20241224 Ver 1_C-5613L NRTR_20240913

NATURAL RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT
Intersection Improvements to SR 2025 (Miranda Road & Oakdale Road), SR 2108
(Sunset Road), SR 2040 (Lawing Road) and SR 2041 (Simpson Road)
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
STIP C-5613L
Federal Aid Project No. HSIP-2042(002)
WBS Element No. 448561.24
THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Division 10
December 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................... 1
2.0 METHODOLOGY.................................................................................................... 1
3.0 TERRESTRIAL COMMUNITIES.......................................................................... 1
4.0 PROTECTED SPECIES........................................................................................... 1
4.1 Endangered Species Act Protected Species...................................................................... 1
4.2 Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act............................................................................. 3
5.0 WATER RESOURCES............................................................................................. 4
6.0 REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS................................................................... 4
6.1 Clean Water Act Waters of the U.S.................................................................................. 4
6.2 Construction Moratoria..................................................................................................... 5
6.3 N.C. River Basin Buffer Rules........................................................................................... 5
6.4 Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10 Navigable Waters .................................................... 5
7.0 REFERENCES...........................................................................................................6
Appendix A: Figures
Appendix B: Qualifications of Contributors
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Coverage of terrestrial communities in the study area .................................. 1
Table 2. ESA federally protected species listed for Mecklenburg County ................. 2
Table 4. Streams in the study area................................................................................. 4
Table 5. Surface waters in the study area...................................................................... 4
Table 6. Characteristics of jurisdictional streams in the study area ........................... 5
Table 7. Characteristics of jurisdictional wetlands in the study area ......................... 5

Natural Resources Technical Report STIP C-5613L, Mecklenburg, N. C.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to construct
intersection improvements (STIP C-5613L) consisting of dual roundabouts at SR 2025
(Miranda Road & Oakdale Road), SR 2108 (Sunset Road), SR 2040 (Lawing Road) and
SR 2041 (Simpson Road) in Mecklenburg County (Figures 1 and 2). The following
Natural Resources Technical Report (NRTR) has been prepared to assist in the
preparation of a document for the purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA).
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 (November 2017). Field work was conducted on November 27, 2018.
A preliminary jurisdictional determination request was sent to the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE) and North Carolina Division of Water Resources (NCDWR). No
response has been received. The principal personnel contributing to the field work and
document is provided in Appendix B.
3.0 TERRESTRIAL COMMUNITIES
Two terrestrial communities were identified in the study area. Figure 4 shows the
location and extent of these terrestrial communities. Terrestrial community data is
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
Coverage
Community
Dominant Species (scientific name)
ac.
Mesic Mixed Hardwood
Pinus taeda
Forest, Piedmont Subtype
Liquidambar styraciflua
15.3
Acer rubrum
Maintained/Disturbed
Various ornamentals and lawn grasses
23.1
Total
38.4
4.0 PROTECTED SPECIES
4.1 Endangered Species Act Protected Species
As of June 27, 2018, the United States Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) lists six federally
protected species, under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for Mecklenburg County
(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.
1 December 2018

