HomeMy WebLinkAbout20211251 Ver 1_survey report Collinstown Road_20210819 Aquatic Species Survey Report
Structure Replacement on SR 1432 (Collinstown Road)
Over an Unnamed Tributary to the Dan River
Stokes County,North Carolina
WBS Element#DF171092085013
Prepared For:
•
NC Department of Transportation
Raleigh, North Carolina
Contact Person:
Jared Gray
Biological Surveys Group
North Carolina Department of Transportation
j grayAncdot.gov
1598 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699-1598
July 21, 2021
Prepared by:
RK%,
8601 Six Forks Road,Forum 1 Suite 700
Raleigh, NC 27615
Contact Person:
Neil Medlin
Manager, Natural Resources
nmedlin@rkk.com
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 Species Descriptions 1
3.1 James Spinymussel (Parvaspina collina) 2
3.1.1 Characteristics 2
3.1.2 Distribution and Habitat Requirements 2
3.2 Roanoke Logperch (Percina rex) 2
3.2.1 Characteristics 2
3.2.2 Distribution and Habitat Requirements 3
4.0 Survey Efforts 3
4.1 Stream Conditions at Time of Survey: Unnamed Tributary to the Dan River 3
4.2 Methodology 3
4.2.1 Mussel Survey 3
4.2.2 Fish Survey 4
5.0 Results 4
5.1 Mussel Survey 4
5.2 Fish Survey 4
6.0 Critical Habitat 4
7.0 Discussion/Conclusions 5
8.0 References 6
Appendix A. Figures:
Figure 1: Project Vicinity and Survey Location
Figure 2: NCNHP Element Occurrences
Figure 3: NPDES Dischargers and 303(d) Listed Streams
1.0 Introduction
The North Carolina Department of Transportation(NCDOT)proposes the replacement of a
structure on SR 1432 (Collinstown Road) over an Unnamed Tributary to the Dan River in Stokes
County(Appendix A,Figure 1). The project is within the Roanoke River Basin. As of June 1,
2021, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service(USFWS)Information for Planning and Consultation
(IPaC)webpage listed James Spinymussel (Parvaspina collina) as a protected species under the
Endangered Species Act(ESA)that potentially occurs at the project location. The Roanoke
Logperch (Percina rex)was also formerly listed by the USFWS Raleigh Office webpage as a
protected species under the ESA for Stokes County. The IPaC webpage indicated that there are
no critical habitats that overlap with the project location.
A review of the NC Natural Heritage Program(NCNHP)records,last accessed on June 3,2021,
indicated that an element occurrence(EO) exists for target species within a 5-mile buffer of the
project location(Table 1; Figure 2).
Table 1. NC Natural Heritage Program Element Occurrence records and approximate distance
from the project location (i.e., river miles (RM)).
Species LO1D EO Waterway First Last RNI
Status Observation Observation
James Spinymussel 17365 Current Dan River October 2000 September 2 1
2019
Roanoke Logperch 26357 Current Dan River July 2008 October 2019 >25
As part of the federal permitting process that requires an evaluation of potential project related
impacts to federally protected species, RK&K was contracted by NCDOT to conduct aquatic
surveys for James Spinymussel and Roanoke Logperch.
2.0 Waters Affected
The stream potentially affected by the project is an Unnamed Tributary to the Dan River within
the Roanoke River Basin HUC#03010103. From the project location,the Unnamed Tributary
to the Dan River flows approximately 2.1 stream miles to its confluence with the Dan River.
2.1 NPDES Dischargers
There are no NPDES permitted dischargers in locations that could directly affect the project area
within the 5-mile project area buffer(Figure 3).
2.2 303(d) Classification
Unnamed Tributary to the Dan River is not on the North Carolina Department of Environmental
Quality(NCDEQ)-Division of Water Resources 2018 303(d) list of impaired streams (Figure
3). However,the Dan River upstream and downstream of the confluence with the Unnamed
Tributary is on the list due to high turbidity levels.
Aquatic Species Survey Report;DF17109.2085013,Stokes County July 2021
Page 1
3.0 Target Species Description
3.1 James Spinymussel(Parvaspina collina)
3.1.1 Characteristics
The James Spinymussel(Parvaspina collina(Conrad 1837)) is a small freshwater mussel that
rarely exceeds 76 mm in length. Young specimens have a shiny yellow periostracum and mature
individuals typically have a dark brown periostracum that exhibit pronounced growth rings.
Juveniles may have three or more spines on each valve;however, spines are typically absent or
reduced to bumps as the species matures. The shell is subrhomboidal in shape for juveniles,but
the shell becomes more ovate as the mussel grows. The left valve has two thick pseudocardinal
and two thin lateral teeth where the right valve contains one of each. Shells have a thicker
anterior end and thin towards the posterior. The foot and mantle tissue are orange and the nacre
is whitish to salmon colored.
