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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20201905 Ver 2_210910_Species EvaluationAberdeen TH rdft_20220302 September 9, 2021 Jeremy Horton M/I Homes of Charlotte, LLC 5350 77 Cener Drive, Suite 100 Charlotte, NC 28217 RE: Threatened and Endangered Species Evaluation Aberdeen III Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, NC PIN: 02962127, 02962126, 02962128 Mr. Horton, Wetlands & Waters, Inc. (W&W) has completed a cursory evaluation of the above referenced property presence of suitable habitat for those species. Should future project-related impacts be necessary, this report may be used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (or other Lead Federal Agency) to determine if additional coordination will be necessary to satisfy requirements of the Endangered Species Act. The review area is located on the south side of Ridge Road proximate to the intersection of Street Avenue. Figure 1 depicts the review area for the purpose of this report. Methodology Evaluation of the review area included a report of known species and critical habitat occurrences within or in close proximity to the project area from the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NHP) database (Attachment A); field reviews of known extant populations of species that may potentially be present; and on-site field evaluations of potentially suitable habitat for Federally listed species known to occur in Mecklenburg County (Table 1). Table 1 Endangered (E) and Threatened (T) Species in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Species Federal Status Common Name Scientific Name Atlantic Pigtoe Fusconaia masoni Proposed Threatened Sumac Rhus michauxii Endangered Carolina Heelsplitter Lasmigona decorate Endangered Smooth Coneflower Echinacea laevigata Endangered Helianthus schweinitzii Endangered Prior to conducting field evaluations, W&W staff review USFWS published data to validate diagnostic characteristics for species that may be present. When practical, known populations of Federal threatened Wetlands & Waters, Inc. WETLAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS 1 and endangered species are referenced in a non-intrusive manner for confirmation of seasonal growth patterns, diagnostic features, and behavioral characteristics. Field surveys were performed August 31, 2021. Photographs documenting reference populations (if applicable) and existing site conditions are included in Attachment B. Plant communities and their typical compositions were document on Habitat Assessment Forms (HAF) (Attachment C), with representative HAF locations illustrated on Figure 2. Findings W&W did not identify previously undiscovered populations of Federally protected species in the review area. Following are species-specific survey results. Atlantic Pigtoe (Fusconaia masoni) The Atlantic Pigtoe requires clean, moderate flowing water with high dissolved oxygen content in creek and riverine environments. Historically, the best populations existed in creeks and rivers with excellent water quality, where baseflow allowed for silt-free substrates (Alderman and Alderman 2014, as cited in U.S. Fish & Wildlife Raleigh Field Office, Region 4; Atlantic Pigtoe SSA Technical Advisory Team, 2019). Because this species prefers more pristine conditions, it typically occurs in headwaters and rural watersheds. It is associated with gravel and coarse sand substrates at the downstream edge of riffles, and less commonly occurs in cobble, silt, or sand detritus mixtures (Bogan and Alderman 2008, as cited in U.S. Fish & Wildlife Raleigh Field Office, Region 4; Atlantic Pigtoe SSA Technical Advisory Team, 2019). No perennial stream systems draining to streams designated as proposed critical habitat