20210111 Ver 1_Steepleshase Plant Survey_20210305

Axiom Environmental, Inc. 218 Snow Avenue, Raleigh, North Carolina 27603 919-270-9306
September 17, 2019

Mr. Tim Jordan
Mott MacDonald
7621 Purfoy Road, Suite 115
Fuquay-Varina NC 27526

Re: 17BP.7.R.128 (B-4956) Bridge No. 25 over Polecat Creek on
SR 1105 (East Steeple Chase Road) (B-4956), Guilford County 18-007.06
Summary of Environmental Findings

Dear Tim:

Enclosed you will find a revised summary of findings concerning the above-referenced project resulting
from an environmental investigation conducted by Axiom Environmental, Inc. (Axiom). Our goal with
this summary letter is to provide enough information to address environmental questions included on the
Categorical Exclusion Checklist

We hope this information will be of assistance. If you have any questions about this information, please
feel free to give me or Allison Keith (423-400-8882) a call.

Yours truly,

AXIOM ENVIRONMENTAL, INC.

Alexander P. (Sandy) Smith
Senior Project Manager

Attachments: Figures 1-4 & NCNHP report

Axiom Environmental, Inc.
Mr. Tim Jordan
September 17, 2019
Page 2

SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
REPLACE BRIDGE NO. 25 OVER POLECAT CREEK
ON SR 1105 (EAST STEEPLE CHASE ROAD)
GUILFORD COUNTY
B-4956

Axiom biologists visited the study area (Figures 1-2) on October 30, 2018 and June 24, 2019. During
our site visits, a general environmental assessment was conducted including a jurisdictional area
determination and a federally protected species survey. Summaries of these investigations follow.

Jurisdictional Area Determination
Water resources in the study area are part of the Cape Fear River basin [U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Hydrologic Unit 03030003]. The assessment area observed extends 100 feet both upstream and
downstream of the existing bridge over Polecat Creek and 350 feet from each side of the bridge along
East Steeple Chase Road. Polecat Creek (Stream Index Number 17-11-(1)b is a perennial stream
classified as WS-III. No other stream features were identified in the study area.

One wetland, Wetland WA, <0.01 acre in size, was identified in the northeast quadrant of the study area
(Figure 3). Wetland WA is part of a larger bottomland hardwood forest complex that continues north
within the floodplain of Polecat Creek.

Federally Protected Species Survey
As of October 4, 2018, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) lists five federally protected
species for Guilford County. According to the USFWS’s Information for Planning and Consultation
(IPaC) website, only three species are listed specifically for this site. Table 1 lists these species and
indicates if potential habitat exists within the study area. For each species, a discussion of the
presence or absence of habitat is included below along with the Biological Conclusion rendered
based on survey results in the study area.

Table 1. Federally protected species listed for Guilford County.
Common Name Scientific Name *Federal
Status
Habitat
Present
Biological
Conclusion
Bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus BGPA Yes No Effect
Schweinitz’s sunflower Helianthus schweinitzii E Yes No Effect;
Habitat Present
Small whorled pogonia Isotria medeoloides T Yes No Effect;
Habitat Present
*Federal Status: BGPA-Protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, E - Endangered, T - Threatened

Axiom Environmental, Inc.
Mr. Tim Jordan
September 17, 2019
Page 3

Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
The bald eagle is protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act that is enforced by the
USFWS. Habitat for the bald eagle primarily consists of mature forests in proximity to large bodies of
open water for foraging. Large, dominant trees are utilized for nesting sites, typically within 1.0 mile of
open water.

A desktop-GIS assessment of the study area, as well as the area within a 1.0-mile radius of the project
limits, was performed on October 21, 2018 using 2014 color aerials. Several small ponds within one
mile of the study area are large enough and sufficiently open to be considered potential feeding and
roosting habitat. Therefore, a survey of the study area and the area within 660 feet of the study area was
conducted on October 30, 2018, and no eagles or eagle nests were identified. A review of North
Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) records as of October 24, 2018 indicates no known
occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area. Due to the lack of evidence of bald eagles within the study
area and lack of known occurrences, it has been determined that this project will not affect this species

Schweinitz’s sunflower
Suitable habitat for Schweinitz’s sunflower occurs within disturbed areas such as roadside edges and
utility line corridors. The USFWS has determined the optimal survey windows for the sunflower is May
to October (or the first frost). Systematic surveys of suitable habitat were conducted by Axiom biologists
on October 30, 2018 and identified no individuals. In addition, a review of NCNHP records dated
October 24, 2018, indicates no known occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area. Therefore, this
project will have No Effect; Habitat Present on Schweinitz’s sunflower.

