20150266 Ver 2_Sugar Mt_Bio Inventory Report_EROC_20171018

A BIOLOGICAL INVENTORY OF
MOUNTAIN ELECTRIC COOPERA TI VE'S
SUGAR MOUNTAIN 69KV TRANSMISSION LINE
Submitted by:
F11,1VIRONMFNT,4L RFSOkROFS OF THF 0,4R-OL111,1,4,S, INC
72 Brown wood Avenue
Asheville, NC 28806
For:
UC Syn ergetics, LL C.
123 N. White Horse Road
Fort Mill, SC
October 18, 2017

Environmental Resources of the Carolinas, Inc. performed a biological investigation of
Mountain Electric Cooperative's proposed 100 -feet wide, 4.6 -mile long Sugar Mountain
69kV Transmission Line in Avery County, NC (Figure 1) for UC Synergetic, LLC. The
inventory was conducted from August to October 2017 to assess the ROW for the presence
of threatened and endangered species and habitat and to map jurisdictional waters of the
United States (US). A previous biological investigation of the area was conducted in 2013
by Terra Incognita of Columbia, SC with participation from Environmental Resources of
the Carolinas, Inc.
The route for the transmission line begins at the existing electric substation in Banner Elk
and stretches south then east for 4 miles to connect a new, proposed electric substation in
Sugar Mountain. Just west of Holston Camp, an additional 0.6 -mile portion of the
transmission line runs northeast to southwest to connect to an existing transmission line
right-of-way (ROW) (Figure 2).
Mountain Electric Co-op's
Sugar Mountain 69kV Transmission Line in Avery County, NC
`~1
i'F
Legend
eannnGUNrarry
Trar,rr ion Line ROW
LJ' County Boundary
u,,n
1
i
Created by ER "C'Inc. fort
Mountain Electric Cooperative
—
an October 9, 2017, from data
FJ
layers provided by LJCSynergenic,
r,
LLC and NC One Map
�kRferi.�u
Lt ,y��rg Fire
r :T�rI, H=.DeLwme, IR(e7A Inn -PGwP Iftk f!II�
0 4 8 Miles
i= �, cue, cy,xm��r NL, -.--
J- me
...Is W7 - .N -- cis ua
Figure 1. Location of the ROW, shown in chartreuse, on a topographic map in
Avery County, NC.

Figure 2. The ROW spans a route connecting electric substations in Banner Elk
and Sugar Mountain, NC.
Jurisdictional Waters of the US
Waters of the US were located using topographic maps and in-situ identification.
Locations were recorded with a handheld GPS device and further verified by survey.
Stream classifications were made using NC Division of Water Quality Stream
Identification Forms (Version 4.11). Wetlands were identified and delineated using
methods and requirements outlined in the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers
Wetland Delineation Manual: Eastern Mountains and Piedmont Region (2012).
One wetland was identified within the ROW. The wetland occurs in an area that was
previously placed in a conservation trust as a means of mitigating nearby development and
fill. Seventeen streams were identified throughout the ROW. Description of the streams
are provided in Table 1. A map depicting the locations of the streams and wetland are
provided in Figures 3-5.

