20150041 Ver 1_Attach F T&E Final Moncure Holdings (10.19.12)_20150224

WITHERS RAVENEL
ENGINEERS I PLANNERS I SURVEYORS
October 19, 2012
Moncure Holdings, LLC
Jason Kaplan — Manager
282 Century Place
Suite 2000
Louisville, Co 80027
RE: ±1000 acre Moncure Certified Site — Moncure, Chatham County
Threatened and Endangered Species Report — Request for Concurrence
Mr.Kaplan;
Withers & Ravenel (W &R) has completed a survey for federally listed Threatened (T) and Endangered (E)
species that could potentially occur within the Moncure Certified Site (Project), which is located in Moncure,
Chatham County, North Carolina. The Project is located east of Moncure - Flatwood Road (SR 1924) and
south of Old US 1 (SR 1011), and is bordered to the west by Shaddox Creek (Latitude: 35.608931 °N;
Longitude: - 79.025567 °W). The Project consists of two parcels (PIN 9697 -26- 9773.000; 9698 -22- 7074.000)
totaling ±1,000 acres and is proposed to be developed as a commercial /industrial development. W &R staff
conducted pedestrian surveys of the Project from 9/21/12 — 9/27/12 for the presence of federally listed
threatened or endangered species or their habitat protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This
letter summarizes the results of this work.
METHODOLOGY
Prior to field work all species were reviewed and current literature consulted for any new information on
habitat preferences. The USFWS Endangered and Threatened Species database, located at
http:// www. fws. gov /raleigh/species /cniylist /nc counties.html, was reviewed to identify listed species known
to occur within Chatham County and the current protection status of each species. The NC Natural Heritage
Program's online database, located at: http: / /www.ncOp.org /web /op /database - search, was also reviewed to
identify federally listed species known to occur within the Moncure, Merry Oaks, Cokesbury and New Hill
USGS Quadrangle Maps. Furthermore, the review of the NCNHP database did not identify any federally
listed threatened and/or endangered species within 2 -miles of the Project.
From 9/21/12 — 9/27/12, W &R conducted a field review of the ±1000 acre Project. Transects were walked
through the review area to map vegetative communities and identify potential habitat for protected species.
The Project consisted primarily of undeveloped woodlands which are actively managed for silviculture. The
natural communities identified within the Project consisted of mixed pine/hardwood forest, bottomland
hardwood forest, early successional areas, and a large, perennial stream ( Shaddox Creek).
The vegetative composition of the mixed pine/hardwood forest consisted of a semi- closed canopy of loblolly
pine (Pinus taeda), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) and various oaks, with a dense midstory of
sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), mockernut hickory (Carya tomentosa), and dogwood (Cornus florida).
The pine /hardwood forest is actively managed for timber production, and contains a mostly even aged stand
of Loblolly pines. However, logging activities have ceased, and as a result a thick mid/understory has
developed.
The vegetative composition of the bottomland hardwood forest consisted of a semi- closed canopy of swamp
chestnut oak (Quercus michauxxi), blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica), water oak (Quercus nigra), and green ash
(Fraxinus pennysylvanica). Mid/understory species were comprised of sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua),
swamp chestnut oak, musclewood (Carpinus caroliniana), and deciduous holly (Ilex decidua).
115 MacKenan Drive I Cary, NC 275111 tel.: [phone] fax: [phone] www.withersravenet.com I License No. C -0832
1410 Commonwealth Drive I Suite 1011 Wilmington, NC 28403 1 tel: [phone] fax: [phone]
7011 Albert Pick Road I Suite G I Greensboro, NC 27409 1 tel: [phone] fax: [phone]

±1000 acre Moncure Certified Site — T &E Survey Report
The early successional areas consisted of the cleared areas associated with roads, a power line easement and
food plots created by hunters to attract wildlife. The vegetative composition within these areas consisted of a
mixture of fescue (Scheonorus arundinaceus), broom sedge (Andropogon virginicus), lespedeza (Sericea
lespedeza), clover (Trifolium repens) and other common weeds and forbes.
