19980050 Ver 1_Complete File_19980221

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA?•N
DEPARTMENT OF TkANSPORTATION
JAMES B. HUNT JR. P.O. BOX 25201, RALEIGH, N.C. 27611-5201 GARLAND B. GARRETT JR.
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
January 15, 1998
401 ISSUED
Ms. Cyndi Bell
DWQ - DENR
4401 Reedy Creek Road
Raleigh, North Carolina 27607
Dear Ms. Bell:
SUBJECT: Federal Programmatic Categorical Exclusion for providing center turn lanes on
NC 55 at SR 1601 (Jenks Road), SR 1621 (Green Hope School Road), SR 1624
(Carpenter Fire Station Road), SR 3014 (Morrisville Carpenter Road), and
SR 1633 (Good Hope Church Road), Wake County, Federal-Aid Project
No. STP-55(8), State Project No. 8.7340049, TIP Project No. W-3806
Attached for your information is a copy of the approved Programmatic Categorical
Exclusion and the Natural Resources Technical Report for the subject proposed highway
improvement. This report records the determination that implementing the proposed action will
not have a significant effect upon the quality of the human environment.
Sincerely,
H. Franklin Vick, P. E., Manager
Planning and Environmental Branch
HFV/plr
Attachment
?? i

Original Form Approved: 1/93
Form Revised: 7/97, 5/97, and 1/94
CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION ACTION CLASSIFICATION FORM
TIP Project No.
State Project No.
Federal Project No.
W-3806
8.7340049
STP-55(8)
A. Project Description:
''1
NC 55, from SR 1601 (Jenks Road / Old Jenks Road) to SR 1633 (Good
Hope Church Road), Wake County (see attached vicinity map). This
p rciect will provide a center turn lane at five intersections along NC 55 -
SR 1601 / SR 1611 (finks Road / Old Jenks Road), SR 1621 (Green Hop
School Road), SR 1624 (Carpenter Fire Station Road), SR 3014
(Morrisville Carpenter Road), and SR 1633 (Good Hope Church Road).
B. Purpose and Need:
This project is needed to improve safety on NC 55 at these intersections.
A fatal accident recently occurred at the intersection of NC 55 and SR
1624 (Carpenter Fire Station Road).
C. Proposed Improvements:
Circle one or more of the following Type II improvements which apply to the
project:
Modernization of a highway by resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation,
reconstruction, adding shoulders, or adding auxiliary lanes (e.g., parking,
weaving, turning, climbing).
a. Restoring, Resurfacing, Rehabilitating, and Reconstructing
pavement (3R and 4R improvements)
b. Widening roadway and shoulders without adding through lanes
c. Modernizing gore treatments
O Constructing lane improvements (merge, auxiliary, and turn lanes)
e. Adding shoulder drains
f. Replacing and rehabilitating culverts, inlets, and drainage pipes,
including safety treatments
g. Providing driveway pipes
h. Performing-minor bridge widening (less than one through lane)
2. Highway safety or traffic operations improvement projects including the
installation of ramp metering control devices and lighting.
a. Installing ramp metering devices
Original Form Approved: 1/93
Form Revised: 7/97, 5/97, and 1/94
b. Installing lights
c. Adding or upgrading guardrail
4 d. Installing safety barriers including Jersey type barriers and pier
protection
e. Installing or replacing impact attenuators
f. Upgrading medians including adding or upgrading median barriers
g. Improving intersections including relocation and/or realignment
h. Making minor roadway realignment
i. Channelizing traffic
j. Performing clear zone safety improvements including removing
hazards and flattening slopes
k. Implementing traffic aid systems, signals, and motorist aid
1. Installing bridge safety hardware including bridge rail retrofit
Bridge rehabilitation, reconstruction, or replacement or the construction of
grade separation to replace existing at-grade railroad crossings.
a. Rehabilitating, reconstructing, or replacing bridge approach slabs
b. Rehabilitating or replacing bridge decks
c. Rehabilitating bridges including painting (no red lead paint), scour
repair, fender systems, and minor structural improvements
d. Replacing a bridge (structure and/or fill)
4. Transportation corridor fringe parking facilities.
5. Construction of new truck weigh stations or rest areas.
6. Approvals for disposal of excess right-of-way or for joint or limited use of
right-of-way, where the proposed use does not have significant adverse
impacts.