Small whorled pogonia
Suitable habitat for small whorled pogonia occurs within wooded areas supporting moderate to sparse
ground cover and shaded areas with abundant light gaps. The USFWS has determined the optimal
survey window is mid-May through early-July. Systematic surveys of suitable habitat were conducted
by Axiom biologists on June 24, 2019 and identified no individuals. In addition, a review of NCNHP
records dated October 24, 2018, indicates no known occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area. The
proposed project will have No Effect; Habitat Present on small whorled pogonia.
Axiom Environmental, Inc.
Mr. Tim Jordan
September 17, 2019
Page 4

Categorical Exclusion Checklist
Categorical Exclusion items covered in total or in part by this summary letter include those found in
Appendix E: Categorical Exclusion Action Classification Form, more specifically Part F. Project Impact
Criteria Checklist (approved January 27, 2017). Only checklist items that pertain to Axiom’s
environmental investigations are outlined below; Axiom’s responses are included for each item.

Type I & II- Ground Disturbing Actions Yes No

1. Does the project require formal consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS) or National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)?
☐ X
2. Does the project result in impacts subject to the conditions of the Bald and
Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGPA)?
☐ X

8.
Does the project result in a finding of “may affect not likely to adversely affect” or
less for listed species, or designated critical habitat under Section 7 of the Endangered
Species Act (ESA)?
☐ X
9. Does the project impact anadromous fish? ☐ X

10.
Does the project impact waters classified as Outstanding Resource Water
(ORW), High Quality Water (HQW), Water Supply Watershed Critical Areas,
303(d) listed impaired water bodies, buffer rules, or Submerged Aquatic
Vegetation (SAV)?
X ☐
11. Does the project impact waters of the United States in any of the designated
mountain trout streams? ☐ X
12. Does the project require a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Individual
Section 404 Permit? ☐ ☐
The answer to this item will not be known until design plans are completed and
impacts to jurisdictional areas are calculated.

17.
Is the project in a Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) county and
substantially affects the coastal zone and/or any Area of Environmental
Concern (AEC)?
☐ X

18. Does the project require a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) permit? ☐ X

19. Does the project involve construction activities in, across, or adjacent to a
designated Wild and Scenic River present within the project area? ☐ X
20. Does the project involve Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) resources? ☐ X
21. Does the project impact federal lands (e.g. U.S. Forest Service (USFS),
USFWS, etc.) or Tribal Lands? ☐ X

