20210471 Ver 1_G5j.Biological Assessment_20210915

PCN Attachment: Biological Assessment
Preserve at Kipling Creek
Headwater Project # 201932B
Section G.Si: Review of endangered species and designated critical habitat
Headwater a site reconnaissance on November 20-21, 2019; and April 9, 2020. Recently
timbered land is located on the northern and central portions of the site, agricultural fields are
located on the central and southwestern portions of the site. The remainder of the site is wooded.
As previously discussed in Section Ci, four wetland areas and eight streams are located within
the site boundary.
In general, the site can be divided into four (4) separate habitat areas:
Agricultural Field
Agricultural fields are present on the northern, central, and southern portions of the site.
Agricultural fields provide little ecological value to native flora and fauna.
Palustrine Scrub/shrub (PSS) Wetland
Land on the northern, central, and southern portions of the site was clear-cut in 2017.
Scrub/shrub vegetation is dominant in these areas with few mature trees. Vegetation
observed includes, but not limited to, sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), loblolly pine
(Pinus taeda), holly (Ilex opaca), winged sumac (Rhus copallinum), Chinese privet
(Ligustrum sinense), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), common rush (Juncus effusus),
and blackberry (Rubus argutus).
Riparian Corridor and PFO Wetland
Neills Creek is located along the eastern and southern portions of the site. Several
tributaries to Neills Creek traverse the site from northwest to southeast. The riparian
corridor with forested wetlands surrounds the streams and are comprised of assorted trees
and scrub/shrub vegetation along the stream banks. Species observed include loblolly
pine, holly, water oak (Quercus nigra), willow oak (Quercus phellos), white oak (Quercus
alba), American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), blackberry, cane (Arundinaria tecta),
greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia), and Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica).
Wooded Uplands
Wooded uplands are present on the northern and eastern portions of the site. This habitat
consists of well drained soils and mature trees. Mature trees observed include loblolly
pine, holly, white oak, sweet gum, and tulip poplar. Shrub and sapling species are
consistent with the mature trees observed. Additional understory species include
blackberry, poison ivy, and greenbrier.
FEDERALLY LISTED SPECIES
There are seven (7) species listed as threatened, endangered, or proposed listings by the USFWS
for Harnett County, North Carolina:
COMMON NAME
SCIENTIFIC NAME
TAXONOMIC
GROUP
FEDERAL
STATUS
American alligator
Alligator mississippiensis
Reptile
T
Red -cockaded woodpecker
Picoides borealis
Bird
E
Carolina madtom
Noturus furiosus
Fish
P
Atlantic pigtoe
Fusconaia masoni
Clam
P
Cape Fear shiner
Notro is mekistocholas
Fish
E

PCN Attachment: Biological Assessment
Preserve at Kipling Creek
Headwater Project # 201932B
PNeuRiver waterdo
Necturus lewisi
Amphibian
P
Rou h-leaved loosestrife
L simachia as erulaefolia
Flowering Plant
E
E: Endangered, T: Threatened, P: Proposed Threatened
Species Description
American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
The American alligator is a large aquatic reptile with broadly rounded snout lacking conspicuous
upward -protruding teeth. The maximum total length is about 19 feet, but alligators today are
generally 13 feet. American alligators inhabit fresh and brackish marshes, ponds, lakes, rivers,
swamps, bayous, canals, and large spring runs. These water bodies must have ample prey to
serve as a food source. They often bask on partially submerged logs or on land next to the water.
Alligators dig dens (i.e. gator holes) in river or lake margins or in marshes; they spend cold winter
and drought periods in the den.
Red -cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis)
Red-cockcaded woodpeckers (RCWs) are relatively small, adults are six to nine inches long. They
are white and black, with a white cheek patch and black crown. Their breast and bellies are white
to greyish -white. The difference between adult males and females is the presence of the red
cockade at the upper portion of the head, behind the eyes (often not visible in the field). Suitable
foraging habitat consists of large mature pines, little or no mid -story, and abundant herbaceous
groundcover. The understory of these pine woodlands and savannahs are generally suppressed
by regular fire (one to ten-year intervals). Large old pines are required for roosting and nest
cavities. Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) is preferred, but the RCW is known to roost in most of
southern pine species; loblolly (Pinus taeda), shortleaf (Pinus echinata), slash (Pinus ellioti), pond
pine (Pinus rigida), and even bald cypress (Taxodium disthicus). The average age of cavity trees
ranges from 60 to 125 years for longleaf pine, 70-90 years for loblolly pine, 75-150 years for
shortleaf pine, 50-130 years for pond pine, and greater than 70 years for slash pine.
Carolina madtom (Noturus furiosus)
The Carolina madtom is endemic to the Tar and Neuse river basins. At only five inches at their
largest, the Carolina madtoms have a short, tan body with three wide dark saddles across the
back. They also have a black lateral stripe and a dark blotch on their adipose fin. Carolina
madtoms prefer free -flowing streams with clean sand or gravel bottoms. During the summer, they
can be found hiding under mussel shells, logs, pieces of bark, and other cover.
Females produce anywhere from 80-300 eggs per season and lay them in cover areas. Males
guard the nest until the eggs hatch. Juveniles grow about two inches in their first two years and
then mature between age two and three. It is not certain how long these fish live, but they at least
reach four years of age. Madtoms feed primarily on bottom -dwelling invertebrates such as larval
dragonflies and diving beetles.
Atlantic pigtoe (Fusconaia masons)
The shell of the Atlantic pigtoe is a chunky, rhombus shape, like that of a pig's hoof/toe. There is
a distinct posterior ridge. The outer surface of the shell is yellow to dark brown and parchment -
like, while the inner layer is iridescent blue to salmon, white, or orange. Although larger specimens
exist, the Atlantic pigtoe rarely exceeds two inches in length. Young individuals may have
greenish rays across the entire shell surface. When collected fresh, the interior surface (nacre) in

