20240534 Ver 1_BP13.R024 Madison MYGR, MYSE,PESU,MYLU_20240411

Roy COOPER
GOVERNOR
STATE.,N
y
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
July 17, 2023
TO: Stacy Oberhausen, P.E., Consultant Project Manager
Highway Division 14
FROM: Melissa Miller, Environmental Program Consultant
Biological Surveys Group, EAU
J. ERIC BOYETTE
SECRETARY
SUBJECT: Section 7 survey results for the gray bat (Myotis grisescens, MYGR), northern long-
eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis, MYSE), tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus,
PESO and little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus, MYLO, associated with the
replacement of Bridge No. 152 over Spillcorn Creek on SR 1318 in Madison
County, TIP No. BP13.R024.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT, Division 13) proposes to replace
Bridge No. 152 over Spillcorn Creek on SR 1318 in Madison County, TIP No. BP13.R024. The
existing bridge is a single span structure with steel beams, timber deck, concrete end walls and
metal guard rails. The overall length of the bridge is 37 feet. No culverts meeting NCDOT's
Standard Operating Procedures for Preliminary Bat Habitat Assessments were identified meeting
the criteria of greater than 3 feet wide and 60 feet in length during this site visit.
On May 17, 2023, NCDOT biologists assessed all of the structures in the project study area. The
structure is a small timber bridge coated in creosote. No crevices suitable for roosting are present
on the bridge. No evidence of bats (bats, staining, guano) was observed on the bridge. Trees greater
than 3" dbh are present in the project area. There are no known caves or mines within one half
mile of the project footprint and no caves or mines were observed during the field visit. Large,
continuous forests are present in the project vicinity, providing potential foraging and commuting
habitat.
Mailing Address: Location:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Telephone: [phone] BIRCH RIDGE DRIVE
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS UNIT Customer Service: 1-877-368-4968 RAEEiGH NC 27610
1598 MAIL SERVICE CENTER
RAEEiGHNC27699-1598 Website: www.ncdot.gov

As of July 17, 2023, the following federally protected bat species are listed in IPaC
(hLtps://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/ as occurrin in the action area:
Distance to
Federal
Habitat
Species
Nearest
Status
Present*
Record**
MYGR
E
Yes
2.1 mile E
MYSE
E
Yes
7.7 mile E
PESU
PE
Yes
4.1 mile E
MYLU***
FL
Yes
9.8 mile S
*See detailed habitat information in table below
**Nearest known record from latest NHP, WRC, or NCDOT data
*** The Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus), which may become federally listed in the future (FL), may
also be found in Madison County.
Presence (J) or Probable Absence (X) of various habitat types for bat species present in project
area.
Species
Summer Roosting
Winter
Roosting
g
Foraging
Habitat
Commuting
Habitat
Tree
Structure
MYGR
NA
X
X
J
J
MYSE
,/
X
X
J
J
PESU
,/
X
X
J
J
MYLU
,/
X
X
J
J
No evidence of federally listed bats was found on the structure, no caves or mines are in the area,
and a large area of alternative available suitable habitat exists in the project vicinity. This memo
serves as a field survey report, at this time not enough information is available to make an effects
determination.
If you need any additional information, please contact Melissa Miller at 919-707-6127.