20200233 Ver 1_17BP.9.R.98_Final_20200212

Aquatic Species Survey Report
Replacement of Bridge No. 15 on NC 66
Over Vade Mecum Creek
Stokes County, North Carolina
WBS Element # 17BP.9.R.98
Prepared For:
NC Department of Transportation
Raleigh, North Carolina
Contact Person:
Amy Euliss
Division 9 Environmental Officer
North Carolina Department of Transportation
aeuliss(ancdot.gov
375 Silas Creek Parkway
Winston Salem, NC 27127-7167
May 22, 2019

Prepared by:
RiC%fC
900 Ridgefield Drive, Suite 350
Raleigh, NC 27609
Contact Person:
Neil Medlin
Manager, Natural Resources
[e-mail]
919-878-9560

Table of Contents
1.0
Introduction..............................................................................................................1
2.0
Waters Affected........................................................................................................1
2.1 NPDES Dischargers............................................................................................1
2.2 303(d) Classification...........................................................................................1
3.0
Target Species Descriptions....................................................................................2
3.1 James Spinymussel (Parvaspina collina)...........................................................2
3.1.1 Characteristics......................................................................................2
3.1.2 Distribution and Habitat Requirements...............................................2
3.2 Green Floater (Lasmigona subviridis)................................................................3
3.2.1 Characteristics......................................................................................3
3.2.2 Distribution and Habitat Requirements...............................................3
3.3 Roanoke Logperch (Percina rex)........................................................................3
3.3.1 Characteristics......................................................................................3
3.3.2 Distribution and Habitat Requirements...............................................4
4.0
Survey Efforts...........................................................................................................4
4.1 Stream Conditions at Time of Survey: Vade Mecum Creek .............................4
4.2 Methodology.......................................................................................................4
4.2.1 Freshwater Mussel Survey...................................................................4
4.2.2 Fish Survey..........................................................................................5
5.0
Results.......................................................................................................................5
5.1 Freshwater Mussel Survey Results.....................................................................5
5.2 Fish Survey Results.............................................................................................5
6.0
Discussion/Conclusions............................................................................................5
7.0
References.................................................................................................................7
Appendix A. Figures:
Figure 1: Project Vicinity & Survey Location
Figure 2: NCNHP Element Occurrences
Figure 3: NPDES Dischargers and 303(d) Listed Streams

1.0 Introduction
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to replace Bridge No. 15
over Vade Mecum Creek on NC 66 in Stokes County (Appendix A, Figure 1). Vade Mecum
Creek is located in the Roanoke River Basin.
As of May 17, 2019, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Raleigh Office webpage
indicated that James Spinymussel (Parvaspina collina) was currently listed for Stokes County as
a protected species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and that the Green Floater
(Lasmigona subviridis) is shown as occurring in Stokes County. The Green Floater is currently
being considered for listing under the ESA. The Roanoke Logperch (Percina rex) is also
currently listed by USFWS as a protected species under the ESA for Stokes County.
A review of the NC Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) records, last accessed on May 10, 2019,
indicated that an element occurrence (EO) for one of the target species is located within a 5-mile
buffer of the project (Figure 2). This occurrence (EO ID 17365) is for the James Spinymussel
and is located on the Dan River, approximately 4.2 stream miles downstream relative to the
project. This EO was first observed on October 03, 2000 and last observed on February 07,
2017. The closest occurrence for Green Floater (EO ID 14749) is approximately 9.3 stream
miles downstream from the survey location, also on the Dan River. This EO was first observed
on October 18, 2000 and last observed on August 22, 2017. The closest occurrence for Roanoke
Logperch (EO ID 26357) is approximately 20 stream miles away on the Dan River. This EO
was first observed on July 29, 2008 and last observed on November 16, 2016.
As part of the federal permitting process that requires an evaluation of potential project related
impacts to federally protected species, Rummel, Klepper, and Kahl (RK&K) was contracted by
NCDOT to conduct the aquatic species surveys.
2.0 Waters Affected
Vade Mecum Creek is located in the Roanoke River Basin (HUC# 03010103). The survey
location is approximately 4.2 stream miles from the confluence of Vade Mecum Creek with the
Dan River.
2.1 NPDES Dischargers
There are no NPDES permitted dischargers located in an area such that they could impact water
quality at the project site.
2.2 303(d) Classification
Vade Mecum Creek is not on the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
(NCDEQ) - Division of Water Resources 2016 303(d) list of impaired streams or the draft 2018
list.
Aquatic Species Survey Report; 17BP.9.R.98, Stokes County May 2019
Page 1