for this species are present in the review area, therefore there is no potentially suitable habitat for the Atlantic Pigtoe in the review area. Rhus michauxii) on sandy or sandy loam soils with low cation exchange capacities and appears to depend on some form of disturbance to maintain the open quality of its habitat. This disturbance may be in the form of fire, wind throws, or openings created by roads, railroads and utility rights of way (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Southeast Region, Raleigh Ecological Services Field Office, 2021). Residential areas (HAF 2), vacant cleared hayfields (HAF1, HAF3), and riparian and floodplain areas (HAF5) do not provide potentially suitable habitat active, intensive, and repetitive disturbances from landscaping, competitive species, and lack of appropriate habitat requirements. Southeastern portions of the review area that contain vegetation reverting to early successional growth that are not actively maintained (HAF 4) provide limited potentially suitable habitat , although vegetation density likely degrades suitability in this area. W&W did not observe evidence of the species within potentially suitable habitat or any other areas of the review area. Carolina Heelsplitter (Lasmigona decorate) The Carolina Heelsplitter is a freshwater mussel species with final designated critical habitat. The primary constituent elements of critical habitat for this species include: permanent, flowing, cool, clean water; geomorphically stable stream and river channels and banks; pool, riffle, and run sequences within the Wetlands & Waters, Inc. WETLAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS 2 channel; stable substrates with no more than low amounts of fine sediment; moderate stream gradient; periodic natural flooding; and fish hosts, with adequate living, foraging, and spawning areas for them (B. Hampstead, personal communication, September 14, 2020). Based on historic and recent records for the species, the surviving occurrences exist as small fragments, restricted primarily to short reaches of tributary streams (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Southeast Region, Asheville Ecological Services Field Office, 2012). No perennial stream systems draining to streams designated as critical habitat for this species are present in the review area, therefore there is no potentially suitable habitat for the Carolina Heelsplitter in the review area. Additionally, the review area is located outside of designated critical habitat for this species. Smooth Coneflower (Echinacea laevigata) Smooth Coneflower is typically found in open woods, cedar barrens, roadsides, clear cuts, dry limestone bluffs and power line rights-of-way. The species is usually found on magnesium and calcium rich soils associated with amphibolite, dolomite or limestone (in VA), gabbro (in NC and VA), diabase (in NC and SC) and marble (in SC) (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Southeast Region, Raleigh Ecological Services Field Office, 2011). The best Echinacea laevigata populations receive abundant sunlight and little competition from other plant species (Gaddy 1991, as referenced in U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Southeast Region, Raleigh Ecological Services Field Office, 2011). Residential areas (HAF 2), vacant cleared hayfields (HAF1, HAF3), and riparian and floodplain areas (HAF5) do not provide potentially suitable habitat for Smooth Coneflower because of active and repetitive disturbances from landscaping, competitive species, and lack of appropriate habitat requirements. Southeastern portions of the review area that contain vegetation reverting to early successional growth that are not actively maintained (HAF 4) provide limited potentially suitable