20231089 Ver 1_HB-0007 NRTR_20230801

NATURAL RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT
Replace Bridges 299 & 300 over Saddletree Swamp on
SR 1529 (Mount Olive Church Road)
Robeson County, North Carolina
WBS Element No. HB-0007
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Division of Highways
Division 6
July 2022

Natural Resources Technical Report WBS HB-0007, Robeson County, N.C.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to replace Bridges
Number 299 & 300 over Saddletree Swamp on SR 1529 (Mount Olive Church Road) in
Robeson County (Figure 1). The following Natural Resources Technical Report (NRTR)
has been prepared to assist in the preparation of the appropriate environmental
documentation.
2.0 METHODOLOGY
All work was conducted in accordance with the NCDOT Environmental Coordination and
Permitting's (ECAP) standard operating procedures, and the following document
references the latest NCDOT NRTR Template (September 2021). Field work was
conducted on April 4, 2022, and June 23, 2022. The principal personnel contributing to
the field work and document is provided in the appendix.
3.0 TERRESTRIAL COMMUNITIES
Two terrestrial communities were identified in the study area. Figure 2 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.
Laurel Oak (Quercus laurifolia)
Bottomland Hardwoods
Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)
2.76
Lizard's Tail Saururus cernuus
Plantain (Plantago major)
Maintained -Disturbed
Corn Salad (Valerianella locusta)
1.54
Fescue Festuca sp.)
Total
4.30
4.0 PROTECTED SPECIES
4.1 Endangered Species Act Protected Species
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) lists four federally protected species
under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for Robeson County within the study area of this
project according to the USFWS Information for Planning and Consultation (IPAC)
checked on April 22, 2022 (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.
July 2022

Natural Resources Technical Report WBS HB-0007, Robeson County, N.C.
Table 2. ESA federally protected species within the Study Areal
Scientific Name
Common Name
Federal
Status
Habitat
Present
Biological
Conclusion
Alligator mississippiensis
American alligator
T(S/A)
Y
NE
Mycteria americana
Wood stork
T
Y
MANLTAA
Picoides borealis
Red -cockaded woodpecker
E
N
NE
Rhus michauxii
Michaux's sumac
E
Y
NE
' IPaC data checked on April 22, 2022
T - Threatened
T(S/A) - Threatened due to similarity of appearance
NE - No Effect
MANLTAA — May Affect, Not Likely to Adversely Affect
American alligator
USFWS optimal survey window: year-round
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Species listed as threatened due to similarity of appearance do not require Section
7 consultation with the USFWS. Suitable habitat for the American alligator is
present within the study area, but no individuals were observed. Additionally, a
review of NHP records updated in April 2022 indicates no known occurrences
within 1.0 mile of the study area.
Wood stork
USFWS optimal survey window: April 15 — July 15
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Suitable nesting habitat for the wood stork in the form of tall trees is present in the
study area. However, there are no cypress trees present. There is foraging habitat
present within the project study area. However, no individuals were found during a
survey conducted on June 23, 2022. Additionally, a review of NHP records updated
in April 2022 indicates no known occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area.
Red -cockaded woodpecker
USFWS optimal survey window: year-round; November -early March (optimal)
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Suitable foraging or nesting habitat for the red -cockaded woodpecker (RC W) in the
form of 30-60 year old loblolly or longleaf pines is not present in the study area.
Additionally, a review of NHP records updated in April 2022 indicates no known
occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area.
2 July 2022

Natural Resources Technical Report WBS HB-0007, Robeson County, N.C.
Michaux's sumac
USFWS optimal survey window: May -October
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Marginal habitat in the form of maintained areas is present for Michaux's sumac.
However, no individuals were found during a survey conducted on June 23, 2022.
Additionally, a review of NHP records updated in April 2022 indicates no known
occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area.
Northern long-eared bat
The USFWS has developed a programmatic biological opinion (PBO) in conjunction with
the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE),
and NCDOT for the NLEB (Myotis septentrionalis) in eastern North Carolina. The PBO
covers the entire NCDOT program in Divisions 1-8, including all NCDOT projects and
activities. The programmatic determination for NLEB for the NCDOT program is May
Affect, Likely to Adversely Affect. The PBO provides incidental take coverage for NLEB
and will ensure compliance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act for all NCDOT
projects in Divisions 1-8, which includes Robeson County, where this project is located.
This level of incidental take is authorized from the effective date of a final listing
determination through December 31, 2030.
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 April 22, 2022, using 2022 color aerials. No
water bodies large enough or sufficiently open to be considered potential feeding sources
were identified. Since there was no foraging habitat within the review area, a survey of the
project study area and the area within 660 feet of the project limits was not conducted.
Additionally, a review of the NHP database on April 22, 2022, 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.
3 July 2022

