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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Roy COOPER J. ERic BOYETTE
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
DATE: October 24, 2023
TO: Jeffrey Wyatt, Division 12 Environmental Officer
FROM: Caleb BrabbleRose, Division 12 Environmental Specialist
SUBJECT: Natural Resources Technical Memorandum
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this project is to replace Bridge No. 254 on Wood Bridge Road over Third
Creek in Iredell County, 17BP.12.R.78. The existing timber -deck bridge is structurally
deficient and functionally obsolete and will be replaced with a new concrete deck bridge
that will accommodate two 11-foot lanes. The proposed bridge will be placed on the same
alignment and will be widened approximately 1-foot on both sides. The approaches will be
widened to include two II -foot lanes plus 2-foot paved shoulders. Class II Riprap is
proposed along the channel banks. The following memorandum provides information to
assist in the preparation of Minimum Criteria Documentation for the proposed project. It
addresses the natural resources identified within the project study area in lieu of a Natural
Resources Technical Report. All work was conducted in accordance with the NCDOT
Natural Environment Section standard operating procedures.
PROTECTED SPECIES
Endangered Species Act Protected Species
As of October 19, 2023, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Information for
Planning and Consultation (IPaC) lists four species for the study area (Table 1). A brief
Biological Conclusion rendered based on the updated survey results for the study area
follows.
October 2023

Natural Resources Technical Memo STIP 17BP.12.R.78, Iredell County, N.C.
Table 1. Federally protected species listed for the project study area.
Scientific Name
Common Name
Federal
Status
Habitat
Present
Biological
Conclusion
Glyptemys muhlenbergii
Bog Turtle
T(S/A)
No
Not Required
Helianthus schweinitzii
Schweinitz's Sunflower
E
Yes
No Effect
Hexastylis naniflora
Dwarf -flowered Heartleaf
T
Yes
No Effect
Perimyotis subflavus
Tricolored Bat
PE
Yes
MA;NLAA
T — Threatened; E — Endangered; PE — Proposed Endangered
MA;NLAA — May Affect, Not Likely to Adversely Affect
T(S/A) — Threatened due to similarity of appearance
Bog Turtle
USFWS Optimal Survey Window: April 1 — October 1 (visual surveys); April 1-June 15
(optimal for breeding/nesting); May 1-June 30 (trapping surveys)
Biological Conclusion: Not Required
The southern population of the bog turtle is listed as Threatened due to Similarity of
Appearance to the northern population, therefore, the southern population is not afforded
protection under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and do not require Section 7
consultation with the USFWS. However, this project is not expected to affect the bog
turtle because no suitable habitat exists in the project area for the bog turtle. There are no
freshwater wetlands characterized by open fields, meadows, or marshes with slow moving
streams, ditches, or boggy areas near the bridge.
Schweinitz's sunflower
USFWS optimal survey window: late August -October
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
The roadside edges and utility clearing areas in the project study area represent suitable
habitat for Schweinitz's sunflower, which are intolerant of shade and excessive
competition from other vegetation. A survey of suitable was conducted on August 26tn,
2022, and found no H. schweinitzii within the PSA. Likewise, a review of NCNHP records
on September 30, 2022, indicates no known occurrences within 1 mile of the project study
area. Given no individuals were found within the project study area, and there are no
known populations within 1 mile, NCDOT recommends this project will have No Effect
on this species.
Dwarf -flowered heartleaf
USFWS Optimal Survey Window: March -May
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
An on -site investigation indicated the study area contains potentially suitable habitat for
the DFH in the form of a north facing slope with a sparse understory and thick overstory
in the SE quadrant of the project study area. The area was surveyed on May 2, 2016, and
April 28, 2022, by walking multiple intersecting transects but found no DFH plants. A
review of NHP records on September 30, 2022, indicates no known occurrences within
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Natural Resources Technical Memo STIP 17BP.12.R.78, Iredell County, N.C.
1.0 mile of the study area. Given no individuals were found within the proj ect study area,
and there are no known populations within 1 mile, NCDOT recommends this project will
have No Effect on this species.
Tricolored Bat
USFWS Recommended Survey Window: June 1 — August 15
Biological Conclusion: May Affect, Not Likely to Adversely Affect
As the tricolored bat is currently proposed as endangered, this species received no
section 7 protection as of September 30, 2022. However, given the likely listing of this
species before this project begins, NCDOT will include tricolored bat in this NRTM.
Tricolored bats can be found in trees, culverts, bridges, abandoned structures, and
during the hibernation season, in caves and mines. Potential habitat for this species
exists within mature trees that exist in the project area, and within the bridge itself,
although the existing structure does not represent prime habitat, as it is a wood and
metal bridge with creosote piles. No culvers meeting NCDOT size and length
requirement exist within the PSA. On -site surveys for bat presence on June 09, 2022,
found no evidence of bat utilization of the current structure. NC National Heritage
Program data show no known occurrences within 20 miles of the project study area,
with the closest occurrence 21 miles to the southwest in Catawba County (survey in
2021). Due to the lack of utilization evidence within the structure and lack of known
occurrences, NCDOT recommends this project May Affect, but is Not Likely to
Adversely Affect the tricolored bat.
NCDOT commits to these avoidance and minimization measures during the "active
season" (April 1 - October 15): no tree clearing (approx. 0.25 ac), no bridge demolition
and no blasting. NCDOT also commits to not using temporary lighting and no
permanent lighting will be installed.
Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle Protection Act
The bald eagle is protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and enforced
by the USFWS. 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 May 9, 2022, using recent color aerials.
Suitable habitat for bald eagles exists in the study in the form of large ponds within 1.13
miles of the PSA. A review of the NCNHP records, accessed on September 30, 2022,
indicated no known bald eagle occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area. During the
survey, no occurrences of bald eagles or nests large enough to be bald eagles were observed
within the surveyed area.
Essential Fish Habitat
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Natural Resources Technical Memo STIP 17BP.12.R.78, Iredell County, N.C.
There is no Essential Fish Habitat identified within the study area.
WATER RESOURCES
Water resources in the study area are part of the Yadkin Pee -Dee River basin (U.S.
Geological Survey Hydrologic Unit 03040102). One stream, Third Creek (WS No. 37) was
identified in the study area (Table 2).
Table 2. Streams in the study area
Bank
Bankfull
NCDWR Index
Best Usage
Depth
Stream Name
Height
Width
Number
Classification
(ft)
ft
ft
Third Creek WS No. 37
12-108-20-4
C
40
20
5
There are no designated trout waters, anadromous fish waters, or primary nursery areas
present in the study area. No streams within the study area or within 1.0 mile downstream
are classified as high -quality water, outstanding resource waters, WS-I or WS-II water
supply watershed, or identified in the North Carolina final 2022 Category 5 Water Quality
Assessments — 303(d) List.
Clean Water Act Waters of the U.S.
Two jurisdictional streams were identified in the study area (Table 3). The locations of
these stream are shown on Figure 3. All jurisdictional streams in the study area have been
designated as warm water streams for the purposes of stream mitigation.
Table 3. Characteristics of jurisdictional streams in the study area
Length
Compensatory
River Basin
Map ID
Classification
ft.
Mitigation Required
Buffer
S1
100
C
Undetermined
Not Subject
Total
100
Based on the NRCS soil survey no hydric soils exist within the PSA and no wetlands were
identified.
N. C. River Basin Buffer Rules
No part of the project study area falls within a NC River Basin Buffer.
Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10 Navigable Waters
There are no Navigable Waters under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act within the
PSA.
4 October 2023