing Headwater Forest Yes Corps 0.23 AR -1 L434 -W- WQ2 T Land Clearing Headwater Forest Yes Corps 0.01 AR -5B L434 -W- WO5 T Land Clearing Headwater Forest Yes Corps 0.06 AR -8 L434 -W- WN3 T Land Clearing Headwater Forest Yes Corps 0.07 AR -15 L434 -W- Non -Tidal RPWD3 T Land Clearing No Corps 0.01 AR -46B Freshwater Marsh 2g. Total Wetland Impacts: 71.63 PNG Line 434 Extension Project r6111Piedmont Natural Gas Supporting Documentation for PCN Application C.3 Stream Impacts Table 3. Stream Impacts PNG Line 434 Extension Project hO ou Ian Stream impact number Permanent (P) TemporaryStream or (T) . .. ri Name .m f Ig streal feet f t length near feet) (INT) UT to 8 SQ1 T Excavation Lightwood PER Corps 5 176.8 Knot Creek Crooked 9 SP4 T Excavation PER Corps 6 142.1 Creek UT to Crooked 11 SP1 T Excavation PER Corps 1 147.1 Creek UT to Joes 11 SP3 T Excavation PER Corps 5 143.5 Creek UT to Joes 13 SO4 T Excavation PER Corps 3 208.7 Creek UT to Joes 14 503 T Excavation PER Corps 5 199.9 Creek UT to Joes 15 SO2 T Excavation PER Corps 4 143.7 Creek 20 SO1 T Excavation Joes Creek PER Corps 18 236.8 UT to Leith 41 S12 T Excavation PER Corps 4 150.9 Creek UT to LeithCreek 43 S11 T Excavation PER Corps 6 132.9 UT to Lumber 65 SEI T Excavation PER Corps 6 212.7 River UT to GumSwamp 68 SD2 T Excavation PER Corps 7 223.1 Little Juniper 75 SC2 T Excavation PER Corps 7 167.6 Branch UT to Little 76 SC1 T Excavation Juniper PER Corps 6 136.9 Branch UT to Mill 78 SB2 T Excavation PER Corps 13 136.7 Branch 79 SBI T Excavation Mill Branch PER Corps 16 131.7 3h. Total stream and tributary impacts 2,691.1 PNG Line 434 Extension Project r6111Piedmont Natural Gas Supporting Documentation for PCN Application D. Impact Justification and Mitigation D.1 Avoidance and Minimization Throughout the project development and preliminary engineering design process, efforts have been made to avoid and minimize impacts to wetlands and streams. To minimize the amount of vegetative clearing and ground disturbance, the proposed pipeline corridor runs parallel to existing pipeline and transmission line easements to the greatest extent practicable. In this way, the new permanent easement can use a portion of existing easements that have already been cleared of vegetation. However, divergence from the existing pipeline and transmission line easements occurs in various locations due to construction constraints. In addition, the HDD technique would be used to avoid impacting the stream bed and banks of the Lumber River crossing (WE2), and several other wide wetland/stream crossings (WR1, WK9, WK10, WG2, and WD1). Access roads were selected using existing dirt roads (e.g., farm roads) requiring minimal improvements, which already have culverts in place that do not need to be expanded to accommodate the construction equipment. Throughout the approximately 35 -mile pipeline easement, there are many Waters of the US that flow perpendicular to the proposed easement, which makes total avoidance not practicable. Construction activities would be conducted in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations, as well as best management practices (BMPs), including the NCDEQ Manual of Stormwater Best Management Practices, the North Carolina Erosion and Sediment Control Planning and Design Manual, and the Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds (15A NCAC 04B.0124). Construction staging areas would be located away from wetlands, and preserved wetland areas would be demarcated prior to construction. All work in or adjacent to stream waters would be conducted so that the flowing stream does not come in contact with the disturbed area. Wetlands anticipated to be temporarily affected by construction would be crossed using mats and restored to their original condition post construction. Wetlands would be seeded with a native grass mix and allowed to revert back to a forested condition via natural seed recruitment from the adjacent canopy. All streams crossed using open -cut techniques will be restored to their original condition. All unavoidable stream crossings will be bridged, and erosion control measures will be installed to keep sediment out of streams. D.2 Compensatory Mitigation for Impacts to Waters of the U.S. or Waters of the State In accordance with the Compensatory Mitigation for Losses of Aquatic Resources Final Rule (33 CFR Part 332), the USACE 2008 Regulatory Guidance Letter 08-03, and North Carolina G.S. § 143-214.11 and 143- 214.20, PNG first tried to obtain all of the required wetland credits from a private mitigation bank located within the proposed project's service area. According to the Regulatory In -Lieu Fee and Bank Information Tracking System (RIBITS) report, run on September 6, 2017, no private commercial mitigation banks service the projects area (Appendix D). As such, to compensate for the unavoidable 27.76 acres of conversion impacts (27.68 acres of forest -to - emergent wetland conversion impacts and 0.08 acre of scrub/shrub-to-emergent wetland conversion impacts), PNG proposes to make payment to the in -lieu fee mitigation program administered by the NC Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) Division of Mitigation Services (DMS) (Table 4, below). Piedmont proposes a 1:1 mitigation ratio for the conversion impacts. The DMS acceptance letter is located in Appendix D. No mitigation is proposed for the temporary wetland and stream impacts, as they would be restored to their original condition. PNG Line 434 Extension Project 10 r6111Piedmont Natural Gas Supporting Documentation for PCN Application Table 4. Wetland Compensatory Mitigation F. Supplementary Information F.5 Endangered Species and Designated Critical Habitat No project impacts to federally listed threatened or endangered species are anticipated. The