20210694 Ver 1_B-6054A_Haywood Bridge 57 Replacement_USFWS Concurrence Request_20210518

,�'STAfE
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
ROY COOPER JAMES H.TROGDON,III
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
January 2,2020
Ms. Claire Ellwanger
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,Asheville Field Office
160 Zillicoa Street
Asheville,NC 28801
Subject: Section 7 Concurrence Request for I-40 CMGC Replacement of Bridge No. 430057
Haywood County,NC
TIP No.B-6054A
Dear Ms. Ellwanger:
The North Carolina Depai tinent of Transportation(NCDOT,Division 14)will be replacing Haywood
County bridge no. 57 on Interstate 40 over Cold Springs Creek(maps attached). Federal funds as well as
Section 404 Clean Water Act permitting are anticipated for this work. This letter constitutes informal
consultation for potential effects of this project on Indiana bat(Myotis sodalis)and gray bat(Myotis
grisescens)and to apprise you of anticipated compliance with the 4(d)Rule for Northern Long-eared bat
(NLEB,Myotis septentrionalis).
Wetlands,rock faces, or high elevations suitable for listed species known to occur in the region will not
be impacted. There may be stream impacts for temporary construction access and removal and
construction of bridge support structures. The project area was surveyed for listed plants that are known
to occur in Haywood County and none were detected. Cold Springs Creek is too cold to support
Applachian elktoe mussels and the section of the Pigeon River that is a short distance downstream does
not support mussels because of a highly altered flow regime.
Haywood County has a documented occurrence of Indiana bat(Myotis sodalis) several miles south of the
project area. And,there are records for gray bat(Myotis grisescens) and Northern Long-eared bat
(NLEB,Myotis septentrionalis)along the Pigeon River corridor near the bridge.
The project will likely require tree removal within the interchange to allow for construction access and
crane movements. Removal of about 50 trees is anticipated. The replacement of the bridge will also
likely require infrequent and short-term percussive activities such as hammering to remove old bridge
deck and supports as well as installation of new guardrail posts. And,night work with lighting may be
needed,though there will be no permanent lighting installed.
There are no mines apparent near the bridge and construction will not alter structures that currently serve
as bat roosts. The bridge and culverts under the entrance ramps were surveyed in 2019 and there was no
sign of bat usage(survey forms attached). Forested areas extending 0.25-0.4 mile from the bridge were
surveyed on-foot for caves and mines on November 13 and 16 and December 31,2019. Several rock
Mailing Address: Telephone:[phone] Location:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Fax:[phone] NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION 14 Customer Service: 1-877-368-4968 DIVISION 14
253 WEBSTER ROAD 253 WEBSTER ROAD
SYLVANC28779 Website:www.ncdot.gov SYLVANC28779

TIP No.B-6054A Section 7 Concur.Request Page 2 January 2,2020
Haywood County
faces with small openings and crevices were detected,two of which included small caves or rock
overhangs. However,these features are shallow(approximately 10 feet deep or less) and appear unlikely
to serve as hibernacula due to their exposure/openness and likely highly variable temperatures conditions.
NCDOT has committed to winter tree clearing(October 15 to April 15). Based on this commitment,we
believe that a"May affect,Not Likely to Adversely Affect"determination should apply to this species.
NCDOT also has committed to minimizing illumination and avoiding direct illumination of the Pigeon
River and its riparian area. With this measure,we believe that a"May affect,Not Likely to Adversely
Affect"determination should apply to this species.
As of January 2,2020,NLEB is listed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service(USFWS)
(http://www.fws.gov/raleigh/species/cntylist/nc_counties.html)as"Current"in Haywood County. The
project area does not fall within a"red huc"for NLEB and it is more than 0.25 mile from a"red huc"
(https://www.fws.gov/asheville/pdfs/NLEB-4DRule_Haywood.pdf). According to current Natural
Heritage data,there are mist-net capture records for NLEB within a mile of the project area. However,
for the proposed action,NCDOT has committed to the conservation measures listed below:
• No alterations of a known hibernacula entrance or interior environment if it impairs an essential
behavioral pattern, including sheltering northern long-eared bats(January 1 through December
31);
• No tree removal within a 0.25 mile radius of a known hibernacula(January 1 through
December 31); and
• No cutting or destroying a known, occupied maternity roost tree,or any other trees
within a 150-foot radius from the known,occupied maternity tree during the period
from June 1 through and including July 31.
NCDOT has determined that the proposed action does not require separate consultation on the
grounds that the proposed action is consistent with the final Section 4(d)NLEB rule, codified at 50
C.F.R. § 17.40(o)and effective February 16,2016.NCDOT may presume its determination is informed
by best available information and consider Section 7 responsibilities for this project fulfilled for NLEB.
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,
DocuSigned by:
1/2/2020
8B673FBE42E5415...
Dave McHenry
Division 14 Environmental Officer
Attach:s
Bridge 430057 Vicinity Maps
Bridge 430057 Bat Survey Forms
Ec:
J. Deyton,NCDOT Division 14
C.Amschler,US Army Corps of Engineers

