20200752 Ver 1_UT_LFR_NCWRC_Lttr_20200608

Ecosystem Planning and Restoration, LLC
1150 S.E. Maynard Road, Suite 140
Cary, NC 27511

Phone: [phone]
www.eprusa.net

May 21, 2020

Shannon Deaton
Habitat Conservation Program Manager
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
1721 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 2769

RE: UT to Little Fisher River Restoration Project
Surry County, NC
Dear Ms. Deaton,

Ecosystem Planning and Restoration (EPR) respectfully requests review and comment from the
North Carolina Wildlife Resource s Commission (NCWRC) regarding the implementation of the
proposed project. This request is to comply with the Nationwide Permit general conditions and to
develop the environmental documentation re quired by the proposed action. Project details are
presented below.

The project is located south of I-74 and accessed via Laurel Springs Church Road and Dynasty
Lane in Surry County, North Carolina (Figure 1). Figure 2 depicts the project area on the United
States Geologic Survey (USGS) Dobson Quadrangle, North Carolina 7.5 -minute topographic
maps at 36.481708 N and -80.717953 W.

Construction activities will take place within jurisdictional waterbodies requiring Section 401 and
404 permits from the NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the US Army Corps of
Engineers.

The proposed project aims to address erosion and sedimentation issues and improve habitat in
an unnamed tributary to the Little Fisher River and improve confluences with three other unnamed
tributaries. Stream restoration and enhancement will be conducted and will include bank sloping,
in-stream structure installation, bioengineering, and riparian buffer planting.

As of May 2020, the USFWS lists two federally endangered species, one threatened species, and
one species that is threatened due to similarity of appearance for Surry County (Table 1). A brief
description of the federally protected species habitat requirements follows, along with the
Biological Conclusion rendered based on field assessments of the project area. Habitat
requirements are based on the current best available information.

- Providing ecosystem planning and restoration services to support a sustainable environment -
Table 1. Federally Protected Species for Surry County

Scientific Name Common Name Federal
Status
Habitat
Present
Biological Conclusion
Myotis grisescens Gray Bat E No N/A
Myotis septentrionalis Northern Long-eared Bat T Yes Compliant with 4(d) Rule
Clemmys muhlenbergii Bog Turtle SAT Yes Not required
Notes: E – A species 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 it range.
SAT - Threatened due to similarity of appearance. A species that is threatened due to similarity of appearance
with another listed species and is listed for its protection.

Northern long-eared bat
Habitat Description: In North Carolina, the Northern long -eared bat (NLEB) occurs in the
mountains, with scattered records in the Piedmont and coastal plain. In western North
Carolina, NLEB spend winter hibernating in caves and mines. Since this species is n ot
known to be a long-distance migrant, and caves and subterranean mines are extremely
rare in eastern North Carolina, it is uncertain whether or where NLEB hibernate in eastern
North Carolina. During the summer, NLEB roost singly or in colonies underneat h bark, in
cavities, or in crevices of both live and dead trees (typically ≥3 inches dbh). Males and
non-reproductive females may also roost in cooler places, like caves and mines. This bat
has also been found, rarely, roosting in structures like barns and sheds, under eaves of
buildings, behind window shutters, in bridges, and in bat houses. Foraging occurs on
forested hillsides and ridges, and occasionally over forest clearings, over water, an d along
tree-lined corridors. Mature forests may be an important habitat type for foraging.

Biological Conclusion: May Affect, Not Likely to Adversely Affect
Forested areas suitable as roosting habitat for the NLEB exist in the study area. However ,
as of May 11. 2020, the USFWS does not indicate that Surry County contains any
confirmed hibernation or maternity sites for the NLEB. Therefore, this project will not
require incidental take and is exempted under the final 4(d) rule guidelines. In addi tion, a
review of NCNHP records indicates no known NLEB occurrences within 1.0 mile of the
study area.

Bog turtle
USFWS Recommended Survey Window: April 1 – October 1 (visual surveys); April 1- June 15
(optimal for breeding/nesting); May 1 -June 30 (trapping surveys)

Habitat Description: Bog turtle habitat consists of open, groundwater supplied (spring fed),
graminoid dominated wetlands along riparian corridors or on seepage slopes. These
habitats are designated as mountain bogs by the North Carolina Nat ural Heritage
Program, but they are technically poor, moderate, or rich fens that may be associated with
wet pastures and old drainage ditches that have saturated muddy substrates with open
canopies. These habitats, found between 700 and 4,500 feet above m ean sea level in the
western Piedmont and mountain counties of North Carolina, often support sphagnum
moss and may contain carnivorous plants. Soil types (poorly drained silt loams) from which
bog turtle habitats have been found include Arkaqua, Chewacla, Dellwood, Codorus
complex, Hatboro, Nikwasi, Potomac – Iotla complex, Reddies, Rosman, Tate –

- Providing ecosystem planning and restoration services to support a sustainable environment -
Cullowhee complex, Toxaway, Tuckasegee – Cullasaja complex, Tusquitee, Watauga,
and Wehadkee.

Biological Conclusion: Not Required
Species listed as threatened due to similarity of appearance do not require Section 7 consultation
with the USFWS. The wetland areas in the project area provide potential habitat for the bog turtle.
However, they are unlikely to occur due to the fact that most of the suitable area has been used
intensively by cattle for many years. In addition, a review of NC Natural Heritage Program
(NCNHP) records indicates no known bog turtle occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area.