3.0 Target Species Descriptions
3.1 James Spinymussel (Parvaspina collina)
3.1.1 Characteristics
The James Spinymussel (Parvaspina collina (Conrad 1837)) is a small freshwater mussel that
that rarely exceeds 76 mm in length. Young specimens have a shiny yellow periostracum and
mature individuals typically have a dark brown periostracum that exhibit pronounced growth
rings. Juveniles may have three or more spines on each valve; however, spines are typically
absent or reduced to bumps as the species matures. The shell is subrhomboidal in shape for
juveniles, but the shell becomes more ovate as the mussel grows. The left valve has two thick
pseudocardinal and two thin lateral teeth where the right valve contains one of each. Shells have
a thicker anterior end and thin towards the posterior. The foot and mantle tissue are orange and
the nacre is whitish to salmon colored.
Maximum age for the James Spinymussel is suspected to be greater than 19 years and it is short-
term brooding (tachytictic) species. Specifically, the species becomes gravid and releases
glochidia multiple times between May and August. Host fish species include Central Stoneroller
(Campostoma anomalum), Mountain Redbelly Dace (Chrosomus oreas), Rosyside Dace
(Clinostomus funduloides), Satinfin Shiner (Cyprinella analostana), Rosefin Shiner (Lythrurus
ardens), Bluehead Chub (Nocomis leptocephalus), and Blacknose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus).
3.1.2 Distribution and Habitat Requirements
The James Spinymussel was once found throughout the main stem of the James River and all of
its major tributaries upstream of Richmond, VA. The species has experienced a precipitous
decline over the past two decades and now exists only in small, headwater tributaries of the
upper James River Basin in Virginia and West Virginia and the upper Roanoke River drainage of
Virginia and North Carolina. These sites include the Craig Creek drainage - Craig Creek, Johns
Creek, Dicks Creek and Patterson Creek in Craig and Botetourt Counties, VA. The other sites
are Potts Creek in Monroe County, WV and Craig and Alleghany Counties, VA, Pedlar River in
Amherst County, VA, Mechums River in Albemarle County, VA, Moormans River in Albemarle
County, VA, Rocky Run (Moormans River) in Albemarle County, VA, and Catawba Creek in
Botetourt County, VA.
The James Spinymussel is found in waters with slow to moderate current and relatively hard
water on sand and mixed sand -gravel substrates that are free from silt. Current stream width at
these sites varies from 3 to 23 meters with a water depth of 0.15 to 1 meter. Historic sites on the
James River were much wider, up to 50 meters across.
Aquatic Species Survey Report; 17BP.9.R.98, Stokes County May 2019
Page 2

3.2 Green Floater (Lasmigona subviridis)
3.2.1 Characteristics
The Green Floater (Lasmigona subviridis (Conrad 1835)) is a small freshwater mussel that rarely
exceeds 55 mm in length. Shells are thin, slightly inflated, and subovate to trapezoidal in shape.
The umbo is low and rarely extends above the hinge line, and uneroded shells have double -
looped sculpturing. The periostracum is typically yellow to brownish green with numerous dark
green rays. The nacre is white to bluish with a tinge of iridescence toward the posterior end.
Furthermore, the nacre often contains a yellow to salmon blotch in the beak cavity. Lateral teeth
are moderately developed but thin and the pseudocardinal teeth are relatively small and blade-
like. In addition, the left valve often contains an interdental projection.
The Green Floater is normally hermaphroditic (individuals contain both male and female gonadal
tissues) and a long-term brooding (bradytictic) species. The reproductive season for the Green
Floater extends from August to May. Host fish have not been determined for the Green Floater,
however, direct transformation of glochidia into juvenile mussels has been documented.
3.2.1 Distribution and Habitat Requirements
The Green Floater has a unique distribution, which includes Atlantic Slope and Interior Basin
drainages. Historically, this species occurred from Cape Fear River basin in North Carolina
north to the Hudson River basin, and west to the Genesee River of New York. It also occurs in
the New, Greenbrier, and Watauga rivers in North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West
Virginia. The distribution within the North Carolina by river basin and county is as follows:
Watauga River Basin, Watauga County; New River Basin, Ashe County, Alleghany County;
Neuse River Basin, Orange County (Eno River subbasin), Person County (Flat River subbasin),
Durham County (Flat River subbasin), Wake County (Swift Creek and Little River subbasins);
Roanoke River Basin: Person County (Mayo Creek subbasin), Halifax County (Roanoke River),
Northampton County (Roanoke River), Rockingham County (Dan River subbasin); Stokes
County (Dan River subbasin); Tar River Basin: Granville County (Tar River subbasin), Nash
County (Tar River subbasin).
The species inhabits small to medium size waterways, and often inhabits pools and eddies with
gravel, sand, or silt substrate. In North Carolina, populations tend to be localized and associated
with good to excellent water quality.
3.3 Roanoke Logperch (Percina rex)
3.3.1 Characteristics
The Roanoke Logperch (Percina rex (Jordan and Evermann 1889)) is a large darter
(approximately 165 mm long) with vertically elongate lateral blotches (8-11), dark
vermiculations interspersed between dorsal saddles, and an elongate, piglike snout. Most fins are
strongly speckled, and the first dorsal fin contains an orange band that tends to vivid in males.
The Roanoke Logperch is a benthic insectivore and forages primarily on aquatic
Aquatic Species Survey Report; 17BP.9.R.98, Stokes County May 2019
Page 3

