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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20201589 Ver 1_STIP B-5845 NRTR Addendum 11-24-2021_20220112 NATURAL RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT ADDENDUM Replace Bridge No. 25 on SR 2033 (Oak Grove Road) over Buffalo Creek Cleveland County, North Carolina STIP B-5845 WBS Element No. 45798.1.1 NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Division 12 November 2021 Natural Resources Technical Report Addendum STIP B-5845, Cleveland County, N.C. 1 November 2021 1.0 INTRODUCTION The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to replace bridge No. 25 on SR 2033 (Oak Grove Road) over Buffalo Creek (STIP B-5845) in Cleveland County (Figures 1 and 2). The following Natural Resources Technical Report (NRTR) Addendum has been prepared to assist in the preparation of the appropriate environmental documentation. The Addendum addresses the expansion of the study area and builds upon the initial NRTR dated September 2016. 2.0 METHODOLOGY The initial work was conducted in accordance with the NCDOT Environmental Coordination and Permitting’s standard operation procedures and July 2012 NRTR template. Field work was conducted on May 4, 2016. The Addendum work was conducted in accordance with the NCDOT Environmental Coordination and Permitting’s Preparing Natural Resources Technical Reports Procedure and the latest NRTR Template (September 2021). Field work for the Addendum was conducted on May 27 and November 3, 2021. Water resources identified in the study area have not been verified by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the North Carolina Division of Water Resources (NCDWR). The principal personnel contributing to the field work and document is provided in the appendix. 3.0 TERRESTRIAL COMMUNITIES Five terrestrial communities were identified in the study area. Figure 3 shows the location and extent of these terrestrial communities. Terrestrial community data are presented in the context of total coverage of each type within the study area (Table 1). Table 1. Coverage of terrestrial communities in the study area Community Dominant Species (scientific name) Coverage (ac.) Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest White oak (Quercus alba) Northern red oak (Quercus rubra) Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) 1.4 Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) Red maple (Acer rubrum) Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana) 5.9 Piedmont Alluvial Forest Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) Boxelder (Acer negundo) Red maple (Acer rubrum) 0.4 Pine Plantation Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) 1.0 Maintained/Disturbed Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) Red maple (Acer rubrum) Grasses (Poaceae spp.) 3.4 Total 12.1 Natural Resources Technical Report Addendum STIP B-5845, Cleveland County, N.C. 2 November 2021 4.0 PROTECTED SPECIES 4.1 Endangered Species Act Protected Species The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) lists the following federally protected species within the study area, under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (Table 2). For each species, a discussion of the presence or absence of habitat is included below along with the Biological Conclusion rendered based on survey results in the study area. Table 2. ESA federally protected species within the Study Area1 Scientific Name Common Name Federal Status Habitat Present Biological Conclusion Hexastylis naniflora Dwarf-flowered heartleaf T Yes Unresolved Myotis septentrionalis Northern long-eared bat T Yes Unresolved Danaus plexippus Monarch butterfly C Yes Not Required 1 IPaC data checked on November 19, 2021 E - Endangered T - Threatened C - Candidate Dwarf-flowered heartleaf USFWS optimal survey window: March – May Biological Conclusion: Unresolved Populations of dwarf-flowered heartleaf are present in the study area. Biologists from Three Oaks Engineering surveyed the study area in April and August 2021. Impacts to these populations have not been calculated; therefore, a Biological Conclusion of “Unresolved” has been rendered for this species. A review of NHP records, updated October 2021, indicates seven known occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area. Northern long-eared bat USFWS optimal survey window: May 15 – August 15 Biological Conclusion: Unresolved This information will be provided by the NCDOT Biological Surveys Group (BSG). A review of NHP records, updated October 2021, indicates no known occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area. Monarch butterfly USFWS optimal survey window: May – July, mid-September – October Biological Conclusion: Not required The monarch butterfly is listed as a Candidate species and is not currently afforded protection under Section 7 of the ESA. Habitat for monarch butterfly is present in Natural Resources Technical Report Addendum STIP B-5845, Cleveland County, N.C. 3 November 2021 the study area within the open fields and roadsides. A review of NHP records, updated October 