20191125 Ver 1_19-376_NC-16 Intersection Improvements_Mecklenburg Co_20191014

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United States Department of the InteriorSERVIUE
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Asheville Field Office
160 Zillicoa StreetFl
Asheville, North Carolina 28801
September 18, 2019
Bryan Roden -Reynolds
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Charlotte Regulatory Field Office
8430 University Executive Park Drive
Charlotte, North Carolina 28262
Dear Mr. Roden -Reynolds:
Subject: NC-16 Intersection Improvements; Union County, North Carolina
Log No. 4-2-19-376
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has reviewed the information provided in your
correspondence dated September 11, 2019, wherein you initiated informal consultation with this
office, seeking our concurrence with a "may affect, not likely to adversely affect" finding for
project -mediated impacts to federally protected species. We submit the following comments in
accordance with the provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, as amended
(16 U.S.C. 661-667e); the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. §4321 et seq.); and
section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543) (Act).
Project Description
According to the information provided, the proposed project aims to improve traffic and safety
conditions along an existing roadway/intersection adjacent to commercial and residential
developments near Weddington, North Carolina. Aerial imagery suggests that onsite habitats
consist of maintained roadside right-of-way and transitional habitats adjacent to forested and
developed areas. However, no information regarding site conditions or development plans have
been provided by the Applicant at this time.
Federally Listed Endangered and Threatened Species
Based on the information provided, suitable habitat for the federally endangered Schweinitz's
sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii) and Michaux's sumac (Rhus michauxii) may occur within
and adjacent to the proposed impact area. Multiple records of this species occur in the project
vicinity. These species are known to occur in disturbed areas including roadsides, utility line
rights -of -way, forest openings, forest edges, old pastures, and transitional edge habitats.
To ensure that occurrences of these species is not inadvertently lost, targeted surveys should be
conducted by a qualified botanist during the optimal survey window where proposed project -
mediated impacts overlap suitable habitat for these federally protected species. Currently, only
historical records for the Michaux's sumac occur in Union County. However, we request that
surveyors consider this species in any field evaluations. Surveys conducted between late August

— October (or first frost) would capture the optimal survey window for all three of these species.
To complete our evaluation, we request that the Applicant submit survey results to this office.
The Service appreciates the opportunity to provide these comments. Please contact Mr. Byron
Hamstead of our staff at 828/258-3939, Ext. 42225, if you have any questions. In any future
correspondence concerning this project, please reference our Log Number 4-2-19-376.
Sincerely,
- - original signed - -
Janet Mizzi
Field Supervisor
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