NCS000093 NCNHP Report

North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
Natural Heritage Program
Governor Roy Cooper Secretary Susi H. Hamilton
June 19, 2018
Bradley Bennett
NCDEQ
512 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27604
RE: BRP US Inc - Spruce Pine NC; NCS000093
Dear Bradley Bennett:
NCNHDE-6288
The North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) appreciates the opportunity to provide information
about natural heritage resources for the project referenced above.
Based on the project area mapped with your request, a query of the NCNHP database, indicates that there are
no records for rare species, important natural communities, natural areas, and/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. 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 found within the project area or is 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/Directory/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Information provided by the NCNHP database may not be published without prior written notification to the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.
The NC Natural Heritage Program may follow this letter with additional correspondence if a Dedicated Nature
Preserve, Registered Heritage Area, Clean Water Management Trust Fund 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 rod ney.butler&Dncdcr.gov or 919-707-8603.
Sincerely,
NC Natural Heritage Program
MAILING ADDRESS: Tele hone: [919', 7D7-8107 LOCA.TICN
16`1 MaiI Ser,rice Center �n�rr&ncnh2.org 121 VVest hones S-reat
Ralaigh, NC 27899-1881 Ralaigh, NC 27603

Natural Heritage Element Occurrences, Natural Areas, and Managed Areas Within a One -mile Radius of the Project Area
BRP US Inc - Spruce Pine NC
Project No. NCS000093
June 19, 2018
NCNHDE-6288
Element Occurrences Documented Within a One -mile Radius of the Pro'ect Area
Taxonomic EO ID Scientific Name ommon Name Element
Group Observation Occurrence
Date Rank
Amphibian 5832 Cryptobranchus Eastern Hellbender 2016-07-11 B
alleganiensis
alleganiensis
Dragonfly or 33446 Calopteryx amata Superb Jewelwing 2004 -Pre H?
Damselfly
Freshwater Fish 15461 Etheostoma acuticeps Sharphead Darter 2009-02-28 E
Natural 34328 Montane Oak --Hickory --- 2015-09-24 B
Community Forest (Basic Subtype)
Reptile 6308 Crotalus horridus Timber Rattlesnake 1935-06-28 H
Vascular Plant 34002 Spiraea virginiana Virginia Spiraea 2013-04 D
Natural Areas Documented Within a One -mile Radius of the Project Area
Site Name Representational Rating
Graveyard Creek Forests R5 (General)
FRB/North Toe River/Nolichucky River Aquatic Habitat R2 (Very High)
Managed Areas Documented Within a One -mile Radius of the Project Area
Managed Area Name Owner
Graveyard Creek Forest Registered Heritage Area 130 of Chatham, LLC
Mitchell County Open Space Mitchell County: multiple local government
Accuracy
Federal
State
Global
State
Status
Status
Rank
Rank
3 -Medium
Species of
Special
G3G4T
S3
Concern
Concern
2
5 -Very
---
Significantly
G4
S1S2
Low
Rare
3 -Medium
Species of
Threatened
G3
S1
Concern
3 -Medium
---
---
G3
S3
4 -Low --- Special
Concern
2 -High Threatened Threatened
Collective Rating
C4 (Moderate)
C2 (Very High)
Owner Type
Private
Local Government
G4 S3
G2 S2
Definitions and an explanation of status designations and codes can be found at https://ncnhde.natureserve.org/content/help. Data query generated on June 19, 2018; source: NCNHP, Q2 April 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.
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NCNHDE-6288: BRP US Inc - Spruce Pine NC