20180333 Ver 1_17BP.4.R.86 mussel report_20180308

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
ROY COOPER JAMES H. TROGDON, III
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
March 2, 2018
Memorandum to: Chad Coggins, Division 4 Environmental Officer
From: Matt Haney, Environmental Senior Specialist
EAU, Biological Surveys Group
Subject: Freshwater Mussel Survey Report for the Proposed
Replacement of Bridge 16 over Ivy Swamp on SR 1632
(Pelt Rd), Wilson County. WBS # 17BP.4.R.86.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation proposes to replace Bridge 16
over Ivy Swamp on SR 1632 (Pelt Rd) in Wilson County. Ivy Swamp is in the Neuse
River Basin. From the project, Ivy Swamp flows approximately 0.1 river mile until
converging with Contentnea Creek. The federally endangered Dwarf Wedgemussel
(Alasmidonta heterodon) and Tar River Spinymussel (Parvaspina steinstansana), and
proposed threatened Yellow Lance (Elliptio lanceolata) are listed by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) as potentially occurring in Wilson County. Additionally, the
Atlantic Pigtoe (Fusconaia masoni) is being considered for listing by the USFWS and has
historically been known to occur in Wilson County.
In North Carolina, the Dwarf Wedgemussel is known from the Neuse and Tar
River drainages. The mussel inhabits creek and river areas with a slow to moderate
current and sand, gravel, or firm silt bottoms. Water in these areas must be well
oxygenated. Stream banks in these areas are generally stable with extensive root systems
holding soils in place.
The Tar River spinymussel is endemic to the Tar and Neuse River drainage basins
in North Carolina. This mussel requires a stream with fast flowing, well-oxygenated,
circumneutral pH water. The bottom should be composed of unconsolidated gravel and
coarse sand. The water needs to be relatively silt-free, and stream banks should be stable,
typically with many roots from adjacent riparian trees and shrubs.
In North Carolina, the Yellow Lance is found near the Fall Line in the upper to
middle reaches of the Neuse River Basin (below Falls Reservoir) and in the Tar-Pamlico
River Basin. This species prefers clean sands and is often found near the edge of rivers on
sandbars.
The Atlantic Pigtoe has been found in multiple physiographic provinces, from the
foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, through the Piedmont and into the Coastal Plain,
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in streams less than one meter wide to large rivers. The preferred habitat is a substrate
composed of gravel and coarse sand, usually at the base of riffles, however, it can be
found in a variety of other substrates and lotic habitat conditions.
Ivy Swamp is not classified as a 303d stream. The closest NPDES facility
(Stantonsburg WWTP, Permit No. NC0057606) is approximately 5.7 river miles
downstream from this project.
Prior to conducting a mussel survey, a review of the NC Natural Heritage Program
database was conducted (November 30, 2017) to determine if there were any records of
rare mussels within the proposed project study area or receiving waters. This review
indicated that there are no known occurrences of Dwarf Wedgemussel, Tar River
Spinymussel, Yellow Lance or Atlantic Pigtoe in ivy Swamp. The closest known
occurrence of Dwarf Wedgemussel is over 36 river miles upstream in Mocassin
Creek (EO ID 20976, found in 2004). The closest known occurrence of Tar River
Spinymussel is over 73 river miles away in the Neuse River (EO ID 36959, found in
1983). The closest known occurrence of Yellow Lance is over 75 river miles away in
Mill Creek (EO ID 21888, found in 1994). The closest known occurrence of Atlantic
Pigtoe is over 23 river miles upstream in Contentnea Creek (EO ID 32187, found in
2015).
Mussel surveys of Ivy Swamp were conducted by NCDOT biologist Matt Haney,
along with RKK biologist Neil Medlin (Permit No. 17-ES00030) and Dewberry biologist
Anne Burroughs on December 1, 2017. The channelized stream was approximately 6-16
ft. wide. The average depth was one foot. The streambanks were approximately 5 ft.
high. The dominant substrate was unconsolidated sand, the subdominant substrate was
clay. Silt and gravel were also observed. The buffer width was narrow upstream and
moderate downstream of the bridge. The surrounding land use was active crop and rural.
A beaver dam was observed in the stream above the bridge.
A limited mussel survey was conducted in Contentnea Creek, also. This stream
was approximately 49 ft. wide. Substrates consisted of silt, sand and gravel.
The mussel survey in ivy Swamp was conducted from the confluence of
Contentnea Creek upstream to Bridge No. 16. Approximately 300 ft. of Contentnea Creek
upstream and downstream of the Ivy Swamp confluence was surveyed. A total of 3.0
person hours of survey time was spent in ivy Swamp, with one live Elliptio complanata
mussel being found, resulting in a CPUE of 0.33/hr. A total of 1.5 person hours of survey
time was spent in Contentnea Creek, with 241ive Elliptio complanata mussels being
found, resulting in a CPUE of 16/hr.
Due to the distance to known records of Dwarf Wedgemussel and Tar River
Spinymussel, degraded habitat in ivy Swamp and no target species being found during the
survey, this project will have no effect on these species.
Biological Conclusion for Dwarf Wedgemussel and Tar River Spinymussel: No
Effect

While the following species are not currently federally protected and a biological
conclusion is not necessary at the time of the writing of this report, if these species were to
receive federal protection, the appropriate biological conclusion due to the distance to
known records of Yellow Lance and Atlantic Pigtoe and no known occurrences of these
species in this waterbody is as follows:
Biological Conclusion for Yellow Lance and Atlantic Pigtoe: No Effect