20240357 Ver 2_20240403_ltr_RFO ACarter_AltParNo_00991468_20_Barons_Drive_s__20240507

United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Raleigh ES Field Office
Post Office Box 33726
Raleigh, North Carolina 27636-3726
April 3, 2024
Mr. Adam Carter
Wetland Solutions, LLC
P. O. Box 244
Bunnlevel, North Carolina 28323
Re: 20 Barons Drive (Parcel ID# 00991468), Pinehurst, Moore County, North Carolina
Dear Mr. Carter:
The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has reviewed your January 15, 2024, email and attachments
regarding the proposed development of a single-family residence at 20 Barons Drive, Parcel ID#
00991468 in the in the Pinewild subdivision, Village of Pinehurst, Moore County, North Carolina.
The property falls within the 0.5-mile radius foraging partition for active red -cockaded woodpecker
cluster MOOR E05. The following comments are provided in support of section 9 of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543) (Act) and the Service's Private Lands Guidelines found
in Appendix 5 of the Service's Recovery plan for the red -cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis):
second revision (Service 2003; Recovery Plan).
According to your January 15, 2024, email and attachments, you conducted a visual survey of the
identified parcel on May 26, 2024. No cavity trees were detected on the property, which falls within
the foraging partition of active red -cockaded woodpecker cluster MOOR E05. The closest known
cavity tree is tree number 5268E, approximately 1,780 feet southeast of the parcel.
The Service's Recovery Plan defines a cluster as the aggregation of cavity trees used and defended
by a group of red -cockaded woodpeckers and a 200-foot buffer of continuous forest. The Recovery
Plan also outlines the minimum acreage, distribution and stocking levels of foraging habitat required
to conserve a family group of red -cockaded woodpeckers. Requisite foraging habitat must be found
in pine stands contiguous with the cluster and within a 0.5- mile radius of the cluster center.
Property development within a cluster and associated foraging habitat, if not carefully conducted is
potentially harmful to red -cockaded woodpeckers and may violate the Act if not specifically
authorized by the Service. Removing pine trees within the cluster contributes to habitat
fragmentation, making red -cockaded woodpeckers more vulnerable to predation and more
susceptible to having other species take over their cavities.
We are interested in working with landowners to conserve as many pine trees as possible to minimize
impacts to red -cockaded woodpecker habitat. The pine forest on this lot is being used for foraging,
and its protection is vital for red -cockaded woodpeckers in the affected cluster; therefore, care should
be exercised to minimize fragmentation of the red -cockaded woodpecker's habitat, by removing as
few mature pine trees as possible.

Based on the information provided in your January 15, 2024, email and attachments, the footprint of
the proposed construction activities including the residence, garage, driveway and walkways will
total about 10,042.5 square feet (fF) or approximately 17.2% of the lot's square footage. The subject
lot contains 107 pine trees greater than or equal to (>) 10 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH; 4
'h feet above ground level) comprising a total of 95.26 ftz of pine basal area (BA). The subject lot is
approximately 1.34 acre in size.
The construction plan indicates that 21 pine stems > 10 inches DBH, accounting for 21.51 ft2
(22.5%) of the total pine BA will be removed to complete home construction. Residual BA will be
about 20.15 W above recommended stocking to sustain adequate red -cockaded woodpecker foraging
habitat within MOOR E05's 0.5-mile radius foraging partition. Where existing smaller pine trees
can be retained, these trees should also be protected, since they have potential to become 10+ -inch
DBH pine trees and provide future red -cockaded woodpecker habitat.
Based on a review of information contained in your January 15, 2024, email and attachments, and
additional information available to the Service, we believe that conservation minded removal of up to
28 pine trees > eight inches DBH (which includes 21 larger pine trees > 10 inches DBH) on parcel
ID# 00991468 at 20 Barons Drive in the Pinewild subdivision, Village of Pinehurst, Moore County,
North Carolina is not likely to result in unauthorized, habitat -related take of the federally listed,
endangered red -cockaded woodpecker. If there are any major changes to the plans that would
require additional large pine trees to be removed, please contact our office to ensure the effects of the
project are still fully and effectively minimized.
To maintain suitability of the remaining habitat, we suggest taking measures to prevent damage to
the bole and root system of the remaining pine trees. Landscaping, whenever possible, should use
native shrub species that do not exceed seven feet in height, and exotic invasive plants should be
avoided. Containerized longleaf pine seedlings may also be planted to support future habitat
suitability.
The results of the above -referenced survey are valid for a period of one (1) year from the date this
letter was issued. However, this determination must be reconsidered if the project design is
subsequently modified or if new information becomes available. Please use this letter as necessary to
inform all potentially affected parties of this finding. If you have any questions regarding this matter,
please contact Mr. John Hammond at 984-308-0813. Thank you for your continued cooperation with
our agency.
Sincerely,
Digitally signed by JOHN
JOHN HAMMOND HAMMOND
Date: 2024.04.03 14:36:32-04'00'
for Pete Benjamin
Field Supervisor
Literature cited:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2003. Recovery plan for the red -cockaded woodpecker (Picoides
borealis): second revision. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta, GA. 296 pp.
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