7. Approvals for changes in access control.
8. Construction of new bus storage and maintenance facilities in areas used
predominantly for industrial or transportation purposes where such
construction is not inconsistent with existing zoning and located on or near
a street with adequate capacity to handle anticipated bus and support
vehicle traffic.
9. Rehabilitation or reconstruction of existing rail and bus buildings and
ancillary facilities where only minor amounts of additional land are required
and there is not a substantial increase in the number of users.

10. Construction of bus transfer facilities (an open area consisting of passenger
shelters, boarding areas, kiosks and related street improvements) when
Original Form Approved: 1/93
Form Revised: 7/97, 5/97, and 1/94
located in a commercial area or other high activity center in which there is
adequate street capacity for projected bus traffic.
11. Construction of rail storage and maintenance facilities in areas used
predominantly for industrial or transportation purposes where such
construction is not inconsistent with existing zoning and where there is no
significant noise impact on the surrounding community.
12. Acquisition of land for hardship or protective purposes, advance land
acquisition loans under section 3(b) of the UMT Act. Hardship and
protective buying will be permitted only for a particular parcel or a limited
number of parcels. These types of land acquisition qualify for a CE only
where the acquisition will not limit the evaluation of alternatives, including
shifts in alignment for planned construction projects, which may be
required in the NEPA process. No project development on such land may
proceed until the NEPA process has been completed.
D. Special Project Information
NCDOT's Best Management Practices (BMPs) for the Protection of Surface
Waters will be strictly enforced throughout the project study area.
Special attention will be paid to proper installation and maintenance of erosion and
sedimentation control devices.
No right of way will be acquired in association with the subject project. Permission
for access and construction from property owners will be required at the grading
and excavation sites; these sights will revert back to the property owners after
grading is completed.
E. Threshold Criteria
The following evaluation of threshold criteria must be completed for Type II
actions.
ECOLOGICAL
YES NO
(1) Will the project have a substantial impact on any
unique or important natural resource? ? X
(2) Does the project involve any habitat where federally
listed endangered or threatened species may occur? X?
14
Original Form Approved: 1/93
Form Revised: 7/97, 5/97, and 1/94
(3) Will the project affect anadromous fish?
(4) If the project involves wetlands, is the amount of
permanent and/or temporary wetland taking less than
one-third (1/3) acre and have all practicable measures
to avoid and minimize wetland takings been evaluated?
(5) Will the project require use of U. S. Forest Service lands?
(6) Will the quality of adjacent water resources be adversely
impacted by proposed construction activities?
(7) Does the project involve waters classified as Outstanding Water
Resources (OWR) and/or High Quality Waters (HQW)?
(8) Will the project require fill in waters of the United States
in any of the designated mountain trout counties?
(9) Does the project involve any known underground storage
tanks (UST's) or hazardous materials sites?
PERMITS AND COORDINATION
(10) If the project is located within a CAMA county, will the
project significantly affect the coastal zone and/or any
"Area of Environmental Concern" (AEC)?
(11) Does the project involve Coastal Barrier Resources Act
resources?
(12) Will a U. S. Coast Guard permit be required?
F-1 X
x?
1-1 X
?x
F] x
?x
1-1 X
YES NO
1-1 X
1-1
F-1
X
X
X
X
(13) Will the project result in the modification of any existing ?
regulatory floodway?
(14) Will the project require any stream relocations or channel ?
changes?
4
Original Form Approved: 1/93
Form Revised: 7/97, 5/97, and 1/94
SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND CULTURAL RESOURCES YES NO
(15) Will the project induce substantial impacts to planned
growth or land use for the area? R X
(16) Will the project require the relocation of any family or
business? r-] X
(17) Will the project have a disproportionately high and adverse
human health and environmental effect on any minority or ? X
low-income population?
(18) If the project involves the acquisition of right of way, is the ?
amount of right of way acquisition considered minor? X
(19) Will the project involve any changes in access control? ? X
(20) Will the project substantially alter the usefulness
and/or land use of adjacent property? X
(21) Will the project have an adverse effect on permanent
local traffic patterns or community cohesiveness? F] X
(22) Is the project included in an approved thoroughfare plan
and/ or Transportation Improvement Program (and is, ?
therefore, in conformance with the Clean Air Act of 1990)? X
(23) Is the project anticipated to cause an increase in traffic
volumes? 1-1 X
(24) Will traffic be maintained during construction using existing ?
roads, staged construction, or on-site detours?