Natural Resources Technical Report
STIP C-5613L, Mecklenburg, N. C.
Table 2. ESA federally protected species listed for Mecklenburg County.
Scientific Name
Common Name
Federal
Habitat
Biological
Status
Present
Conclusion
Myotis septentrionalis
Northernbat long-eared
T
Yes
MA-NLAA
Lasmigona decorates
Carolina heelsplitter
E
No
No Effect
Rhus michauxii
Michaux's sumac
E
Yes
Unresolved
Bombus afnis*
Rusty -paced bumble
E
Yes
No Effect
be
Helianthus schweinitzii
Schweinitz's sunflower
E
Yes
Unresolved
Echinacea laevigata
Smooth coneflower
E
Yes
Unresolved
E - Endangered
T - Threatened
MA-NLAA - May Affect — Not Likely to Adversely Affect
* - Historic record (the species was last observed in the county more than 50 years ago)
Northern long-eared bat
Biological Conclusion: May Affect Not Likely to Affect
The project mets the criteria for the Programmatic Biological Opinion (PBO) for
the final 4(d) rule in that it is not located in a county with confirmed hibernation
and maternity sites for the NLEB and does not require prohibited intentional take.
A review of NHP records on or updated November 7, 2018 indicates no known
occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area.
Carolina heelsplitter
USFWS optimal survey window: Year-round
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
The Carolina heelsplitter requires cool, clean, well -oxygenated water. Stable, silt -
free stream bottoms appear to be critical to the species. Typically, stable areas
occur where the stream banks are well -vegetated with trees and shrubs. Being
intermittent and ephemeral, the streams in the study area do not provide habitat
for the Carolina heelsplitter. A review of NHP records on or updated November
7, 2018 indicates no known occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area.
Michaux's Sumac
USFWS optimal survey window: May -October
Biological Conclusion: Unresolved
Michaux's sumac grows in sandy or rocky open woods in association with basic
soils. Further survey in the flowering season will be conducted in order to reach a
biological conclusion. A review of NHP records on or updated November 7, 2018
indicates no known occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area.
2 December 2018

Natural Resources Technical Report STIP C-5613L, Mecklenburg, N. C.
Rusty -patched bumble bee
USFWS optimal survey window: Spring- early fall
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Bumble bees need areas that provide nectar and pollen from flowers, nesting sites
(underground and abandoned rodent cavities or clumps of grasses), and
overwintering sites for hibernating queens (undisturbed soil). The project is in the
historical range of the rusty patched bumble bee where it is assumed not to be
present. A review of NHP records on or updated November 7, 2018 indicates no
known occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area.
Schweinitz's sunflower
USFWS Optimal Survey Window: late August through October
Biological Conclusion: Unresolved
Schweinitz's sunflower occurs in full to partial sun and many populations occur
along roadsides or in fields. Further survey within flowering season will be
conducted in order to reach biological conclusion. Additionally, a review of NHP
records on or updated November 7, 2018 indicates no known occurrences within
1.0 mile of the study area.
Smooth coneflower
USFWS Optimal Survey Window: late May -October Habitat
Biological Conclusion: Unresolved
Early successional area within the study are provide habitat for smooth
coneflower. Further survey within flowering season will be conducted in order to
reach biological conclusion. Additionally, a review of NHP records on or updated
November 7, 2018 indicates no known occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study
area.
4.2 Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
The bald eagle is protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and enforced
by the USFWS. 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 November 19, 2018 using September 2017
color aerials. No water bodies large enough or sufficiently open to be considered
potential feeding sources were identified. There was no foraging habitat within the
review area; therefore, 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 on
November 7, 2018 revealed no known occurrences of this species within 1.0 mile of the
3 December 2018

Natural Resources Technical Report STIP C-5613L, Mecklenburg, N. C.
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 basin [U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS) Hydrologic Unit 03050101]. Two streams were identified in the study area
(Table 4). The location of each stream is shown in Figure 3.
Table 4. 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 Gutter Branch
SA
11-120-4-2
WS-IV
0.5
4
3
UT to Gutter Branch
SB
11-120-4-2
WS-IV
0.25
2.5
0.5
There are no Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW) within the study area. There are no
designated High Quality Waters (HQW) or water supply watersheds (WS-I or WS-II)
within or within 1.0 mile downstream of the study area. The North Carolina 2016 Final
303(d) list of impaired waters identifies zero streams within the study area as an impaired
water.
Two surface waters were identified in the study area (Table 5). The location of each
surface water is shown in Figure 3.
Table 5. Surface waters in the study area
Map ID of
Area (ac) in
Surface Water
Jurisdictional
Connection
Study Area
Outside of Study
PA
Yes
0.4
Area
PB
No
N/A
0.1
6.0 REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS
6.1 Clean Water Act Waters of the U.S.
Two potentially jurisdictional streams were identified in the study area (Table 6). The
location of these streams is shown on Figure 3. NCDWR stream identification forms are
included a separate Preliminary Jurisdictional Determination (PJD) Package. All
jurisdictional streams in the study area have been designated as warm water streams for
the purposes of stream mitigation.
4 December 2018

