20240440 Ver 1_BP13.R020_NRTR_20240319

NATURAL RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT
Replace Bridge No. 560036 on SR 1515 (Buckner Branch Rd.)
over Middle Fork Creek
Madison County, North Carolina
WBS Element No. BP13.R020
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Environmental Coordination and Permitting
May 2023

Natural Resources Technical Report WBS BP13.R020, Madison County, N.C.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to replace bridge
560036 on SR 1515 (Buckner Branch Road) over Middle Fork Creek in Madison County
(Figures 1 and 2). 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 Preparing Natural Resources Technical Reports Procedure and the latest
NRTR Template (September 2021). Fieldwork was conducted on January 9, 2023. Water
resources identified in the study have not been verified by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE) or the North Carolina Division of Water Resources (NCDWR). 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 3 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.)
Chestnut Oak Forest
Chestnut Oak uercus montana
0.3
Maintained/Disturbed
Grasses Poaceae s .
1.7
Total
2.0
4.0 PROTECTED SPECIES
4.1 Endangered Species Act Protected Species
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) lists the following federally
protected species within the study area, under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (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.
May 2023

Natural Resources Technical Report WBS BP13.R020, Madison County, N.C.
Table 2. ESA federally protected species within the Study Areal
Scientific Name
Common Name
Federal
Status
Habitat
Present
Biological
Conclusion
Myotis grisescens
gray bat
E
Yes
Unresolved
Myotis septentrionalis
northern long-eared bat
E
Yes
Unresolved
Perimyotis subflavus
tri-colored bat
PE
Yes
Unresolved
Danaus plexippus
monarch butterfly
C
Yes
Not Required
' IPaC data checked on January 8, 2023
E - Endangered T — Threatened C — Candidate PE — Proposed Endangered
Gray bat
USFWS optimal survey window: May 15 — August 15
Biological Conclusion: Unresolved
This information will be provided by the NCDOT Biological Surveys Group
(BSG). A review of NHP records, updated January 2023, indicates one known
occurrence of gray bat within 1.0 mile of the study area.
Northern long-eared bat
USFWS optimal survey window: May 15 — August 15
Biological Conclusion: Unresolved
This information will be provided by the NCDOT Biological Surveys Group
(BSG). A review of NHP records, updated January 2023, indicates no known
occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area.
Tri-colored bat
USFWS optimal survey window: May 15 — August 15
Biological Conclusion: Unresolved
This information will be provided by the NCDOT Biological Surveys Group
(BSG). A review of NHP records, updated January 2023, indicates no known
occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area.
Monarch butterfly
Biological Conclusion: Not Required
Habitat for the monarch butterfly is present in the study area in the roadside rights -
of -way and maintained lawn areas. However, the monarch butterfly is listed as a
Candidate species and is not currently afforded protection under Section 7 of the
ESA. A review of NHP records, updated January 2023, indicates no known
occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area.
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Natural Resources Technical Report WBS BP13.R020, Madison County, N.C.
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 January 6, 2023, using 2018 color aerials.
Middle Fork Carp Lake, approximately 0.25 mile south of the project study area, is large
enough and sufficiently open to provide foraging habitat. A survey of the project study area
and the area within 660 feet of the project limits was conducted on January 9, 2023, no
individuals were observed. Additionally, a review of the NHP database, updated January
2023, 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.
5.0 WATER RESOURCES
Water resources in the study area are part of the French Broad basin [U.S. Geological
Survey (USGS) Hydrologic Unit 06010105]. Three streams were identified in the study
area (Table 3). The location of each stream is shown in Figure 4.
Table 3. Streams in the study area
NCDWR
Bank
Bankfull
Stream Name
Map ID
Index
Best Usage
Height
width
Depth
Classification
(in)
Number
ft
ft
Middle Fork
Middle Fork Creek
6-96-10-1
WS-II; HQW
2
12
12-36
Creek
UT to Middle Fork
Creek
SA
6-96-10-1
WS-II; HQW
1-2
3
1-3
UT to Middle Fork
Creek
SB
6-96-10-1
WS-II; HQW
0.5
3
3-6
Middle Fork Creek has been designated as a High Quality Water (HQW) and Watershed II
(WS-II) within the study area. There are no Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW) within
the study area or within 1.0 mile downstream of the study area. The North Carolina 2022
Final 303(d) list of impaired waters identifies no streams within the study area as impaired
waters.
May 2023