(25) If the project is a bridge replacement project, will the bridge
be replaced at its existing location (along the existing facility) ?
X
and will all construction proposed in association with the
bridge replacement project be contained on the existing facility?
(26) Is there substantial controversy on social, economic and
F1
environmental grounds concerning aspects of the action? X

(27) Is the project consistent with all Federal, State, and local laws

relating to the environmental aspects of the project?
X ?
5
Original Form Approved: 1/93
Form Revised: 7/97, 5/97, and 1/94
(28) Will the project have an "effect" on structures/properties
eligible for or listed on the National Register of Historic Places? F-I X
(29) Will the project affect any archaeological remains which are
important to history or pre-history? _ 1-1 X
(30) Will the project require the use of Section 4(0 resources
(public parks, recreation lands, wildlife and waterfowl refuges,
historic sites or historic bridges, as defined in Section 4(f)
of the U. S. Department of Transportation Act of 1966)? X
(31) Will the project result in any conversion of assisted public
recreation sites or facilities to non-recreation uses, as defined
by Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Act ? X
of 1965, as amended?
(32) Will the project involve construction in, across, or adjacent
to a river designated as a component of or proposed for
inclusion in the natural Wild and Scenic Rivers? F-I X
F. Additional Documentation Required for Unfavorable Responses in Part E
As of November 4, 1997, the U.S. Fish and Wldlife Service lists four
federally protected species for Wake County, including the bald eagle (Haliaeetus
leucocephalus), red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis), dwarf wedge
mussel (Alasmidonta heterodon), and Michaux's sumac (Rhus michauxii). The
project area was surveyed for habitat for the listed species. No habitat was found
for the bald eagle, red-cockaded woodpecker, or dwarf wedge mussel; therefore,
no impacts to these species are expected.
Although areas of habitat for Michaux's sumac do exist, the species is not
present on the site. A plant-by-plant survey for the species was conducted on the
24th and 25th of November 1997 and revealed no Michaux's sumac present. The
North Carolina Natural Heritage Program database was checked prior to the field
visit and there were no records of existing populations of Michaux's sumac in the
project area. Thus, Michaux's sumac will not be impacted by the project
construction.
Original Form Approved: 1/93
Fonn Revised: 7/97, 5/97, and 1/94
G. CE Approval
TIP Project No.
State Project No.
Federal-Aid Project No.
Project Description:
W-3806
8.7340049
STP-55(8) -
NC 55, from SR 1601/SR 1611 (Jenks Road/Old Jenks Road) to SR 1633 (Good
Hope Church Road), Wake County (See attached Vicinity Map). This project
will provide a center turn lane at five intersections along NC 55 - SR 1601 /SR
1611 (Jenks Road/Old Jenks Road), SR 1621 (Green Hope School Road), SR
1624 (Carpenter Fire Station Road), SR 3014 (Morrisville Carpenter Road), and
SR 1633 (Good Hope Church Road).
Categorical Exclusion Action Classification: (Check one)
TYPE II(A)
X TYPE II(B)
Approved:
Date
Assistant Manager
Planning and Environmental Branch
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Date Project Planning Unit Head
Planning and Environmental Branch
/-/Z-W ;f? D - ?
Date Project Planni g Engineer
Planning and Environmental Branch
For Type II(B) projects only:
Date iv Sion Administrator
?" Federal Highway Administration
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NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL
BRANCH
NC 55,
from SR 1601 to SR 1633,
in Wake County
TIP No. W-3806
VICINITY MAP
Federal Aid T STS"55C? -TIP - 11
W -MOO
Bricf
On V2G . Q, Mfi representatives of the
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT)
Federal Highway Administration (FHwA)
North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)
Oilier
reviewed the subject project at
A scoping meeting
>_ Historic architectural resources photograph review session/consultation
Other
all parties present agreed
X61!
tliere are no properties over fifty years old withilt the project's area of potcncial effects.
X there arc no proocrtics less than fifty years old which arc considered to nice[ Criterion
Consideration G within dte project's area of potential cffec:s.
x there arc properties over fifty ycars old (list attached) within the project's area of potential c5ccts,
but based on the historical inforniation available and dic photographs of each propem•, properties
identified as stopil; ?r, it- I Z, 3 L+ arc considc,Icd not eligible
for National Rc:ztsier and no , i , evaluation of them is necessary.