Sugar Creek and the Elk River are designated Trout Waters. All unnamed, and
undesignated tributaries to the streams also share the Trout Waters designation and
subsequent restrictions.
Table 1. Descriptions of jurisdictional waters of the US identified on the ROW.
ID
Classification
Bank Full
Length
Area
Stream
Latitude
Longitude
Width/Height
(ft)
(sq
Name
ft
ft
Flattop
Sl
Perennial P
25/4
92
Creek
36.13431
-81.85042
Bee
S2
P
16/4
80
Branch
36.13600
-81.85165
unnamed
S3
P
4/0.5
82
tributary
36.14025
-81.86141
2907
unnamed
W1
Wetland (W)
tributary
36.14107
-81.86245
unnamed
S4
P
3/2
127
tributary
36.14344
-81.86270
unnamed
S5
P
3/2
102
tributary
36.14451
-81.86458
Sugar
S6
P
20/5
90
Creek
36.14416
-81.86967
unnamed
S7
P
4/1
496
1 tributary
36.14490
-81.87227
unnamed
S8
P
4/2
50
tributary
36.14510
-81.88157
unnamed
S9
P
2/2
92
tributary
36.14498
-81.88263
Wildcat
S 10
P
12/4
75
Creek
36.14467
-81.88642
unnamed
Sl l
Intermittent (I)
6/1
51
tributary
36.14534
-81.88767
unnamed
S12
P
90
tributary
36.14533
-81.88764
Leroy
S13
P
20/6
102
Creek
36.14775
-81.89166
unnamed
S14
P
4/1.5
86
tributary
36.14811
-81.89413
unnamed
S15
I
3/1
102
tributary
36.15115
-81.88982
Wildcat
S16
P
12/4
94
Creek
36.15676
-81.88660
Elk
S17
P
30/7
91
River
36.15752
-81.88646

Figure 3. Locations of streams (SX) and wetland (WX) of the US identified on
the ROW; Area X shown in subsequent figures.
Mountain Electric Co-op's Sugar Mountain 69kV Transmission Line ROW Route
Mountain Electric
Co-op's Sugar Mountain 69kV Transmission Line ROW Route
a -T-
\ #` Area 2
—
ha
�>^
Legend
Transmission Line ROW
— Streams
-
— Substation Locations��
wetlands
Created by EROC, Inc t r
Mountain Electric Cooperative
n Ocmber 9, 2017, from data
�IC j ,�,f •J j $' ^ �•
✓ .• `_
�� ti, — 1 ' • kiorf `el
1
layerprovided by UGSynergen-c,
LLC and NC One Map
- -
Mlles
0 0.125 0.25 0.5
_ � t _ !r
I
\` }C'
ire
Legend
Transmission Line ROW
- -
- located streams
- Substation Locations
wetlands
!
v�
Area 1
s".
Created by EROC, Inc- for
't !
W3 -�-
-
Mountain Electric ape rate
Ca
y#.
'.�
on October 9, 2017, from data
on
layers provided byUC Synergenic,
LLC and NC One Map
-
- —
J>.
-
Miles
0 0.25 0.5
Figure 3. Locations of streams (SX) and wetland (WX) of the US identified on
the ROW; Area X shown in subsequent figures.
Mountain Electric Co-op's Sugar Mountain 69kV Transmission Line ROW Route
Legend
Transmission Line ROW
— Streams
-
— Substation Locations��
wetlands
Created by EROC, Inc t r
Mountain Electric Cooperative
n Ocmber 9, 2017, from data
�IC j ,�,f •J j $' ^ �•
✓ .• `_
�� ti, — 1 ' • kiorf `el
1
layerprovided by UGSynergen-c,
LLC and NC One Map
- -
Mlles
0 0.125 0.25 0.5
_ � t _ !r
Figure 4. Area 1: locations of streams (SX) and wetland (WX) of the US identified
on the ROW.

Figure 5. Area 2: locations of streams (SX) and wetland (WA) of the US
identified on the ROW.
Biological Inventory
A biological inventory was completed in the Fall of 2017. Because Avery County sits
between the Grandfather Mountain Window and the Roan Mountain Complex the area
supports a variety of disjunct species and a high level of endemism. The U.S Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) lists 8 Endangered Species, 4 Threatened Species, and 25
Federal Species of Concern that occur or are expected to occur in the County. The North
Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) lists an additional 33 vascular plant species
that are either threatened or endangered in the County. No rare or threatened species were
observed during the inventory, however the property does host potential maternal habitat
for the Northern -long eared bat. A table outlining the threatened and endangered species
that are known to occur in Avery County and there habitat potential is included in Table 2.
A discussion of the community types that occur along the ROW and the threatened and
endangered animal species that are known to occur in Avery County is included below.