habitat for Smooth Coneflower, although vegetation density likely degrades suitability in this area. W&W did not observe evidence of the species within potentially suitable habitat or any other areas of the review area. Helianthus schweinitzii) Habitat for includes clearings and edges of upland woods, thickets, and pastures. The species is found along roadsides, powerline clearings, old pastures, and woodland openings. as for full sunlight, but may also grow in open stands of trees with minimal shade. Soils may be either shallow, sandy with high gravel content, or a clayey hardpan. The sunflower may prefer soils derived from basic material (Krings, Goyette, Suiter, & Samuels, 2021). Known populations Schweinitzs Sunflower on Ridge Road and Siloam Church Road were reviewed prior to the site evaluation. Residential areas (HAF 2), vacant cleared hayfields (HAF1, HAF3), and riparian and floodplain areas (HAF5) do not provide potentially suitable habitat Sunflower because of active and repetitive disturbances from landscaping, competitive species, and lack of appropriate habitat requirements. Southeastern portions of the review area that contain vegetation reverting to early successional growth that are not actively maintained (HAF 4) provide limited Wetlands & Waters, Inc. WETLAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS 3 rty. W&W did not rved on the subject prope anthus species were obse ility in this area. No Heli suitab eas of the review area. le habitat or any other ar s within potentially suitab ve evidence of the specie obser lusions Conc lly uitable habitat for federa munities and potentially s evaluations of plant com W&W conducted ject review area. W&W 15-acre Aberdeen III pro cies at the approximately tened and endangered spe threa occur in Mecklenburg ngered species known to derally threatened or enda ot observe evidence of fe did n r opinion n the review area, it is ou cies were observed withi no federally protected spe County. Because that ed site development. as a result of propos species reatened and endangered or absence of Federal th ssessment of the presence This concludes our a mation regarding the ld you require more infor at for those species. Shou resence of suitable habit and the p s. o not hesitate to contact u f our evaluation, please d results o y, Sincerel lly Meagan Jo 79 704.681.34 1. Review Area Enclosures: Figure rm Locations 2. Habitat Assessment Fo Figure Report atural Heritage Program ment A. North Carolina N Attach d Photographs Attachment B. Fiel itat Assessment Forms Attachment C. Hab Waters, Inc. Wetlands & S ONMENTAL CONSULTANT WETLAND AND ENVIR 4 References Krings, A., Goyette, S., Suiter, D., & Samuels, M. (2021, July). Schweinitz's Sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii). Retrieved from Rare plants of North Carolina: https://projects.ncsu.edu/cals/plantbiology/ncsc/rare/images/Helianthus_schweinitzii_NHP.pdf U.S. Fish & Wildlife Raleigh Field Office, Region 4; Atlantic Pigtoe SSA Technical Advisory Team. (2019). Species Status Assessment Report for the Atlantic Pigtoe (Fusconaia masoni). U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Southeast Region, Raleigh Ecological Services Field Office. (2011). Smooth Coneflower (Echinacea laevigata) 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation. Raleigh, NC: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Southeast Region, Asheville Ecological Services Field Office. (2012). Carolina Heelsplitter (Lasmigona decorata) 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation. Asheville, NC: Asheville Ecological Services Field Office, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Southeast Region, Raleigh Ecological Services Field Office. (2021). Michaux's Sumac (Rhus michauxii) 