20201093 Ver 2_B-5813 Mussel Survey Report_20210426

Freshwater Mussel Survey Report

Replacement of Bridge No. 132 on NC 73
Over Dutch Buffalo Creek
Cabarrus County, North Carolina
STIP # B-5813
WBS Element # 45767.1.1

Prepared For:

NC Department of Transportation
Raleigh, North Carolina

Contact Person:

Jared Gray
Biological Surveys Group
North Carolina Department of Transportation
[e-mail]
1598 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699-1598

May 18, 2018
Prepared by:

900 Ridgefield Drive, Suite 350
Raleigh, NC 27609

Contact Person:

Neil Medlin
Project Manager
[e-mail]
919-878-9560

Table of Contents

1.0 Introduction ..................................................................................................................1
2.0 Waters Affected ............................................................................................................1
2.1 NPDES Dischargers ................................................................................................1
2.2 303(d) Classification ...............................................................................................1
3.0 Target Federally Protected Species Description .......................................................1
3.1 Carolina Heelsplitter (Lasmigona decorata) ..........................................................1
3.1.1 Characteristics ..........................................................................................1
3.1.2 Distribution and Habitat Requirements ...................................................2
4.0 Survey Efforts...............................................................................................................2
4.1 Stream Conditions at Time of Survey: Dutch Buffalo Creek ................................2
4.2 Methodology ...........................................................................................................2
5.0 Results ...........................................................................................................................2
6.0 Discussion/Conclusions ................................................................................................3
7.0 References .....................................................................................................................4

Appendix A. Figures:
Figure 1: Project Vicinity & Survey Location
Figure 2: NCNHP Element Occurrences
Figure 3: NPDES Dischargers and 303(d) Listed Streams

Freshwater Mussel Survey; B-5813, Cabarrus County May 2018
Page 1
1.0 Introduction

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes the replacement of Bridge
No. 132 over Dutch Buffalo Creek on NC 73 in Cabarrus County (Appendix A, Figure 1). Dutch
Buffalo Creek is in the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin. The Carolina Heelsplitter (Lasmigona
decorata) is listed for Cabarrus County by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as a
protected species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

A review of the NC Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) records, last accessed on April 23,
2018, indicated no element occurrence (EO) for the Carolina Heelsplitter located within a 5-mile
buffer of the project bridge (Figure 2). The closest occurrence (EO ID 21454) is located in
Goose Creek, approximately 17 stream miles downstream from the project location. This
occurrence was first observed on August 26, 1987 and last observed on September 29, 2015.

As part of the federal permitting process that requires an evaluation of potential project related
effects to federally protected species, Rummel, Klepper, and Kahl (RK&K) was contracted by
NCDOT to conduct the freshwater mussel survey targeting the Carolina Heelsplitter.

2.0 Waters Affected

Dutch Buffalo Creek is located in the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin (HUC# 03040105). From the
survey location, Dutch Buffalo Creek flows approximately 7.9 stream miles to the Rocky River.

2.1 NPDES dischargers

The closest permitted NPDES discharger is on a UT to Dutch Buffalo Creek (Figure 3). The
Mount Pleasant Water Treatment Plant (NPDES Permit # NC0044717) is a minor facility located
approximately 1.8 stream miles upstream of the project location.

2.2 303(d) Classification

Dutch Buffalo Creek is not on the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
(NCDEQ) - Division of Water Resources 2016 303(d) list of impaired streams.

3.0 Target Federally Protected Species Description

3.1 Carolina Heelsplitter (Lasmigona decorata)

3.1.1 Characteristics

The Carolina Heelsplitter was first described in 1852. This species has an ovate, trapezoid-
shaped shell. The outer surface of the shell varies from greenish brown to dark brown in color,
and shells from younger specimens have faint greenish brown or black rays. The nacre (inside
surface) is often pearly white to bluish white, grading to orange in the deepest part of the shell.
However, in older specimens the entire nacre may be a mottled pale orange. The shell of the
largest known specimen of the species measures 4.6 inches (11.684 centimeters) in length.

Freshwater Mussel Survey; B-5813, Cabarrus County May 2018
Page 2

3.1.2 Distribution and Habitat Requirements

The Carolina Heelsplitter was historically known from several locations within the Catawba and
Pee Dee River systems in North Carolina and the Pee Dee and Savannah River systems, and
possibly the Saluda River system in South Carolina. In North Carolina, the species is now
known only from a handful of streams in the Pee Dee and Catawba River systems. Today, only
ten populations are known to survive. The species exists in very low abundances, usually within
6 feet of shorelines, throughout its known range.