A portion of Shaddox Creek, a large perennial tributary to the Haw River, is located within the Project.
Shaddox Creek is a slow moving creek, which has been significantly impacted due to multiple impoundments
as a result of beaver activity.
SPECIES SYNOPSIS AND PEDESTRIAN SURVEY RESULTS
Plants and animals classified as Endangered (E) or Threatened (T) by the USFWS are protected under the
provisions of Section 7 and Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The following
table presents federally listed species by the USFWS for Chatham County, North Carolina as of the date of
this report.
Common Name
Scientific Name
Federal
Habitat
Biological
Status
Present
Conclusion
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
BGPA*
No
No Effect
Red - cockaded
Picoides borealis
E
No
No Effect
Woodpecker
Cape Fear Shiner
Notropis mekistocholas
E
No
No Effect
Harperella
Ptilimnium nodosum
E
No
No Effect
*Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
Bald Eagle
USFWS Optimal Survey Window: Year Round
Habitat for the bald eagle primarily consists of mature forest in proximity to large bodies of open water for
foraging. Large dominant trees are utilized for nesting sites, typically within 1.0 miles of open water.
There were no trees found within or adjacent to the Project that contained active, inactive or abandoned nests
and no bald eagles were observed during the pedestrian surveys. There are no large bodies of water adjacent
to or within 1.0 miles of the Project. Shearon Harris Lake is located approximately 1.5 miles east of the
Project, but there are no known eagle nests at the lake. A review of the NCNHP online database search did
not identify any known active or historic bald eagle nesting sites within the Moncure, Merry Oaks, Cokesbury
and New Hill USGS quadrangle maps.
Based on the lack of nearby records and lack of apparently suitable nesting habitat, W &R concludes that the
development of the Project will have No Effect on bald eagles.
Biological Conclusion — No Effect
Red - Cockaded Woodpecker
The red - cockaded woodpecker (RCW) occurs in extensive tracts of open stands of mature pines, particularly
longleaf pine (Pinus taeda), for foraging and nesting/roosting habitat, typically 70 to 100 acres or more. The
red - cockaded woodpecker is rarely found in deciduous or mixed pine- hardwoods. The RCW excavates
cavities for nesting and roosting in living pine trees, aged 60 years or older, which are contiguous with pine
stands at least 30 years of age to provide foraging habitat. Optimal habitat is characterized as a broad savanna
with a scattered overstory of large pines and a dense groundcover containing a diversity of grass, forbs, and
Page 2 of 4
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±1000 acre Moncure Certified Site — T &E Survey Report
shrub species. Midstory vegetation is sparse or absent. Frequent fires maintain the quality of the RCW's
habitat. The foraging range of the RCW is normally no more than 0.5 miles.
The onsite bottomland hardwood forest was determined to not be suitable RCW nesting habitat. The onsite
mixed pine /hardwood forest is currently under active management for timber production, resulting in evenly
aged stands of loblolly pines across the Project. The pine dominated forests within 1.0 miles surrounding the
Project are also actively managed for timber production as is evidenced by a review of aerial photographs. As
a result of the periodic harvesting of the timber, there are no contiguous stands of mature pines in excess of 60
years old within the Project. Furthermore, the understory is extremely dense due to the lack of mature canopy
to shade out understory vegetation. During the pedestrian survey, W &R reviewed the larger pine trees within
the pine /hardwood forest for the presence of active or abandoned cavity trees. No active or abandoned cavity
trees or RCW individuals were observed during the pedestrian survey. Therefore, W &R concludes that the
Project does not contain suitable RWC nesting habitat.
Due to the active and ongoing silviculture operation within and adjacent to the Project, as well as dense
understory within the mixed pine /hardwood forest, W &R determined that there is no favorable or marginal
RCW nesting or foraging habitat within the Project. Therefore, W &R concludes that the development of the
Project will have No Effect on the red - cockaded woodpecker.
