20210392 Ver 1_project_report_justus_rd_maintenance_proje_29665_29665_20210406

NCNHDE-14377
April 5, 2021
Kevin Hining
NCDOT
801 Statesville Road
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
RE: Justus Rd maintenance project
Dear Kevin Hining:
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 Information provided by the NCNHP database may not be published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, Land and Water 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
Justus Rd maintenance project
April 5, 2021
NCNHDE-14377
Element Occurrences Documented Within a One-mile Radius of the Project Area
Taxonomic
Group
EO ID Scientific Name Common Name Last
Observation
Date
Element
Occurrence
Rank
Accuracy Federal
Status
State
Status
Global
Rank
State
Rank
Amphibian 38381 Eurycea longicauda
longicauda
Longtail Salamander 1934-09-04 H 4-Low ---Special
Concern
G5T5 S1S2
Bird 14288 Vireo gilvus Warbling Vireo 2002-05-03 E 3-Medium ---Significantly
Rare
G5 S2B
Butterfly 28790 Polygonia progne Gray Comma 2008-09-13 E 5-Very
Low
---Significantly
Rare
G5 S1
Mammal 36102 Myotis lucifugus Little Brown Bat 2003-07-13 E 3-Medium ---Significantly
Rare
G3 S2
Mammal 34378 Myotis septentrionalis Northern Long-eared
Bat
2003-07-08 E 2-High Threatened Threatened G1G2 S2
Moss 3564 Sphagnum squarrosum Squarrose Peatmoss 1939 H 3-Medium ---Significantly
Rare
Peripheral
G5 S1
Natural
Community
3229 Montane Cliff (Acidic
Herb Subtype)
---1999-08-19 C 2-High ------G3G4 S3
Natural
Community
304 Rich Cove Forest
(Montane Intermediate
Subtype)
---2010-08-28 BC 2-High ------G4 S4
Natural
Community
13534 Spray Cliff ---1999-08-19 BC 2-High ------G2 S2
Vascular Plant 4784 Dicentra eximia Bleeding Heart 1971-05 H 4-Low ---Significantly
Rare
Peripheral
G4 S3
Natural Areas Documented Within a One-mile Radius of the Project Area
Site Name Representational Rating Collective Rating
Dutch Creek Falls R5 (General)C4 (Moderate)
Hanging Rock Mountain R1 (Exceptional)C2 (Very High)
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Managed Areas Documented Within a One-mile Radius of the Project Area
Managed Area Name Owner Owner Type
Watauga County Open Space Watauga County: multiple local
government
Local Government
NC Department of Cultural Resources Easement NC DNCR, Division of State Historic Sites
and Properties
State
Valle Crucis Scenic Overlook NC DNCR, Division of State Historic Sites
and Properties
State
Blue Ridge Conservancy Easement Blue Ridge Conservancy Private
NC Agricultural Development and Farmland
Preservation Trust Fund Easement
NC Department of Agriculture State
Blue Ridge Conservancy Preserve Blue Ridge Conservancy Private
Town of Seven Devils Open Space Town of Seven Devils Local Government
Blue Ridge Conservancy Preserve Blue Ridge Conservancy Private
Definitions and an explanation of status designations and codes can be found at https://ncnhde.natureserve.org/help. Data query generated on April 5, 2021; source: NCNHP, Q4 January 2021. 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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