The general habitat requirements for the Carolina Heelsplitter are shaded areas in large rivers to
small streams, often burrowed into clay banks between the root systems of trees, or in runs along
steep banks with moderate current. The more recent habitat where the Carolina Heelsplitter has
been found is in sections of streams containing bedrock with perpendicular crevices filled with
sand and gravel, and with wide riparian buffers.

4.0 Survey Efforts

A mussel survey was conducted in association with this project by RK&K personnel Neil Medlin
(Permit # 16-ES00030), Hal Bain, and John Merritt on September 22, 2016.

4.1 Stream Conditions at Time of Survey: Dutch Buffalo Creek

The channel exhibited slack flow and ranged from 1-12 meters wide (widest below bridge) with
eroded banks three meters high. The maximum depth here was 1.0 meter with an average depth
of 0.25 meter. The substrate was dominated by silt and sand throughout the survey reach, with
narrow gravel runs upstream of the bridge. Sand and gravel bars were abundant at this location.
Moderately eroded banks consisted of clay, silt, and root mats. Beaver activity was observed in
the form of gnawed sticks. A narrow forested buffer is present in the northwest quadrant
(upstream) of the bridge crossing. The remaining three quadrants contain more substantial
forested buffers along the survey location.

4.2 Methodology

The mussel survey was conducted from from approximately 400 meters downstream of the
bridge crossing to approximately 100 meters upstream of the crossing for a total distance of
approximately 500 meters. Areas of appropriate habitat were searched, concentrating on the
stable habitats preferred by the target species. Visual surveys were conducted using glass bottom
view buckets (bathyscopes) along with tactile methods that were employed where appropriate.
All freshwater bivalves were recorded and returned to the substrate. Timed survey efforts
provided Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) data for each species.

5.0 Results

A total of 3.5 person-hours of survey time was spent in the survey location with two species of
freshwater mussels found (Table 1).

Freshwater Mussel Survey; B-5813, Cabarrus County May 2018
Page 3

Table 1. CPUE for Freshwater Mussels in Dutch Buffalo Creek
Scientific Name Common Name # live CPUE
Elliptio complanata Eastern Elliptio 1 (+2 shells) 0.29/hr
Villosa vaughaniana Carolina Creekshell 1 0.29/hr

6.0 Discussion/Conclusions

The results indicate that the study area supports a sparse freshwater mussel fauna of common
species. Carolina Heelsplitter individuals were not found during the survey. Previous surveys in
the vicinity of the subject bridge have resulted in no discovery of Carolina Heelsplitter within a
10-mile radius of the study location. Based on the presence of degraded habitat, distance to
known Carolina Heelsplitter records, and these survey results, completion of the proposed
project will not affect this species.

Biological Conclusion for Carolina Heelsplitter: No Effect

Freshwater Mussel Survey; B-5813, Cabarrus County May 2018
Page 4
7.0 References

Adams, W. F., J. M. Alderman, R. G. Biggins, A. G. Gerberich, E. P. Keferl, H. J. Porter, and
A.S. Van Devender. 1990. A report on the conservation status of North Carolina's
freshwater and terrestrial molluscan fauna. N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission,
Raleigh. 246 pp, Appendix A, 37 pp.

Eads, C. B. and J.F. Levine. 2008. Carolina heelsplitter (Lasmigona decorata) and Tar River
Spinymussel (Elliptio steinstansana) Conservation Research: July 2007-June 2008. Final
report submitted to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Raleigh, NC. 18
pp.

LeGrand, Jr., H.E., J.T. Finnegan, S.E. McRae, S.P. Hall. 2010. Natural Heritage Program List of
the Rare Animal Species of North Carolina. N.C. Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh,
NC.

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality - Division of Water Resources. 2018.
2016 North Carolina 303(d) List.
https://files.nc.gov/ncdeq/Water%Quality/Planning/TMDL/303d/2016/2016_NC_Categor
y_5_303d_list.pdf (Accessed 05/14/18).

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. NPDES Wastewater Treatment Facility
Permits. http://data-
ncdenr.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/a86af4f7549343419b4c8177cedb3e4b_0 (Accessed
04/19/18).

North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP). 2018. nheo-2018-04. Natural Heritage
Element Occurrence polygon shapefile. April, 2018.

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Unpublished Aquatics Database.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2011. Carolina heelsplitter (Lasmigona decorata)
Species Profile. Raleigh Ecological Field Office Web site (Accessed 11/30/16).
https://www.fws.gov/raleigh/species/es_carolina_heelsplitter.html

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1997. Carolina heelsplitter (Lasmigona decorata)
Recovery Plan. Atlanta, Georgia. 30 pp.

Appendix A

Figures
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Copyright:© 2013 NationalGeographic Society, i-cubed
Prepared For:Prepared By:Freshwater Mussel Survey
CABARRUS COUNTY
Figure1
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Date:
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