HomeMy WebLinkAbout20210923 Ver 2_Wentworth St Aquatic Survey_20221006Aquatic Species Survey Report
Replacement of Bridge No. 239 on SR 1998
Over Wolf Island Creek
Rockingham County, North Carolina
WBS Element 4 17BP.7.R.140
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
jgraygncdot.gov
1598 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699-1598
December 19, 2019
Prepared by:
8601 Six Forks Road, Forum 1 Suite 700
Raleigh, NC 27615
Contact Person:
Neil Medlin
Manager, Natural Resources
nmedlin@rkk.com
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 Green Floater (Lasmigona subviridis)................................................................3
3.3.1 Characteristics......................................................................................3
3.3.2 Distribution and Habitat Requirements...............................................4
3.4 Roanoke Logperch (Percina rex)........................................................................4
3.4.1 Characteristics......................................................................................4
3.4.2 Distribution and Habitat Requirements...............................................4
4.0
Survey Efforts...........................................................................................................5
4.1 Stream Conditions at Time of Survey: Wolf Island Creek.................................5
4.2 Methodology.......................................................................................................5
4.2.1 Mussel Survey......................................................................................5
4.2.2 Fish Survey..........................................................................................5
5.0
Results.......................................................................................................................5
5.1 Mussel Survey.....................................................................................................5
5.2 Fish Survey.........................................................................................................6
6.0
Discussion/Conclusions............................................................................................6
7.0
References.................................................................................................................8
Appendix A. Figures:
Figure l: 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. 239 over Wolf Island Creek on SR 1998 (Wentworth Road) in Rockingham County
(Appendix A, Figure 1). The project is within the Roanoke River Basin. As of December 19,
2019, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Raleigh Office webpage indicated that James
Spinymussel (Parvaspina collina) and Roanoke Logperch (Percina rex) are currently listed as
protected species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for Rockingham County. In
addition, Atlantic Pigtoe (Fusconaia masoni) is known to occur in Rockingham County and it
has been proposed for listing under the ESA. The Atlantic Pigtoe was proposed to be listed as
Threatened under the ESA on October 11, 2018. Critical Habitat was also proposed for Atlantic
Pigtoe. Furthermore, the Green Floater (Lasmigona subviridis) is being evaluated to determine if
it warrants listing under the ESA and it is known to occur in Rockingham County.
A review of the NC Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) records, last accessed December 19,
2019, indicated that no element occurrences (EO) exist for target species within a 5-mile buffer
of the project location (Figure 2). The closest occurrence for James Spinymussel (EO ID 37056)
is approximately 20 stream miles away on the Dan River. This current EO was first observed on
November 17, 2016 and last observed on October 2, 2017. The closest occurrence for Atlantic
Pigtoe (EO ID 14511) is >25 stream miles away on Country Line Creek. This historical EO was
first and last observed on July 14, 1998. A current record for Atlantic Pigtoe is approximately 26
stream miles away on the Dan River; however, this record does not have an EO. This current
NCWRC Aquatics Database record was first and last observed on September 26, 2017. The
closest occurrence for Green Floater (EO ID 3622) is approximately 19 stream miles away on the
Dan River. This current EO was first observed on November 28, 2000 and last observed on
October 3, 2017. The closest occurrence for Roanoke Logperch (EO ID 32523) is 15 stream
miles downstream on Wolf Island Creek. This current EO was first observed on July 25, 2011
and last observed on July 26, 2011.
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, Green Floater, and Roanoke Logperch.
2.0 Waters Affected
The stream potentially affected by the project is Wolf Island Creek within the Roanoke River
Basin HUC 4 03010103. From the project location, Wolf Island Creek flows approximately 18
stream miles before flowing into the Dan River in Caswell County.
2.1 NPDES Dischargers
There are no NPDES permitted dischargers in a location that could directly affect the project
area (Figure 3).
Aquatic Species Survey Report, 17BP.7.R.140, Rockingham County December 2019
Page 1
2.2 303(d) Classification
Wolf Island Creek is not on the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ)
- Division of Water Resources 2018 303(d) list of impaired streams (Figure 3).
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.
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
Aquatic Species Survey Report, 17BP.7.R.140, Rockingham County December 2019
Page 2
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.
3.4 Atlantic Pigtoe (Fusconaia masons)
3.4.1 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).