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation. Raleigh: Raleigh Ecological Services Field Office, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Wetlands & Waters, Inc. WETLAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS 5 Attachment A North Carolina Natural Heritage Program Report Attachment B Field Photographs Attachment C Habitat Assessment Forms Bcfseffo!JJJNfdlmfocvshIBG2 ProjectClient/Site N0J CountyForm ID 9.42.32NK!QJ!46/483:21.91/871:4: DateInvestigatorsLocation Coordinates TargetSpecies Njdibvy(t!Tvnbd-!Tnppui!Dpofgmpxfs-!Tdixfjoju{(t!Tvogmpxfs Ibzgjfme0wbdbou!gjfme Habitat Name Ifscbdfpvt!pomz-!nbjoubjofe!)npxjoh* Habitat Description Jsfefmm!B!gjof!tboez!mpbn!1.3&!tmpqf!)OF!Dpsofs*<!!Jsfefmm!C!gjof!tboez!mpbn!3.9&!tmpqf!)Dfousbm!sfwjfx!bsfb* Soil AspectSlopeLightTopo PositionMoisture NNE 5 Flat 5 OpenCrestInundated SNW0-10%PartialUpper slopeSaturated 55 E 5 SE10-35%FilteredMid-slopeMoist (Mesic) WSW35%+ShadedLower slopeDry (Mesic) 5 NoneVerticalBottomDry (Xeric) Stratum/Life formHeight (feet)Percent CoverCharacteristic Species Emergent tree-- Tree canopy-- Tree sub-canopy-- Tall shrub (>3ft)-- Short shrub (<3ft)-- Cfsnveb!Hsbtt!)Dzopepo!ebduzmpo*<!Gftdvf!hsbtt!)Gftuvdb!tqq/*<!Xijuf!dmpwfs!)Usjgpmjvn -- Herb 12211 sfqfot*<!Gbmtf!eboefmjpo!)Izqpdibfsjt!sbejdbub*<!Wjshjojb!cvuupoxffe!)Ejpejb!wjshjojbob!*< Cspbe.mfbwfe!epdl!)Svnfy!pcuvtjgpmjvt* -- Vine Non-vascular-- Reasons target species not found Habitat Unsuitable May have never 5 DisturbancesExoticsdestroyed 5 habitat 5 occurred hereOther Comments wfhfubujpo!mjnjufe!up!ifscbdfpvt!tusbuvn!cz!npxjoh<!nbz!gpsnfsmz!ibwf!cffo!ibzgjfme!cbtfe!po!wfhfubujpo!qsftfou Bcfseffo!JJJNfdlmfocvshIBG3 ProjectClient/Site N0J CountyForm ID 9.42.32NK!QJ!46/483692.91/871331 DateInvestigatorsLocation Coordinates TargetSpecies Njdibvy(t!Tvnbd-!Tnppui!Dpofgmpxfs-!Tdixfjoju{(t!Tvogmpxfs Ibzgjfme0Wbdbou!Gjfme!3 Habitat Name Nbjoubjofe!)npxjoh*<!gfodfmjof!ofbs!spbexbz Habitat Description Nfdlmfocvsh!gjoe!tboez!mpbn Soil AspectSlopeLightTopo PositionMoisture NNE 5 Flat 5 OpenCrestInundated SNW0-10%PartialUpper slopeSaturated 55 5 5 ESE10-35%FilteredMid-slopeMoist (Mesic) WSW35%+ShadedLower slopeDry (Mesic) 5 NoneVerticalBottomDry (Xeric) Stratum/Life formHeight (feet)Percent CoverCharacteristic Species !Fbtufso!sfe!dfebs!)Kvojqfsvt!wjshjojbob*<!Xjmmpx!pbl!)Rvfsdvt!qifmmpt*< 17121 Emergent tree-- Txffuhvn!)Mjrvjebncbs!tuzsbdjgmvb*<!Xjohfe!fmn!)vmnvt!bmbub* 61 16 Tree canopy-- Xjmmpx!pbl!)Rvfsdvt!qifmmpt* Tree sub-canopy-- 47 Tall shrub (>3ft)-- Gbmtf!xjmmpx!)Cbddibsjt!ofhmfdub*<!Dpnnpo!cmbdlcfssz )Svcvt!bmmfhifojfotjt* Short shrub (<3ft)-- Cspbe.mfbwfe!epdl!)Svnfy!pcuvtjgpmjvt*<!Cfsnveb!Hsbtt!)Dzopepo!ebduzmpo*<!Gftdvf!hsbtt -- Herb 17:6 )Gftuvdb!tqq/*<!Ephgfoofm!)Fvqbupsjvn!dbqjmmjgpmjvn*<!Bnfsjdbo!cvsoxffe!)Fsfdiujuft ijfsbdjjgpmjvt*<!Dpnnpo!fwfojoh.qsjnsptf!)Pfopuifsb!cjfoojt*<!Hpmefospe!)Tpmjebhp!tqq/* -- Vine Non-vascular-- Reasons target species not found Habitat Unsuitable May have never 5 DisturbancesExoticsdestroyedhabitatoccurred here 5 Other Comments Dpnqfujoh!tqfdjft-!gbjsmz!ipnphfofpvt!ifscbdfpvt!mbzfs-!spvujofmz!npxfe!fydfqu!bhbjotu!gfodfmjof/ Bcfseffo!JJJNfdlmfocvshIBG4 ProjectClient/Site N0J CountyForm ID 9.42.32NK!QJ!46/48263:.91/872916 DateInvestigatorsLocation Coordinates TargetSpecies Njdibvy(t!Tvnbd-!Tnppui!Dpofgmpxfs-!Tdixfjoju{(t!Tvogmpxfs Wbdbou!gjfme0ibzgjfme Habitat Name Cbdltjef!pg!sftjefoujbm-!mpxfs!tmpqf Habitat Description Jsfefmm!gjof!tboez!mpbn Soil AspectSlopeLightTopo PositionMoisture NNEFlat 5 OpenCrestInundated SNW0-10%PartialUpper slopeSaturated 555 ESE10-35%FilteredMid-slope 5 Moist (Mesic) 5 WSW35%+ShadedLower slopeDry (Mesic) NoneVerticalBottomDry (Xeric) Stratum/Life formHeight (feet)Percent CoverCharacteristic Species Emergent tree-- 2636 6 Tree