20240526 Ver 1_BP13.R023_NRTR_20240405

NATURAL RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT
Replace Bridge No. 560087 on SR 1347 (Chandler Creek Rd.) over California Creek
Madison County, North Carolina
WBS Element No. BP13.R023
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Division 13
June 2023

Natural Resources Technical Report WBS BP13.R023, Madison County, N.C.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to Replace Bridge
560087 on SR 1347 (Chandler Creek Rd.) over California Creek (WBS BP13.R023) 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). Field work was conducted on January 9th, 2023.
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.
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.
Alluvial Forest
American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
0.1
Black walnut Ju lans ni ra
Grasses (Poaceae spp.)
Maintained/Disturbed
Rough horsetail (Equisetum hymale)
1.6
American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
Black walnut Ju lans ni ra
Total
1.7
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.
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Natural Resources Technical Report WBS BP13.R023, 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
Perimyotis subflavus
tricolored bat
PE
Yes
Unresolved
Myotis septentrionalis
northern long-eared bat
E
Yes
Unresolved
Danaus plexippus
monarch butterfly
C
Yes
Not Required
' IPaC data checked on January 8, 2023
E — Endangered, 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 no known
occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area.
Tricolored 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.
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.
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.
2 June 2023

Natural Resources Technical Report WBS BP13.R023, 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 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, 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
Best Usage
Bank
Bankfull
Stream Name
Map ID
Index
Classificatio
Height
width
Depth
(in)
Number
n
ft
ft
Chandler Creek
Chandler Creek
6-96-10-2-2
WS-II;HQW
4
10-12
4-10
California Creek
California Creek
6-96-10-2
WS-II;HQW
1-4
8-10
4-10
UT to California
Creek
SA
6-96-10-2
WS-II;HQW
0.5
4
1-4
Chandler Creek, California Creek, and Stream SA, within the project study area, are
designated as Water Supply II (WS-II) and High Quality Water (HQW). There are no
designated Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW) within, or within 1.0 mile downstream
of the study area. The North Carolina 2022 303(d) list of impaired does not identify any
streams within the study area as impaired waters.
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. 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.
June 2023

Natural Resources Technical Report WBS BP13.R023, Madison County, N.C.
Table 4. Status of streams in the study area
Map ID
Length
ft.
Classification
Compensatory
Miti ation Required
River Basin
Buffer
Chandler Creek
414
Perennial
Yes
Not Subject
California Creek
405
Perennial
Yes
Not Subject
Stream SA
50
Perennial
Yes
Not Subject
Total
869
* NCSAM forms are available in the JD package
One wetland was identified within the study area (Table 5). The location of the wetland is
shown on Figure 4. All wetlands in the study area are located within the French Broad
River 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. Wetlands in the study area
NCWAM
NCWAM
Hydrologic
404/401
Area (ac.) in
Map ID
Forested
Classification
Rating
Classification
or 401
Study Area
Non -Tidal
WA
Freshwater
No
Medium
Riparian
404/401
0.006
Marsh
Total
0.006
6.2 Construction Moratoria
All watersheds within Madison County are listed as Designated Trout Watersheds. 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 NCWRC.
NCWRC was contacted regarding a possible trout moratorium; however, no response has
been received at this time.
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.
4 June 2023

Natural Resources Technical Report WBS BP13.R023, 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/cl assificati 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 aterResources/DocVi ew. aspx?dbid=0&id=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/
5 June 2023

Natural Resources Technical Report WBS BP13.R023, 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. Mars Hill, North Carolina, Topographic
Quadrangle (7.5-minute series).
6 June 2023

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OF TRANSPORTATION Madison County
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OF TRANSPORTATION Madison County
g DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS Replace Bridge No. 87
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over California Creek

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WBS # BP13.R023
Madison County
Replace Bridge No. 87 on SR 1347
(Chandler Creek Road) over California Creek
Date: 06-26-2022
Figure 3

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OF TRANSPORTATION WBS # BP13.R023
o/� 1Zi DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS Madison County
Replace Bridge No. 87 on SR 1347 Figure 4
9''F� SQOQ`P OF TRDIVISION 13 (Chandler Creek Road) over California Creek
AN

Qualifications of Contributors
Principal
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: Wetland and stream delineation, natural communities assessment,
T/E species assessment, GIS surveys and mapping, NRTR
document review
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: Norma Hernandez
Education: A.S. Science, 2023
Experience: Environmental Technician, Sage Ecological Services, 2023-present
Responsibilities: T/E species assessment, GIS surveys and mapping, NRTR
document preparation
Investigator: Ian Warr
Education: B.S. Environmental Sciences, 2022
Experience: Environmental Technician, Sage Ecological Services, 2021-present
Responsibilities: NRTR document review