20201146 Ver 1_SAW-2020-01123 Draft Prospectus_20200722

Strickland, Bev
From: Matthews, Kathryn H <[e-mail]>
Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2020 12:08 PM
To: Jessop, Jordan E CIV USARMY CESAW (USA); Tugwell, Todd J CIV USARMY CESAW
(US); Kim Browning; Bowers, Todd; Dunn, Maria T.; Wilson, Travis W.; Davis, Erin B;
Wells, Emily N; twyla.cheatwood
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] SAW-2020-01123 (Newman Ranch Mitigation Bank) Draft Prospectus
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
M a
External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify. Send all suspicious email as an attachment to
Dear Jordan,
Please find below our comments on this draft prospectus. The draft prospectus states that the site is located in-
between two separate sections of North Carolina Division of Mitigation Service's proposed Hornet's Nest
site. We don't believe that the Service has had the opportunity to review the Hornet's Nest site plans, but our
comments for this site also apply for those sites.
Federally Protected Species
If a project contains suitable habitat for any of the federally -listed species known to be present within Harnett
County, the proposed action has the potential to adversely affect those species. The current Federally -listed
species that are known to be present in the county include red -cockaded woodpecker (Dryobates [= Picoides]
borealis) and rough -leaved loosestrife (Lysimachia asperulaefolia) along with other species.
Red -cockaded woodpecker
RCWs live together in family groups. The preferred habitat of RCWs is an open, park -like pine stand with little
undergrowth. However, RCW cavity trees have been found in suboptimal habitats, such as pocosins with larger
amounts of undergrowth. RCW clusters (aggregations of cavity trees) may be found in longleaf pine stands, but
loblolly, short -leaf, pond, slash, Virginia, and pitch pine are also used. Living pines (greater than 30 years old)
are preferred for foraging habitat, and mature live trees (greater than 60 years old) are used for roosting and
nesting cavities (NCNHP, 2001). There are active RCW clusters less than one mile from the project area. The
draft prospectus doesn't state the age of the pine stands on -site, although it does indicate that the longleaf pine
(Pious palustris) stands to the north are young. Although it may be unlikely that RCW nesting habitat is on the
site, it is possible that RCW foraging habitat is present and used by nearby RCW clusters.
If the proposed project will remove pine trees greater than or equal to 10-inch diameter at breast height (DBH),
the Service recommends that foraging habitat surveys be conducted on site using methods in Appendix 4 of the
Service's "Recovery plan for the red -cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis): second revision (Service 2003;
recovery plan). Appendix 4 of the recovery plan is available on the web at
https://www.fvvs.gov/rcwrecovery/files/RecoveryPlan/survey protocol.pdf.
If suitable foraging habitat is found within the site and will be impacted by mitigation plans, then surveys for
active red -cockaded woodpecker cavity trees should be conducted in all appropriate habitat on the site and
within a one -half -mile radius, If red -cockaded woodpeckers are observed within one-half mile of the project

area or if active cavity trees are found, the project has the potential to affect the red -cockaded woodpecker, and
you should contact this office for further information.
We recommend that the existing stands of longleaf pine be preserved and managed appropriately to become
high quality habitat (including such actions as prescribed burning, undergrowth vegetation management,
etc.). From the draft prospectus, it appears that there may be other significant acreages of soils on the site that
are not poorly drained. Longleaf pine would likely flourish in these areas, and we recommend that other upland
portions of the site be considered for planting and management of longleaf pine.
Rough -Leaved Loosestrife
Rough -leaved loosestrife is a perennial herb. This species generally occurs in the ecotones or edges between
longleaf pine uplands and pond pine pocosins (areas of dense shrub and vine growth usually on a wet, peaty,
poorly drained soil) on moist to seasonally saturated sands and on shallow organic soils overlaying sand. The
grass -shrub ecotone, where rough -leaved loosestrife is found, is fire -maintained, as are the adjacent plant
communities (longleaf pine - scrub oak, savanna, flatwoods, and pocosin).
The draft prospectus states that during preliminary investigations, rough -leaved loosestrife was not identified
on -site, and that suitable habitat is not present. However, based on the soil types and habitat descriptions, the
Service believes that some of the edge habitat on the site may be suitable. We also agree with the prospectus'
statement that habitat improvements may benefit listed species, including rough -leaved loosestrife. We
recommend that site surveys be conducted, if further investigations determine that suitable habitat is present.
We appreciate the opportunity to comment on this project. We regret that current COVID-19 restrictions
prohibit Service staff from field work, but we look forward to continued coordination on this site. If you have
any questions concerning these comments, please contact me through email for the fastest response.
Kathy Matthews
Fish and Wildlife Biologist
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
551-F Pylon Drive
Raleigh, NC 27606
919-856-4520, x. 27
From: Jessop, Jordan E CIV USARMY CESAW (USA)<[e-mail]>
Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2020 6:11 PM
To: Tugwell, Todd J CIV USARMY CESAW (USA) <[e-mail]>; Browning, Kimberly D CIV USARMY
CESAW (USA) <[e-mail]>; Matthews, Kathryn H <[e-mail]>; Bowers,
Todd <[e-mail]>; Dunn, Maria T. <[e-mail]>; Wilson, Travis W.
<[e-mail]>; Davis, Erin B <[e-mail]>; Wells, Emily N <[e-mail]>;
twyla.cheatwood <[e-mail]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] SAW-2020-01123 (Newman Ranch Mitigation Bank) Draft Prospectus
Hello All,
I hope everyone is doing well, especially given the pandemic.
Please find the attached Draft Prospectus for the "Newman Ranch Mitigation Bank". This site is located in the Cape Fear
River Basin (HUC 03030004)

Upon review, If possible, I would like to schedule a site visit within the next 30 days, I will be in touch with some possible
dates.
Best regards,
Jordan
Jordan Jessop
Wilmington Regulatory Field Office
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
69 Darlington Avenue
Wilmington, NC 28403
[phone] (direct line)
[e-mail]