20211812 Ver 1_Aquatic Species Survey Report_20211202

Aquatic Species Survey Report
Replacement of Bridge No. 80 on Estes Road (SR 1929)
Over Wolf Island Creek
Rockingham County,North Carolina
TIP #B-4624
WBS Element# 17BP.7.R.123
Prepared For:
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NC Department of Transportation
Raleigh,North Carolina
Contact Person:
Jared Gray
Biological Surveys Group
North Carolina Department of Transportation
jgray(�rc ncdot.gov
1598 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699-1598
October 29, 2021

Prepared by:
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8601 Six Forks Road, Forum 1 Suite 700
Raleigh,NC 27615
Contact Person:
Neil Medlin
Manager,Natural Resources
[e-mail]
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...........................................................................................2
3.0 Target Species Descriptions....................................................................................2
3.1 James Spinymussel (Parvaspina collina)...........................................................2
3.1.1 Characteristics......................................................................................2
3.1.2 Distribution and Habitat Requirements ...............................................2
3.2 Atlantic Pigtoe (Fusconaia masoni) ...................................................................3
3.2.1 Characteristics......................................................................................3
3.2.2 Distribution and Habitat Requirements ...............................................3
3.3 Roanoke Logperch (Percina rex)........................................................................3
3.3.1 Characteristics......................................................................................3
3.3.2 Distribution and Habitat Requirements ...............................................4
4.0 Survey Efforts...........................................................................................................4
4.1 Stream Conditions at Time of Survey: Wolf Island Creek.................................4
4.2 Methodology.......................................................................................................4
4.2.1 Mussel Survey......................................................................................4
4.2.2 Fish Survey..........................................................................................5
5.0 Results.......................................................................................................................5
5.1 Mussel Survey.....................................................................................................5
5.2 Fish Survey.........................................................................................................5
6.0 Critical Habitat........................................................................................................6
7.0 Discussion/Conclusions............................................................................................6
8.0 References.................................................................................................................8
Appendix A. Figures:
Figure 1: Project Vicinity & 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 Bridge
No. 80 over Wolf Island Creek on Estes Road(SR 1929) in Rockingham County(Appendix A,
Figure 1). The project is within the Roanoke River Basin. As of October 5, 2021, the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Information for Planning and Consultation(IPaC)webpage listed
James Spinymussel (Parvaspina collina) and Roanoke Logperch (Percina rex) as protected
species under the Endangered Species Act(ESA) that potentially occur at the project location. In
addition, the Atlantic Pigtoe (Fusconaia masoni) was reported as a proposed protected species
under the ESA, and potentially occurs at the project location. 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 October 14,
2021, indicated that no element occurrences (EOs) exist 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
EO First Last
Species EO ID Waterway RM
Status Observation Observation
November
James Spinymussel 37056 Current Dan River 2016 October 2017 20
Atlantic Pigtoe 39786 Current Dan River September October 2019 23
2017
Wolf
Roanoke Logperch 32523 Current Island July 2011 July 2011 7
Creek
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, Atlantic Pigtoe, and Roanoke Logperch.
2.0 Waters Affected
The stream potentially affected by the project is Wolf Island Creek within the Roanoke River
Basin HUC # 03010103. From the project location, Wolf Island Creek flows approximately 10
miles downstream to its confluence with the Dan River.
2.1 NPDES Dischargers
There is one NPDES permitted discharger in location that could directly affect the project area
within the 5-mile project area buffer(Figure 3). A single-family domestic wastewater Discharge
COC (Permit No. NCG550329) is located 3.8 stream miles from the survey location and
discharges into an Unnamed tributary to Wolf Island Creek (Figure 3).
Aquatic Species Survey Report; 17BP.7.R.123,Rockingham County October 2021
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2.2 303(d) Classification
Wolf Island Creek at the project location is not on the North Carolina Department of
Environmental Quality(NCDEQ) -Division of Water Resources 2020 303(d) list of impaired
streams.
3.0 Target Species Descriptions
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.
Aquatic Species Survey Report; 17BP.7.R.123,Rockingham County October 2021
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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.
3.2 Atlantic Pigtoe (Fusconaia masons)
3.2.1 Characteristics
The Atlantic Pigtoe (Fusconaia masoni (Conrad 1834)) is a small freshwater mussel that rarely
exceeds 60 mm in length. The shells are usually compressed and have a sub-rhomboid outline;
however, specimens from headwater streams tend to be more elongate than those found in larger
waterways. The umbo extends well above the dorsal margin and the posterior ridge is angular
and very distinct. The periostracum is yellowish brown or greenish brown with a parchment-like
texture. The nacre is somewhat shiny and can be white, salmon, orange or iridescent blue.