X there are no National Register-listed properties within the project's area of potcncial e:-rcc:s.
Sii-ncd:
I 1A v/? \I-,- 1q,611
Rcpres [native, NCDOT acc
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( JwktI !L
FHwA, r the Division X dministmcor, or other Federal Agency Date
IZ 10 ??
P?UAJ?aP?HAA, _2
Representative, SHP D to
' 4,? 6
alx State Historic Preservation Officer ? Da c
County Gr _

II'a survey report is prepared, a ImaI copy of this fonn and (lie attached list %%iII be included.
CONCURRENCE FORM FOR PROPERTIES NOT ELIGIBLE FOR
THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
JAMES B. HUNT JR. DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS GARLAND B. GARRETT JR.
GOVERNOR P.O. BOX 25201. RALEIGH. N.C. 27611-5201 SECRETARY
December 1, 1997
MEMORANDUM TO: Linwood Stone, Unit Head
Project Planning Unit
FROM: Teryn Smith, Environmental Biologist
Permits, Mitigation, and Natural Resources Unit
SUBJECT: Proposed widening of five intersections to provide center
turn lanes along NC 55- SR 1601 to SR 1633; Wake
County; TIP W-3806; State Project No. 8.7340049; Federal
Aid No. STP-55(8).
ATTENTION: Brian Yamamoto, Project Planning Engineer
Project Planning Unit
This document addresses four issues pertinent to the development of a
Programmatic Categorical Exclusion (PCE) for the proposed project: water resources,
biotic resources, wetlands, and federally protected species. The proposed project calls
for the widening of five intersections to provide center turn lanes at each along NC 55-
SR 1601/SR 1611 (Jenks Road/ Old Jenks Road), SR 1621 (Green Hope School
Road), SR 1624 (Carpenter Fire Station Road), SR 3014 (Morrisville Carpenter Road),
and SR 1633 (Good Hope Church Road) in Wake County. Project length is
approximately 2.33 km (1.45 mi); existing cross section is a two lane shoulder facility,
approximately a 7.32 m (24.0 ft) travelway plus 1.22 m (4 ft) of grassed shoulder. The
proposed cross section will be widened to a three lane shoulder facility because of the
added turn lane with approximately 10.98 m (36 ft) of travelway. The existing right of
way is 32.03-45.75 m (105 -150 ft). The proposed right of way is the same as the
existing with the exception of an additional 4.58 m (15 ft) at the intersection of NC 55
and SR 1633 (Good Hope Church Road). The speed limit will not change from 85 km/h
(50 mph). _
A field investigation was conducted on 24 and 25 November 1997 by NCDOT
biologist Bruce Ellis to assess natural resources at the project site. Plant communities
and their associated wildlife were identified and described. Water resource information
was obtained from publications of the Department of Environment, Health, and Natural

Resources (DEHNR, 1996). Information concerning federally-protected species was
obtained from the records of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (04 November 1997).
Wetland identification and evaluation was based on the criteria established in the
"Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual" (Environmental Laboratory, 1997).
WATER RESOURCES
The project study area lies in the Cape Fear River Basin. Four streams are
located in the project vicinity (Table 1).
Table 1. Streams in the Project Vicinity
Stream Name Index No. Date Classification Intersection
Jack Branch
Unnamed Tributary to
Reedy Branch
Panther Creek
Morris Branch
16-41-6-1 08/03/92 WS-IV NSW
16-41-10-1 08/03/92 WS-IV NSW
16-41-1-17-3 08/03/92 C
16-41-1-17-3-1 08/03/92 WS-IV NSW
SR 1601/1611
SR 1601/1611
SR 1621
SR 1624
The classification "C" refers to waters defined as suitable for aquatic life
propagation and survival, fishing, wildlife, secondary recreation and agriculture. "WS-
IV" (Water Supplies IV) refers to those waters protected as water supplies which are
generally in moderately to highly developed watersheds, suitable for all Class "C" uses.
"NSW" (Nutrient Sensitive Waters) refers to waters which require limitations on nutrient
inputs. No point source dischargers are found in the project area.
The project study area is found in a protected watershed, WS IV. This
watershed is the Haw River (Jordan Lake) in the Cape Fear Basin (WS IV NSW,
Date: 08103/92).
