20240475 Ver 1_R-5711 - NRTR FINAL_20240327

NATURAL RESOURCES TECHNICAL MEMO
Realign and Signalize US 21 - At Intersection of US 21 and SR 2375 (Houston
Road)/SR 1312 (Flower House Road)
Iredell County, North Carolina
STIP R-5711
WBS Element No. 50207.1.1
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NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Highways Division 12
March 2024
March 2024

Natural Resources Technical Memo STIP R-5711, Iredell County, N. C.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to realign and
signalize the intersection at US 21 and SR 2375 (Houston Road)/SR 1312 (Flower House
Road), STIP R-5711) in Iredell County (Figures I and 2). The following Natural Resources
Technical Memorandum (NRTM) 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). Field work was conducted on September 4th, 2022
(original study area) February 27th, 2024, and March 1st, 2024 (revised study area). Water
resources identified in the study area 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.
4.0 PROTECTED SPECIES
Endangered Species Act Protected Species
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and (if applicable) list the following
federally protected species within the study area, under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)
(Table 1). For each species, a discussion of the presence or absence of habitat is included
below along with the Biological Conclusion recommended based on survey results in the
study area.
Table 1. ESA federally protected species within the Study Areal
Scientific Name
Common Name
Federal
Status
Habitat
Present
Biological
Conclusion
Glyptemys muhlenbergii
Bog Turtle
T(S/A)
No
Not required
exastylis naniora
Dwarf -flowered Heartleaf
T
Yes
No Effect
Helianthus schweinitzii
Schweinitz's Sunflower
E
Yes
No Effect
Perimyotis subflavus
Tricolored Bat
PE
Yes
MA;NLAA
' IPaC data checked on March 19, 2024
T — Threatened
T (S/A) — Threatened due to similarity of appearance
E — Endangered
PE — Proposed Endangered
MA;NLAA — May Affect; Not Likely to Adversely Affect
Bog turtle
USFWS optimal survey window: April 1 — October I (visual surveys); April 1-June 15
(optimal for breeding/nesting); May 1-June 30 (trapping surveys)
2 March 2024

Natural Resources Technical Memo
STIP R-5711, Iredell County, N. C.
Biological Conclusion: Not Required
Species listed as threatened due to similarity of appearance do not require Section
7 consultation with the USFWS. A September 4, 2022, survey of the PSA found no
suitable habitat in the form of wet or boggy areas. A March 2024 review of the
NCNHP database indicated there are no occurrences within a 1.0 mile of the project
site.
Dwarf -flowered heartleaf
USFWS Optimal Survey Window: March -May
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Initial on -site investigations of the study area on September 4, 2022, found suitable
habitat for DFH along the adjacent hillsides of the stream/creek heads of SA and
SB. Other pedestrian surveys were conducted on February 27, 2024, and again on
March 1, 2024, but no individuals of species H. naniflora were found. A review of
NHP records in March of 2024 indicates no known occurrences within 1.0 mile of
the study area. As no individuals were observed during on -site surveys, and no
populations have been reported within I mile of the PSA, it is recommended that
this project will have no effect on dwarf -flowered heartleaf.
Schweinitz's sunflower
USFWS optimal survey window: Late August - October
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Suitable habitat for Schweinitz's sunflower is present in the maintained overhead
utility corridors and roadside areas. A pedestrian survey was performed on
September 4, 2022, of the suitable habitat areas. No individuals were observed. A
review of NHP records in March of 2024 indicates no known occurrences within
1.0 mile of the study area. As no individuals were observed during on -site surveys,
and no populations have been reported within 1 mile of the PSA, it is recommended
that this project will have no effect on Schweinitz's sunflower.
Tri-colored Bat
USFWS Recommended Survey Window: June 1 — August 15
Biological Conclusion: May Affect; Not Likely to Adversely Affect
On September 14, 2022, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a proposal to list
the tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus - PESU) as endangered under the Endangered
Species Act.
The project study area does not contain any bridge structures or culverts meeting NCDOT's
Standard Operating Procedures for Preliminary Bat Habitat Assessments greater than 3 feet
wide and 60 feet in length. However, trees onsite represent habitat for PESU. Natural
Heritage Program records indicated no known PESU occurrences within 1 mile of the study
area.
March 2024