Schweinitz's sunflower
USFWS Optimal Survey Window: late August -October

Habitat Description: Endemic to the Piedm ont of North and South Carolina, the few sites where
this rhizomatous perennial herb occurs in relatively natural vegetation are found in Xeric
Hardpan Forests. The species is also found along roadside rights-of-way, maintained
power lines and other utility rights-of-way, edges of thickets and old pastures, clearings
and edges of upland oak-pine-hickory woods and Piedmont longleaf pine forests, and
other sunny or sem i-sunny habitats where disturbances (e.g., mowing, clearing, grazing,
blow downs, storms, frequent fire) help create open or partially open areas for sunlight. It
is intolerant of full shade and excessive competition from other vegetation. Schweinitz’s
sunflower occurs in a variety of soil series, including Badin, Cecil, Cid, Enon, Gaston,
Georgeville, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Misenheimer, Secrest, Tatum, Uwharrie, and Zion,
among others. It is generally found growing on shallow sandy soils with high gravel
content; shallow, poor, clayey hardpans; or shallow rocky soils, especially those derived
from mafic rocks.

Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Suitable habitat for Schweinitz’s sunflower exists in a small areas of cleared land within
the project area. This area was searched for specimens in March of 2020. No individual
specimens have been discovered in this area. In addition, a review of NCNHP records
indicates no known occurrences of the sunflower within 1.0 mile of the study area.

We thank you in adva nce for your timely response, input, and cooperation. Please contact me if
you have any further questions or comments about the project. I can be reached at (828) 348-
8580 or via my email address at [e-mail].

Sincerely,

Jake Byers, PE
Senior Water Resources Engineer

- Providing ecosystem planning and restoration services to support a sustainable environment -
Enclosures: Vicinity Map (Figure 1)
USGS Map (Figure 2)
IPaC Official Species List
NC NHP Report
[USFWS] http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/mammals/nlba/nlbaFactSheet.html.
(Accessed: May 11, 2020.)

[NCNHP] North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. 2001. Guide to Federally Listed
Endangered and Threatened Species of North Carolina. Raleigh, NC. 134 pp.

[USFWS] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1994. Schweinitz’s Sunflower Recovery
Plan. Atlanta, GA. 28 pp.

[USFWS] Key to the Northern Long-Eared Bat 4(d) Rule for Non-Federal Activities,
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/mammals/nleb/KeyFinal4dNLEB.html (March 12,
2018).

^_
Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri
Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC, (c)
OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community
UT to LITTLE FISHER RIVERSTREAM RESTORATION
SURRY COUNTY, NC
Vicinity Map
1 inch = 2,000 feet FIGURE 1 date:APR 2020
#
0 2,000 4,0001,000
Feet
^_Project Location
Project Area
Stream Centerline
^_^_£¤US-52
£¤US-421
£¤US-601£¤US-21
£¤US-52-BUS
£¤US-21-BUS
§¨¦I-77
§¨¦I-74
Project Location
Surry County, NCNorth Carolina
Project Location
Project Location
prepared by:EPR
^_
USGS The National Map: National Boundaries Dataset, 3DEP Elevation
Program, Geographic Names Information System, National Hydrography
Dataset, National Land Cover Database, National Structures Dataset, and
National Transportation Dataset; USGS Global Ecosystems; U.S. Census
Bureau TIGER/Line data; USFS Road Data; Natural Earth Data; U.S.
Department of State Humanitarian Information Unit; and NOAA National
Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Coastal Relief Model. Data
refreshed February, 2020.
UT to LITTLE FISHER RIVERSTREAM RESTORATION
SURRY COUNTY, NC
USGS MAP
1 inch = 1,000 feet FIGURE 2 date:APR 2020
#
0 1,000 2,000500
Feet
^_Project Location
Project Area
Stream Centerline
prepared by: EPR
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NCNHDE-12000
May 11, 2020
Amy James
Ecosystem Planning and Restoration
1150 SE Maynard Rd. Suite 140
Cary, NC 27511
RE: UT to Little Fisher Stream Restoration
Dear Amy James:
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 [e-mail] or 919-707-8603.
Sincerely,
NC Natural Heritage Program
Natural Heritage Element Occurrences, Natural Areas, and Managed Areas Within a One-mile Radius of the Project Area
UT to Little Fisher Stream Restoration
May 11, 2020
NCNHDE-12000
Element Occurrences Documented Within a One-mile Radius of the Project Area
Taxonomic
Group
EO ID Scientific Name Common Name Last
Observation
Date
Element
Occurrence
Rank
Accuracy Federal
Status
State
Status
Global
Rank
State
Rank
Amphibian 37344 Ambystoma
talpoideum
Mole Salamander 2016-05-20 E 2-High ---Special
Concern
G5 S2S3
No Natural Areas are Documented Within a One-mile Radius of the Project Area
No Managed Areas are Documented Within a One-mile Radius of the Project Area
Definitions and an explanation of status designations and codes can be found at https://ncnhde.natureserve.org/help. Data query generated on May 11, 2020; source: NCNHP, Q2 Apr 2020. 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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