Natural Communities
The proposed transmission corridor ranges from approximately 3800 to 4200 feet in
elevation and supports a number of distinct terrestrial communities. The dominant
community type is Northern Hardwood Forest, which can be found on north facing slopes
and mesic east and west facing slopes. Where soils are drier, High Elevation Red Oak
Forest occurs. Areas within both community types support mature uneven -aged forest,
with many tress exceeding 2 and 3 feet in diameter.
In more recently disturbed habitats along the valley floor and around higher elevation
pasture -lands the corridor crosses Early Successional Habitat with a mix of herbaceous and
low -woody species.
Northern Hardwood Forest.
Northern Hardwood Forest is common throughout the area and the property supports some
high-quality examples of the community type (Figure 6). The canopy is dominated by a
mix of mesophytic species and includes American beech (Fagus grandifolia), silver maple
(Acer saccharum), American ash (Fraxinus Americana), buckeye (Aesulus flava), hemlock
(Tsuga canadensis), and black cherry (Prunus serotina). The understory is composed of
cucumber magnolia (Magnolia acuminatum), striped maple (Acer pennsylvanicum), and
wild hydrangea (Hydrangea arborecens). Typical species in the herbaceous layer include
southern lady fern (Athyrium felix femina var. asplenioides), marginal woodfern
(Dryopteris marginalis), intermediate woodfern (Dryopteris intermedia) touch-me-not
(Impatiens pallida), and cutleaf coneflower (Rudbeckia lacinata).

Figure 6. A photograph of a mature Northern Hardwood Forest located above
Norwood Hollow as observed on October 2, 2017.
High Elevation Red Oak Forest
On drier slopes and ridgetops the property supports High Elevation Red Oak Forest. The
forest is dominated by red oak (Quercus rubra) and chestnut oak (Quercus prinus) with
varying amounts of hickories (Carya spp.), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), and red
maple (Acer rubrum). The understory includes witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana),
flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), striped maple (Acer spicatum), and heaths such as
mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), and great laurel (Rhododendron maximum). The
herbaceous layer is typically less diverse than that found in Northern Hardwood Forest.
Common species include: Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pennsylvanica), Sarsaparilla root
(Aralia nudicalis) New York fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis), and southern lady fern
(Athyrium felix femina var. asplenioides).

Earlv Successional Habitat
Recently disturbed habitats support a variety herbaceous species. In the fall there was a
mix of asters including sweet goldenrod (Solidago altissima), wrinkle -leaf goldenrod
(Solidago rugosa), crooked -stem aster (Symphyotrichum prenanthoides), purple -stem aster
(Symphyotrichum puniceus) rice -button aster (Symphyotrichum dumosa), frost aster
(Symphyotrichum pilosa), and New York ironweed (Veronia noveboracensis). Common
graminoids were red top (Tridens flavus), sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odaratum),
and meadow fescue (Festuca elation) Low -woody shrubs include (Alnus serrulata),
sawtooth blackberry (Rubus argutus), and witch hazel (Hamamelis virgininana).
Northern long-eared bat
The northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) is a short distant migrant species with
relatively broad habitat requirements. The most important habitat components are forests
with abundant snags and exfoliating bark that serve as maternal nesting sites that are
located near or up to 40 miles from available hibernacula. The bat is widely distributed
throughout much of its range during the summer months and is considered to be flexible
with regards to summer habitat requirements, ranging from highly fragmented forest
habitats to contiguous forest blocks.
The ROW does not contain any rock outcrops or abandoned mines and does not support
available wintering habitat for the northern long-eared bat. However, because of the
abundance of rock outcrops and old mining shafts scattered throughout the county the
ROW does provide available maternal habitat for the species. This is particularly true of
the Northern Hardwood Forest found along the south and north facing slopes between
Norwood Hollow and above Lowes Hardware on Tynecastle Highway. This segment of
forest is mature with trees over 2 and 3 feet in diameter. Many of these large trees have
been affected by drought and ice damage and there is a high density of dead limbs, snags,
and loose exfoliating bark.
The best available information indicates that the species' specific needs and preferences
for these habitat elements are relatively flexible, plentiful, and widely distributed. Thus,
summer habitat for the northern long-eared bat does not have specific physical or biological