proposed project has received a "May affect, not likely to adversely affect" or "No effect" determination from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for all of the listed species in Robeson, Scotland, and Richmond counties (Appendix E). A discussion of the background research, field studies, and coordination with the USFWS follows. Prior to conducting field surveys, federally listed endangered and threatened species data were obtained from online database searches of the USFWS and NC Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP). There are seven threatened or endangered species listed in Robeson, Scotland, and/or Richmond counties. These include two animal species, American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) and red - cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis). Five plant species are also listed in these counties, Schweinitz's sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii), rough -leaf loosestrife (Lysimachia asperulaefolia), Canby's dropwort (Oxypolis canbyi), Michaux's sumac (Rhus michauxii), and American chaffseed (Schwalbea americana). According to the NCNHP database, only red -cockaded woodpecker (RCW) is known to occur within one mile of the project area. A habitat assessment of each of the seven listed species was conducted during the initial field investigations of the project study area in November and December 2016. In addition, species-specific surveys were conducted for RCW and the five plant species. For this project, plant surveys were not conducted during optimal survey windows; however, plant surveys were conducted during optimal PNG Line 434 Extension Project 11 WM2, WM3, WMS, W.11, WD2, 7.67 WD3, WC2, W64 WR1, WQ3, WQ2, WQ1, WP3, WP2, WOS, WO4, WO3, WN3, WO1, WL2, WK9- PFO, WK9-PSS, 20.09 WK10, W15, W14, W13, W12, W11, W.12, WG2, WF2, WE3, WE2 WE1, WD1, WC1, W132, WB3 Total 27.76 F.5 Endangered Species and Designated Critical Habitat No project impacts to federally listed threatened or endangered species are anticipated. The proposed project has received a "May affect, not likely to adversely affect" or "No effect" determination from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for all of the listed species in Robeson, Scotland, and Richmond counties (Appendix E). A discussion of the background research, field studies, and coordination with the USFWS follows. Prior to conducting field surveys, federally listed endangered and threatened species data were obtained from online database searches of the USFWS and NC Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP). There are seven threatened or endangered species listed in Robeson, Scotland, and/or Richmond counties. These include two animal species, American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) and red - cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis). Five plant species are also listed in these counties, Schweinitz's sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii), rough -leaf loosestrife (Lysimachia asperulaefolia), Canby's dropwort (Oxypolis canbyi), Michaux's sumac (Rhus michauxii), and American chaffseed (Schwalbea americana). According to the NCNHP database, only red -cockaded woodpecker (RCW) is known to occur within one mile of the project area. A habitat assessment of each of the seven listed species was conducted during the initial field investigations of the project study area in November and December 2016. In addition, species-specific surveys were conducted for RCW and the five plant species. For this project, plant surveys were not conducted during optimal survey windows; however, plant surveys were conducted during optimal PNG Line 434 Extension Project 11 r6111Piedmont Natural Gas Supporting Documentation for PCN Application survey windows in 2010 for the directly adjacent Sutton pipeline. Although suitable habitat was present for all five plant species along the proposed Line 434 alignment, no individuals or populations of any threatened or endangered species were observed during any of the field investigations. Based on these results, the plant species were assigned a "May affect, not likely to adversely affect" determination, RCW was assigned a "No effect" determination, and Section 7 consultation was not required for the American alligator. These determinations were sent to the USFWS in a letter dated January 25, 2017 (Appendix E), and the USFWS sent their concurrence in an email dated March 28, 2017 (Appendix E). Subsequent to this initial correspondence, an approximately 5 -mile reroute for the Line 434 pipeline was planned near Richmond Mill Lake, a Safe Harbor Agreement property, in Scotland County. This area was surveyed for occurrences of protected plant species on April 25 and 26, 2017. A habitat assessment was also conducted at this time, and suitable RCW nesting and foraging habitat was observed within the proposed impact area. The USFWS was notified of the planned reroute and the presence of RCW habitat in an email dated May 2, 2017 (Appendix Q. In an email reply on June 2, 2017 (Appendix E), the USFWS requested that RCW surveys be conducted within a half -mile radius of any pines 10 inches diameter at breast height (DBH) in the proposed impact area. Surveys were conducted on June 7 and 8, 2017 for RCW within a half -mile radius of all areas of suitable RCW habitat along the Richmond Mill Lake reroute. No individuals or nest cavities were observed during this investigation. Based on this information, a "No effect" determination was proposed for RCW, and a summary of the survey results was emailed to the USFWS on June 16, 2017 (Appendix Q. The USFWS concurred with this determination in an email dated July 5, 2017 (Appendix E). F.5.1 Wild and Scenic Rivers No project impacts to designated Wild and Scenic