20210455 Ver 1_5_U.S. 64 Bridal Veil Falls - USFWS Concurrence Request Letter_20210226

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
ROY COOPER ERIC BOYETTE
GOVERNOR SECRETARY

Mailing Address:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION 14
253 WEBSTER ROAD
SYLVA NC 28779
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Customer Service: 1-877-368-4968
Website: www.ncdot.gov
Location:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION 14
253 WEBSTER ROAD
SYLVA NC 28779

December 30, 2020

Ms. Holland Youngman
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Asheville Field Office
160 Zillicoa Street
Asheville, NC 28801

Subject: Section 7 Concurrence Request for Bridal Veil Falls (Disaster Damage)
Macon County, N.C. [35.072033, -83.229162]
Federal Aid # : 17014.1056011

Dear Ms. Youngman:

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT, Division 14) will be completing a
disaster response construction project along the U.S. Hwy. 64 at Bridal Veil Falls in Macon
County. This letter is intended to constitute informal consultation for potential effects of this
federally-funded project on Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), Gray bat (Myotis grisescens), and
Northern Long-eared bat (NLEB, Myotis septentrionalis).

Plans are not yet available, however, as currently proposed, all work will be restricted to the
existing road and road shoulders extending to the toe of fill slope. The area of disturbance will
be 60 feet wide from the edge of pavement along a 0.05-mile segment of U.S. Hwy. 64 (see
map).

Wetlands, rock faces, forested habitats, or high elevations suitable for listed species known to
occur in the region do not exist in the project area or will not be impacted. There will temporary
impacts to a small Unnamed Tributary to replace a failing existing CMP. There are no caves or
mines apparent in the vicinity of the project and construction will not alter structures that could
serve as bat roosts. There will be no night work nor percussive activities.

Some trees immediately adjacent to the road will be removed for culvert replacement and fill
slope construction. Most affected trees are secondary growth and small saplings that are along
the road (see example street-view photo of typical trees). We anticipate removal will affect a
maximum of about 12 trees.

Bridal Veil Falls Section 7 Concur. Request Page 2 December 30, 2020
Macon County

The practice of “winter tree clearing” (tree clearing only from October 15 to April 15) is often
used for a determination of “May affect, Not Likely to Adversely Affect” for Indiana bat. The
NCDOT will incorporate this measure into the project if there are any trees that need to be
removed. Based on the limited scope of the project overall, the project should have a “May
affect, Not Likely to Adversely Affect” determination for gray bats and NLEB as well.

We request your concurrence with these assessments. Please contact me at
[e-mail] or [phone] if you have any questions about this information or
require additional information. We greatly appreciate your assistance.

Sincerely,

Patrick J. Breedlove

Patrick J. Breedlove
Division 14 Environmental Specialist II

Attach:s
Bridal Veil Falls Map