macroinvertebrates that it dislodges from gravel by turning over the substrate with their piglike
snout.
Maximum age for the Roanoke Logperch is suspected to be approximately 6 years. Sexually
mature individuals (2-3 years old) typically spawn during April through May in deep runs
containing gravel substrate. As with other darter species, downstream larval drift and juvenile
movement represents an essential dispersal and recolonization mechanism for Roanoke
Logperch.
3.3.2 Distribution and Habitat Requirements
Within North Carolina, the Roanoke Logperch is found in the Roanoke River Basin:
Rockingham County (Big Beaver Island Creek, Cascade Creek, Dan River, Mayo River, Smith
River, and Wolf Island Creek) and potentially portions of the Dan River and tributaries within
Stokes, Caswell, and Forsyth Counties.
Adult Roanoke Logperch typically inhabit large to medium sized waterways and occupy riffle,
run, and pool habitats that contain sand, gravel, or boulder substrate. In contrast, juveniles often
swim in mixed -species schools that occupy shallow, margin habitats underlain by sand and
gravel substrate.
4.0 Survey Efforts
Freshwater mussel and fish surveys were conducted in association with this project by RK&K
personnel Neil Medlin (Permit # 19-ES00030), Tyler Black (Permit #19-ES00554) and Gordon
Marsh on April 16, 2019.
4.1 Stream Conditions at Time of Survey: Vade Mecum Creek
Vade Mecum Creek within the survey reach was a moderate gradient stream with occasional
short, higher gradient reaches. The stream varied between 2 and 5 meters wide in the survey
reach. The reach surveyed exhibited run, and riffle flow regimes. The banks were
approximately one meter high with some erosion/undercutting as well as very stable sections.
The maximum depth was 1 meter with an average depth of 0.25 meter. The substrate was
dominated by cobble with boulder and sand co -subdominant. Gravel and bedrock were also
present in the substrate mix. No beaver activity was observed at the survey location. A wide,
forested buffer is present along the survey location.
4.2 Methodology
4.2.1 Freshwater Mussel Survey
The mussel survey was conducted from approximately 400 meters downstream of the bridge
crossing to approximately 100 meters upstream of the crossing for a total of approximately 500
meters. Areas of appropriate habitat were searched, concentrating on the stable habitats
Aquatic Species Survey Report; 17BP.9.R.98, Stokes County May 2019
Page 4

