20221501 Ver 1_2022.02.01 R-2588B_NRTRAddendum_20221024

Roy COOPER
GOVERNOR
STATE OF NORTH CAROLMA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
January 1, 2022
J. ERIC BOYETTE
SECRETARY
DocuSigned by:
Memorandum To: R-2588B File r/-IJ7.0L�
8B673/FBE42E5415...
From: Dave McHenry, NCDOT Division 14 Environmental Officer
Subject: Natural Resource Review — Addendum — This information is
included in DRAFT BA submitted to and being revised by
RK&K
Completion of this project will not affect the, bunched arrowhead, mountain sweet
pitcherplant, small whorled pogonia, swamp pink , or white irisette. The entire project
area was surveyed for the preceding plants on May 25, 2017. Areas of the project that
have suitable habitats for listed plants and that are within the proposed construction
limits were surveyed again on May 24, 2021 by Dave McHenry, NCDOT Division 14
Environmental Officer. Table 2 below summarizes the habitat and survey information
for which no effect determinations have been made in accordance with FHWA direction.
Potential habitat for bunched arrowhead is present in the action area near Bridge No.
121 and the boundary of the eastern end of the project area along Mill Pond Creek.
Surveys were negative for this plant.
Potential habitat for mountain sweet pitcher plant is present in the action area near
Bridge No. 121 and the boundary of the eastern end of the project area along Mill Pond
Creek. Surveys were negative for this plant.
Habitat for small whorled pogonia is limited in the action area due to dense understory
vegetation in forested areas. Suitable habitat is present on the eastern end of the action
area near Rugby Road. However, surveys were negative for this plant.
Potential habitat for swamp pink is present in the action area near the boundary of the
eastern end of the project area along Mill Pond Creek. Surveys were negative for this
plant.
Forested habitats are present in the project area, but soil and thin humus conditions
needed by white irisette are absent in this part of Henderson County. Surveys were
negative for this plant.
Mailing Address: Telephone: [phone] Location:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Fax: [phone] NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Division 14 Customer Service: 1-877-368-4968 Division 14
253 Webster Road 253 Webster Road
Sylva, North Carolina 28779 Webstee: www.nedot.¢ov Sylva, North Carolina 28779

R-2588B Page 2 January 1, 2022
NRTR Addendum
Federally Listed Species Habitat and Survey Information for No Effect
Determinations
Common Name
Habitat Present
Dates of Surveys
Bunched Arrowhead
Yes
5/27/2017; 5/24/2021
Mountain Sweet Pitcherplant Yes
5/27/2017; 5/24/2021
Small Whorled Pogonia
Yes
5/27/2017; 5/24/2021
Swamp Pink
Yes
5/27/2017; 5/24/2021
White Irisette
No
5/27/2017; 5/24/2021
Concrete beams and open deck joints (>1 cm) are typically the features associated with
gray bat roosting on bridges (Weber et al 2020). The R-2588B bridges have concrete
decks, steel beams, and sealed or partially -sealed joints; the grout has deteriorated and
failed from portions of the joints on Bridge No. 121. The bridges were surveyed for
roosting bats or signs of use by NCDOT Natural Environment Unit staff on June 21,
2018 with negative results. Weber et al (2020) surveyed the subject bridges in June of
2019 and also did not detect bats, though some unidentified feces that could not be
verified as bat guano were noted. On May 24, 2021 and September 27, 2021, the
bridges were resurveyed by Dave McHenry, Division 14 Environmental Officer. Large
culverts in the project area were surveyed on May 24, 2021. The results were negative
for bats with all structures lacking the indicators of use such as, but not limited to, guano
accumulation or staining on bridge caps.