20130777 Ver 1_Other Agency Comments_20130830

S TATE OF N ORTH C AROLINA
D EPARTMENT OF T RANSPORTATION
P AT M C C RORY A NTHONY J. T ATA
G OVERNOR S ECRETARY

MAILING ADDRESS:
NC D EPARTMENT O F T RANSPORTATION
P ROJECT D EVELOPMENT & E NVIRONMENTAL A NALYSIS U NIT
1598 M AIL S ERVICE C ENTER
R ALEIGH NC 27699-1548

T ELEPHONE : 919-707-6000
FAX: [phone]

W EBSITE :NCDOT .GOV
LOCATION:
C ENTURY C ENTER , B UILDING B
1020 B IRCH R IDGE D RIVE
R ALEIGH NC 27610

August 28, 2013

MEMORANDUM

TO: William A. Barrett, Project Mana ger, Project Management Group, NES

FROM: Dennis W. Herman, Biological Surveys Group, NES

SUBJECT: Avoidance and minimization of pot ential impacts to the Laurel Branch
Bog and the Bullhead Mountain Si gnificant Natural Heritage Areas adjacent to U.S. 21,
TIP No. R-3101, Alleghany Co., North Carolina

Per your request, I have looked into the concerns of potential impacts that the North Carolina Wildlife
Resources Commission (NCWRC) had regarding two Si gnificant Natural Heritage Areas (SNHA) located
along U.S. 21 (TIP No. R-3101) in Alleghany County. These two SNHAs are eith er an individual bog
turtle site or a bog turtle site is located with a portion of the SNHA.

The following are descriptions of the two SNHAs in question:
 The Laurel Branch Bog SNHA (NHP EO ID – 142; EO No. – 58) is the la rgest single bog turtle
population known in Alleghany Co. (~40 marked turtles; Herman data ) and harbors several rare and
significant plant species.
 The Bullhead Mountain SNHA contains the Johns on Meadow Bog (NHP EO ID – 7589; EO No. –
5). The Johnson Meadow Bog has a moderate bog turtle population (~20 marked turtles; Herman
data) and, although it does not support any rare plan t species, it is important in providing bog turtles
a temporary haven as they move between sites in th e Glade Creek and Little Glade Creek drainages,

The bog turtle, Glyptemys muhlenbergii Schoepff, is federally listed as Threatened Due to Similarity of
Appearance (T/SA) and state listed as Threatened. Although, the bog turt le is not an Endangered Species
Act (ESA) Section 7 species, the con tinued decline of bog turtle populations due to the loss of their wetland
habitats in the southern stat es will hasten it being upgraded from T/SA to Threatened.

Laurel Branch Bog SNHA (Map 1)

Potential impacts to Laurel Branch Bog SNHA will be avoided by the following:
 Placement of a silt fence at the bottom of the 2:1 fill slope from ~Sta. 105+50 – LT (west side of US
21) to Sta. 134+00 – LT (west side of US 21) or an approximate distance (excluding the
landowner’s driveway) of 2850 linear feet. This should prevent any silt run-off from reaching
Laurel Branch and/or the mountain bog.

Johnson Meadow Bog, part of Bullhead Mountain SNHA (Map 2)

Potential impacts to Johnson Meadow Bog will be avoided by the following:
 Placment of a silt fence at the bottom of the 2:1 fill slope from ~Sta. 295+50 – LT (west side of US
21) to Sta. 307+00 – LT (west side of US 21) or an approximate distance (excluding the
landowner’s driveway) of 1150 linear feet. This should prevent any silt from entering the two
mountain bog patches.
 Plugging the existing 24” stormwater pipe and diverting stormwater to a drainage area on the east
side of US 21. This will prevent stormwater runoff from entering the bog turtle wetland as it
currently does.

These measures should minimize any potential impacts to the SNHAs, and in particular to the wetlands
currently inhabited by bog tu rtles. Please feel free to contact at 919-707-6127, if you have any questions or
concerns.

Map1. Laurel Branch Bog Sign ificant Natural Heritage Area

Map 2. Bullhead Mountain Significant Natural Heritage Area
(Johnson Meadow Bog)