Natural Resources Technical Report STIP C-5613L, Mecklenburg, N. C.
Table 6. Characteristics of jurisdictional streams in the study area
Map ID
Length
ft.
Classification
Compensatory
Miti ation Required
River Basin
Buffer
SA
615
Intermittent
Yes
Not Subject
SB
320
Ephemeral
No
Not Subject
Total
935
* NCSAM forms are available in the PJD package
One jurisdictional wetland was identified within the study area (Table 7). The location of
the wetland is shown on Figure 3. All wetlands in the study area are located within the
Catawba basin [USGS Hydrologic Unit 03050101]. USACE wetland determination
forms and NCWAM forms the wetland are included in a separate Preliminary
Jurisdictional Determination Package. A series of stormwater BMPs are located in front
of the Dollar General Store.
Table 7. Characteristics of jurisdictional wetlands in the study area
NCWAM
NCWAM
Hydrologic
Area (ac.) in
Map ID
Classification
Rating
Classification
Study Area
WA
Headwater Forest
High
Riparian
0.002
Total
0.002
6.2 Construction Moratoria
There is no anadromous fish habitat present within the study area; therefore, there is no
mandatory trout moratorium is required.
6.3 N.C. River Basin Buffer Rules
The project is located within the Catawba River Basin. Streamside riparian zones along
the Catawba River mainstem below Lake James and along mainstem lakes from and
including Lake James to the South Carolina boarded are protected under provisions of the
Catawba River Basin administered by NCDWR. The study area is not located adjacent to
the Catawba River mainstem and therefore not subject to the buffer rules. Table 6
indicates which streams are subject to buffer rule protection.
6.4 Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10 Navigable Waters
There are no Section 10 waters present within the study area.
December 2018

Natural Resources Technical Report STIP C-5613L, Mecklenburg, N. C.
7.0 REFERENCES
[NCDWR] North Carolina Division of Water Resources. NC Surface Water
Classifications [web application].
https:Hncdenr. maps. arcgi s. com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6e 125 ad7628f
494694e259c80dd64265. (Accessed on October 23, 2018)
[NCDWR] North Carolina Division of Water Resources. NC 2012 Integrated Report
[web application].
https:Hncdenr.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=b 17139e0934a
4cala2d5a895d21350c4. (Accessed on October 23, 2018)
NatureServe. 2018. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web
application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia.
http://explorer.natureserve.org/. (Accessed: November 30, 2018).
[NCNHP] North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. 2016. List of Rare Animal Species
of North Carolina. Raleigh, NC. 178 pp.
[NCNHP] North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. 2018. List of Rare Plant Species of
North Carolina. Raleigh, NC. 184 pp.
North Carolina Function Assessment Team. 2016. NC Wetland Assessment Method (NC
WAM) User Manual. Version 5. 290 pp.
Schafale, M.P. and A.S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the Natural Communities of
North Carolina: Third Approximation. Natural Heritage Program, Division of
Parks and Recreation, N.C. Department of Environment, Health, and Natural
Resources. Raleigh, NC. 325 pp.
[USFWS] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1995. Smooth Coneflower Recovery Plan.
Atlanta, GA. 31 pp.
[USFWS] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2006. Optimal Survey Windows for North
Carolina's Federally Threatened and Endangered Plant Species.
https://www.fws.gov/nc-es/plant/plant_survey.html. (Accessed: November 30,
2018).
[USFWS] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Smooth Coneflower (Echinacea laevigata).
https://www.fws.gov/raleigh/species/es_smooth_coneflower.html. (Accessed
November 30, 2018).
6 December 2018