Maximum age for the Atlantic Pigtoe is approximately 58 years and it is a short-term brooding
(tachytictic) species. Specifically, the species becomes gravid and releases glochidia multiple
times between late June through early July. Identified fish hosts for this species include the
Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and Shield Darter(Percina peltata).
3.2.2 Distribution and Habitat Requirements
The Atlantic Pigtoe is a southern Atlantic Slope species that is found from the James River Basin
in Virginia south to the Altamaha River Basin in Georgia. Within North Carolina, the Atlantic
Pigtoe historically inhabited the Roanoke, Tar-Pamlico,Neuse, Cape Fear, Yadkin-Pee Dee, and
Catawba River basins. It appears that this mussel may be extirpated from the North Carolina
portion of the Catawba River Basin and potentially some areas within all river basins.
The Atlantic Pigtoe occupies riffles and runs in medium to large streams. Specifically, it
typically inhabits moderately fast velocity areas that contain stable gravel, or sand and gravel
substrate.
3.3 Roanoke Logperch (Percina rex)
3.3.1 Characteristics
The Roanoke Logperch(Percina rex (Jordan and Evermann 1889)) is a large darter
(approximately 165 mm 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.
Aquatic Species Survey Report; 17BP.7.R.123,Rockingham County October 2021
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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.
3.3.2 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
Mussel and Roanoke Logperch surveys were conducted by RK&K personnel Neil Medlin
(Permit#21-ES00030), Tyler Black(Permit# 19-ES00554), Hal Bain, Matt Martin, and Matt
Haney(NCDOT) on October 1, 2021. Prior mussel and Roanoke Logperch surveys were
conducted for this project by RK&K in 2017 and NCDOT in 2013.
4.1 Stream Conditions at Time of Survey: Wolf Island Creek
At the survey location, Wild Island Creek is a moderately deep stream with a run flow regime.
Wetted width was approximately 8-10 meters and depth ranged from 0.25-1.5 meters but
averaged approximately 0.5 meters. The substrate was a mix of silt, sand, gravel, cobble,
boulder, and bedrock. The dominant benthic substrate was sand, and silt was the subdominant
substrate. The bank height was approximately 1.5 meters, and some bank erosion/undercutting
areas were observed. Evidence of beaver activity in the form of gnawed sticks was noted at the
time of the survey. A wide forested buffer was present along the survey location.
4.2 Methodology
4.2.1 Mussel Survey
A mussel survey was conducted from approximately 400 meters downstream of the bridge
crossing to approximately 100 meters upstream of the crossing for a total of approximately 500
meters. Areas of appropriate habitat were searched, concentrating on the stable habitats
preferred by the target species. Visual surveys were conducted with and without view buckets
(bathyscopes) along with tactile methods that were employed where appropriate. All freshwater
bivalves were recorded and returned to the substrate. Timed survey efforts typically provide
Catch Per Unit Effort(CPUE) data for each species.
Aquatic Species Survey Report; 17BP.7.R.123,Rockingham County October 2021
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4.2.2 Fish Survey
A fish survey was conducted from approximately 400 meters downstream of the bridge crossing
to approximately 100 meters upstream of the crossing for a total of approximately 500 meters.
The survey was conducted using two Smith-Root Model LR-24 backpack electrofishing units
and dip nets. The stream was sampled with two biologists 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
No mussels were observed during the survey with a total of 2.0 person-hours of survey time
expended. No James Spinymussel or Atlantic Pigtoe individuals were observed during the
survey.
5.2 Fish Survey
Twenty-seven fish species were identified during the survey of Wolf Island Creek with a total of
589 individuals observed (Table 2). No Roanoke Logperch individuals were observed during the
survey. A total of 4,743 electrofishing seconds were utilized during the survey.
Table 2. Fishes in Wolf Island Creek, October 1, 2021.