BIOTIC RESOURCES
This section describes plant communities encountered in the study area, as well
as the relationships between flora and fauna within those ecosystems. Composition
and distribution of biotic communities throughout the project area are reflective of
topography, hydrologic influences, and past and present land uses in the study area.
Descriptions of the terrestrial systems are presented in the context of plant community
classifications and follow the community classification scheme of Schafale and
Weakley (1990), where possible. Dominant flora and fauna observed, or likely to occur,
in each community are described and discussed.
Scientific nomenclature and common names are provided (when applicable) for
each animal and plant species described. Plant taxonomy generally follows Radford, et
al. (1968). Animal taxonomy follows Martof, et al. (1980), Menhenick (1991), Potter, et
al. (1980), and Webster, et al. (1985). Subsequent references to the same organism
will include the common name only. Fauna observed during the site visit are denoted
with an asterisk (*). Published range distributions and habitat analysis are used in
estimating fauna expected to be present within the project study area.
Terrestrial Communities
Two distinct terrestrial communities are identified in the project study area:
Maintained/Disturbed and Mixed Pine/Hardwood Forest. All of these community types
have had. some degree of past or continued human disturbance.
Numerous terrestrial species are highly adaptive and populate a variety of
habitats, therefore many of the species mentioned may occur in any number of
different community types. Other animals are tolerant of a narrow range of
environmental conditions and may be limited to a particular habitat type. These
species are the most vulnerable to habitat disturbance.
Maintained/Disturbed
This community is divided among road shoulders, an old field, residential and
commercial properties. Vegetation includes:
Road Shoulders: buckhorn plantain (Plantago lanceolata), fescue
(Festuca spp.), cat's-ears (Hypochoeris radicata), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale),
and yellow foxtail (Setaria glauca).
Periodically Maintained (includes old field): broomsedge
(Andropogon virginicus), Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), dog fennel
(Eupitorium capillifolium), blackberry (Rubus spp.), greenbriar (Smilax rotundifolia), and
saplings of sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), red maple (Acer rubrum), and loblolly
pine (Pinus taeda).
Residential and Commercial Properties: Lawns: fescue,
dandelion, buckhorn plantain. Landscapes: sweetgum, red maple, red oak (Quercus
rubra), crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora),
azaleas (Rhododendron spp.), Leyland cypress (X Curpessocyparis Leylandii), and
ornamental hollies (Ilex spp.).
Mixed Pine/Hardwood Forest
This community has apparently been previously disturbed and borders the
disturbed/maintained community. Vegetation includes loblolly pine (generally less than
30 years old, some older trees interspersed with hardwoods), red oak, white oak
(Quercus alba), sweetgum, red maple, tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera), and black
cherry (Prunus serotina). The understory includes species of green brier, Japanese
honeysuckle, poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), and saplings of canopy trees.
Wildlife
Wildlife found in highly disturbed areas and forests such as these is limited and
consists primarily of wide-ranging, adaptable species. Other animals may use this as a
corridor for travel between less disturbed areas, or as a foraging area. Reptiles
commonly found in disturbed habitats include the eastern garter snake (Thamnophis
sirtalis) and black racer (Coluber constrictor). Birds potentially found in disturbed
habitats include the American robin (Turdus migratorius), Carolina chickadee (Pares
carolinensis), common crow (Corvus brachyrynchos). Mammalian species likely to
frequent disturbed areas include the woodchuck (Mannota monax), eastern cottontail
(Sylvagus floridans), white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus), and hispid cotton rat
(Sigmodon hispidus).
Terrestrial Impacts
Construction of the subject project will have various impacts on the biotic
resources described. Any construction related activities in or near these resources
have the potential to impact biological functions. This section quantifies and qualifies
impacts to the natural resources in terms of the ecosystems affected. Temporary and
permanent impacts are considered here as well.
Calculated impacts to terrestrial communities reflect the relative abundance of
each community (Table 2). Project construction will result in the clearing and
degradation of portions of these communities. Estimated impacts are derived using the
proposed impact widths outlined in the project description. Project construction does
not usually require the entire impact width; therefore, actual impacts may be
considerably less.
The biotic communities found within the project study area will be altered as a
result of project construction. Terrestrial communities serve as nesting, foraging, and
shelter habitat for fauna. The. project study area is located in disturbed habitat. This
area is currently in a highly altered state and plants and animals here are well adapted
to disturbed conditions. Flora and fauna occurring in the disturbed community are
common throughout North Carolina because of their ability to persist in disturbed
habitats. Moreover, similar additional disturbed habitats will be re-established after
project construction.