Maximum age for the James Spinymussel is suspected to be greater than 19 years and it is a
short-term brooding (tachytictic) species. Specifically,the species becomes gravid and releases
glochidia multiple times between May and August. Host fish species include Central Stoneroller
(Campostoma anomalum),Mountain Redbelly Dace(Chrosomus oreas),Rosyside Dace
(Clinostomus funduloides), Satinfin Shiner(Cyprinella analostana),Rosefin Shiner(Lythrurus
ardens), Bluehead Chub(Nocomis leptocephalus), and Blacknose dace(Rhinichthys atratulus).
3.1.2 Distribution and Habitat Requirements
The James Spinymussel was once found throughout the main stem of the James River and all of
its major tributaries upstream of Richmond, VA. The species has experienced a precipitous
decline over the past two decades and now exists only in small,headwater tributaries of the
upper James River Basin in Virginia and West Virginia and the upper Roanoke River drainage of
Virginia and North Carolina. Within the Craig Creek watershed in Virginia, sites include Craig
Creek, Johns Creek, Dicks Creek, and Patterson Creek in Craig and Botetourt counties. The
other sites within West Virginia and Virginia include Potts Creek in Monroe County, WV and
Craig and Alleghany counties,VA,Pedlar River in Amherst County,VA, Mechums River in
Albemarle County,VA,Moormans River in Albemarle County,VA,Rocky Run(Moormans
River)in Albemarle County,VA, and Catawba Creek in Botetourt County,VA. Within the Dan
River watershed in North Carolina, sites include the Dan River,Big Creek, and Mills Creek in
Stokes County,Dan River and Mayo River in Rockingham County, and Country Line Creek in
Caswell County.
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.
Aquatic Species Survey Report;DF17109.2085013,Stokes County July 2021
Page 2
3.2 Roanoke Logperch (Percina Rex)
3.2.1 Characteristics
The Roanoke Logperch(Percina rex(Jordan and Evermann 1889))is a large darter
(approximately 165 nun long)with vertically elongate lateral blotches(8-11),dark
vermiculations interspersed between dorsal saddles, and an elongate,piglike snout. Most fins are
strongly speckled, and the first dorsal fin contains an orange band that tends to be vivid in males.
The Roanoke Logperch is a benthic insectivore and forages primarily on aquatic
macroinvertebrates that it dislodges from gravel by turning over the substrate with their piglike
snout.
Maximum age for the Roanoke Logperch is suspected to be approximately 6 years. Sexually
mature individuals(2-3 years old)typically spawn during April through May in deep runs
containing gravel substrate. As with other darter species, downstream larval drift and juvenile
movement represents an essential dispersal and recolonization mechanism for Roanoke
Logperch.
3.2.2 Distribution and Habitat Requirements
Within North Carolina,the Roanoke Logperch is found in the Roanoke River Basin:
Rockingham County(Big Beaver Island Creek, Cascade Creek,Dan River,Mayo River, Smith
River, and Wolf Island Creek) and potentially portions of the Dan River and tributaries within
Stokes, Caswell, and Forsyth Counties.
Adult Roanoke Logperch typically inhabit large to medium sized waterways and occupy riffle,
run, and pool habitats that contain sand, gravel, or boulder substrate. In contrast,juveniles often
swim in mixed-species schools that occupy shallow,margin habitats underlain by sand and
gravel substrate.
4.0 Survey Efforts
James Spinymussel and Roanoke Logperch surveys were conducted by RK&K personnel Tyler
Black(Permit#21-ES00554),Neil Medlin(Permit#21-ES00030),Anne Burroughs (Dewberry
Engineering), and Matt Haney(NCDOT)on June 3,2021.
4.1 Stream Conditions at Time of Assessment: Unnamed Tributary to the Dan River
At the survey location, the Unnamed Tributary to the Dan River was a shallow, clear stream with
a riffle,run, and pool flow regime. Wetted width was approximately 1-4 meters and depth
ranged from 0.25-1.25 meters but averaged approximately 0.5 meters. The substrate was a mix
of clay, silt, sand, gravel, and cobble. The dominant benthic substrate was sand,and clay was
the subdominant substrate. The bank height was approximately 1.0-2.0 meters and banks were
unstable. Evidence of beaver activity was not observed at the time of the survey. A narrow,
forested and grass buffer was present along the survey location.
Aquatic Species Survey Report;DF17109.2085013,Stokes County July 2021
Page 3
4.2 Methodology
4.2.1 Mussel Survey
A mussel survey was conducted from approximately 400 meters downstream of the road
crossing to approximately 100 meters upstream of the crossing for a total of approximately 500
meters. Visual surveys were conducted due to the lack of relic shell material.
4.2.2 Fish Survey
A fish survey was conducted from approximately 400 meters downstream of the road crossing to
approximately 100 meters upstream of the crossing for a total of approximately 500 meters. The
survey was conducted using a Smith-Root Model LR-24 backpack electrofishing unit and dip
nets. The stream was sampled with one biologist operating the electrofishing unit while the other
biologists collected the stunned fish with dip nets. All stunned fish were collected and
temporarily placed in a 5-gallon bucket containing freshwater. All fish were identified and
released onsite.
