20201278 Ver 1_USFWS Response_20-082_20201026

ua
United States Department of the Interior FSERVIUE
IFE
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Asheville Field Office
160 Zillicoa Street
Asheville, North Carolina 28801
December 13, 2019
Michael Iagnocco
STV Engineers, Inc.
900 West Trade Street, Suite 715
Charlotte, North Carolina 28202-1144
Dear Michael Iagnocco:
Subject: Kings Mountain Corporate Center; Gaston County, North Carolina
Log No. 4-2-20-082
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has reviewed the information provided in your
correspondence dated December 6, 2019, wherein you solicit our comments regarding project -
mediated impacts to federally protected species. We submit the following comments in
accordance with the provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, as amended
(16 U.S.C. 661-667e); the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. §4321 et seq.); and
section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543) (Act).
Project Description
According to the information provided, the proposed project would consist of a commercial
development on approximately 166 acres in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. Your
correspondence suggests that the proposed work may require authorizations from USACE for
impacts to jurisdictional waters of the U.S. Your correspondence indicated that onsite habitats
consist of successional forest, cleared open space, riparian areas, wetlands, maintained utility
rights -of -way, and transitional habitats.
Federally Listed Endangered and Threatened Species
Suitable summer roosting habitat may be present in the project area for the federally threatened
northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis). However, the final 4(d) rule (effective as of
February 16, 2016), exempts incidental take of northern long-eared bat associated with activities
that occur greater than 0.25 miles from a known hibernation site, and greater than 150 feet from
a known, occupied maternity roost during the pup season (June 1 — July 31). Based on the
information provided, the project (which may or may not require tree clearing) would occur at a
location where any incidental take that may result from associated activities is exempt under the
4(d) rule. Although not required, we encourage you to avoid any associated tree clearing
activities during this animal's maternity roosting season from May 15 — August 15.
Suitable habitats for the federally threatened dwarf -flowered heartleaf (Hexastylis naniflora) and
federally endangered Schweinitz's sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii) may occur within the
project limits. To ensure that these plants are not inadvertently lost, targeted surveys should be
conducted by a qualified botanist where project -mediated impacts to suitable habitats would

occur. Surveys are not required where suitable habitats for these species do not occur. Members
of the genus Hexastylis may be identified by characteristic evergreen leaves present throughout
the year, but flowers are required to diagnose H. naniflora. The flowering window for dwarf
flowered heartleaf is March — May. The survey window for Schweinitz's sunflower is late
August — October (or first frost). We request that the Applicant provide our office with survey
results and/or habitat evaluation to complete our review.
The Service appreciates the opportunity to provide these comments. Please contact Mr. Byron
Hamstead of our staff at 828/258-3939, Ext. 225, if you have any questions. In any future
correspondence concerning this project, please reference our Log Number 4-2-20-082.
Sincerely,
- - original signed - -
Janet Mizzi
Field Supervisor