Table 2. Terrestrial Impacts
Community Type Impact ha (ac)
Disturbed/Maintained _ 6.16 ha (15.3 ac)
Road Shoulders 5.33 ha (13.2 ac)
Periodically Maintained 0.05 ha (0.12 ac)
Residential/Commercial Properties 0.78 ha (1.93 ac)
Mixed Pine/Hardwood Forest 2.64 ha (6.53 ac)
Total
JURISDICTIONAL ISSUES
Wetlands And Surface Waters
8.81 ha (21.8 ac)
No wetlands or jurisdictional surface waters are present in the current right-of-
way (ROW) limits. If additional ROW is needed at NC 55/SR 1633, there would still be
no impacts to wetlands or surface waters.
Protected Species
Plants and animals with federal classifications of Endangered (E), Threatened
(T), Proposed Endangered (PE), and Proposed Threatened (PT) are protected under
provisions of Section 7 and Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended. These provisions require that any action which is likely to adversely affect
such federally classified species be subject to review by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife .
Service (FWS). As of November 4, 1997, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) lists
four federally protected species for Wake County (Table 3).
Table 3. Federally-Protected Species for Wake Coun
Scientific Name Common Name Status
Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald Eagle T
Picoides borealis Red-Cockaded Woodpecker E
Alasmidonta heterodon Dwarf Wedge Mussel E
Rhus michauxii Michaux's sumac E
Note: "E" denotes Endangered (a species that is threatened with extinction
throughout all or a significant portion of its range).
"T" denotes Threatened (a species likely to become endangered in the
foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range).
Haliaeetus leucocephalus (bald eagle) Threatened
Animal Family: Accipitridae
Date Listed: 3/11/67
Adult bald eagles can be identified by their large white head and short
white tail. The body plumage is dark-brown to chocolate-brown in color. In flight
bald eagles can be identified by their flat wing soar.
Eagle nests are found in close proximity to water (within a half mile) with a
clear flight path to the water, in the largest living tree in an area, and having an
open view of the surrounding land. Human disturbance can cause an eagle to
abandon otherwise suitable habitat. The breeding season for the bald eagle
begins in December or January. Fish are the major food source for bald eagles.
Other sources include coots, herons, and wounded ducks. Food may be live or
carrion. -
BIOLOGICAL CONCLUSION: No Effect
The project area has no habitat for the bald eagle in the form of large
bodies of water and field surveys revealed no sign of bald eagles within the
project area. In addition, the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program database
was reviewed and revealed no records of bald eagles in the project area. Thus,
construction of the proposed project will have no effect on this species.
Picoides borealis (red-cockaded woodpecker) Endangered
Animal Family: Picidae
Date Listed: 13 October 1970
The adult red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) has a plumage that is entirely black
and white except for small red streaks on the sides of the nape in the male. The back
of the RCW is black and white with horizontal stripes. The breast and underside of this
woodpecker are white with streaked flanks. The RCW has a large white cheek patch
surrounded by the black cap, nape, and throat.
The RCW uses open old growth stands of southern pines, particularly longleaf
pine (Pinus palustris), for foraging and nesting habitat. A forested stand must contain
at least 50% pine, lack a thick understory, and be contiguous with other stands to be
appropriate habitat for the RCW. These birds nest exclusively in trees that are >60
years old and are contiguous with pine stands at least 30 years of age. The foraging
range of the RCW is up to 200 hectares (500 acres). This acreage must be contiguous
with suitable nesting sites.
These woodpeckers nest exclusively in living pine trees and usually in trees that
are infected with the fungus that causes red-heart disease. Cavities are located in
colonies from 3.6-30.3 m (12-100 ft) above the ground and average 9.1- 15.7 m (30-50
ft) high. They can be identified by a large incrustation of running sap that surrounds the
tree. The RCW lays its eggs in April, May, and June; the eggs hatch approximately 38
days later.
Biological Conclusion: No effect
The mature, open pine stands that the RCW needs are not present in the project
area. The large pines that exist in the project area are part of a mixed pine hardwood
forest with a dense understory of the saplings of canopy trees. The North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program database was checked and there were no records of existing
populations of RCW in the project area. No habitat for RCW exists in the project area.
Thus, no impacts to RCW will occur from project construction.