features that are essential to the conservation of the species and, therefore, does not meet
the definition of critical habitat (USFWS 2016). Incidental take is prohibited if it occurs
within a hibernation site for the northern long-eared bat. This habitat does not occur within
the ROW and is, to our knowledge, not known to occur within a quarter -mile of any active
hibernaculum.
Disturbance to potential maternity trees can be avoided by limiting tree removal during the
pup -rearing season (June 1 through July 31). The sites with the greatest potential to host
maternal colonies within the ROW occur on the slopes above Norwood Hollow and on the
southeast facing slope above Sugar Creek.
Rusty -patched bumble bee
The rusty -patched bumblebee (Bombus affinis) is a recently listed species and one of the
first bees to be included as an endangered species. The rusty -patched bumble bee was
broadly distributed across the eastern United States and Upper Midwest, but has declined
substantially throughout much of its former range. Prior to 2006 the bee was recorded
across western North Carolina. Historically this included Avery County, however, there is
no evidence of verified sightings since. No bees were observed during the inventory. The
ROW supports a mixture of open successional habitats that could provide foraging habitat
for the species. By providing additional open habitat, that is proximate to abundant
deadfall and undisturbed soils, the ROW could enhance habitat for the species.
Northern Flying Squirrel
There are two species of flying squirrels in the Southern Appalachians — the northern
(Glaucomys sabrinus) and southern (Glaucomys volans). Northern flying squirrels are
much smaller than the more common southern species and are dark brown on their backs.
Northern flying squirrels typically nest in Northern Hardwood Forest where abundant
snags exist. However, extensive coniferous forest is required for foraging and most of this
available habitat is restricted to high elevation hardwood forests that are adjacent to higher
elevation Red Spruce -Fraser Fir Forest.

No northern flying squirrels were observed during the inventory. The ROW does support
extensive Northern Hardwood Forest, but it is below 4500 feet in elevation and does not
intersect any Red Spruce- Fraser Fir Forest. It is unlikely that the species occurs here.
Bow
Bog turtles (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) are a semi -aquatic turtle that lives in the mud, grass
and sphagnum moss of bogs, swamps, and marshy meadows. The bog turtle prefers to live
in open canopy, unpolluted, herbaceous sedge meadows and fens bordered by wooded
areas. They depend upon a diverse habitat for foraging, nesting, basking and hibernating.
Although, one wetland was identified along the ROW it does not provide suitable habitat
for bog turtles and no bog turtles were observed during the inventory.
Gra, bat
Gray bats (Myotis grisescens) roost in caves year-round and use different areas within
caves as maternal and wintering habitat. No caves or rock features exist within the ROW
and the corridor does not provide potential habitat for the species.
Virginia big -eared bat
Like the gray bat The Virginia big -eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus) is non -
migratory and inhabits caves year-round. No caves or rock features exist along the ROW
and the corridor does not provide potential habitat for the species.
Spruce -fir moss spider
The spruce -fir moss (Microhexura montivaga) spider is found in damp but well -drained
moss and liverwort mats growing on rocks or boulders and in well -shaded areas of mature,
high -elevation Fraser fir and fir dominated spruce -fir forests. It is known to occur on
Grandfather Mountain and may occur in other isolated spruce dominated communities
within the County. The ROW does not intersect any Red Spruce -Fraser Fir Forest and does
not provide potential habitat for the species.