2021, indicates no known occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area. 4.2 Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act is enforced by the USFWS. Golden eagles do not nest in North Carolina. Habitat for the bald eagle primarily consists of mature forests in proximity to large bodies of open water for foraging. Large dominant trees are utilized for nesting sites, typically within 1.0 mile of open water. A desktop-GIS assessment of the project study area, as well as the area within a 1.0-mile radius of the project limits, was performed on May 3, 2021, using 2019 color aerials. Lake Moss, located directly north of the study area, is large enough to support habitat for bald eagles. Since there was foraging habitat within the review area, a survey of the project study area and the area within 660 feet of the project limits was conducted on May 27 and November 3, 2021. No individuals or nests were observed. Additionally, a review of the NHP database, updated October 2021, revealed no known occurrences of this species within 1.0 mile of the project study area. Due to the lack of habitat, known occurrences, and minimal impact anticipated for this project, it has been determined that this project will not affect this species. 5.0 WATER RESOURCES Water resources in the study area are part of the Broad River basin [U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Hydrologic Unit 03050105]. Five streams were identified in the study area (Table 3). The location of each stream is shown in Figure 4. Table 3. Streams in the study area Stream Name Map ID NCDWR Index Number Best Usage Classification Bank Height (ft) Bankfull width (ft) Depth (in) Buffalo Creek SA 9-53-(5) C 10 60 6-24 UT to Buffalo Creek SB 9-53-(5) C 1 5 8 UT to Buffalo Creek SC 9-53-(5) C 1 3 6 UT to Buffalo Creek SD 9-53-(5) C 0.5 3 4 UT to Buffalo Creek SE 9-53-(5) C 0.5 3 4 There are no designated Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW), High Quality Waters (HQW), or water supply watersheds (WS-I or WS-II) within, or within 1.0 mile downstream of the study area. The North Carolina 2020 Final 303(d) list of impaired waters does not identify any within the study area as an impaired water. Natural Resources Technical Report Addendum STIP B-5845, Cleveland County, N.C. 4 November 2021 6.0 REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS 6.1 Clean Water Act Waters of the U.S. Five streams were identified in the study area (Table 4). The location of these streams is shown on Figure 4. NCDWR stream identification forms are included in a separate Jurisdictional Determination (JD) Package. All streams in the study area have been designated as warm water streams for the purposes of stream mitigation. Table 4. Status of streams in the study area Map ID Length (ft.) Classification Compensatory Mitigation Required River Basin Buffer Buffalo Creek 450 Perennial Undetermined Not Subject SB 860 Perennial Undetermined Not Subject SC 173 Perennial Undetermined Not Subject SD 315 Perennial Undetermined Not Subject SE 39 Intermittent Undetermined Not Subject Total 1,837 Two wetlands were identified within the study area (Table 5). The location of these wetlands is shown on Figure 4. All wetlands in the study area are located within the Broad River basin [USGS Hydrologic Unit 03050105]. USACE wetland determination forms and NCWAM forms for each site are included in a separate Jurisdictional Determination Package. Table 5. Characteristics of wetlands in the study area Map ID NCWAM Classification Forested NCWAM Rating Hydrologic Classification 404/401 or 401 Area (ac.) in Study Area WA Headwater Forest Yes High Riparian 404/401 0.03 WB Headwater Forest Yes High Riparian 404/401 0.10 Total 0.13 6.2 Construction Moratoria Cleveland County is not a designated trout county; therefore, no trout moratoria are in effect for the proposed project. 6.3 N.C. River Basin Buffer Rules The project study area is in the Broad River basin where no NC River Basin Buffer Rules apply. Natural Resources Technical Report Addendum STIP B-5845, Cleveland County, N.C. 5 November 2021 6.4 Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10 Navigable Waters No streams in the study area have been designated by the USACE as a Navigable Water under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act. Natural Resources Technical Report Addendum STIP B-5845, Cleveland County, N.C. 6 November 2021 7.0 REFERENCES Environmental Laboratory. 1987. Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual. Technical Report Y-87-1, U. S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station. Vicksburg, Mississippi. Harrar, E.S. and J.G. Harrar. 1962. Guide to Southern Trees. New York: Dover Publications. 2nd ed. 709 pp. N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality. Surface Water Classifications. Broad River Basin. https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-planning/classification- standards/river-basin-classification N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality. 