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Home My WebLink About20200283 Ver 1_USFWS Project Review Package_20200220ZLMG LAND MANAGEMENT GROUP a DAVEA company September 19, 2019 TO: Ms. Leigh Mann US Fish and Wildlife Service, Raleigh Office PO Box 33726 Raleigh, NC 27363-3726 RE: On -Line Project Review Request Longhorn Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Marlboro Church Road; Randolph County, NC Dear Ms. Mann: Clearwater Mitigation Solutions, LLC (CMS) and Land Management Group (LMG) plan to provide a full -delivery riparian buffer mitigation project known as the Longhorn Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site, for NC Division of Mitigation Services. The 45-acre project site is located in Randolph County, north of Marlboro Church Road and approximately 1.5 miles northwest of the Town of Sophia, NC (Figure 1). The project involves planting a riparian buffer adjacent to stream channels and a pond. Additionally, cattle will be excluded from the pond. Some site disking and the replacement of an existing outlet structure may also be performed. As part of the environmental screening of the site, LMG evaluated the site's potential to support federally listed threatened or endangered species as identified using the USFWS Information, Planning, and Consultation (IPaQ system (Table 1; Appendix A). A search of the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program database was also conducted to identify areas within or around the site that are already known to support rare species. According to their files, no federally or state - protected species are known to occur within the site. One record of a federally listed plant (Schweinitz's sunflower; listed as Endangered) has previously been identified within a one -mile radius of the site (see Appendix B). Additionally, two NC DMS Easements are located northeast of the site and Randolph County open space is located southeast of the site. www.lmgroup.net • info@lmgroup.net • Phone: 910.452.0001 • Fax: 910.452.0060 3805 Wrightsville Ave., Suite 15, Wilmington, NC 28403 Table 1. Federally protected endangered, threatened, candidate, and at -risk species that may exist within the project area, per the USFWS IPaC and On -Line Project Review websites. Habitat information provided by USFWS websites. Habitat Status Present in Effects Common Name Scientific Name Habitat Description Project Determination US NC Area? Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus BGPA T Nests in large trees near open water No No Effect Hibernates in caves and mines; roosts underneath bark, in cavities or in Northern Long- Myotis T crevices of both live trees Yes No Effect Eared Bat septentrionalis and snags. They are site generalists and can be found in a range of forested areas. Full to partial sun and is found in areas with poor Schweinitz's Helianthus E E soils, such as thin clays that No No Effect Sunflower schweinitzii vary from wet to dry. Most remaining populations occur along roadsides. Table Key: Status Definition E Endangered. A taxon "in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range." T Threatened. A taxon "likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range." BGPA Protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Staff of LMG performed a site evaluation to identify community types within the site that may support federally protected species. The site is currently managed for cattle pasture and site hydrology has been historically altered via the impoundment of waters. The project area consists of a 5-acre open water impoundment and two perennial stream channels (Al and A2; approximately 730 LF total) that receive outflow from the impoundment (Figures 3 & 4). Channel Al is a perennial stream that is approximately 3 feet wide located on the northern portion of the site and flows north offsite to Bob Branch. Channel A2 is a smaller perennial channel that flows into Channel Al. The banks of Channel Al lack woody stems, with the exception of a few larger red maple (Acer rubrum) and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) trees. A narrow area of existing wooded riparian habitat is located between the two channels. This area supports red maple, sweet gum, hackberry (Celtis laevigata), and eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) and is proposed for preservation. Existing dirt paths will be used as access corridors and staging areas will be located in open pasture fields. 2 During this evaluation, the tract was inspected for federally protected species and habitat that could support federally protected species. Most of the project area consists of a maintained pasture and does not appear to provide suitable habitat for the bald eagle or Schweinitz's sunflower. There is a small amount of forested area within the site that may provide appropriate summer and wintering roosting habitat for the northern long-eared bat. However, this is a riparian buffer restoration project and no tree clearing will occur. Therefore, it is our opinion that the proposed mitigation work would have no effect on any federally listed plant or animal species. Enclosed are vicinity maps, site photos, a species conclusion table, and a self -certify letter. Please let me know if you disagree with our conclusions or need additional information. Thank you for your assistance with this project. Sincerely, Kim WilliamsDigitally signed by Date: 2019 09.119 10:5m Wi1104'00' Kim Williams Environmental Scientist Encl. 3 FIGURES 1.SQ ffar j, �C � n Q n r_ W � r� 5j Ale 5PENC'ER Rklge Unks., i wlifiH�Afl RD r i t 5i`� �y F 1 RD - �.