Biological Conclusion — No Effect
Cape Fear Shiner
USFWS Optimal Survey Window: Not Specified
The Cape Fear shiner is a small (approximately 2" long), yellowish minnow with a black band along the sides
of its body. The Cape Fear shiner is generally associated with gravel, cobble and boulder substrates and is
endemic to the upper Cape Fear River Basin in the Central Piedmont of North Carolina. The species is
known to occur in tributaries and mainstreams of the Deep River, Haw River, Rocky River and Cape Fear
River in Chatham, Harnett, Lee, Moore and Randolph Counties.
The USFWS identifies the Critical Habitat Designation for the Cape Fear Shiner as being ±4.1 miles of the
Rocky River from NC Hwy 902 bridge downstream to Chatham County Road 1010 Bridge, and ±0.5 river
miles of Bear Creek, from Chatham County Road 2156 Bridge downstream to the Rocky River, then
downstream in the Rocky River ( ±4.2 river miles) to the Deep River, the downstream in the Deep River ( ±2.6
river miles) to a point 0.3 river miles below the Moncure, NC, USGS Geological Survey Gauging Station.
Constituent elements include clean streams with gravel, cobble and boulder substrates with pools, riffles,
shallow runs and slack water areas with large outcrops and side channels and pools with water of good quality
with relatively low silt loads (USFWS, Federal Register reference 9/25/87, Federal Register, 2: 36034-
36039).
The USFWS designated critical area is located approximately 1.0 miles downstream from the Project, and
Shaddox Creek flows directly into the Haw River just north of the confluence with Deep River. However, the
pedestrian survey did not identify any potentially suitable habitat for the Cape Fear Shiner within the Shaddox
Creek. As a result of the beaver activity, there are numerous sections of Shaddox Creek which are
impounded, resulting in a substrate of silt and sand. Furthermore, there is no gravel, cobble or boulders
within the onsite portions of Shaddox Creek.
Any development of the Project will require approval of a Sediment and Erosion Control plan. As part of the
Sediment & Erosion Control Plan, silt fencing will be installed around all disturbed areas associated with the
development of the Project, which will prevent sediment from escaping and impacting the known downstream
Cape Fear Shiner habitat with the Haw River, Deep River and Cape Fear River.
Page 3 of 4
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±1000 acre Moncure Certified Site — T &E Survey Report
Based on a lack of onsite habitat and anticipated sediment and erosion control measures installed prior to
development of the Project, W &R concludes that the proposed Project will have No Effect on the Cape Fear
shiner.
Biological Conclusion — No Effect
Please note that if impacts are proposed to Shaddox Creek (i.e. road crossing, sewer crossing, etc.), additional
consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service may be required.
Harperella
USFWS Optimal Survey Window: July — October (only in periods of low water)
Harperella is a perennial herb that grows to a height of 6 -36 inches with leaves that are hollow, quill -like
structures. Harperella flowers from May until the first frost, and the small white flowers occur in heads,
reminiscent of a small Queen Anne's lace flower head. Harperella is typically found on rocky or gravel
shoals and sandbars and along the margins of clear, swift- flowing stream sections. The only known
population in Chatham County is a recently re- introduced population in the Deep River after the original
population known from that area disappeared.
While the subject property contains two perennial streams, including Shaddox Creek, the onsite streams are
not clear, swift moving streams and were not considered suitable habitat for Harperella. A review of the
NCNHP GIS data did not identify any known occurrences of Harperella within 2.0 miles of the Project.
Based on the absence of suitable onsite habitat and lack of nearby records, W &R concludes that the
development of the Project will have No Effect on Harperella.
Biological Conclusion — No Effect
CONCLUSION
None of the federally listed threatened and/or endangered species known to occur in Chatham County were
observed within the Project and potential habitat where these species are likely to occur is not present.
Therefore, W &R concludes that the development of the Project will have No Effect on federally listed
species.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding the contents of this report.
Sincerely,
Troy Beasley
Environmental Project Manager
WITHERS &-RAVENEL, INC.
Attachments:
• Aerial Photograph
• Location Exhibit
• USGS Quadrangle Map
Page 4 of 4
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WITHERS RAVENEL
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WITHERS RAVENEL
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