Alasmidonta heterodon (dwarf wedge mussel) Endangered
Animal Family: Unionidae.
Date Listed: 3/14/90
The dwarf wedge mussel is a small mussel having a distinguishable shell
noted by two lateral teeth on the right half and one on the left half. The
periostracum (outer shell) is olive green to dark brown in color and the nacre
(inner shell) is bluish to silvery white.
Known populations of the dwarf wedge mussel in North Carolina are
found in the Neuse River Basin and in the Tar River Basin. This mussel is
sensitive to agricultural, domestic, and industrial pollutants and requires a stable
silt free streambed with well oxygenated water to survive.
Biological Conclusion: No effect
A search of the NCNHP database of rare species and unique habitats revealed
no records of dwarf wedge mussel in the project area. In addition, no habitat in
the form of perennial streams is present in the project study area. Therefore this
project should not effect the dwarf wedge mussel.
Rhus michauxii (Michaux's sumac) Endangered
Plant Family: Anacardiaceae
Federally Listed: 28 September 1989
Flowers Present: June
Michaux's sumac is a densely pubescent rhizomatous shrub. The bases of the
leaves are rounded and their edges are simply or doubly serrate. The flowers of
Michaux's sumac are greenish to white in color. Fruits, which develop from August to
September on female plants, are a red densely short-pubescent drupe.
This plant occurs in rocky or sandy open woods. Michaux's sumac is dependent
on some sort of disturbance to maintain the openness of its habitat. It usually grows in
association with basic soils and occurs on sand or sandy loams. Michaux's sumac
grows only in open habitat where it can get full sunlight. Michaux's sumac does not
compete well with other species, such as Japanese honeysuckle, with which it is often
associated.
Biological Conclusion: No effect
Although areas of habitat for this species do exist, the species is not present on
the site. A plant-by-plant survey for the species conducted on the 24 and 25 of
November 1997 revealed no Michaux's sumac present. The North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program database was checked prior to the field visit and there
were no records of existing populations of Michaux's sumac in the project area.
Thus, Michaux's sumac will not be impacted by project construction.
There are nine Federal Species of Concern (FSC) listed for Wake County
(Table-4). Feederal Species-of Concernare not-afforded federal protection under the
ESA and are not subject to any of its provisions, including Section 7, until they are
formally proposed or listed as Threatened or Endangered. Federal Species of Concern
are defined as those species which may or may not be listed in the future. These
species were formerly candidate species, or species under consideration for listing for
which there was insufficient information to support a listing of Endangered, Threatened,
or Proposed Threatened. Organisms which are listed as Endangered (E), Threatened
(T), Significantly Rare (SR), or Special Concern (SC) by the North Carolina Natural
Heritage Program (NCNHP) list of rare plant and animal species are afforded state
protection under the State Endangered Species Act and the North Carolina Plant
Protection and Conservation Act of 1979.
Table 4. Federal Species of Concern for Wake County.
Scientific Name Common Name Status Habitat
Aimophila aestivalis Bachman's sparrow SC ' No
Heterodon simus Southern hognose snake SR No
Myotis austroriparius Southeastern myotis SC Yes
Elliptio lanceolata -Yellow lance T No
Fusconaia masoni Atlantic pigtoe T No
Lasmigona subviridus Green floater E No
Speyeria diana Diana fritillary butterfly SR No
Monotropsis odorata Sweet pinesap C Yes
Trillium pusillum var. pusillum Carolina least trillium E No
NOTE: "C" denotes Candidate species. Species which are very rare in North
Carolina.
"T" denotes Threatened species. Species which is likely to become an
endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a
significant portion of its range.
"E" denotes Endangered species. Species which is in danger of extinction
throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
"SC" denotes Special Concern species. Species which is determined to
require monitoring but which may be taken under regulations adopted
under Article 25 of Chapter 113 of the 1987 General Statutes.
"SR" denotes Significantly Rare species. Species which exists in the state in
small numbers and has been determined to need monitoring.
Surveys for these species were not conducted during the site visit, nor were any
of these species observed. A review of the NCNHP database of rare species and
unique habitats revealed no records of North Carolina rare and/or protected species in
or near the project study area.
Please contact me at [phone] if you have any questions concerning this
project.
cc: V. Charles Bruton, Ph.D., Permits, Mitigation, and Natural Resources Unit Head
Hal Bain, Environmental Supervisor
File: W-3806