- � ` f ,} �� SITE DY F LD�yq�� nsoo L ' EARS. �f �EARLIAV> . _ ° NELSOAF rLT TP 2!20 r� lip Q aif C ,: �S 64 J 4 0 L:\WETLANDS\2018 WETLANDS FILES\LMG18.457 --- Randleman DMS Buffer N Site, Kevin Yates\Maps 0 0.5 1 2 Boundaries are approximate and not meant to be absolute. M112S Map Source: DeLorme 2012 Atlas & Gazeteer Longhorn Riparian CLE4RWATER VffTIGA7TON Buffer Mitigation Site SOLUTIONS Figure 1 Cataloging Unit 03030003 Vicinity Map Randolph County, NC tLMG Map Date- 01-07-18 Response to RFP# 16-007703 LMG # 40-18-457 LAND MANAGF.NIZNTGROUF Legend Parcel Boundary: —45.33 Acres ® Longhorn Conservation Easement: —13.57 Acres L:\WETLANDS\2018 WETLANDS FILES\LMG18.457 --- Randleman DMS Buffer Site, Kevin Yates\Maps Boundaries are approximate and not meant to be absolute. N 0 200 400 800 Feet Longhorn Riparian CLEAR WATER MITIGATION Buffer Mitigation Site SOLUTIONS Cataloging Unit 03030003 Figure 2 Randolph County, NC Topographic Map Map Date: 01-07-18 L MG LMG # 40-18-457 11Nf MpNACY.tiSEJNTGRCT7F r" Bob Branch l SITE Role. I f s. r n Legend Parcel Boundary: —45.33 Acres ® Longhorn Conservation Easement: —13.57 Acres L:\WETLANDS\2018 WETLANDS FILES\LMG18.457 --- Randleman DMS N Buffer Site, Kevin Yates\Maps 0 200 400 Boundaries are approximate and not meant to be absolute. Map Source: 2016 ESRI World Imagery Longhorn Riparian CLEAR WATER MITIGATION 800 m Feet Buffer Mitigation Site SOLUTIONS Figure 3 Cataloging Unit 03030003 Aerial Photograph Randolph County, NC �j r Map Date: 01-07-18 LM V Response to RFP# 16-007703 LMG # 40-18-457 LA NDMANAGF.NIFNTGROUF a ON&-Ti€, mm n Temporary onstruction Access (will cross stream at existing pipe) Stream Start 4 35.842449 r 79.8833720 Headwater Wetland Area (Herbaceous) _ Tempo Temp Staging Area nstruction Access — Temporary Staging Area Temporary7!or�struction Acces _ . i Temporary Staging Areas I rMOM.._ APPENDIX A. USFWS IPaC Review Letter IPaC Information for Planning and Consultation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Last login June 03, 2019 10:18 AM MDT IPaC resource list This report is an automatically generated list of species and other resources such as critical habitat (collectively referred to as trustresources) under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) jurisdiction that are known or expected to be on or near the project area referenced below. The list may also include trust resources that occur outside of the project area, but that could potentially be directly or indirectly affected by activities in the project area. However, determining the likelihood and extent of effects a project may have on trust resources typically requires gathering additional site -specific (e.g., vegetation/species surveys) and project -specific (e.g., magnitude and timing of proposed activities) information. Below is a summary of the project information you provided and contact information for the USFWS office(s) with jurisdiction in the defined project area. Please read the introduction to each section that follows (Endangered Species, Migratory Birds, USFWS Facilities, and NWI Wetlands) for additional information applicable to the trust resources addressed in that section. Location Randolph County, North Carolina 06 1?41*1 Ap owo f: New arket Local office Raleigh Ecological Services Field Office (919) 856-4520 JJ3 (919) 856-4556 MAILING ADDRESS Post Office Box 33726 Raleigh, INC 27636-3726 Endangered species This resource list is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an analysis of project level impacts. The primary information used to generate this list is the known or expected range of each species. Additional areas of influence (AOI) for species are also considered. An AOI includes areas outside of the species range if the species could be indirectly affected by activities in that area (e.g., placing a dam upstream of a fish population, even if that fish does not occur at the dam site, may indirectly impact the species by reducing or eliminating water flow downstream). Because species can move, and site conditions can change, the species on this list are not guaranteed to be found on or near the project area. To fully determine any potential effects to species, additional site -specific and project - specific information is often required. Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act requires Federal agencies to "request of the Secretary information whether any species which is listed or proposed to be listed may be present in the area of such proposed action" for any project that is conducted, permitted, funded, or licensed by any Federal agency. A letter from the local office and a species list which fulfills this requirement can only be obtained by requesting an official species list from either the Regulatory Review section in IPaC (see directions below) or from the local field office directly. A For project evaluations that require USFWS concurrence/review, please return to the IPaC website and request an official species list by doing the following: 1. Draw the project location and click CONTINUE. 2. Click DEFINE PROJECT. 3. Log in (if directed to do so). 4. Provide a name and description for your project. S. Click REQUEST SPECIES LIST. �i Listed species and their critical habitats are managed by the Ecological Services Program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the fisheries division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA Fisheries ). Species and critical habitats under the sole responsibility of NOAA Fisheries are not shown on this list. Please contact NOAA Fisheries for species under their jurisdiction. 1. Species listed under the Endangered Species Act are threatened or endangered; IPaC also shows species that are candidates, or proposed, for listing. See the listing status page for more information. 2. NOAA Fisheries, also known as the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), is an office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration within the Department of Commerce. The following species are potentially affected by activities in this location: Flowering Plants NAME STATUS Schweinitz's Sunflower Helianthus schweinitzii Endangered No critical habitat has been designated for this species. https://ecos.fws. og v/ecp/species/3849 Critical habitats Potential effects to critical habitat(s) in this location must be analyzed along with the endangered species themselves. THERE ARE NO CRITICAL HABITATS AT THIS LOCATION. Migratory birds Certain birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act . 16V Any person or organization who plans or conducts activities that may result in impacts to migratory birds, eagles, and their habitats should follow appropriate regulations and consider implementing appropriate conservation measures, as described ie ow. 1. The Migratory Birds Treaty Act of 1918. 2. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940. Additional information can be found using the following links: Birds of Conservation Concern http://www.fws.gov/birds/management/managed-species/ birds-of-conservation-concern.php Measures for avoiding and minimizing impacts to birds http://www.fws.gov/birds/management/project-assessment-tools-and-guidance/ conservation-measures.php Nationwide conservation measures for birds The birds listed below are birds of particular concern either because they occur on the USFWS Birds of Conservation Concern (BCC) list or warrant special attention in your project location. To learn more about the levels of concern for birds on your list and how this list is generated, see the FAQ below. This is not a list of every bird you may find in this location, nor a guarantee that every bird on this list will be found in your project area. To see exact locations of where birders and the general public have sighted birds in and around your project area, visit the E-bird data mapping tool (Tip: enter your location, desired date range and a species on your list). For projects that occur off the Atlantic Coast, additional maps and models detailing the relative occurrence and abundance of bird species on your list are available. Links to additional information about Atlantic Coast birds, and other important information about your migratory bird list, including how to properly interpret and use your migratory bird report, can be found below. For guidance on when to schedule activities or implement avoidance and minimization measures to reduce impacts to migratory birds on your list, click on the PROBABILITY OF PRESENCE SUMMARY at the top of your list to see when these birds are most likely to be present and breeding in your project a rea. NAME BREEDING SEASON (IFA .................................................................. BREEDING SEASON IS INDICATED ........................................................................................... FOR A BIRD ON YOUR LIST, THE ..................................................................................... BIRD MAY BREED IN YOUR ........................................................................ PROJECT AREA SOMETIME WITHIN ............................................................................................. THE TIMEFRAME SPECIFIED, .......................................................................... WHICH IS A VERY LIBERAL .................................................................. ESTIMATE OF THE QATES INSIDE ....................................................................................... WHICH THE BIRD BREEDS —ACROSS ITS EN.IRIE RANGE. "BREEDS .................:.......................`.-------- .. EL-SEWHERE" INDICATES THAT THE ........................................................................................ _ BIRD DOES NOT LIKELY BREED IN YOUR PROJECT AREA:) Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Breeds Sep 1 to Jul 31 This is not a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) in this area, but warrants attention because of the Eagle Act or for potential susceptibilities in offshore areas from certain types of development or activities. htt s://ecos.fws. ov/ec /s eci /162. OP-N VC Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea Breeds Apr 1 to Jul 31 This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range in the continental USA and Alaska. Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus Breeds May 10 to Sep 10 This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range in the continental USA and Alaska. Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus Breeds elsewhere This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range in the continental USA and Alaska. Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina Breeds May 10 to Aug 31 This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range in the continental USA and Alaska. Tell me more about conservation measures I can implement to avoid or minimize impacts to migratory birds. Nationwide Conservation Measures describes measures that can help avoid and minimize impacts to all birds at any location year round. Implementation of these measures is particularly important when birds are most likely to occur in the project area. When birds may be breeding in the area, identifying the locations of any active nests and avoiding their destruction is a very helpful impact minimization measure. To see when birds are most likely to occur and be breeding in your project area, view the Probability of Presence Summary. Additional measures and/or permits may be advisable depending on the type of activity you are conducting and the type of infrastructure or bird species present on your project site. What does IPaC use to generate the migratory birds potentially occurring in my specified location? The Migratory Bird Resource List is comprised of USFWS Birds of Conservation Concern (BCC) and other species that may warrant special attention in your project location. The migratory bird list generated for your project is derived from data provided by the Avian Knowledge Network (AKN). The AKN data is based on a growing collection of survey, banding, and citizen science datasets and is queried and filtered to return a list of those birds reported as occurring in the 1 Okm grid cell(s) which your project intersects, and that have been identified as warranting special attention because they are a BCC species in that area, an eagle ( - requirements may apply), or a species that has a particular vulnerability to offshore activities or s development. le I Again, the Migratory Bird Resource list includes only a subset of birds that may occur in your project area. It is not representative of all birds that may occur in your project area. To get a list of all birds potentially present in your project area, please visit the AKN Phenology Tool. NV What does IPaC use to generate the probability of presence graphs for the migratory birds potentially occurring in my specified location? %%%A %OF The probability of presence graphs associated with your migratory bird list are based on data provided by the Avian Knowledge Network (AKN). This data is derived from a growing collection of survey, banding, and citizen science datasets . Probability of presence data is continuously being updated as new and better information becomes available. To learn more about how the probability of presence graphs are produced and how to interpret them, go the Probability of Presence Summary and then click on the "Tell me about these graphs" link. s,07- x How do I know if a bird is breeding, wintering, migrating or present year-round in my project area? To see what part of a particular bird's range your project area falls within (i.e. breeding, wintering, migrating or year- round), you may refer to the following resources: The Cornell Lab of Ornithology All About Birds Bird Guide, or (if you are unsuccessful in locating the bird of interest there), the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Neotropical Birds guide. If a bird on your migratory bird species list has a breeding season associated with it, if that bird does occur in your project area, there may be nests present at some point within the timeframe specified. If "Breeds elsewhere" is indicated, then the bird likely does not breed in your project area. What are the levels of concern for migratory birds? Migratory birds delivered through IPaC fall into the following distinct categories of concern: 1. "BCC Rangewide" birds are Birds of Conservation Concern (BCC) that are of concern throughout their range anywhere within the USA (including Hawaii, the Pacific Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands); 2. "BCC - BCR" birds are BCCs that are of concern only in particular Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs) in the continental USA; and 3. "Non -BCC - Vulnerable" birds are not BCC species in your project area, but appear on your list either because of the Eagle Act requirements (for