20160329 Ver 1_Br no 83 on Pinebrook School Road concurrence request_20160404

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRf1NSPORTAT'ION
PAT L. MCCRORY
GOVERNOR
July 13, 2015
Marella Buncick
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Asheville Field Office
160 Zillicoa Street
Asheville, NC 28801
ANTHONYJ.TATA
SECRETARY
Subject: Section 7 Concurrence Request on the Northern-long eared bat
version 4 for the project area associated with the replacement of Bridge
No. 83 on SR 1436 in Davie County. WBS no.17BP.9.R.25.
As of April 2, 20 ] 5, the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrronalis; NLEB) is listed by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as "Threatened" with an Interim 4d rule including
Davie CounTy within NCDOT Division 9
(http://www.fws.gov/raleigh/species/cntylistlnc_counties.html). The project imolves a 404
permit and state funds and is subject to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.
Using USGS mines shapefile dataset, a desktop assessment was conducted for any mines within
one half mile of the project area. No mines were shown in the azea. Therefore, no mines needed
to be checked on foot. In addition, no known caves are in the area for the project. Based on the
lack of mines and caves, no winter habitat will be affected by the project.
There aze no manmade dwellings of suitable habitat that are proposed to be removed in the
project area. The project involves replacing an existing bridge with a concrete deck, steel beams,
timber end walls and timber guard rails. The bridge was surveyed for presence of bats or
evidence of bats, and neither was found. Thus, no structure moratorium will be implemented on
the project.
According to the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NHP) Biotics Database, most
recently updated in Apri12015, NLEB have not been documented in Davie County. However, a
rabies lab record that lacks specific location information exists for Davidson County in Division
9. The closest specifically documented occurrence ofNLEB is in Wilkes County (NHP 2001
mist net record), more than 50 miles of any of the project sites. Potential summer roosting and
Foraging habitat in the form of forested areas interspersed with fields, and water sources do exist
in or around the project.
The project area involves minimal tree clearing. NCDOT commits to a tree c(earing moratorium
in the project area from May 15 to August 15 of any calendar year to avoid diswrbing potential
Northem long-eared bats in their summer roosting habitat.
Based on the results of proximity to known occurrences of NLEB, potential foraging and roosting
habitat within the study area, and cunently available guidance from USFWS, we determined that
DIVISION OF HIGHWAVS DIVISION NINE DIVISION OFFICE
375 SIIAS CREEK PARKWAY, WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27127
PHONE [phone] FAX [phone]

the project area will have a biological conclusion of May Affect-Not Likely to Adversely Affect for
NLEB. NCDOT believes that the requirements of Section 7(a)(2) of the ESA have been satisfied
and hereby request your concurrence. Thank you for your assistance with the project. If you
have any questions or need additional information, please contact Amy Euliss at [phone]
or at [e-mail].
Sin rely,
�
Amy liss
Division Environmental Officer, NCDOT Division 9
Cc: Mr. John Thomas, USACE
Matt Jones, Division 9 Bridge Program Manager
Cheryl Gregory, NCDOT Biological Surveys Group