canopy-- Cmbdl!xbmovu!)Kvhmbot!ojhsb* Tree sub-canopy-- 574 Tall shrub (>3ft)-- Gbmtf!xjmmpx!)Cbddibsjt!ofhmfdub*<!Dpnnpo!cmbdlcfssz!)Svcvt!bmmfhifojfotjt* Short shrub (<3ft)-- Tujoljoh!dbnqipsxffe!)Qmvdifb!gpfujeb*<!Tfehf!)Dbsfy!tqq/*<!Gftdvf!hsbtt)Gftuvdb!tqq/*<!Cspbe.mfbwfe!epdl!)Svnfy -- Herb 16:9 pcuvtjgpmjvt*<!Tpgu!svti!)Kvodvt!fggvtvt*<!Dijoftf!tfoob!)Tfoob!pcuvtjgpmjb*<!Wjshjojb!cvuupoxffe!)Ejpejb!wjshjojbob*< Bnfsjdbo!qplfxffe!)Qizupmbddb!bnfsjdbob*<!!Dpnnpo!fwfojoh.qsjnsptf!)Pfopuifsb!cjfoojt*<!Hpmefospe!)Tpmjebhp tqq/*<!Njmmfu!tqq/<!Bdbmzqib!sipncpjefb Vine -- 163 Hsbqfwjof!)Wjujt!tqq/* Non-vascular-- Reasons target species not found Habitat Unsuitable May have never 5 Disturbances 5 Exoticsdestroyed 5 habitat 5 occurred hereOther Comments Nbjoubjofe-!qsfwjpvt!ibzgjfme-!ofbs!pme!psdibse Bcfseffo!JJJNfdlmfocvshIBG5 ProjectClient/Site N0J CountyForm ID 9.42.32NK!QJ46/4827:3.91/872623 DateInvestigatorsLocation Coordinates TargetSpecies Njdibvy(t!Tvnbd-!Tnppui!Dpofgmpxfs-!Tdixfjoju{(t!Tvogmpxfs Wbdbou!gjfme!nje!up!mpxfs!tmpqf!boe!sjqbsjbo!fehf Habitat Name pme!gsvju!usff!tuboe Habitat Description Jsfefmm!C!'!Npobdbo Soil AspectSlopeLightTopo PositionMoisture NNEFlat 5 OpenCrestInundated SNW0-10%PartialUpper slopeSaturated 555 ESE10-35%FilteredMid-slope 5 Moist (Mesic) WSW35%+ShadedLower slopeDry (Mesic) 5 NoneVerticalBottomDry (Xeric) Stratum/Life formHeight (feet)Percent CoverCharacteristic Species Bnfsjdbo!fmn!)Vmnvt!bnfsjdbob*<!Dpnnpo!qfstjnnpo!)Ejptqzspt!wjshjojbob*< 1731 Emergent tree-- Cpyfmefs!nbqmf!)Bdfs!ofhvoep*<!Txffuhvn!)mjrvjebncbs!tuzsbdjgmvb* Tpvuifso!Dbubmqb!)Dbubmqb!cjhopojpjeft*<!Bnfsjdbo!qmvn!)Qsvovt 6 Tree canopy-- bnfsjdbob*<!Qfdbo!usff!)Dbszb!jmmjopjofotjt*<!Sfe!nvmcfssz!)npsvt!svcsb* Tree sub-canopy-- 51 Tall shrub (>3ft)-- Short shrub (<3ft)-- Dpnnpo!dijdpsz!)Djdipsjvn!jouzcvt*<!Nbszmboe!nfbepx!cfbvuz!)Sifyjb!nbsjbob*<!Cspbe!mfbwfe!epdl -- Herb 1681 )Svnfy!pcuvtjgpmjvt*<!ephgfoofm!)Fvqbupsjvn!dbqjmmjgpmjvn*<!Tujoljoh!dbnqipsxffe!)Qmvdifb!gpfujeb*<! mbodf.mfbwfe!btufs!)Tznqizpusjdivn!mbodfpmbuvn*<!Sipncpje!nfsdvsz!)Bdbmzqib!sipncpjefb* Vine -- Non-vascular-- Reasons target species not found Habitat Unsuitable May have never DisturbancesExoticsdestroyedhabitat 5 occurred hereOther Comments Bcfseffo!JJJNfdlmfocvshIBG6 ProjectClient/Site N0J CountyForm ID 9.42.32NK!QJ!46/481746.91/872662 DateInvestigatorsLocation Coordinates TargetSpecies Njdibvy(t!Tvnbd-!Tnppui!Dpofgmpxfs-!Tdixfjoju{(t!Tvogmpxfs Gmppeqmbjo!boe!sjqbsjbo Habitat Name qbsujbmmz!nbjoubjofe!cz!npxjoh<!nbo.nbef!qpoe!jo!wjdjojuz Habitat Description npobdbo Soil AspectSlopeLightTopo PositionMoisture NNEFlatOpenCrestInundated SNW0-10%PartialUpper slopeSaturated 555 ESE 5 10-35%FilteredMid-slope 5 Moist (Mesic) WSW35%+ShadedLower slopeDry (Mesic) NoneVerticalBottomDry (Xeric) Stratum/Life formHeight (feet)Percent CoverCharacteristic Species fbtufso!dpuupoxppe!)Qpqvmvt!efmupjeft*<!Bnfsjdbo!fmn!)vmnvt!bnfsjdbob*<!txffuhvn 12126 Emergent tree-- )mjrvjebncbs!tuzsbdjgmvb*<!Bnfsjdbo!tzdbnpsf!)Qmbubovt!pddjefoubmjt*<!cpyfmefs!nbqmf!)bdfs ofhvoep*< fbtufso!dpuupoxppe!)Qpqvmvt!efmupjeft*<!Bnfsjdbo!fmn!)vmnvt!bnfsjdbob*< 2151 81 Tree canopy-- txffuhvn!)mjrvjebncbs!tuzsbdjgmvb*<!Bnfsjdbo!tzdbnpsf!)Qmbubovt!pddjefoubmjt*< cpyfmefs!nbqmf!)bdfs!ofhvoep*<!cmbdl!xjmmpx!)tbmjy!ojhsb* Tree sub-canopy-- 466 Tall shrub (>3ft)-- Gbmtf!xjmmpx!)Cbddibsjt!ofhmfdub*<!Dpnnpo!cmbdlcfssz )Svcvt!bmmfhifojfotjt* Short shrub (<3ft)-- -- Herb 1331 Tqbojti!offemft!)Cjefot!cjqjoobub*<!tpgu!svti!)Kvodvt fggvtvt* Vine -- 124 Hsbqfwjof!)wjujt!tqq/*<!wjshjojb!dsffqfs!)Qbsuifopdjttvt rvjorvfgpmjb* Non-vascular-- Reasons target species not found Habitat Unsuitable May have never 5 DisturbancesExoticsdestroyed 5 habitat 5 occurred hereOther Comments sjqbsjbo!bsfb-!nbjoubjofe!nbo.nbef!qpoe