20180538 Ver 1_Natural Hertiage Program_20180417

North �arolina Departm�nt of Natural and �ultural Res�urces
Natural Heritage Program
Gcvemcr RoS� �acp�r
March 8, 2018
Patrick Breedlove
NCDOT-Division 14
253 Webster Road
Sylva, NC 28779
RE: B-163 Cherokee County; 14SP.20201.1
Dear Patrick Breedlove:
�ecretar� Susi H. Hamilton
NCNHDE-5529
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, based on the project area mapped with your request, indicates that there are
no records for rare species, important natural communities, natural areas, or conservation/managed areas
within the proposed project boundary. Please note that although there may be no documentation of natural
heritage elements within the project boundary, it does not imply or confirm their absence; the area may not have
been surveyed. The results of this query should not be substituted for field surveys where suitable habitat exists.
In the event that rare species are found within the project area, please contact the NCNHP so that we may
update our records.
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 and is
included for reference. Tables of natural areas and conservation/managed area within a one-mile radius of the
project area, if any, are also included in this report.
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Information provided by the NCNHP database may not be published without prior written notification to the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.
The NC Natural Heritage Program may follow this letter with additional correspondence if a Dedicated Nature
Preserve (DNP), Registered Heritage Area (RHA), Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) easement,
or Federally-listed species are 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 rodney.butler o_ncdcr.�ov or 919.707.8603.
Sincerely,
NC Natural Heritage Program
M�.ILING P.d7RESS: Televhone: (919j 767-8107 L�G�.TICN
1��1 f,Aail Ser,rice Center wvrw.ncnhp.org 121 'u�'est Jones S-raet
Ralsigh, hJC 2?699-16�1 Fialeigh, N� 2?BG3

Natural Heritage Element Occurrences, Natural Areas, and Managed Areas Within a One-mile Radius of the Project Area
B-163 Cherokee County
Project No. 14SP.20201.1
March 8, 2018
NCNHDE-5529
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
Amphibian 35088 Pseudacris brachyphona Mountain Chorus Frog 2013-03-17 BC 2-High --- Special G5 S2
Concern
Freshwater Fish 35602 Moxostoma breviceps Smallmouth Redhorse 2009-06-11 E 3-Medium --- Significantly G5 S2
Rare
Freshwater Fish 18954 Moxostoma sp. 2 Sicklefin Redhorse 2014-09-23 E 3-Medium --- Threatened G2Q S2
Freshwater Fish 31171 Notropis micropteryx Highland Shiner 2014-07-09 E 3-Medium --- Significantly G5 S2
Rare
Freshwater Fish 14279 Percina squamata Olive Darter 1991-Pre H? 3-Medium Species of Special G3 S2
Concern Concern
Mammal 32776 Myotis septentrionalis Northern Long-eared Bat 2009-07-27 E 2-High T-4(d) Significantly G1G2 S2
Rare
Natural 8454 Montane Cliff (Acidic --- 1994-05-04 A 3-Medium --- --- G3G4 S3
Community Herb Subtype)
Natural 1998 Montane Oak--Hickory --- 2010 C 3-Medium --- --- G3 S3
Community Forest (Basic Subtype)
Reptile 35527 Ophisaurus attenuatus Slender Glass Lizard 1984-06-22 H? 4-Low --- Significantly G5 S2
Rare
Vascular Plant 29319 Stewartia ovata Mountain Camellia 2010-09-07 B 2-High --- Significantly G4 S2
Rare Peripheral
Natural Areas Documented Within a One-mile Radius of the Project Area
Site Name Representational Rating
HIW/Hanging Dog Creek Aquatic Habitat R3 (High)
HIW/Upper Hiwassee River Aquatic Habitat R1 (Exceptional)
Hiwassee Church Bluffs R3 (High)
Managed Areas Documented Within a One-mile Radius of the Project Area
Managed Area Name Owner
Nantahala National Forest - Tusquitee Ranger District US Forest Service
Page 2 of 4
Collective Rating
C4 (Moderate)
C1 (Exceptional)
C4 (Moderate)
Owner Type
Federal

Definitions and an explanation of status designations and codes can be found at httos://ncnhde.natureserve.org/contenUhel�. Data query generated on March 8, 2018; source: NCNHP, Q1 January 2018. 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-5529: B-163 Cherokee County
March 8, 2018 1:25,388
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Page 4 of 4
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