PCN Attachment: Biological Assessment
Preserve at Kipling Creek
Headwater Project # 201932B
the shell tends to be salmon colored and sometimes iridescent. Atlantic pigtoe has interlocking
hinge "teeth" on the inside of the shell to help keep the two valves in proper alignment.
The preferred habitat of the Atlantic pigtoe is coarse sand and gravel, and rarely in silt and detritus.
Historically, the best populations existed in small creeks to larger rivers with excellent water
quality, where flows were sufficient to maintain clean, silt -free substrates. The Atlantic pigtoe rely
on host fish for successful reproduction. Each mussel species has specific fish species (host fish)
that are needed by the glochidia to keep growing to ultimately transform into juveniles. After a few
weeks of living as parasites, they drop off and land on the river bottom where they grow into
adults. Atlantic pigtoe are tachytictic (short term breeders) that usually release their larvae by July
or August.
Cape Fear shiner (Notropis mekistocholas)
It is a small (approximately two inches long), yellowish minnow with a black band along the sides
of its body. The shiner's fins are yellow and somewhat pointed. It has a black upper lip, and the
lower lip bears a thin black bar along its margin. The Cape Fear shiner is known to consume plant
and animal material. The Cape Fear shiner is generally associated with gravel, cobble, and
boulder substrates, and has been observed in slow pools, riffles, and slow runs. The Cape Fear
shiner can be found swimming in schools of other minnow species but is never the most abundant
species. During the spawning season, May through July, the Cape Fear shiner adults move to
slower flowing pools to lay eggs on the rocky substrate. Juveniles are often found in slack water,
among large rock outcrops of the midstream, and in flooded side channels and pools.
Neuse River waterdog (Necturus lewist)
The Neuse River waterdog is a permanently aquatic salamander that grows up to 11 inches long.
Adult waterdogs have elongated heads with squared -off noses, three dark -red gills protruding
from either side of the head, cylindrical body, and a laterally compressed tail. Neuse River
waterdogs lack lungs, getting oxygen from the water via external gills and need clean, flowing
water with high dissolved oxygen concentrations. Waterdogs have typically been found in streams
of the Tar -Pamlico and Neuse River basins that have a low to moderate gradient, low velocity,
and are wider than 15 meters (49.2 ft).
Neuse River water dogs are more active in colder water that is near freezing. They spend the
majority of their time under large granite rocks, moving to leaf beds on mudflats in the spring.
Neuse River waterdogs are sight and scent hunters, feeding on copepods, hellgrammites,
mayflies, caddisflies, crayfish, beetles, caterpillars, snails, spiders, earthworms, centipedes,
millipedes, slugs, and some small fish.
Rough -leaved loosestrife (Lysmachia asperulaefolia)
This species generally occurs in the ecotones or edges between longleaf pine uplands and pond
pine pocosins (areas of dense shrub and vine growth usually on a wet, peaty, poorly drained soil)
on moist to seasonally saturated sands and on shallow organic soils overlaying sand. Rough -leaf
Ioosestrife has also been found on deep peat in the low shrub community of large Carolina bays
(shallow, elliptical, poorly drained depressions of unknown origin). The grass -shrub ecotone,
where rough -leaf Ioosestrife is found, is fire -maintained, as are the adjacent plant communities
(longleaf pine/scrub oak forests, pine savannahs, flatwoods, and pocosins).
Additional Species of concern:

PCN Attachment: Biological Assessment
Preserve at Kipling Creek
Headwater Project # 201932B
Northern long-eared bat (Myotis Septentrionalis)
The northern long-eared bat is a medium-sized bat averaging three and half inches in length but
with a wingspan of nine to ten inches. It is distinguished by its long ears. During summer, northern
long-eared bats roost singly or in colonies underneath bark, in cavities, or in crevices of both live
and dead trees. It has also been found, rarely, roosting in structures like barns and sheds.
Northern long-eared bats spend winter hibernating in large caves and mines with large passages.
Specific areas where they hibernate have very high humidity, so much so that droplets of water
are often seen on their fur.
Northern long-eared bats emerge at dusk to fly through the understory of forested hillsides and
ridges feeding on moths, flies, leafhoppers, caddisflies, and beetles, which they catch while in
flight using echolocation. This bat also feeds by gleaning motionless insects from vegetation and
water surfaces.
Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act originally passed in 1940, provides for the protection
of the bald eagle and the golden eagle (as amended in 1962) by prohibiting the take, possession,
sale, purchase, barter, offer to sell, purchase or barter, transport, export or import, of any bald or
golden eagle, alive or dead, including any part, nest, or egg, unless allowed by permit. This act is
administered by the USFWS.
HABITAT REVIEW
Water bodies with ample prey for an alligator are not present on site. Suitable habitat for the
American alligator is not present.
Mature pine savannah habitat is not present on site. Therefore, habitat for the red -cockaded
woodpecker is not present.
The Carolina madtom and Neuse River waterdog are typically found in the Tar -Pamlico and
Neuse River basins. The site is located in the Cape Fear basin. Therefore, habitat for these
species is not likely at the site.
Neills Creek has a mature canopy for cover, creating a cool water environment. Neills Creek is a
relatively clean stream with well -oxygenated water and a stable bottom with a rich composition of
cobbles, pebbles, and sands. The stream is located in the lower elevation portion of the Piedmont,
and has a moderate to high flow rate. There are no boulders, exposed bedrock, or log jams;
therefore, the riffle -pool complex is weak. Therefore, based on the lack of defined riffles/pools
and high flow rate, Headwater determined that habitat for Atlantic pigtoe is not likely. According
to USFWS records, the Cape Fear Shiner has been documented in Neills Creek.
Impacts to Neills Creek are not anticipated. Therefore, habitat associated with the Cape Fear
Shiner will not be adversely effected.
The remaining tributaries on site are incised with poor sorting. Additionally, beaver activity has
created impoundments. Therefore, habitat for the Atlantic pigtoe and Cape Fear shiner is not
present within the non -named tributaries to Neills Creek.

PCN Attachment: Biological Assessment
Preserve at Kipling Creek
Headwater Project # 201932B
Neither longleaf pine uplands, pond pine pocosins, nor Carolina bays are present on site.
Therefore, habitat for the rough -leaved loosestrife is not present.
Suitable cavity trees and potential maternity roosting trees were observed abutting and adjacent
to Neills Creek and on the western portion of the site. These trees are either located in the
floodplain, a PFO wetland, or are in an area not suitable for development. The proposed project
will not impact these areas. Suitable cavity trees and potential maternity roosting trees were not
observed throughout the remainder of the site. Therefore, the northern long-eared bat will not be
adversely affected by the project. Additionally, according to USFWS Raleigh Ecological Field
Office, there are no known occurrence records (i.e. maternity roosts) for the species in Harnett
County.
Neither eagle nests, nor large bodies of water were observed within the site boundary.

PCN Attachment: Biological Assessment
Preserve at Kipling Creek
Headwater Project # 201932B
Photographs
Photograph 1. Northeast portion of site. Approximate locate of Impact Area 1 B.
(November 20, 2019)
Photograph 2. General emergent/scrub-shrub conditions throughout central portion of the site.
Approximate location of Impact Area 2B. (April 9, 2020)

PCN Attachment: Biological Assessment
Preserve at Kipling Creek
Headwater Project # 201932B
Photograph 3. Approximate location of Impact 3C.
Photograph 4. Facing east, downstream, Neills Creek (November 20, 2019).

PCN Attachment: Biological Assessment
Preserve at Kipling Creek
Headwater Project # 201932B
r
N,
a
C
R—
Yy
Y++4 xo
Photograph 5. Facing northwest, upstream, Neills Creek (November 20, 2019).