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Home My WebLink About20150719 Ver 1_B-5243 Biological Conclusion Memorandum_20150828BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE GOVF.RNOR Memorandum To: From: 6 �s SfATp q'� m 4� � � �n �� ..�i�-.. q � � �� auan� ��°'� STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EUGENE A. CONTI, JR. SF,CRF.TARY March 4, 2011 Erin Cheely, Western Environmental Specialist, Natural Environment Project Management Group Jared Gray, Environmental Program Consultant Natural Environment Biological Surveys Group Subject: Protected species survey report for the Carolina heelsplitter (Lasmigona decorata) for the for the proposed bridge replacement of Bridge 258 over South Fork Crooked Creek on SR 1008; Union County: Federal Aid Project No. BRSTP-1008 (23); WBS Element 42845.1.1; TIP Project No. B-5243. Proposed Project B-5243 The proposed project calls for the replacement of Bridge No. 258 on SR 1008 (Indian Trail Road) over South Fork Crooked Creek in Union County. South Fork Crooked Creek is located in the Yadkin Pee Dee River Basin. A map of the project site is attached. The federally endangered Carolina heelsplitter is listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for Union County. Background The Carolina heelsplitter was historically known from several locations within the Catawba and Pee Dee River systems in North Carolina and the Pee Dee and Savannah River systems, and possibly the Saluda River system, in South Carolina. In North Carolina, the species is now known only from a handful of streams in the Rocky and Catawba River systems. The species exists in very low abundances, usually within 6 feet of shorelines, throughout its known range. The general habitat requirements for the Carolina heelsplitter are shaded areas in large rivers to small streams, often burrowed into clay banks between the root systems of trees, or in runs along steep banks with moderate current. The more recent habitat where the Carolina heelsplitter has been found is in sections of streams containing bedrock with perpendicular crevices filled with sand and gravel, and with wide riparian buffers. Prior to conducting in-stream surveys, a review of the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NHP) database was conducted (February 18, 2011) to determine if there were any records of rare mussels within the proposed project study area or receiving waters. This review indicated that there are no known occurrences of the federally protected Carolina heelsplitter within the project area. The closest population is in Goose Creek in Union County which is over 30 miles away from this project. The DWQ database show that this portion of South Fork Crooked Creek in the project vicinity is a 303d stream and has a major NPDES discharger, which could eliminate long term viability for this species. The section of South Fork Crooked Creek up and downstream from the project site appears on DWQ's 2008 Draft Impaired Waters List as biologically criteria being exceeded and parameters of interest are ecological and biological integrity for fish and benthos communities (NCDWQ, 2008). South Fork Crooked Creek has one major discharger downstream of the project. Crooked Creek WWTP is downstream of the project near the confluence with East Fork Stewarts Creek and South Fork Crooked Creek and is a major discharger that holds NPDES Permit # NC 0069841 to discharge municipal wastewater into South Fork Crooked Creek. Chemicals in the discharge fi-om this facility are likely to create an inhospitable environment for freshwater mussels. Habitat Assessment Results A habitat assessment was performed by NCDOT staff inembers Neil Medlin (Permit No. NC-2011-ES-30) and Jared Gray on February 21, 2011. South Fork Crooked Creek at the project crossing on SR 1008 was 3 meters wide with 1 meter wet width and banlc height was 1.5 meters high. On the day of the site visit, the overall water depth was very shallow with 100% of the stream reach less than 2 feet in depth. The creek contained runs and pool areas with normal substrate compactness. The substrate above the bridge was generally dominated by sand, with some gravel and a considerable amount of silt. Some of the substrate had filamentous algae on it. There was also a portion of the creek upstream that had been lined with rip-rap and had been channelized. The South Fork Crooked Creek had some eroding and undercutting of its banks. The stream had 85 percent cover up and downstream of the project crossing. South Fork Crooked Creek was paralleled by a sewer easement. The substrate in South Fork Crooked Creek below the project crossing was generally dominated by silt with some gravel, bedrock, cobble, clay and considerable amounts of sand. The stream was 2 meters wide and had better habitat. The land use at the project crossing looked to be urban. The habitat assessment was conducted by wading visually looking in areas where the best habitat occurred with no mussels being found in 0.5 man-hours of assessment time. NCDOT biologist visually assessed South Fork Crooked Creek 300 meters above the project crossing to 100 meters downstream of the project crossing with no mussels or Carolina heelsplitters found in this habitat assessment. Carolina Heelsplitter As a result of this habitat assessment, as well as the review of GIS and NHP data, it appears that the Carolina heelsplitter does not exist in the project viciniry. Habitat for the Carolina heelsplitter does not occur at the survey site. South Fork Crooked is on the NCDWQ newest 303d list for turbidity. South Fork Crooked Creek also has one major discharger on it that is likely to create inhospitable conditions for the Carolina heelsplitter. Isolation from Carolina heelsplitter populations and water quality issues effectively render no habitat for Carolina heelsplitter. This project over South Fork Crooked Creek is over 30 miles upstream from the nearest population of Carolina heelsplitter in Goose Creek. This project will have no effect on the Carolina heelsplitter. Biological Conclusion No Effect References NatureServe. 2007. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 6.2. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://www.natureserve.or /g explorer. (Accessed 02/18/11). NCDWQ. 2008a. North Carolina Division of Water Qualiry Assessment and Impaired waters 303 (d) list draft report. http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/tmdl/documents/B.Draft2008303dList.pdf (Accessed 02/18/11). NCDWQ. 2008b. North Carolina Division of Water Quality Basinwide Planning Program: Yadkin Pee Dee River Basinwide Water Quality Plan. NPDES Dischargers & Individual Stormwater Permits. htt�://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/basinwide/Neuse/2008/Yadkin2008 (Accessed 02/18/11). NC Natural Heritage Program. 2009. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program database (Accessed 02/18/11). Raleigh, N.C. [NCWRC] North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. North Carolina Mussel Atlas: http://www.ncwildlife.org/p�07_WildlifeSpeciesCon/pg7blal.htm. (Accessed 02/18/11). [USFWS] United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Carolina heelsplitter in North Carolina. http://www.fws.gov/nc-es/mussel/carolheel.html. (Accessed 02/18/11) Cc: Christy Huff, Project Development Engineer, Bridge Group File: B-5243 0 0.5 1 Miles N 6-5243 Union County Replace Bridge No. 258 on SR 1008 over South Fork Crooked Creek. ��w�� ■�sL. ~*�# �'r;� �� i.��c�►�w � �I�� i � ,�,,i•ti,ij�� •.4 � r_.�'1r,►:yi:,��r�� r'L��