preferred by the target species. A visual only survey was conducted due to the small stream size
and instream habitat characteristics.
4.2.2 Fish Survey
The fish survey was conducted from approximately 400 meters downstream of the bridge
crossing to the crossing to approximately 100 meters upstream of the crossing for a total of
approximately 500 meters. The survey was conducted using a Smith -Root Model LR-24
backpack electrofishing unit and dip nets. The stream was sampled with one biologist operating
the electrofishing unit while the other biologists collected the stunned fish with dip nets. All
stunned fish were collected and temporarily placed in a 5-gallon bucket. All fish were identified
and released onsite.
5.0 Results
5.1 Freshwater Mussel Survey Results
No evidence on any mollusk of any species was observed during the survey.
5.2 Fish Survey Results
Eight fish species were collected during the survey with a total of 166 individuals observed
(Table 1). No Roanoke Logperch were collected. A total of 2127 shocking seconds were
utilized during this survey.
Table 2. Fish Species in Vade Mecum Creek, April 16, 2019
Scientific Name
Common Name
No. Individuals
Campostoma anomalum
Central Stoneroller
I
Clinostomus funduloides
Rosyside Dace
72
theostoma flabellare
Fantail Darter
24
ocomis leptocephalus
Bluehead Chub
13
otropis cerasinus
Crescent Shiner
7
oturus insignia
Margined Madtom
26
hoxinus oreas
Mountain Redbelly Dace
20
emotilus actomaculatus
Creek Chub
3
Total Number of Individuals
166
Total Number of Species
8
lectrofishing Seconds
2127
6.0 Discussion/Conclusions
The mussel survey did not detect evidence of any native freshwater mussel or any other mollusk
species. The fish survey results were consistent with other small upper piedmont streams. No
Roanoke Logperch were collected. Given the mussel and fish survey results, the moderate
Aquatic Species Survey Report; 17BP.9.R.98, Stokes County May 2019
Page 5

gradient and small size of Vade Mecum Creek, completion of this project will not affect either of
the currently listed aquatic species.
Biological Conclusion for James Spinymussel: No Effect
Biological Conclusion for Roanoke Logperch: No Effect
If the Green Floater were to be listed as protected species under the ESA, the conclusion for this
species is given below.
Biological Conclusion for Green Floater: No Effect
Aquatic Species Survey Report; 17BP.9.R.98, Stokes County May 2019
Page 6

7.0 References
Hove and Neves. 1994. Life history of the endangered James Spinymussel Pleurobema collina
(Conrad, 1837) (Mollusca: Unionidae). American Malacological Bulletin. 11(1): 29-40.
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality - Division of Water Resources. 2018. 2016
North Carolina 303(d) and 2018 draft list.
h!tps:Hfiles.nc.gov/ncdeq/Water%Quality/Planning/TMDL/303d/2016/2016 NC Categor
y 5 303d_list.pdf (April 2019).
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. NPDES Wastewater Treatment Facility
Permits.
http://datancdenr.opendata.arcgis. com/datasets/a86af4f7549343419b4c8 l 77cedb3 e4b_0
(April 2019).
North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP). 2019. nheo-2019-04. Natural Heritage
Element Occurrence polygon shapefile. April, 2019.
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Unpublished Aquatics Database.
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Roanoke Logperch species profile.
http://www.ncwildlife.or_ Leaming/Species/Fish/Roanoke-Logperch#2521717-overview
(March 2019).
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. 2019. Green Floater Species Profile. Available:
hgps://www.ncwildlife.org/Leaming/Species/Mollusks/Green-Floater. (February 2019).
Parmalee, P. W. and A. E. Bogan. 1998. The Freshwater Mussels of Tennessee. The University
of Tennessee Press, Knoxville, TN.
Roberts, J. H., P. L. Angermeier, E. M. Hallerman. 2014. Extensive dispersal of Roanoke
logperch (Percina rex) inferred from genetic marker data. Ecology of Freshwater Fish
25:1-16.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. James spinymussel (Pleurobema collina) Species Profile,
Environmental Online System (ECOS). Available:
https:Hecos.fws..og v/ecpO/profile/speciesProfile?s1d=2212. (March 2019).
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2010. Roanoke Logperch (Percina rex) Species Profile.
hgps://www.fws.gov/northeast/pdf/RoanokeLogperch.pdf (March 2019).
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2003. James Spinymussel fact sheet. Gloucester, VA.
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1992. Roanoke Logperch (Percina rex) recovery plan. Newton
Corner, MA.
Aquatic Species Survey Report; 17BP.9.R.98, Stokes County May 2019
Page 7

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1990. James Spinymussel (Pleurobema collina) Recovery Plan.
Newton Corner, MA.
Aquatic Species Survey Report; 17BP.9.R.98, Stokes County May 2019
Page 8

Appendix A
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❑ Survey Location
5-Mile Buffer
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Element Occurrence
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OVER VADE MECUM CREEK
17.BP.9.R.98
Dace: May 2019
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