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Home My WebLink About20240435 Ver 1_NCWRC Env Review - Caleb's Creek Development - Forsyth_202405069 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 9 Cameron Ingram, Executive Director Via Email 27 March 2024 Rhiannon Graham Terracon Consultants Inc. 2401 Brentwood Road, Ste. 107 Raleigh, NC 27604 Subject: Environmental Review Caleb's Creek Development Kernersville, Forsyth County, North Carolina Dear Ms. Graham, Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission (NCWRC) have reviewed the subject document. Comments are provided in accordance with provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667e) and North Carolina General Statutes (G.S. 113-131 et seq.). On behalf of BOMA, NC, LLC, Terracon is requesting an environmental review for the proposed Cale's Creek development in Kernersville, Forsyth County, Guilford County, North Carolina. The approximately 750-acre project will consist of single and multi -family residential development. We have records for state special concern Greensboro burrowing crayfish (Cambarus catagius) and the state significantly rare Carolina ladle crayfish (Cambarus davidi) within the project area. The state endangered and federally proposed endangered tricolored bat (Perimyotis sublfavus) occurs throughout the Piedmont. We offer the following preliminary recommendations to minimize impacts to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife resources: 1. We recommend designing the development to minimize impacts on natural resources and provide wildlife a corridor for traveling along Abbotts Creek and its tributaries. Recommendations include clustering buildings, connecting any open spaces with natural, undisturbed areas; and minimizing clearing of the site to retain the maximum amount of native, forested vegetation. For information and recommendations on nature -friendly, green planning, see NCWRC's Green Growth Toolbox (http://www.ncwildlife.org/Conservin / ograms/GreenGrowthToolbox.aspx). 2. Maintain a minimum 100-foot undisturbed, native, forested buffer along perennial streams, and a minimum 50-foot buffer along intermittent streams and wetlands. Maintaining undisturbed, forested buffers along these areas will minimize impacts to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife resources, water quality, and aquatic habitat both within and downstream of the project area. Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721 Telephone: (919) 707-0220 • Fax: (919) 707-0028 Page 2 27 March 2024 Caleb's Creek Development Forsyth County Also, wide riparian buffers are helpful in maintaining stability of stream banks and for treatment of pollutants associated with stormwater. This will reduce impacts to state rare crayfish species. Tree clearing activities should occur outside the "active season" (April 1—November 14) for the tricolored bat. Conducting tree clearing activities during the winter avoids impacting bats roosting in trees, particularly during the maternity season (June — July). Tricolored bats are known to roost in culverts and in bridges, including in the winter in the Piedmont of North Carolina. Therefore, any existing culverts greater than 3 feet wide should be surveyed for bats within 15 days of construction. Surveys should be conducted in accordance with the National White -nose Syndrome Decontamination Protocol and the NCWRC Culvert Survey Protocol. Use native plants for seeding disturbed areas. Avoid using invasive and/or non-native species such as Bermudagrass, redtop, tall fescue, and lespedeza. A list of alternatives to non-native species has been attached. Alternatively, use grains, such as oats, wheat, or rye for temporary cover and native seed mixes for permeant seeding. We recommend planting native, wildflower seed mixes that will create pollinator habitat within the project boundary. Avoid using invasive, non-native plants in seed mixtures or landscaping plants, such as nandina, privet, Japanese spirea, or Japanese holly (Invasive Plants). 5. Incorporate the following elements into erosion and sediment control plans: minimize clearing and grading, protect waterways, phase construction for larger construction sites (>25 acres), stabilize soils as rapidly as possible (<2 weeks), protect steep slopes, establish appropriate perimeter controls, employ advanced settling devices, implement a certified contractors program, and regularly inspect erosion control measures. 6. Erosion control matting made of plastic mesh or twine should not be used within the project area because it can injure or kill wildlife. If I can be of additional assistance, please call (336) 269-0074 or email olivia.munzerkncwildlife.org. Sincerely, C Olivia Munzer Western Piedmont Coordinator Habitat Conservation Program RECOMMENDED NATIVE ALTERNATIVES FOR NON-NATIVE GRASSES IN NORTH CAROLINA" (Species are appropriate for all geographic regions unless otherwise indicated) NON-NATIVE SPECIES NATIVE SPECIES Big bluestem Andropogon gerardii Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans Crownvetch Switchgrass Panicum virgatum Centipede Beaked panicgrass Panicum anceps Bermuda Purpletop Tridens flavus Roundheaded bushclover Lespedeza capitata Deer tongue Dicanthelium clandestinum Sensitive partridge pea Chamaecrista nictitans Partridge pea Chamaecrista asciculata Big bluestem Andropogon gerardii Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans Switchgrass Panicum virgatum Kentucky bluegrass Beaked panicgrass Panicum anceps Tall fescue Purpletop Tridens flavus Sudangrass Broomsedge Andropogon virginicus Deer tongue Dicanthelium clandestinum Canadian wildrye Elymus canadensis Virginia wildrye Elymus virginicus Sensitive partridge pea Chamaecrista nictitans Partridge pea Chamaecrista asciculata Switchgrass Panicum virgatum Splitbeard bluestem Andropogon ternarius Sericea lespedeza Beggarlice Desmodium spp. Kobe lespedeza Deer tongue Dicanthelium clandestinum Sensitive partridge pea Chamaecrista nictitans Partridge pea Chamaecrista asciculata NC Native Plant Recommendations **A recommended revegetation/stabilization mix would ideally include a combination of the species listed in this table. In addition, please note that additional consideration may be needed in areas that are (highly) erodible and/or have sloped terrain. The following species could be included in all regions for additional stabilization and wildlife benefit: Black-eyed Susan: Plains coreopsis: Lance -leaved coreopsis: Narrow -leaved sunflower: Created October 2018 Rudbeckia hirta Coreopsis tinctoria Coreopsis lanceolate Helianthus angustifolius