eagles) or (for non -eagles) potential susceptibilities in offshore areas from certain types of development or activities (e.g. offshore energy development or longline fishing). Although it is important to try to avoid and minimize impacts to all birds, efforts should be made, in particular, to avoid and minimize impacts to the birds on this list, especially eagles and BCC species of rangewide concern. For more information on conservation measures you can implement to help avoid and minimize migratory bird impacts and requirements for eagles, please see the FAQs for these topics. Details about birds that are potentially affected by offshore projects For additional details about the relative occurrence and abundance of both individual bird species and groups of bird species within your project area off the Atlantic Coast, please visit the Northeast Ocean Data Portal. The Portal also offers data and information about other taxa besides birds that may be helpful to you in your project review. Alternately, you may download the bird model results files underlying the portal maps through the NOAA NCCOS Integrative Statistical Modeling and Predictive Mapping of Marine Bird Distributions and Abundance on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf project webpage. Bird tracking data can also provide additional details about occurrence and habitat use throughout the year, including migration. Models relying on survey data may not include this information. For additional information on marine bird tracking data, see the Diving Bird Study and the nanotag studies or contact Caleb Spiegel or Pam Loring. What if I have eagles on my list? ^ 741%- J If your project has the potential to disturb or kill eagles, you may need to obtain a perjAit to avoid violating the Eagle Act should such impacts occur. Proper Interpretation and Use of Your Migratory Bird Report The migratory bird list generated is not a list of all birds in your project area, only a subset of birds of priority concern. To learn more about how your list is generated, and see options for identifying what other birds may be in your project area, please see the FAQ "What does IPaC use to generate the migratory birds potentially occurring in my specified location". Please be aware this report provides the "probability of presence" of birds within the 10 km grid cell(s) that overlap your project; not your exact project footprint. On the graphs provided, please also look carefully at the survey effort (indicated by the black vertical bar) and for the existence of the "no data" indicator (a red horizontal bar). A high survey effort is the key component. If the survey effort is high, then the probability of presence score can be viewed as more dependable. In contrast, a low survey effort bar or no data bar means a lack of data and, therefore, a lack of certainty about presence of the species. This list is not perfect; it is simply a starting point for identifying what birds of concern have the potential to be in your project area, when they might be there, and if they might be breeding (which means nests might be present). The list helps you know what to look for to confirm presence, and helps guide you in knowing when to implement conservation measures to avoid or minimize potential impacts from your project activities, should presence be confirmed. To learn more about conservation measures, visit the FAQ "Tell me about conservation measures I can implement to avoid or minimize impacts to migratory birds" at the bottom of your migratory bird trust resources page. Facilities National Wildlife Refuge lands Any activity proposed on lands managed by the National Wildlife Refuge system must undergo a 'Compatibility Determination' conducted by the Refuge. Please contact the individual Refuges to discuss any questions or concerns. THERE ARE NO REFUGE LANDS ATTHIS LOCATION. Fish hatcheries THERE ARE NO FISH HATCHERIES AT THIS LOCATION. Wetlands in the National Wetlands Inventory Impacts to NWI wetlands and other aquatic habitats may be subject to regulation under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, or other State/Federal statutes. For more information please contact the Regulatory Program of the local U.S. Army Corps of Engineers District. Please note that the NWI data being shown may be out of date. We are currently working to update our NWI data set. We recommend you verify these results with a site visit to determine the actual extent of wetlands on site. V*011 This location overlaps the following wetlands: FRESHWATER FORESTED/SHRUB WETLAND PF01A FRESHWATER POND 414 PUBHh 0\ A full description for each wetland code can be found at the National Wetlands Inventory website Data limitations C) The Service's objective of mapping wetlands and deepwater habitats is to produce reconnaissance level information on the location, type and size of these resources. The maps are prepared from the analysis of high altitude imagery. Wetlands are identified based on vegetation, visible hydrology and geography. A margin of error is inherent in the use of imagery; thus, detailed on -the -ground inspection of any particular