3.4.2 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 Green Floater (Lasmigona subviridis)
3.3.1 Characteristics
The Green Floater (Lasmigona subviridis (Conrad 1835)) is a small freshwater mussel that rarely
exceeds 55 mm in length. Shells are thin, slightly inflated, and subovate to trapezoidal in shape.
The umbo is low and rarely extends above the hinge line, and uneroded shells have double -
looped sculpturing. The periostracum is typically yellow to brownish green with numerous dark
green rays. The nacre is white to bluish with a tinge of iridescence toward the posterior end.
Furthermore, the nacre often contains a yellow to salmon blotch in the beak cavity. Lateral teeth
are moderately developed but thin and the pseudocardinal teeth are relatively small and blade-
like. In addition, the left valve often contains an interdental projection.
The Green Floater is normally hermaphroditic (individuals contain both male and female gonadal
tissues) and it is a long-term brooding (bradytictic) species. The reproductive season for the
Aquatic Species Survey Report, 17BP.7.R.140, Rockingham County December 2019
Page 3
Green Floater extends from August to May. Host fish have not been determined for the Green
Floater; however, direct transformation of glochidia into juvenile mussels has been documented.
3.3.2 Distribution and Habitat Requirements
The Green Floater has a unique distribution, which includes Atlantic Slope and Interior Basin
drainages. Historically, this species occurred from the Cape Fear River Basin in North Carolina
north to the Hudson River Basin, and west to the Genesee River of New York. It also occurs in
the New, Greenbrier, and Watauga rivers in North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West
Virginia. The distribution within North Carolina by river basin and county is as follows:
Watauga River Basin: Watauga County; New River Basin: Ashe County, Alleghany County;
Neuse River Basin: Orange County (Eno River subbasin), Person County (Flat River subbasin),
Durham County (Flat River subbasin), Wake County (Swift Creek and Little River subbasins);
Roanoke River Basin: Person County (Mayo Creek subbasin), Halifax County (Roanoke River),
Northampton County (Roanoke River), Rockingham County (Dan River subbasin), Stokes
County (Dan River subbasin); Tar River Basin: Granville County (Tar River subbasin), Nash
County (Tar River subbasin).
The species inhabits small to medium size waterways, and often inhabits pools and eddies with
gravel, sand, or silt substrate. In North Carolina, populations tend to be localized and associated
with good to excellent water quality.
3.4 Roanoke Logperch (Pereina rex)
3.4.1 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.
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.
3.4.2 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.
Aquatic Species Survey Report, 17BP.7.R.140, Rockingham County December 2019
Page 4
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 (visual survey only) and Roanoke Logperch surveys were conducted by RK&K
personnel Tyler Black (Permit 4 19-ES00554), Neil Medlin (Permit 4 19-ES00030), Hal Bain,
Matt Haney (NCDOT), and Anne Burroughs (Dewberry Engineering) on May 1, 2019.
4.1 Stream Conditions at Time of Survey: Wolf Island Creek
At the survey location, Wolf Island Creek is a shallow stream with a riffle and run habitat.
Wetted width was approximately 3-5 meters and depth ranged from 0.25-0.50 meters but
averaged approximately 0.25 meters. The substrate was a mix of sand, gravel, and cobble. The
dominant benthic substrate was sand, and gravel was the subdominant substrate. The bank
height was approximately 3 meters and bank erosion/undercutting areas were common. In
addition, bank stabilization was observed at the survey location. Evidence of beaver activity was
not observed at the time of the survey. A narrow shrub and grass buffer was present along the
survey location, and the surrounding land use type was active crop production.
4.2 Methodology
4.2.1 Freshwater 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. Visual surveys were conducted due to the lack of stable substrate and relic shell
material.
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 a Smith -Root Model LR-24 backpack electrofishing unit and
dip nets. The stream was sampled with one biologist 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
Visual surveys were conducted in conjunction with fish surveys. Evidence of native bivalves
was not observed within Wolf Island Creek. No James Spinymussel, Atlantic Pigtoe, or Green
Aquatic Species Survey Report, 17BP.7.R.140, Rockingham County December 2019
Page 5
Floater individuals were observed during the survey. In addition, no other freshwater mollusks
were observed during the survey.
5.2 Fish Survey
Fifteen fish species were identified during the survey of Wolf Island Creek with a total of 238
individuals observed (Table 1). No Roanoke Logperch individuals were observed during the
survey. A total of 981 electrofishing seconds were utilized during the survey.