Natural Resources Technical Report WBS HB-0007, Robeson County, N.C.
5.0 WATER RESOURCES
Water resources in the study area are part of the Lumber River basin, U.S. Geological
Survey (USGS) Hydrologic Unit 03040203. One stream was identified in the study area
(Table 4). The location of the stream is shown in Figure 3.
Table 4. Streams in the study area
NCDWR
Bank
Bankfull
Stream Name
Map ID
Index
Best Usage
Height
width
Depth
Number
Classification
(ft)
(ft
(in)
Saddletree Swam p
Saddletree
14-12
C;Sw
1.5
43
6
Swam
There are no Outstanding Resource Water (ORW), High Quality Waters (HQW), or water
supply watersheds (WS-I or WS-II) or designated anadromous fish waters within 1.0 mile
downstream of the project study area. There are no streams within 1.0 mile downstream
of the study area that are listed on the North Carolina 2022 Final 303(d) list of impaired
waters.
One surface water was identified in the study area (Table 5). The location of this surface
water is shown in Figure 3.
Table 5. Surface waters in the study area
Surface Water
Map ID
Area ac in Study Area
Tributary TA
Tributary TA
0.04
6.0 REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS
6.1 Clean Water Act Waters of the U.S.
One stream was identified in the study area (Table 5). The location of this stream is shown
on Figure 3. All streams in the study area have been designated as warm water streams for
the purposes of stream mitigation.
Table 5. Status of streams in the study area
Length
Compensatory
River Basin
Map ID
Classification
ft.
Miti ation Required
Buffer
Saddletree
348
C;Sw
Yes
N/A
Swam
Total
348
4 July 2022

Natural Resources Technical Report WBS HB-0007, Robeson County, N.C.
Six wetlands were identified within the study area (Table 6). The location of these wetlands
is shown on Figure 3. All wetlands in the study area are located within the Lumber River
basin (USGS Hydrologic Unit 03040203). USACE wetland determination forms for each
site are included in a separate Jurisdictional Determination Package.
Table 6. Characteristics of wetlands in the study area
Map ID
NCWAM
Classification
Forested
Hydrologic
Classification
404/401
or 401
Area (ac.) in
Study Area
WA
BLHW
Yes
Riparian
404/401
0.42
WB
BLHW
Yes
Riparian
404/401
0.29
WC
BLHW
Yes
Riparian
404/401
0.36
WD
BLHW
Yes
Riparian
404/401
0.56
WE
BLHW
Yes
Riparian
404/401
0.28
WF
BLHW
Yes
Riparian
404/401
0.44
BLHW — Bottomland Hardwood Forest
Total
2.35
6.2 Construction Moratoria
No waters within the study area have been identified by the North Carolina Wildlife
Resources Commission (NCWRC) as either trout waters or anadromous fish habitat.
Therefore, no moratoria are anticipated.
6.3 N.C. River Basin Buffer Rules
The study area is not within a Riparian Buffer Protection Basin as administered by
NCDEQ.
6.4 Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10 Navigable Waters
There are no surface waters designated as Navigable Waters under Section 10 of the Rivers
and Harbors Act.
5 July 2022

Natural Resources Technical Report WBS HB-0007, Robeson County, N.C.
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.
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) - Division of Water
Resources. 2022. Final 2022 North Carolina 303(d) List.
https://edocs.deg.nc.gov/WaterResources/DocView.aspx?dbid=0&id=2361776&c
r=1.
North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP). 2021. Natural Heritage Data
Explorer April 2022 Quarterly Dataset. NCDNCR, Raleigh, NC.
hllps : //ncnhde.natures erve. org/.
Schafale, M.P. 2012. Guide to the Natural Communities of North Carolina: Fourth
Approximation. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, North Carolina
Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ). Raleigh, North Carolina. 208
pp -
United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2010. Regional Supplement to the
Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain
Region Version 2.0, ed. J. S. Wakeley, R. W. Lichvar, C. V. Noble. ERDC/EL TR-
10-20. Vicksburg, MS: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center.
United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 1978.
Soil Survey of Robeson County, North Carolina.
Unites States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2018.
Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States, Version 8.2. L.M. Vasilas,
G.W. Hurt, and J.F. Berkowitz (eds.). USDA, NRCS, in cooperation with the
National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
Fact Sheet. Available athlt2s://www.fws.gov/species/american-alligator-alligator-
mississippiensis.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Information for Planning and Consultation (1PaC)
website. https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Michaux's Sumac in North Carolina. Available
at: https://www.fws.gov/species/michauxs-sumac-rhus-michauxii.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Northern long-eared bat (*otis septentrionalis).
https://www.fws.gov/species/northern-long-eared-bat-m. ot�ptentrrionalis.
6 July 2022

