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