2021. NC 2020 303(d) List – Category 5. Approved June 23, 2021. https://files.nc.gov/ncdeq/Water%20Quality/Planning/TMDL/303d/2020/NC_2020 _Category5_303dlist.pdf N.C. Department of Environmental Quality. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. 2021. Geographic Information System (GIS) data. NCDNCR, Raleigh, NC. Updated October 2021. https://www.ncnhp.org N.C. Department of Transportation. 2019. T&E Plant Habitat Descriptions. NCDOT, Project Development and Environmental Analysis. Natural Environment Section. N.C. Department of Transportation. 2019. TE Animal Habitat Descriptions. NCDOT, Project Development and Environmental Analysis. Natural Environment Section. N.C. Wetland Functional Assessment Team. 2016. N.C. Wetland Assessment Method (NC WAM) User Manual. Version 5, February 2016. N.C. Department of Transportation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Newcomb, L. 1977. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company. 490 pp. Radford, A.E., H.E. Ahles, and C.R. Bell. 1968. Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. 1183 pp. Schafale, M.P. and A.S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the Natural Communities of North Carolina: Third Approximation. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Division of Parks and Recreation, NCDEHNR. Raleigh, North Carolina. 325 pp. Natural Resources Technical Report Addendum STIP B-5845, Cleveland County, N.C. 7 November 2021 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 2012. Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Eastern Mountains and Piedmont Region (Version 2.0), ed. J.S. Wakeley, R.W. Lichvar, and C.V. Noble, ERDC/EL TR-10-20. Vicksburg, MS: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 2018. National Wetland Plant List, version 3.4. http://wetland-plants.usace.army.mil/ United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2018. Hydrologic Units-North Carolina (metadata). Raleigh, North Carolina. United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 2021. Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) Resource List. Accessed November 19, 2021. United States Geological Survey. 2020. Waco, North Carolina, Topographic Quadrangle (7.5-minute series). !. 0 0.5 10.25 Miles ± Figure 1 NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENTOF TRANSPORTATIONDIVISION OF HIGHWAYSDIVISION 12 VICINITY MAPSTIP B-5845Cleveland Co.Replace Bridge No. 25 on SR 2033(Oak Grove Rd.) overBuffalo Creek Legend !.Bridge #25 ESRI World Street Basemap Date: 05-03-2021 Cleveland Rutherford Gaston Lincoln CatawbaBurkeMcDowell N.T.S. B-5845 0 2,000 4,0001,000 Feet ¯Legend Project Study Area USGS The National MapWaco, NC Quadrant, 1:24K B-5845 Figure 2 NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENTOF TRANSPORTATIONDIVISION OF HIGHWAYSDIVISION 12 USGS Topo MapSTIP B-5845Cleveland Co.Replace Bridge No. 25 on SR 2033(Oak Grove Rd.) overBuffalo Creek Date: 05-03-2021 Oak Grove 0 250 500125Feet ± NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENTOF TRANSPORTATIONDIVISION OF HIGHWAYSDIVISION 12 Natural Communities Map NC OneMap Orthoimagery, 2019 STIP B-5845Cleveland Co.Replace Bridge No. 25 on SR 2033(Oak Grove Road)over Buffalo Creek Legend Original Study AreaExpanded Study AreaNatural CommunityDry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest Piedmont Alluvial ForestPine PlantationMaintained/Disturbed Date: 11-19-2021 Figure 3 Oak Grove 0 250 500125Feet ± NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENTOF TRANSPO RTATIO NDIVISION O F HIGHW AYSDIVISION 1 2 Environmental Features Map NC OneMap Orthoimagery, 2019 STIP B-5845Cleveland C o.Replace Bridge No. 25 on SR 2033(Oak Grove Road)over Buffalo Creek Legend Original Stu dy AreaExpanded Study AreaIntermittent Strea mPerennial StreamWetland Date : 11-19 -2 021 Figure 4 Bu ffalo Cre ek Stream SEWetland W B Stream SD Wetlan d WA Stream SC Stream SB Stream SB Stream SB Qualifications of Contributors Principal Investigator: Kim Hamlin, PWS Education: M.S. Natural Resources, 2011 Experience: Environmental Scientist, Sage Ecological Services, 2021-present Environmental Consultant, Independent Contractor, 2019-2021 Environmental Scientist, TGS Engineers, 2016-2019 Environmental Project Scientist, SEPI Engineering, 2012-2016 Responsibilities: Wetland and stream delineation, natural communities assessment, T/E species assessment, GIS surveys and mapping, NRTR document preparation Investigator: Philip Beach, PWS Education: B.S. Natural Resources, 2006 Experience: Environmental Scientist, Sage Ecological Services, 2021-present Environmental Consultant, Independent Contractor, 2017-2021 Environmental Scientist / Project Manager, SEPI Engineering, 2006-2017 Responsibilities: Wetland and stream delineation, natural communities assessment, T/E species assessment, GIS surveys and mapping, NRTR document review Investigator: Sean Clark, PWS Education: B.S. Natural Resources, 1998 Experience: Owner, Sage Ecological Services, 2016-present Project Scientist/Manager, SEPI Engineering, 2012-2016 Project Scientist/Manager, Falcon Engineering, 2010-2012 Project Scientist/Manager, S&EC, 1998-2010 Responsibilities: NRTR document review