20170835 Ver 1_D7_T&E_Lttr_20170706

EC�SYSTEM
_ F'LAN�IINC &
•• F� ESTO RATI O N
May 24, 2016
Ms. Aileen Mayhew, PE
Mott MacDonald
7624 Purfoy Road, Suite 115
Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
Ecosystem Planning and Restoration, LLC
559 Jones Franklin Road, Suite 150
Raleigh, NC 27606
Phone: [phone]
www.eprusa.net
SUBJECT: Threatened and Endangered Species Assessment for NCDOT Division 7 Low
Impact Bridge Replacements—Five Low Impact Bridge Sites in Guilford and Alamance
Counties.
Dear Ms. Mayhew,
Ecosystem Planning and Restoration (EPR) has performed an assessment for the occurrence of
federally protected species at five low impact bridge replace projects within NCDOT Division 7.
The five projects are:
B-4958 Bridge #106 over Reedy Fork Creek on SR 2128 - Guilford County
B-5715 Bridge #17 over Haw River on SR 2351 - Guilford and Rockingham Counties
B-5726 Bridge #135 over Squirrel Creek on SR 1001 - Guilford County
B-5731 Bridge #112 over Haw River on SR 2109 - Guilford County
B-5735 Bridge #307 over Back Creek on SR 1936 - Alamance County
The following summarizes our findings. As of May 2017, the US Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS) lists three federally protected species for Rockingham County and one for Guilford
County. No federally protected species are listed as potentially occurring in Alamance County.
A brief description of each species' habitat requirements follows, along with the Biological
Conclusion rendered based on survey results in the study area. Habitat requirements for each
species are based on the current best available information from referenced literature and/or
USFWS.
- PROVIDING ECOSYSTEM PLANN/NG AND RESTORAT/ON SERVICES TO SUPPORT A SUST,4/NABLE ENV/RONME'NT -

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County Common Scientific Federal Bridge(s) Biological
Name Name Status Conclusion
Small whorled Isotria B-4958, B-
Guilford pogonia medeolodies T 5715, B-5726, No Effect
B-5731
Rockingham Roanoke percina rex E B-5715 No Effect
lo erch
Rockingham James Pleurobema E B-5715 No Effect
s ine mussel collina
Rockingham Smooth Echinacea E B-5715 No Effect
coneflower laevigata
E= endangered. A taxon "in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its
range."
T= threatened. A taxon "likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout
all or a significant portion of its range."
Small whorled pogonia
USFWS Optimal Survey Window: mid May-early July
Habitat Description: Small whorled pogonia occurs in young as well as maturing (second to third
successional growth) mixed-deciduous or mixed-deciduous/coniferous forests. It does not
appear to exhibit strong affinities for a particular aspect, soil type, or underlying geologic
substrate. In North Carolina, the perennial orchid is typically found in open, dry
deciduous woods and is often associated with white pine and rhododendron. The species
may also be found on dry, rocky, wooded slopes; moist slopes; ravines lacking stream
channels; or slope bases near braided channels of vernal streams. The orchid, often
limited by shade, requires small light gaps or canopy breaks, and typically grows under
canopies that are relatively open or near features like logging roads or streams that create
long-persisting breaks in the forest canopy.
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Habitat for small whorled pogonia occurs at four bridge locations (B-4958, B-5715, B-
5726, and B-5731) on the hillslopes above the floodplain. Surveys of these areas were
conducted by EPR biologists on May 24, 2017. No individuals of small whorled pogonia
were observed. A review of NCNHP records (September 2016) indicates no known
occurrences within 1.0 mile of the projects.
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Smooth coneflower
USFWS Optimal Survey Window: late May-October
Habitat Description: Smooth coneflower, a perennial herb, is typically found in meadows, open
woodlands, the ecotonal regions between meadows and woodlands, cedar barrens, dry
limestone bluffs, clear cuts, and roadside and utility rights-of-way. In North Carolina, the
species normally grows in magnesium- and calcium- rich soils associated with gabbro
and diabase parent material, and typically occurs in Iredell, Misenheimer, and Picture soil
series. It grows best where there is abundant sunlight, little competition in the herbaceous
layer, and periodic disturbances (e.g., regular fire regime, well-timed mowing, careful
clearing) that prevents encroachment of shade-producing woody shrubs and trees. On
sites where woody succession is held in check, it is characterized by a number of species
with prairie affinities.
Biological Conclusion: - No Effect
Only B-5715 is located in Rockingham County. Habitat for smooth cone flower occurs
at B-5715 along the maintained right-of-way of SR 2351. Surveys were conducted by
EPR biologists on May 24, 2017. No individuals of small whorled pogonia were
observed. A review of NCNHP records (September 2016) indicates no known
occurrences within 1.0 mile of the project.
Roanoke logperch
USFWS Recommended Survey Window: year round; April — June (optimal)
Habitat Description: In North Carolina, the logperch is known from the upper Roanoke River
basin. The fish typically inhabits warm, usually clear, small to medium sized rivers.
These waterways have a moderate to low gradient, and the fish usually inhabit riffles and
runs, with silt-free sandy to boulder-strewn bottoms. Young are usually found in slow
runs and pools with clean sandy bottoms. In winter, logperch may be more tolerant of
silty substrates, and may also inhabit pools. Spawning occurs in April or May in deep
runs over gravel and small cobble. Males are associated with shallow riffles during the
reproductive period; females are common in deep runs over gravel and small cobble,
where they spawn. The upper Roanoke River population is threatened by urbanization,
industrial development, water supply and flood control projects, and agricultural runoff in
the upper basin.
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Roanoke logperch only occur in the upper Roanoke River Basin. B-5715 is located in the
Cape Fear River Basin. A review of NCNHP records (September 2016) indicates no
known occurrences within 1.0 mile of the project.
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James spinymussel
USFWS Recommended Survey Window: year round; April-June (optimal)
Habitat Description: The James spinymussel was once found throughout the main stem of the
James River and all of its major tributaries upstream of Richmond VA. The species has
experienced a precipitous decline over the past two decades and now exists only in small,
headwater tributaries of the upper James River basin in Virginia and West Virginia and
the upper Roanoke River drainage of Virginia and North Carolina. The James
spinymussel is found in waters with slow to moderate current and relatively hard water
on sand and mixed sand-gravel substrates that are free from silt.
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
In North Carolina, James spineymussel only occur in the upper Roanoke River Basin. B-
5715 is located in the Cape Fear River Basin. A review of NCNHP records (September
2016) indicates no known occurrences within 1.0 mile of the project.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at [phone] or
rle�sic(a�eprusa.net.
Sincerely,
i � ,�
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Robert Lepsic, PWS
Senior Scientist
cc: Tim Jordan PE, Mott MacDonald
File
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