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United States Department of the Interior

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Raleigh ES Field Office
Post Office Box 33726
Raleigh, North Carolina 27636-3726
November 6, 2020

Mason Herndon
NC Department of Transportation
5501 Barbados Blvd
Castle Hayne, NC 28429-5647

Dear Mr. Herndon:

This letter is in response to your letter of November 6, 2020 which provided the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service) with the biological conclusion of the North Carolina Department of
Transportation that the replacement of Bridge No. 45 on SR 1162 over Island Creek in Duplin
County (STIP No. B-5303) and Bridge No. 213 on SR 1710 over Kill Swamp in Sampson
County may affect, but are not likely to adversely affect the federally threatened wood stork
(Mycteria americana). The following response is provided in accordance with Section 7 of the
Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543).

Currently, there are no records of wood storks occurring in the vicinity of the projects. It is
understood that the projects will let in February 2021, thus they will be well underway prior to
the wood stork nesting season of April 15 – July 15. Wood storks are very uncommon in
Sampson and Duplin Counties and even less so prior to breeding season. Given the low
probability of the species occurring at the locations and the limited scope of the action, the
Service concurs with your conclusion that the proposed actions may affect, but are not likely to
adversely the wood stork.

We remind you that obligations under Section 7 consultation must be reconsidered if: (1) new
information reveals impacts of this identified action that may affect listed species or critical
habitat in a manner not previously considered in this review; (2) this action is subsequently
modified in a manner that was not considered in this review; or (3) a new species is listed or
critical habitat determined that may be affected by this identified action. The Service appreciates
the opportunity to review this project. If you have any questions regarding our response, please
contact Mr. Gary Jordan at [phone] (Ext. 32).

Sincerely,

Pete Benjamin
Field Supervisor

Electronic copy:
Brad Shaver, USACE, Wilmington, NC
Travis Wilson, NCWRC, Creedmoor, NC