20211613 Ver 1_Re_ _EXTERNAL_ Survey for Sensitive Joint Vetch (SJV)_20211019

Carpenter,Kristi
From:Jordan, Gary <[e-mail]>
Sent:Tuesday, October 19, 2021 9:20 AM
To:Trowell, Steve J
Cc:Daisey, Greg; Brittingham, Cathy; Barnes, Kyle W SAW; Ward, Garcy; Williams, Paul C;
Castello, Robert C; Proctor, Michael; Gibbs, Charles J; Suiter, Dale
Subject:Re: \[EXTERNAL\] Survey for Sensitive Joint Vetch (SJV)
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Steve,

Thank you for submitting this information along with the photos. The USFWS no longer has any concerns for
this site regarding sensitive joint-vetch. We are comfortable with a "No Effect" conclusion.

Gary Jordan
Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Liaison to NCDOT
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 33726
Raleigh, NC 27636-3726

Email: [e-mail]

From: Trowell, Steve J <[e-mail]>
Sent: Monday, October 18, 2021 3:59 PM
To: Jordan, Gary <[e-mail]>; Suiter, Dale <[e-mail]>
Cc: Daisey, Greg <[e-mail]>; Brittingham, Cathy <[e-mail]>; Barnes, Kyle W SAW
<[e-mail]>; Ward, Garcy <[e-mail]>; Williams, Paul C <[e-mail]>;
Castello, Robert C <[e-mail]>; Proctor, Michael <[e-mail]>; Gibbs, Charles J
<[e-mail]>
Subject: \[EXTERNAL\] Survey for Sensitive Joint Vetch (SJV)

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Gentlemen:

This email confirms that on October 18, 2021, Mr. Kyle Barnes, project manager, US Army Corps of Engineers, and I
conducted a field survey for sensitive joint vetch (Aeschynomene virginica ) along the eroding Hydeland Canal bank
adjacent SR 1122 in Hyde County near the Town of Swan Quarter. The eroding canal bank is proposed to be stabilized
with granite riprap and the proposed project is currently subject of a Major CAMA/Dredge and Fill application under
review. The purpose of this survey was to investigate the proposed areas to be impacted by riprap for the presence of
SJV and to characterize the canal bank habitat with pictures and written descriptions of the vegetation present. Prior to
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walking the canal bank we visited a known location on the Mattamuskeet NWR supporting SJV to better familiarize
ourself with the species and to better recognize and distinguish it from other more common species in the pea
family. Our review of the entire project did not reveal the presence of SJV.

Except for an area located on the western end of the project, the canal bank has been delineated as uplands with no
wetland hydrology present. The bank is actively eroding from boat wakes caused by boats launching from a NC Wildlife
Resources Boating Access Area located near the head of the canal. The canal bank is best characterized as a vertical
escarpment ±2’ in height above the normal water level and 3’ above the canal bottom at the bank. The eroding bank
does not form depositional bars for the colonization of wetland plants. The presence of coastal wetland marsh species is
very sparce in the project area. The bank is vegetated primarily by upland grasses. Fesque grass dominates the bank
that receives regular mowing. The top edge of bank supports Panicum species and golden rod is prevalent
throughout. Broom straw and johnson grass are also common to the bank.

There is an area of 404 wetlands delineated along the most western 150’ of the project area. This area had a mixture of
common wetland plants including salt grass, salt meadow hay, cattail and rice cutgrass. Since the hydrology would
support SJV we did a thorough job of reviewing this area and did not observe any.

Thank you in advance for responding to this email. NCDOT maintenance staff is ready to get to work on this site as we
are heading into a very busy time with both duck hunters and fishermen using this site heavily in November, December,
and January. The excavator is positioned at the site ready to start once the CAMA permit is issued. I have more photos
of the canal bank and of the SJV that we observed on the refuge. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Steve J. Trowell
Division Environmental Specialist
Division One
NC Department of Transportation

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Edenton, NC 27932

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