Table 2. Fishes in Wolf Island Creek, May 1, 2019.
Scientific Name
Common Name
No. of Individuals
Catostomus commersonii
White Sucker
1
Chrosomus oreas
Mountain Redbelly Dace
3
sox americanus
Redfin Pickerel
1
theostoma abellare
Fantail Darter
39
theostoma ni rum
Johnny Darter
9
undulus rathbuni
Killifish
30
_Speckled
Hypentelium roanokense
Roanoke Hog Sucker
10
e omis auritus
Redbreast Sunfish
3
e omis macrochirus
Bluegill
1
uxilus cerasinus
Crescent Shiner
36
oxostoma erythrurum
Golden Redhorse
2
ocomis le toce halus
Bluehead Chub
64
otro is chiliticus
Redlip Shiner
33
otro is procne
Swallowtail Shiner
3
oturus insi nis
Margined Madtom
3
Total Number of Individuals
238
Total Number of Species
15
lectrofishing Seconds
981
6.0 Discussion/Conclusions
Wolf Island Creek within the survey area was a small stream with very narrow vegetated buffer
adjacent to active crop production. The results indicate that the survey area did not support a
native mussel community, but it did support a limited native fish community. Based on the
upstream conditions, limited species diversity, and instream habitat, completion of the proposed
project will not affect the target species.
No James Spinymussel individuals were observed during the survey and the closest NCNHP EO
for the species is located on the Dan River, 20 stream miles from the project location.
Biological Conclusion for James Spinymussel: No Effect
Aquatic Species Survey Report, 17BP.7.R.140, Rockingham County December 2019
Page 6
No Roanoke Logperch individuals were observed during the survey and the closest NCNHP EO
for the species is located on Wolf Island Creek, 15 stream miles downstream from the project
location.
Biological Conclusion for Roanoke Logperch: No Effect
Based on the same rationale applied to the listed species above, if Atlantic Pigtoe and Green
Floater were to be listed under the ESA they would have following conclusions:
Biological Conclusion for Atlantic Pigtoe: No Effect
Biological Conclusion for Green Floater: No Effect
Aquatic Species Survey Report, 17BP.7.R.140, Rockingham County December 2019
Page 7
7.0 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. 2018
North Carolina 303(d) List. Available:
hgps:Hfiles.nc.gov/ncdeg/Water%20Qualily/Planning/TMDL/303d/2018/2018-NC-303-
d--List-Final.pdf. (August 2019).
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. 2018. NPDES Wastewater Treatment
Facility Permits. Available: http://data-
ncdenr.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/a86af4f7549343419b4c8177cedb3e4b_0. (August
2018).
North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP). 2019. nheo-2019-10. Natural Heritage
Element Occurrence polygon shapefile. (October 2019).
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. 2019. Green Floater Species Profile. Available:
hgps://www.ncwildlife.org/Leaming/Species/Mollusks/Green-Floater. (February 2019).
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. 2019. Roanoke Logperch Species Profile.
http://www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/Species/Fish/Roanoke-Logperch42521717-overview.
(March 2019).
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. 2019. Atlantic Pigtoe Species Profile.
Available: http://www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/Species/Mollusks/Atlantic-Pigtoe.
(February 2019).
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. 2019. Unpublished Aquatics Database.
(February 2019).
Parmalee, P. W. and A. E. Bogan. 1998. The Freshwater Mussels of Tennessee. The University
of Tennessee Press, Knoxville, TN.
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.
Aquatic Species Survey Report, 17BP.7.R.140, Rockingham County December 2019
Page 8
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2010. Roanoke Logperch (Percina rex) Species Profile.
Available: hgps://www.fws.gov/northeast/pdf/RoanokeLogperch.pdf. (March 2019).
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. 2019. Atlantic pigtoe (Fusconaia masoni) Species Profile,
Environmental Online System (EGOS). Available:
hgps:Hecos.fws. og v/ecpO/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=FO3K. (February 2019).
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2019. Endangered and Threatened Species and Species of
Concern by County for North Carolina. Available:
hgps://www.fws.gov/raleigh/species/cnlylist/nc_counties.html. (August 2019).
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2019. James spinymussel (Pleurobema collina) Species Profile,
Environmental Online System (EGOS). Available:
hgps:Hecos.fws. og v/ecpO/profile/speciesProfile?s1d=2212. (March 2019).
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.140, Rockingham County December 2019
Page 9
Appendix A
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