site may result in revision of the wetland boundaries or classification established through image analysis. The accuracy of image interpretation depends on the quality of the imagery, the experience of the image analysts, the amount and quality of the collateral data and the amount of ground truth verification work conducted. Metadata should be consulted to determine the date of the source imagery used and any mapping problems. Wetlands or other mapped features may have changed since the date of the imagery or field work. There may be occasional differences in polygon boundaries or classifications between the information depicted on the map and the actual conditions on site. Data exclusions Certain wetland habitats are excluded from the National mapping program because of the limitations of aerial imagery as the primary data source used to detect wetlands. These habitats include seagrasses or submerged aquatic vegetation that are found in the intertidal and subtidal zones of estuaries and nearshore coastal waters. Some deepwater reef communities (coral or tuberficid worm reefs) have also been excluded from the inventory. These habitats, because of their depth, go undetected by aerial imagery. APPENDIX B. Information from the NC Natural Heritage Program a ■■y Roy Cooper. Governor E� III i NC DEPARTMENT OF Susi Harndton, Secretary ■■tom NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES 0 'on Walter Clark, director. land and Water Stewardship NCNHDE-7866 January 7, 2019 Kim Williams Land Management Group, Inc. 3805 Wrightsville Avenue, Suite 15 Wilmington, NC 28403 RE. Randleman Site Dear Kim Williams. 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: httr)s://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 nev.butlerWncdcr.gov or 919-707-8603. Sincerely, NC Natural Heritage Program DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES 121 1N. JONES STREET, RALEI01_ NC 27603 - 1651 MAIL SERVICE CFNTER. RALEIGH. NC 2761* OFC !Dig 707.9120 • FAX 919.707.412, Natural Heritage Element Occurrences, Natural Areas, and Managed Areas Within a One -mile Radius of the Project Area Randleman Site January 7, 2019 NCNHDE-7866 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 Vservation Occurrence Status tatus Rank Rank M Date Rank Vascular Plant 26003 Helianthus schweinitzii Schweinitz's Sunflower 2017-08-31 Di 3-Medium Endangered Endangered G3 S3 No Natural Areas are Documented Within a One -mile Radius of the Project Area Managed Areas Documented Within a One -mile Radius of the Project Area Managed Area Name Owner Owner Type NC Division of Mitigation Services Easement NC DEQ, Division of Mitigation Services State Randolph County Open Space Randolph County. multiple local Local Government government Definitions and an explanation of status designations and codes can be found at httr)s:Z/ncnhde.natureserve.org/content/helr). Data query generated on January 7, 2019; source: NCNHP, Q4 Oct 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 2 of 3 NCNHDE-7866: Randleman Site Da-, Edgar BoL tl,an c„ orrny rn � Rpr rarraw qv 3 1� f �u.,�llu�-rrte Ne Markel S VA-00 oGw B n 4 a a h s/trt � v Wlary von J� N. " W +{�E\\�\y o �c.. [ .7 January 7, 2019 ❑ Project Boundary ❑ Buffered Project Boundary j Managed Area (MAREA) O e 3 o- Win C*Mva, M"rn" I .. � pQb 5 V—hT:ti" I '5Nkk MII Ntl 1:23,706 0 02 0.4 0.8 mi 0 0.325 0.65 13 km Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmn. Ini—p, inuemenl P Corp., GEWO, USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoS—. IGN, Kadasrer NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan. METE_ E5n China iHang Kprgj, 5vn5s1app. ®apenSlreelhlap pprrjri4ylpr5. and the GIS user Con nity Page 3 of 3 APPENDIX C. Site Photos APPENDIX C. SITE PHOTOS — EXISTING CONDITIONS '�� ' T_� _:. ,. •._. ,... w.4��T� �'-�.-'ate.. ^�',�,'.+�`_ re- M (1) Stream Channel Al facing downstream and northeast toward area of proposed buffer restoration. (2) View of Channel A2 facing upstream toward impoundment. Response to Request for Proposal #16-007703 1 Appendix C. Site Photos - Existing Conditions APPENDIX C. SITE PHOTOS — EXISTING CONDITIONS (3) Compacted banks and floodplain of Channel Al in area of active cattle grazing. (4) View of cattle grazing impacts (i.e. compaction and manure) along stream channel proposed for buffer restoration. Response to Request for Proposal #16-007703 Appendix C. Site Photos — Existing Conditions APPENDIX C. SITE PHOTOS— EXISTING CONDITIONS (5) View of proposed riparian buffer restoration in fields adjacent to Channel Al (facing downstream). (6) View of western side of impoundment and area of proposed buffer restoration. Response to Request for Proposal #16-007703 Appendix C. Site Photos - Existing Conditions APPENDIX C. SITE PHOTOS — EXISTING CONDITIONS (7) View of western perimeter of pond (facing south) and impacts of active cattle grazing. le (8) View of active pasture land on eastern side of pond. Response to Request for Proposal #16-007703 4 Appendix C. Site Photos - Existing Conditions APPENDIX C. SITE PHOTOS — EXISTING CONDITIONS '- ...