Rivers are anticipated. The project will cross the Lumber River near Maxton, NC. This portion of the river has been designated as a Wild and Scenic River by both the federal and state governments. PNG proposes to cross the Lumber River using a horizontal directional drill (HDD). The length of the HDD would be approximately 2,100 linear feet from the drill entry to the drill exit points, both of which would be located in adjacent upland agricultural fields. Hand clearing would be required to provide a line -of -sight for the HDD. No grubbing or soil disturbance would occur to establish the 70 -foot -wide permanent easement for this crossing. Coordination with the National Park Service (NPS) was initiated on May 31, 2017. After their review of the proposed crossing, the NPS issued a letter stating "... the proposed project does not trigger a formal Section 7 determination ... in accordance with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (WSRA)." A copy of the NPS letter is located in Appendix F. F.7 Historic or Prehistoric Cultural Resources The proposed project has been designed to avoid all known cultural resources, and no impacts to these resources are anticipated. The NC Historic Preservation Office (NC HPO) has assigned environmental review tracking number ER 17-0077 to this project. A discussion of the background research, field studies, and NC HPO coordination follows. The Line 434 project is largely colocated with the existing PNG Sutton Pipeline. The existing Sutton Pipeline was subjected to cultural resources studies in 2010-2011 by S&ME, Inc. During this work, 60 archaeological sites and four historic structures were identified and evaluated. All 64 cultural resources were evaluated as not eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRNP). Consultation with the NC HPO was initiated in early 2017 for the Line 434 project. In a letter dated January 27, 2017, the NC HPO commented that no historic architectural studies were required PNG Line 434 Extension Project 12 r6111Piedmont Natural Gas Supporting Documentation for PCN Application (Appendix G). Further, they indicated no archaeological survey was required along parts of the Line 434 project co -located with the Sutton Pipeline. However, at that time, four locations of the proposed route diverged from the existing Sutton line. The NC HPO requested archaeological surveys in one of the four areas where Line 434 diverged from the Sutton Pipeline. Subsequent to that consultation, PNG altered the alignment of Line 434, resulting in six additional areas of divergence. AECOM performed archaeological field studies on these seven areas. One of the areas, the Richmond Mill Lake crossing, was further re-routed along a different preferred route, which required additional survey. The current archaeological study covered roughly 29 kilometers (18 miles) of corridor that is approximately 583 acres (236 hectares). The field studies were performed between March and June 2017. Nineteen archaeological sites (including two cemeteries) were identified. Site numbers assigned to these resources are 31RB576 through 31RB579, 31SC253 through 31SC265, and 31SC267 to 31SC268. Of these sites, only two are recommended as potentially eligible for the NRHP-31SC264 and 31RB579. Both of these resources have been avoided by alterations to the design of Line 434 so that no adverse impacts will occur to the sites. Further, two cemeteries-31SC262 and 31SC263—have been avoided. These resources are not considered eligible for the NRHP, but are governed by applicable cemetery laws in North Carolina (North Carolina General Statutes 65-106 and 70-29 through 70-33). Because archaeological sites potentially eligible for the NRHP and all cemeteries have been avoided by route and/or design modifications, it is recommended the Line 434 project as currently planned will have no adverse impact to significant cultural resources. It is further recommended no additional cultural resources studies be required in conjunction with the Line 434 project as currently planned. The archaeological report detailing the work and findings, and offering these recommendations is currently being reviewed by the NC HPO. Correspondences from the NC HPO are included in Appendix G of this document. PING Line 434 Extension Project 13 Page intentionally blank Inserted for double sided printing MYPiedmont Natural Gas Supporting Documentation for PCN Application Appendix A: Property Owners List PNG Line 434 Extension Project Appendix A Page intentionally blank Inserted for double sided printing MYPiedmont Natural Gas Supporting Documentation for PCN Application Appendix B: Figures PNG Line 434 Extension Project Appendix B Page intentionally blank Inserted for double sided printing MYPiedmont Natural Gas Supporting Documentation for PCN Application Appendix C: USACE Preliminary JD PNG Line 434 Extension Project Appendix C Page intentionally blank Inserted for double sided printing ONPiedmont Natural Gas Supporting Documentation for PCN Application Appendix D: RIBITs Report and NCDEQ DMS Mitigation Acceptance Letter PNG Line 434 Extension Project Appendix D Page intentionally blank Inserted for double sided printing MYPiedmont Natural Gas Supporting Documentation for PCN Application Appendix E: USFWS Coordination PNG Line 434 Extension Project Appendix E Page intentionally blank Inserted for double sided printing MYPiedmont Natural Gas Supporting Documentation for PCN Application Appendix F: NPS Coordination Letter PNG Line 434 Extension Project Appendix F Page intentionally blank Inserted for double sided printing MYPiedmont Natural Gas Supporting Documentation for PCN Application Appendix G: NC HPO Coordination PNG Line 434 Extension Project Appendix G Page intentionally blank Inserted for double sided printing