5.0 Results
5.1 Mussel Survey
Visual surveys were conducted in conjunction with fish surveys. Evidence of native bivalves or
any mollusk was not observed within the Unnamed Tributary to the Dan River. No James
Spinymussel individuals were observed during the survey.
5.2 Fish Survey
Seven fish species were identified during the survey of Unnamed Tributary to the Dan River
with a total of 501 individuals observed(Table 2). No Roanoke Logperch individuals were
observed during the survey. A total of 2,109 electrofishing seconds were utilized during the
survey.
Aquatic Species Survey Report;DF17109.2085013,Stokes County July 2021
Page 4
Table 2. Fishes in the Unnamed Tributary to the Dan River, June 2, 2021.
Scientific Name Common Name No. Individuals
Chrosomus oreas Mountain Redbelly Dace 11
Clinostomus funduloides Rosyside Dace 182
Etheostoma flabellare Fantail Darter 73
Hypentelium roanokense Roanoke Hogsucker 2
Nocomis leptocephalus Bluehead Chub 54
Notropis chiliticus Redlip Shiner 170
Semotilus atromaculatus Creek Chub 9
Total Number of Individuals 501
Total Number of Species 7
Electrofishing Seconds 2,109
6.0 Critical Habitat
The project is not located within Critical Habitat for James Spinymussel or Roanoke Logperch.
7.0 Discussion/Conclusions
At the project location, the Unnamed Tributary to the Dan River is a small stream with unstable
banks and substantial sand and silt depositional areas. The watershed upstream of the survey
location is rural with agricultural production and a forested buffer along the Unnamed Tributary
to the Dan River. The survey results indicate that the survey location contains potential habitat
for all target species. Although no James Spinymussel individuals were detected during the
survey, given the presence of degraded habitat, the short distance to known James Spinymussel
populations and/or historic NCNHP EOs (i.e., < 2.2 river miles), and mobility of host fish
species, completion of this project may affect James Spinymussel. No Roanoke Logperch
individuals were detected during the survey. Due to the degraded habitat within the Unnamed
Tributary to the Dan River and that the nearest known population and/or historic NCNHP EOs is
>25 river miles, completion of the project should not affect Roanoke Logperch.
Recommended Biological Conclusion for James Spinymussel: May Affect, Not Likely to
Adversely Affect
Recommended Biological Conclusion for Roanoke Logperch: May Affect,Not Likely to
Adversely Affect
The federal action agency, or its nonfederal designee (NCDOT),must render a biological
conclusion for each species.
Aquatic Species Survey Report;DF17109.2085013, Stokes County July 2021
Page 5
8.0 References
Hove and Neves. 1994. Life history of the endangered James Spinymussel,Pleurobema collina,
(Conrad, 1837) (Mollusca: Unionidae). American Malacological Bulletin. 11(1): 29-40.
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality -Division of Water Resources. 2018
North Carolina 303(d) List. Available:
https://files.nc.gov/ncdeq/Water%20Quality/Planning/TMDL/303 d/2018/2018-NC-303-
d--List-Final.pdf. (May 2021).
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. 2021. NPDES Wastewater Discharge
Permits. Available: https://data-ncdenr.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/npdes-wastewater-
discharge-permits?geometry=-87.493%2C33.635%2C-72.200%2C36.776. (May 2021).
North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. 2021. nheo-2021-05. Natural Heritage Element
Occurrence polygon shapefile. (May 2021).
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. 2021. Unpublished Aquatics Database. (March
2021).
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. 2021. Roanoke Logperch Species Profile.
http://www.ncwildli fe.org/Learning/S pecies/Fish/Roanoke-Logperch#2521717-overview.
(June 2021).
Roberts, J. H., P. L. Angermeier, E. M. Hallerman. 2014. Extensive dispersal of Roanoke
logperch (Percina rex) inferred from genetic marker data. Ecology of Freshwater Fish
25:1-16.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1990. James Spinymussel (Pleurobema collina)Recovery Plan.
Newton Corner, MA.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1992. Roanoke Logperch (Percina rex) Recovery Plan. Newton
Corner, MA.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2003. James Spinymussel fact sheet. Gloucester, VA.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2010. Roanoke Logperch (Percina rex) Species Profile.
Available: https://www.fws.gov/northeast/pdf/RoanokeLogperch.pdf. (June 2021)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2019. James spinymussel (Pleurobema collina) Species Profile,
Environmental Online System (ECOS). Available:
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?s1d=2212. (March 2019).
Aquatic Species Survey Report; DF17109.2085013,Stokes County July 2021
Page 6
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2021. Information for Planning and Consultation(IPaC).
Available: https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/. (June 2021).
Aquatic Species Survey Report;DF17109.2085013,Stokes County July 2021
Page 7
Appendix A
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