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004 Bat Habitat Assessment Form
qqqq NCDOT Bridges
Observers: -PA✓e- /'/& i1 TIP or DOT project number: y' GMT c--
Date/Time: S — 5--`/ `} D 3o - 153o Road Name/SR Number: T.�o
County: w Bridge Number: /f3oo :9
Waterbody: !r
% Surrounding habitat w/in 1 mi. Urban/commercial Suburban/residential
of project footprint
Natural/rural /4. Agricultural
Any trees >3" DBH within project footprint? yes
Any shaggy trees or snags >5" DBH? yes no
If yes, how much sunlight do they receive during the day? 1-3 hours 4-6 hours 7+ hours
Species of habitat trees >5" dbh
If snags >5"DBH are present in sunlit areas, provide photos and location.
If large hollow trees are present, provide photos and location.
Presence of: In project footprint In vicinty (0.5 mi)Caves yes � r yes - � `3 A /
Abandoned mines yes COO yes ® cy, ke.ea
If 'yes' to any of the above, provide photos, description, and location. L6/"
Major water source in project footprint: river Cr pond lake swamp
Suitable drinking habitat in the form of non-stagnant, smooth or slack water? •2 no
Guard rails none •ncret- timber metal
Deck type aKK• a metal timber open grid
Beam type none concrete fit P timber
End/back wall type (concrete) timber masonry
Creosote evidence yes �g
Small vertical top sealed crevices es no
Large vertical unsealed crevices yes 4 QD
Max height of bridge deck above ground/water (ft): ti ‘o (alxsre_ G PS
Night roost habitat protected (yes) no
Bridge alignment: 411g531 E/W NW/SE NE/SW
Hours of sun exposure to bridge 0-1 2-3 003
Human/traffic under bridge 4i mP low none
Emergence count performed? (If yes, complete form) yes c
Evidence of bats using bird nests, if present? yes pt�g3
Evidence of bats using bridge? yes
Bat species present: / Vm i. -
Additional Comments:
/ , ,4 1 y� 471 y,1 e4 f/e-n„� NCDOT Bat Bridge Habitat Assessment Form
/.. G t / 4, f J A / J 3- 6" Updated 12/10/14
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of Bat Habitat Assessment Form
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NCDOT Culverts
Observers: F "7qq P/A-4; y TIP or DOT project number: I- -y�, evile "e
Date/Time: i --1 // •-/ 1 / Road Name/SR Number: _4r— ed
County: /A.-wp_ooc Bridge Number: -7 / j?4 �1
Waterbody: `',n/d ?At- -}te G(^ ( lr� ive, -- > G U ql
/ j�7 .e..{gwe r
Surrounding habitat w/in 1 mi. Urban/commercial Suburban/residential
of project footprint
Natural/rural /00 Agricultural
r/e'Xr• di�� d
t 7-
Any trees >3" DBH within project footprint? e le;--. no' do
PC
fift-
Any shaggy trees or snags >5" DBH? yes no co4fi
If yes, how much sunlight do they receive dyring the day? 1-3 hours 4-6 hours 7+ hours
Species of habitat trees >5" dbh / ''c ✓ i 6r.4 �- , �e dl'ed
If snags >5"DBH are present in sunlit areas, provide photos and location: /7,0 5•2 S . € t ,s9e, i.< c(
If large hollow trees are present, provide photos and location. r/
Presence of: In project footprint In vicinty (0.5 mi)
caves yes C67 c j¢E no
abandoned mines yes G= 9 yes e)
If 'yes' to any of the above, provide photos, description, and location.
Major water source in project footprint: rive stream/creek pond lake swamp
Suitable drinking habitat in the form of non stagnant, smooth or slack wa as.
no
Guard rails nne— concrete timber metal
Concrete box culvert dip no
Culvert >5' height inside no
Culvert length: //>o ear ('jv/vc
Openings protected from high winds no
Crevices present: yes iall
Rough surfaces, imperfections, bird nestsdelino
Human disturbance/traffic in culvert high o none
Emergence count performed? (If yes, complete form) yes no i
Evidence of bats using bird nests, if present? yes Pet
Evidence of bats using culvert? / yes
Bat species present: /4 ) I S I ,C
r
Notes:
NCDOT Bat Culvert Habitat Assessment Form
Updated 12/10/14