� :•,!aid (9) View of headwater wetland draining toward impoundment (to be included in buffer easement). Response to Request for Proposal #16-007703 5 Appendix C. Site Photos - Existing Conditions APPENDIX D. Species Conclusion Table & Self -Certification letter Species Conclusions Table Project Name: Longhorn Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Date: 09/18/2019 Species / Resource Name Conclusion ESA Section 7 / Eagle Act Determination Notes / Documentation Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus Unlikely to disturb nesting Per the NC NHP database review, there leucocephalus) bald eagles No Effect are no known bald eagle nests within one mile of the site. Habitat assessment performed by LMG Schweinitz's Sunflower No suitable habitat present No Effect indicates that the site does not provide (Helianthus schweinitzii) within project area suitable habitat for species. The site is mostly maintained pasture, Northern Long -Eared Bat Suitable habitat present No Effect No Effect No tree cutting or removal is proposed. Critical Habitat No critical habitat present within project area Acknowledgement: I agree that the above information about my proposed project is true. I used all of the provided resources to make an informed decision about impacts in the immediate and surrounding areas. Signature /Title r� iY ? of Date ENT OF Ty�'2fi rISs& IL .WE N o United States Department of the Interior 0 9 FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE �''�acN s, tima Raleigh Field Office P.O. Box 33726 Raleigh, NC 27636-3726 Date: 09/18/2019 Self -Certification Letter Project Name Longhorn Riparian Buffer Mitigation Project Dear Applicant: Thank you for using the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Raleigh Ecological Services online project review process. By printing this letter in conjunction with your project review package, you are certifying that you have completed the online project review process for the project named above in accordance with all instructions provided, using the best available information to reach your conclusions. This letter, and the enclosed project review package, completes the review of your project in accordance with the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531-1544, 87 Stat. 884), as amended (ESA), and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668-668c, 54 Stat. 250), as amended (Eagle Act). This letter also provides information for your project review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190, 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347, 83 Stat. 852), as amended. A copy of this letter and the project review package must be submitted to this office for this certification to be valid. This letter and the project review package will be maintained in our records. The species conclusions table in the enclosed project review package summarizes your ESA and Eagle Act conclusions. Based on your analysis, mark all the determinations that apply: ❑"no effect" determinations for proposed/listed species and/or proposed/designated critical habitat; and/or ❑ "may affect, not likely to adversely affect" determinations for proposed/listed species and/or proposed/designated critical habitat; and/or ❑ "may affect, likely to adversely affect" determination for the Northern long- eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) and relying on the findings of the January 5, 2016, Programmatic Biological Opinion for the Final 4(d) Rule on the Northern long-eared bat; 0 "no Eagle Act permit required" determinations for eagles. Applicant Page 2 We certify that use of the online project review process in strict accordance with the instructions provided as documented in the enclosed project review package results in reaching the appropriate determinations. Therefore, we concur with the "no effect'' or "not likely to adversely affect" determinations for proposed and listed species and proposed and designated critical habitat; the "may affect" determination for Northern long-eared bat; and/or the "no Eagle Act permit required" determinations for eagles. Additional coordination with this office is not needed. Candidate species are not legally protected pursuant to the ESA. However, the Service encourages consideration of these species by avoiding adverse impacts to them. Please contact this office for additional coordination if your project action area contains candidate species. Should project plans change or if additional information on the distribution of proposed or listed species, proposed or designated critical habitat, or bald eagles becomes available, this determination may be reconsidered. This certification letter is valid for 1 year. Information about the online project review process including instructions, species information, and other information regarding project reviews within North Carolina is available at our website http://www.fws.gov/raleigh/pp.html. If you have any questions, you can write to us at Raleigh@fws.gov or please contact Leigh Mann of this office at 919-856-4520, ext. 10. Sincerely, /s/Pete Benjamin Pete Benjamin Field Supervisor Raleigh Ecological Services Enclosures - project review package