Natural Resources Technical Report WBS BP13.R020, Madison County, N.C.
6.0 REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS
6.1 Clean Water Act Waters of the U.S.
Three streams were identified in the study area (Table 4). The location of these streams is
shown on Figure 4. North Carolina Stream Assessment Method (NCSAM) and NCDWR
stream identification forms are included in a separate Jurisdictional Determination (JD)
Package. All streams in the study area have been designated as cold water streams for the
purposes of stream mitigation.
Table 4. Status of streams in the study area
Map ID
Length
Classification
Compensatory
River Basin
ft.
Miti ation Required
Buffer
Middle Fork
297
Perennial
Undetermined
Not Subject
Creek
SA
311
Perennial
Undetermined
Not Subject
SB
40
Intermittent
Undetermined
Not Subject
Total
648
One wetland was identified within the study area (Table 5). The location of this wetland is
shown on Figure 4. All wetlands in the study area are located within the French Broad
basin [USGS Hydrologic Unit 06010105]. USACE wetland determination forms and
NCWAM forms for each site are included in a separate Jurisdictional Determination
Package.
Table 5. Characteristics of wetlands in the study area
NCWAM
NCWAM
Hydrologic
404/401
Area (ac.) in
Map ID
Classification
Forested
Rating
Classification
or 401
Study Area
Non -tidal
WA
Freshwater
No
Medium
Riparian
404/401
0.027
Marsh
Total
0.027
6.2 Construction Moratoria
The USACE has identified streams in the study area as trout waters, in a letter dated
February 4, 2022.
In a letter dated December 22, 2021, the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC)
stated that wild trout populations should not be impacted by this proposed project and do
not request a trout moratorium. NCWRC recommends stringent sediment and erosion
control measures for construction.
Work in waters of the U.S. in the Designated Trout Watersheds of North Carolina is
prohibited from October 15th through April 15th without prior written approval from the
4 May 2023

Natural Resources Technical Report WBS BP13.R020, Madison County, N.C.
NCWRC, or from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Fisheries and Wildlife
Management (FWM) office if the project is located on EBCI trust land.
6.3 N.C. River Basin Buffer Rules
There are no state -regulated riparian buffer rules in effect for the study area.
6.4 Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10 Navigable Waters
No streams in the study area have been designated by the USACE as a Navigable Water
under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act.
5 May 2023

Natural Resources Technical Report WBS BP13.R020, Madison 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.
Harrar, E.S. and J.G. Harrar. 1962. Guide to Southern Trees. New York: Dover
Publications. 2nd ed. 709 pp.
N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality. 2020.
Surface Water Classifications. French Broad River Basin.
https:Hdeq.nc.gov/aboutldivi si ons/water-resources/water-planning/classificati on-
standards/river-basin-classification
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Quality. 2022. 2022 NC
303(d) List— Category 5 Final. June 7, 2022.
https: Hedocs .deq.nc. gov/W aterRes ources/DocVi ew. aspx?dbi d=0&i d=23 61776&c
r=1
N.C. Department of Transportation. 2019. T&E Plant Habitat Descriptions. NCDOT,
Project Development and Environmental Analysis. Natural Environment Section.
N.C. Department of Transportation. 2012. Invasive Exotic Plants of North Carolina.
Cherri Smith. NCDOT, Project Development and Environmental Analysis.
Natural Environment Section.
N.C. Department of Transportation. 2019. TE Animal Habitat Descriptions. NCDOT,
Project Development and Environmental Analysis. Natural Environment Section.
Newcomb, L. 1977. Newcomb's Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and
Company. 490 pp.
Radford, A.E., H.E. Ahles, and C.R. Bell. 1968. Manual of the Vascular Flora of the
Carolinas. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. 1183 pp.
Schafale, M.P. and A.S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the Natural Communities of
North Carolina: Third Approximation. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program,
Division of Parks and Recreation, NCDEHNR. Raleigh, North Carolina. 325 pp.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 2012. Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers
Wetland Delineation Manual: Eastern Mountains and Piedmont Region (Version
2.0), ed. J.S. Wakeley, R.W. Lichvar, and C.V. Noble, ERDC/EL TR-10-20.
Vicksburg, MS: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 2020. National Wetland Plant List, version 3.5.
http://wetland-plants.usace.anny.mil/
6 May 2023