Natural Resources Technical Report WBS HB-0007, Robeson County, N.C.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 2020. Optimal Survey Windows and number of
years a survey is valid for North Carolina's Federally Threatened, Endangered,
and At -Risk plant species. hM2s://www.fws. ovg /story/2022-03/north-carolinas-
federally-threatened-endangered-and-ri sk-plant-speci es.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Red -cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis)
species profile. Available at: hllps://www.fws.gov/species/red-cockaded-
woodpecker-picoides-borealis.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Wood Stork in North Carolina. Available at:
hgps://www.fws.gov/species/wood-stork-mycteria-americana.
United States Geological Survey. 1972. North Carolina, Northwest Lumberton,
Topographic Quadrangle (7.5-minute series).
7 July 2022

Qualifications of Contributors
Investigator: Gregory W. Price, PWS
Education: B.A. Biology, Appalachian State University, 1985
M.S. Biology, Appalachian State University, 1989
Experience: Environmental Program Supervisor, NCDOT Division 6, April
2019-Present
Environmental Specialist, NCDOT Division 6, March 2018-March
2019
Senior Scientist, Carolina Ecosystems, Inc., June 2016-March 2018
Natural Resources Specialist, Froehling & Robertson, Inc., July
2015-June 2016
Environmental Program Consultant, NCDOT Natural Environment
Unit, May 2006-July 2015
Senior Biologist, Buck Engineering, December 2000-May 2006
Water Quality Specialist, City of Durham, July 1997-December
2000
Environmental Biologist, NC Division of Water Quality, October
1991-June 1997
Environmental Technician III, NC Division of Environmental
Management, May 1990-September 1991
Responsibilities: Wetland and stream assessment, T&E assessment, document review
Investigator: Christopher S. Underwood
Education: BS, Wildlife and Fisheries Science, University of Tennessee,
Knoxville, 1989
Experience: Environmental Specialist II, NCDOT Division 6, June 2021-Present
Environmental Senior Scientist, NCDOT, June 2005- June 2021
Environmental Biologist, NCDOT, May 2003-June 2005
Fisheries Biologist, Tennessee Valley Authority, May 1991-May
2003
Responsibilities: Wetland and stream assessment, T&E assessment, document
preparation and review

Figures

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Qualifications of Contributors
Investigator: Gregory W. Price, PWS
Education: B.A. Biology, Appalachian State University, 1985
M.S. Biology, Appalachian State University, 1989
Experience: Environmental Program Supervisor, NCDOT Division 6, April 2019-
Present
Environmental Specialist, NCDOT Division 6, March 2018-March 2019
Senior Scientist, Carolina Ecosystems, Inc., June 2016-March 2018
Natural Resources Specialist, Froehling & Robertson, Inc., July 2015-June
2016
Environmental Program Consultant, NCDOT Natural Environment Unit,
May 2006-July 2015
Senior Biologist, Buck Engineering, December 2000-May 2006
Water Quality Specialist, City of Durham, July 1997-December 2000
Environmental Biologist, NC Division of Water Quality, October 1991-
June 1997
Environmental Technician III, NC Division of Environmental
Management, May 1990-September 1991
Responsibilities: Wetland and stream assessment, T&E assessment, document review
Investigator: Christopher S. Underwood
Education: BS, Wildlife and Fisheries Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville,
1989
Experience: Environmental Specialist II, NCDOT Division 6, June 2021-Present
Environmental Senior Scientist, NCDOT, June 2005- June 2021
Environmental Biologist, NCDOT, May 2003-June 2005
Fisheries Biologist, Tennessee Valley Authority, May 1991-May 2003
Responsibilities: Wetland and stream assessment, T&E assessment, document preparation
and review