Natural Resources Technical Report
STIP C-5613L, Mecklenburg, N. C.
[USFWS] United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Northern Long -Eared Bat Protocol.
2017. https://www.fws.gov/raleigh/PR_17_b.html. (Accessed: November 30,
2018).
[USFWS] United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Rusty Patched Bumble Bee (Bombus
affinis). 2017. https://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/insects/rpbb/.
(Accessed: November 30, 2018).
7 December 2018

Appendix A
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STIP C-5613L
Intersection Improvements for Sunset
Road (SR 2108) at Oakdale Road (SR
2042/SR 2025), Miranda Road (SR
2025) and Lawing Road (SR 2040);
and Oakdale Road (SR 2042) at
Simpson Road (SR 2041)
Mecklenburg County
October 2018
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This Exhibit is for planning purposes only and shown herein does not meet NC 47-30 Requirements and
therefore is not for design, construction, or recording or transfer of title. The Exhibit was compiled from
GRAPHIC SCALE
e
Figure 2. U S G S To po Map
C� tOAr t
available information obtained from the sources listed below.
C-561 3 L
a��
SEPI
Intersection Improvements to SR 2025
sources:
NCDOT NC OneMap, ESRI
0 62.5125 250 375 500
(Miranda Road & Oakdale Road), SR 2108
(Sunset Road), SR 2040 (Lawing Road) and SR 2041 (Simpson Road)
E N C I N E E R I N G &
December 2018
Feet
City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County NC
C O N 5 T R U C T 1 Q N
OFTpA >

This Exhibit is for e lannin purposes
ur oses only and shown herein does not meet NC 47-30 Re uirements and
Yg
therefore is not fordesign, construction, or recording or transfer of title. The Exhibit was compiled from
GRAPHIC SCALE
e
Figure 3 -Jurisdictional Features Map
FTC
available information obtained from the sources listed below.
C-5613LSEPI
Intersection Improvements to SR 2025
sources:
NCDOT, NC OneMap, ESRI
0 62.5125 250 375 500
(Miranda Road & Oakdale Road), SR 2108
Feet
(Sunset Road), SR 2040 (Lawing Road) and SR 2041 (Simpson Road)
"'�� E N G I N E E R I N G &
December 2018
City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County NC
C O N S T R U C T I O N

This Exhibit is for e lannin purposes
ur oses only and shown herein does not meet NC 47-30 Requirements and
Yg
therefore is not fordesign, construction, or recording or transfer of title. The Exhibit was compiled from
e GRAPHIC SCALE
Figure 4 - Natural Communities Mapo
FTC G10
available information obtained from the sources listed below.
C-561 3 LSEPI
Intersection Improvements to SR 2025
sources:
NCDOT, NC OneMap, ESRI
0 62.5125 250 375 500
(Miranda Road & Oakdale Road), SR 2108
Feet
(Sunset Road), SR 2040 (Lawing Road) and SR 2041 (Simpson Road)
E N G IN E E Al N G &
December 2018
Cityof Charlotte, Mecklenburg Count NC
9 Y
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Appendix B
Qualifications of Contributors
Principal
Investigator: Robert Lepsic
Education: B.S. Biology, 1991
Experience: Environmental Project Manager, SEPI Engineering and Construction,
2018 - Present
Sr. Biologist, Ecosystem Planning and Restoration, 2016 — 2018
Sr. Scientist, ARCADIS G&M of NC, Inc., 2000 — 2016
Engineer Scientist, Alameda County Public Works Agency, 1995 —
2000
Responsibilities: T&E assessments, wetland and stream delineation, document
preparation
Investigator: Rachel Quindlen
Education: B.S. Environmental Science, 2017
Experience: Project Scientist, SEPI Engineering & Construction, 2016- Present
Responsibilities: T&E assessments, wetland and stream delineation, document
preparation