Natural Resources Technical Report WBS BP13.R020, Madison County, N.C.
United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2020.
Hydrologic Units -North Carolina (metadata). Raleigh, North Carolina.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 2022. Endangered Species, Threatened Species,
Federal Species of Concern, and Candidate Species, Madison County, North
Carolina.
United States Geological Survey. 2022. Marshall, North Carolina, Topographic
Quadrangle (7.5-minute series).
7 May 2023

Legend
Project Study Area
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NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT WBS # BP13.R020
OF TRANSPORTATION Madison County Replace
g DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS Bridge No. 36 on SR 1515
DIVISION 13 (Buckner Branch Rd.) over Figure 1
Middle Fork Creek

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a NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT WBS # BP13.R020
OF TRANSPORTATION Madison County
g DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS Replace Bridge No. 36
''�ra•NA° DIVISION 13 on SR 1515 (Buckner Branch Rd.) Figure 2
over Middle Fork Creek

Legend
Project Study Area
Chestnut Oak Forest
Maintained/Disturbed
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DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
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Natural Communities Map
WBS # BP13.R020
Madison County
Replace Bridge No. 36 on SR 1515
(Buckner Branch Rd.) over Middle Fork Creek
NC OneMap Orthoimagery;i2011
Date: 01-11-2023
Figure 3

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WBS # BP13.R020
Madison County
Replace Bridge No. 36 on SR 1515
(Buckner Branch Raod) over Middle Fork Creek
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Date: 01-11-2023
Figure 4
EN

Qualifications of Contributors
Principal
Investigator: Ryan Elliott
Education: B.S. Biological Sciences, 2014
Experience: Environmental Scientist, Sage Ecological Services, 2021-present
Environmental Scientist, TGS Engineers, 2018-2021
Environmental Scientist, Mogensen Mitigation, 2015-2018
Responsibilities: Wetland and stream delineation, natural communities assessment,
T/E species assessment, GIS surveys and mapping, NRTR
document review
Investigator: Ian Warr
Education: B.S. Environmental Sciences, 2022
Experience: Environmental Technician, Sage Ecological Services, 2021-present
Responsibilities: Wetland and stream delineation, natural communities assessment,
T/E species assessment, document preparation.
Investigator: Kim Hamlin, PWS
Education: M.S. Natural Resources, 2011
Experience: Environmental Scientist, Sage Ecological Services, 2021-present
Environmental Consultant, Independent Contractor, 2019-2021
Environmental Scientist, TGS Engineers, 2016-2019
Environmental Project Scientist, SEPI Engineering, 2012-2016
Responsibilities: NRTR document review
Investigator: Nicole Thomson, PWS
Education: B.S. Marine Biology, 1996
Experience: Senior Environmental Scientist, Sage Ecological Services, 2021-
present
Environmental Scientist/Project Manager, Kleinfelder, 2018-2021
Environmental Scientist, SEPI Engineering, 2013-2018
Responsibilities: NRTR document review
Investigator: Philip Beach, PWS
Education: B.S. Natural Resources, 2006
Experience: Environmental Scientist, Sage Ecological Services, 2021-present
Environmental Consultant, Independent Contractor, 2017-2021
Environmental Scientist / Project Manager, SEPI Engineering,
2006-2017
Responsibilities: NRTR document review