Scientific Name Common Name No. of Individuals
Cam ostoma anomalum Central Stoneroller 25
Catostomus commersonii White Sucker 14
Cyprinella analostana Satinfin Shiner 1
Esox americanus Redfin Pickerel 1
Etheostoma abellare Fantail Darter 54
Etheostoma ni rum Johnny Darter 1
Fundulus rathbuni Speckled Killifish 1
M entelium ni ricans Norther Hog Sucker 3
Hypentelium roanokense Roanoke Hog Sucker 31
Le orris auritus Redbreast Sunfish 7
Le orris c anellus Green Sunfish 1
Le omis gulosus Warmouth 1
Le omis macrochirus Blue ill 1
Le omis microlo hus Redear Sunfish 8
Luxilus albeolus White Shiner 94
Luxilus cerasinus Crescent Shiner 54
L thrurus ardens Rosefin Shiner 4
Micro terus salmoides Largemouth Bass 3
Aquatic Species Survey Report; 17BP.7.R.123,Rockingham County October 2021
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Scientific Name Common Name No. of Individuals
Moxostoma ariommum Bi e e Jum rock 11
Moxostoma cervinum Blacktip Jum rock 45
Moxostoma colla sum Notchlip Redhorse 1
Moxostoma erythrurum Golden Redhorse 14
Nocomis le toce halus Bluehead Chub 94
Notro is chiliticus Redlip Shiner 94
Notro is procne Swallowtail Shiner 4
Noturus insi nis Margined Madtom 15
Percina roanoka Roanoke Darter 7
Total Number of Individuals 589
Total Number of Species 27
Electrofishing Seconds 4,743
6.0 Critical Habitat
The project is not located within proposed Critical Habitat for Atlantic Pigtoe.
7.0 Discussion/Conclusions
At the project location, Wolf Island Creek is a small stream with shifting sand and silt
depositional areas. The results indicate that the survey area lacks indicators of a native mussel
population(i.e., no relic shell material or live individuals); however, the survey area contains
potential habitat for all target species and a diverse fish community. Although no James
Spinymussel or Atlantic Pigtoe individuals were detected during the survey, given the diverse
fish community and mobility of host fish species, completion of this project may affect James
Spinymussel or Atlantic Pigtoe. No Roanoke Logperch individuals were detected during the
survey, given the presence of a diverse fish community, increase in fish species diversity since
prior surveys, and distance to known populations and/or historic NCNHP EOs is < 7 river miles,
completion of the project may 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
Based on the same rationale applied to the listed species above, if the Atlantic Pigtoe was to be
listed under the ESA it would have the following conclusion:
Recommended Biological Conclusion for Atlantic Pigtoe: May Affect, Not Likely to
Adversely Affect
Aquatic Species Survey Report; 17BP.7.R.123,Rockingham County October 2021
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The federal action agency, or its nonfederal designee (NCDOT), must render a biological
conclusion for each species.
Aquatic Species Survey Report; 17BP.7.R.123,Rockingham County October 2021
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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. 2020
North Carolina 303(d)List. Available:
https:Hfiles.nc.gov/ncdeg/Water%20Quality/Planning/TMDL/303 d/2020/2020-NC-303-
d--List-Final.pdf. (August 2021).
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. 2021. NPDES Wastewater Discharge
Permits. Available: https://data-ncdenr.opendata.arcfzis.com/datasets/npdes-wastewater-
discharge-permits?.eg ometry=-87.493%2C33.635%2C-72.200%2C36.776. (August
2021).
North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. 2021. nheo-2021-04. Natural Heritage Element
Occurrence polygon shapefile. (August 2021).
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. 2021. Atlantic Pigtoe Species Profile.
Available: http://www.ncwildlife.org/Leaming/Species/Mollusks/Atlantic-Pigtoe. (March
2021).
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. 2021. Roanoke Logperch Species Profile.
hqp://www.ncwildlife.org/Leaming/Species/Fish/Roanoke-Logperch#2521717-overview.
(April 2021).
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. 2021. Unpublished Aquatics Database. (March
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: htt2s://www.fws.gov/northeast/pdf/RoanokeLogperch.12d£ (January 2020).
Aquatic Species Survey Report; 17BP.7.R.123,Rockingham County October 2021
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2017. Species Status Assessment Report for the Atlantic Pigtoe
(Fusconaia masoni). Version 1.2. Atlanta, GA.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2018. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants;
Threatened Species Status with Section 4(d) Rule and Critical Habitat Designation for
Atlantic Pigtoe. Federal Register 83:197 (11 October 2018):51570-51609.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2020. Atlantic pigtoe (Fusconaia masoni) Species Profile,
Environmental Online System(ECOS). Available:
https:Hecos.fws. og v/ecpO/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=FO3K. (January 2020).
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2020. James spinymussel (Pleurobema collina) Species Profile,
Environmental Online System(ECOS). Available:
https:Hecos.fws.gov/ecpO/Trofile/s]2eciesProfile?sld=2212. (January 2020).
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2021. Information for Planning and Consultation(IPaC).
Available: https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/. (August 2021).
Wolf, E. D. 2012. Propagation, Culture, and Recovery of Species at Risk Atlantic pigtoe.
Department of Defense Legacy Resource Management Program, Project No. 11-108.
Aquatic Species Survey Report; 17BP.7.R.123,Rockingham County October 2021
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Appendix A
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