Poleca
t
C
reekHickory Creek´
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS BRANCH
VICINITY MAP
Bridge No. 25 on East Steeple Chase Road
(SR 1105) over Polecat Creek
DECEMBER 2018 FIGURE 1
GUILFORD COUNTY
DavidsonGuilford
PROJECT
0 0.5 1 1.50.25 Miles
§¨¦40
§¨¦73
ForsythRandolph Alamance£¤ 29
£¤421 B-4956
WBS 17BP.7.R.128
UV62
§¨¦40
§¨¦73
E Steeple Chase Rd
§¨¦85
£¤220ColtraneMi llRdOldRandalmanRdRandlemanRdBurnettsChapelRd
DavisMillRd
FIGURE
Drawn by:
Date:
Scale:
Project No.:
2
Replace Bridge No. 25 on East
Steeple Chase Road over
Polecat Creek (B-4956)
Project Study
Area
Background Imagery: Pleasant Garden, NC (1970)
7.5-minute topographic quadrangle provided by the U.S. Geological Survey.
AEK
Oct 2018
1:1200
18-007.06
Guilford County, NC
Project:Title:Prepared for:Randleman RoadSteeple Chase Road
³
200 0 200 400100
Feet
Legend
Study area
NCDOT roads
WBS 17BP.7.R.128
FIGURE
Drawn by:
Date:
Scale:
Project No.:
3
Replace Bridge No. 25 on East
Steeple Chase Road over
Polecat Creek (B-4956)
Potential
Jurisdictional
Areas
Background Imagery: 2014 aerial photography provided by the NC OneMap Program
(online, supported by the N.C. Geographic Information Coordination Council).
AEK
Oct 2018
1:300
18-007.06
Guilford County, NC
Project:Title:Prepared for:
³
25 0 25 5012.5
Feet
Legend
Study area
Potential wetland waters
Potential non-wetland waters (perennial)
Direction of flow
Wetland data form location
Stream data form location
NCDOT roads
Detail tile -scale 1:300
WBS 17BP.7.R.128
Steeple Chase RoadRandleman RoadWetland WA
mPolecat Creek m
FIGURE
Drawn by:
Date:
Scale:
Project No.:
4
Replace Bridge No. 25 on East
Steeple Chase Road over
Polecat Creek (B-4956)
NRCS
Soil Survey
Map
Background Imagery: Soil Survey of Guilford County (1977), map 39 and
map 45, provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
AEK
Oct 2018
1:3600
18-007.06
Guilford County, NC
Project:Title:Prepared for:Randleman RoadSteeple Chase Road
³
300 0 300 600150
Feet
Legend
Study area
Potential wetland waters
Potential non-wetland waters (perennial)
Direction of flow
NCDOT roads
WBS 17BP.7.R.128
Wetland WA
mPolecat Creek
NCNHDE-7366
October 24, 2018
Allison Keith
Axiom Environmental
218 Snow Ave
Raleigh, NC 27603
RE: B-4956 Bridge 25; 18-007.06
Dear Allison Keith:
The North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) appreciates the opportunity to provide
information about natural heritage resources for the project referenced above.
Based on the project area mapped with your request, a query of the NCNHP database, indicates
that there are no records for rare species, important natural communities, natural areas, and/or
conservation/managed areas within the proposed project boundary. Please note that although there
may be no documentation of natural heritage elements within the project boundary, it does not
imply or confirm their absence; the area may not have been surveyed. The results of this query
should not be substituted for field surveys where suitable habitat exists. In the event that rare
species are found within the project area, please contact the NCNHP so that we may update our
records.
The attached ‘Potential Occurrences’ table summarizes rare species and natural communities that
have been documented within a one-mile radius of the property boundary. The proximity of these
records suggests that these natural heritage elements may potentially be present in the project area
if suitable habitat exists. Tables of natural areas and conservation/managed areas within a one-mile
radius of the project area, if any, are also included in this report.
If a Federally-listed species is found within the project area or is indicated within a one-mile radius of
the project area, the NCNHP recommends contacting the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for
guidance. Contact information for USFWS offices in North Carolina is found here:
https://www.fws.gov/offices/Directory/ListOffices.cfm?statecode=37.
Please note that natural heritage element data are maintained for the purposes of conservation
planning, project review, and scientific research, and are not intended for use as the primary criteria
for regulatory decisions. Information provided by the NCNHP database may not be published
without prior written notification to the NCNHP, and the NCNHP must be credited as an information
source in these publications. Maps of NCNHP data may not be redistributed without permission.
The NC Natural Heritage Program may follow this letter with additional correspondence if a
Dedicated Nature Preserve, Registered Heritage Area, Clean Water Management Trust Fund
easement, or Federally-listed species are documented near the project area.
If you have questions regarding the information provided in this letter or need additional assistance,
please contact Rodney A. Butler at [e-mail] or 919-707-8603.
Sincerely,
NC Natural Heritage Program
Natural Heritage Element Occurrences, Natural Areas, and Managed Areas Within a One-mile Radius of the Project Area
B-4956 Bridge 25
Project No. 18-007.06
October 24, 2018
NCNHDE-7366
No Element Occurrences are Documented Within a One-mile Radius of the Project Area
No Natural Areas are Documented Within a One-mile Radius of the Project Area
Managed Areas Documented Within a One-mile Radius of the Project Area
Managed Area Name Owner Owner Type
Guilford County Open Space Guilford County: multiple local government Local Government
Definitions and an explanation of status designations and codes can be found at https://ncnhde.natureserve.org/content/help. Data query generated on October 24, 2018; source: NCNHP, Q4 Oct 2018.
Please resubmit your information request if more than one year elapses before project initiation as new information is continually added to the NCNHP database.
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