Natural Resources Technical Memo STIP R-5711, Iredell County, N. C.
A Biological Conclusion of May Affect Not Likely to Adversely Affect is recommended
to the above species based on the presence of marginal summer roosting, foraging and
commuting habitat. The area has high traffic volumes and is in an urbanized area. No
evidence of a federally listed bat was found in the PSA, no caves or mines are in the area,
and a large area of alternative available more suitable habitat exists in the project vicinity.
The closest listed known occurrence of PESU is 17.3 miles to the north (EO 42943). Since
the vicinity consists of abundant urbanized areas, there is abundant lighting along the entire
PSA from adjacent businesses. There is one existing roadway lighting pole along US 21.
NCDOT does not have any plans to install any new roadway lighting with this project. To
manage traffic, night work may be necessary. Downcast lighting directed only at the work
area will be used and lights will be turned off when not in use. No blasting is expected for
this project, however if blasting becomes necessary, blast mats or overburden material will
be incorporated as needed and blasting will be avoided to the maximum extent possible
during the pup season (June — July). Tree clearing (-1.8 ac) during the active season will
be avoided to the maximum extent possible, however this project is scheduled to let in July
2024, so clearing may begin in early October. Due to the urbanization of the area and the
alternative available habitat NCDOT recommends a Biological Conclusion of May Affect
Not Likely to Adversely Affect for this species.
Bald Eagle 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 March 19, 2024, using recent 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 updated March 2024 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 Catawba River basin (U.S. Geological
Survey Hydrologic Unit 03050101). Two streams were identified in the study area (Table
2).
4 March 2024

Natural Resources Technical Memo
STIP R-5711, Iredell County, N. C.
Table 2. Streams in the study area
NCDWR
Bank
Bankfull
Best Usage
Depth
Stream Name
Map ID
Index
Height
Width
Classification
(in)
Number
ft
ft
Ut to Rocky Creek
SA
11-84- 1
WS-IV
3
8
2
Ut to Rocky Creek
SB
11-84- 1
WS-IV
1
5
2
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. The North Carolina 2022 Final 303(d) list of impaired waters identifies
no waters within the study area, or within 1.0 mile downstream of the study area, as
impaired.
6.0 REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS
Clean Water Act Waters of the U.S.
Two potential jurisdictional streams were identified within the study area (Table 3). All
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
Map ID
Length
ft.
Classification
Compensatory
Miti ation Required
River Basin
Buffer
SA
205
WS-IV
Yes
Not Subject
SB
34
WS-IV
Yes
Not Subject
Total
339
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.
5 March 2024

Natural Resources Technical Memo
STIP R-5711, Iredell 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.
Environmental Laboratory. 2012. Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers
Wetland Delineation Manual: Eastern Mountains and Piedmont Region (Version
2.0). U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center. Vicksburg,
Mississippi.
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Resources. DWR Surface
Water Classification Map. NC Surface Water Classifications (arcgis.com).
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Resources. Surface Water
Identification and Training Course. Methodology for Identification of Intermittent
and Perennial Streams and Their Origins. Stream ID Manual Version 4.11.
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Resources. Water Quality
Assessment and Impaired Waters List (2022) Final 303(d) list.
N.C. Department of Transportation. 2019. TE Animal Habitat Descriptions. NCDOT,
Project Development and Environmental Analysis. Natural Environment Section.
N.C. Floodplain Mapping Program, North Carolina Flood Risk Information System.
FRIS Iredell County, North Carolina. Map Number 3710474000J. (fris.nc.gov).
N.C. Natural Heritage Program. Data Explorer, 2022. Biotics Database. Department of
Natural and Cultural Resources, Raleigh, North Carolina.
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. 400 pp.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1965. Section 10 Wilmington District Waters.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Web Soil
Survey. Soil Survey of Iredell County, North Carolina. Web Soil Survey - Home
(usda.gov).
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2024. Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC).
6 March 2024

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Vicinity Map
State of North Carolina Figure 1
R-5711
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Topographic
State of North Carolina R-5711
_r/ Department of Transportation US 21/SR 2375/SR 13121 Iredell County

Environmental Features
State of North Carolina R-5711 I Figure 3
Department of Transportation US-21/SR 2375/SR 1312 1 Iredell County

Natural Resources Technical Memo
STIP R-5711, Iredell County, N. C.
Qualifications of Contributors
Principal
Investigator Jeff Wyatt
Education: B.S. Biology, 2004
Experience: Division Environmental Officer, 2020 — present
Environmental Specialist, NCDOT, 2007-2020
Environmental Consultant, HDR Engineering, 2005-2007
Responsibilities: T/E species assessment, wetland and stream delineation, document prep
Secondary
Investigator: Caleb BrabbleRose
Education: B.S. Biology, Environmental Science; 2018
Experience: Environmental Specialist, NCDOT, 2022-present
Restoration Specialist, HARP, 2021
Research Scientist, Wake Forest University, 2018-2021
Responsibilities: T/E species assessment, wetland and stream delineation, document prep
7 March 2024