20211160 Ver 1_survey report_20210727

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
ROY COOPER J.ERIC BOYETTE
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
June 3,2021
Memorandum to: Stephanie Braquet,Environmental Specialist,Division 9
From: Matt Haney, Biological Surveys Group,Environmental
Analysis Unit
Subject: Freshwater Mussel Survey Report for the Replacement of a
pipe on SR 1975 (Asbury Road)over Meadow Branch,
Stokes County. WBS#DF17009.2085012.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation proposes to replace a pipe on
Asbury Road(WBS#DF17009.2085012)over Meadow Branch in Stokes County.
Meadow Branch is in the Roanoke River Basin(HUC#03010103) and flows
approximately 1.5 river mile(RM) from the project location into Pinch Gut Creek. As of
May 17,2021,the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)Information for Planning and
Consultation(IPaC)webpage listed James Spinymussel (Pleurobema collina) as an
Endangered species (under the Endangered Species Act(ESA))that potentially occurs at
the project location. The IPaC webpage indicated that the project location does not
overlap with Critical Habitat for this species.
The James Spinymussel is found in waters with slow to moderate current and
relatively hard water on sand and mixed sand-gravel substrates that are free from silt.
Current stream width at these sites varies from 3 to 23 meters with a water depth of 0.15
to 1 meter. Historic sites on the James River were much wider,up to 50 meters across.
Meadow Branch is not on the North Carolina Department of Environmental
Quality(NCDEQ)-Division of Water Resources 2018 303(d) list of impaired streams.
There are no NPDES facilities upstream of the project.
A review of the NC Natural Heritage Program database (last updated on April 21,
2021)was conducted to determine if there were any records of rare mussels within the
proposed project study area or receiving waters. The closest current occurrence of James
Spinymussel is in Big Creek at the confluence with the Dan River approximately 9 RM
downstream from the project(EO ID 17365). This occurrence was last observed in 2019.
A mussel survey was conducted on May 12, 2021 by NCDOT biologists Jared
Gray(Permit No. 21-ES00314) and Matt Haney, along with Dewberry biologist Anne
Burroughs from approximately 300 meters downstream of the pipe crossing to
approximately 100 meters upstream of the crossing. Meadow Branch at the project ranges
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from 3-6 feet wide and the water depth was 0.5-1.5 feet. The dominant substrate
consisted predominately of unconsolidated sand with a few tiny patches of gravel present.
Land use adjacent to the stream consisted of agricultural pasture and field. Cattle have
stream access about 300 meters downstream from the project. The streambanks ranged
from 3-6 feet with moderate erosion and a narrow stream vegetative buffer populated
mostly by blackberry and other colonizing species. Filamentous algae and iron oxidizing
bacteria were present in the system. The stream drains into Pinch Gut Creek
approximately 1.5 miles downstream from the project. This stream is likely too small to
be inhabited by James Spinymussel. No live mussels or mussel shells were observed.
Based on these survey results,impacts to the target species are unlikely to occur in
the study area. Strict adherence to erosion control standards should minimize the potential
for any adverse impacts to occur.
Due to the lack of mussels found in the project area,the project location within the
headwaters of this watershed,the size of the stream, and the distance to the closest
occurrence of the James Spinymussel, construction of this project is unlikely to impact the
James Spinymussel.
Biological Conclusion for James Spinymussel: May Affect-Not Likely to Adversely
Affect