Table 2. Threatened and endangered Species that occur, in Avery County, NC.
Scientific Name
Common
*Preferred
Habitat Potential
Observed
Name
Habitat
of
During
Transmission
the
Corridor
Inventor
Agrostis mertensii
Arctic
high elevation
No potential habitat
NO
Bentgrass
rocky summits and
exists
balds
Arethusa bulbosa
Bog Rose
bogs
No potential habitat
NO
exists on the property
Bombus affinis
Rusty-
mixed habitats with
Potential habitat does
NO
patched
early successional
exist on the property
bumble bee
foraging areas and
nesting sites
Caltha palustris var.
Marsh-
boggy sites
Limited potential
NO
palustris
marigold
habitat exists on the
property
Cardamine clemadds
Mountain
high elevation
Limited potential
NO
Bittercress
seeps, shaded
habitat exists on the
outcrops, and
property
streambanks
Carex oligosperma
Few -seeded
seeps and bogs
Limited potential
NO
Sedge
habitat exists on the
property
Carex trisperma
Three -seeded
bogs, wet forests at
Limited potential
NO
Sedge
high elevations
habitat exists on the
property
Chamerion
Fireweed
grassy balds,
Limited potential
NO
platyphyllum
roadsides, disturbed
habitat exists on the
areas
property
Coeloglossum viride
Long-
Seeps in cove
Limited potential
NO
var. virescens
bracted Frog
forests
habitat exists on the
Orchid
property
Conioselinum
Hemlock-
high elevation
No potential habitat
NO
chinense
parsley
seepage slopes
exists on the property
Corynorhinus
Virginia big-
caves
No potential habitat
NO
townsendii
eared bat
exists on the property
virginianus * *
Crocanthemum
Creeping
rock outcrops,
No potential habitat
NO
propinquum
Sunrose
glades
exists on the property

Delphinium exaltatum
Tall
grassy balds,
Limited potential
NO
Larkspur
glades, and open
habitat exists on the
woodlands over
property
mafic rock
Geum aleppicum
Yellow
bogs
No potential habitat
NO
Avens
exists on the property
Geum geniculatum
Bent Avens
high elevation
Limited potential
NO
forests,
habitat exists on the
streambanks,
property
seepage slopes
Geum laciniatum
Rough Avens
bogs and wet
No potential habitat
NO
meadows
exists on the property
Geum radiatum**
Spreading
high elevation
No potential habitat
NO
Avens
rocky summits
exists on the property
Glyptemys
Bog turtle
bogs and wet
Limited potential
NO
muhlenbergii*
meadows
habitat exists on the
property
Glaucomys
Northern
northern hardwood
Limited potential
NO
sabrinus
Flying
forests with mixed
habitat exists on the
coloratus**
Squirel
conifers or
property
proximate spruce-
fir
Gymnoderma
Rock gnome
vertical rock faces
No potential habitat
NO
lineare**
lichen
with moderate
exists on the property
seepage
Houstonia inontana**
Roan Mt.
high elevation
No potential habitat
NO
Bluet
rocky summits,
exists on the property
grassy balds
Liatris helleri*
Heller's
high elevation
No potential habitat
NO
Blazing-star
rocky summits,
exists on the property
Cliffs
Lilium canadense var.
Red Canada
bogs, wet meadows
No potential habitat
NO
editorum
Lily
exists on the property
Lilium grayi
Gray's Lily
bogs, wet meadows,
Limited potential
NO
seeps, grassy balds,
habitat exists on the
high elevation
property
forests
Lilium
Wood Lily
grassy balds,
No potential habitat
NO
philadelphicum var.
glades
exists on the property
philadelphicum
Liparis loeselii
Fen Orchid
seeps, bay swamps
No potential habitat
NO
exists on the property

Microhexura
Spruce -fir
high elevation
No potential habitat
NO
montivaga **
moss spider
spruce -fir forests
exists on the property
Minuartia
Greenland
high elevation and
No potential habitat
NO
groenlandica
Sandwort
low elevation rocky
exists on the property
summits
Myotis grisescens **
Gray bat
caves
No potential habitat
NO
exists on the property
Myotis
Northern
mature forests with
Potential habitat does
NO
septentrionalis*
long-eared
exfoliating bark and
exist on the property
bat
snags
Packera
Schweinitz's
grassy balds
No potential habitat
NO
schweinitziana
Ragwort
exists on the property
Parnassia grandifolia
Large -leaved
fens and seeps over
Limited potential
NO
Grass -of
calcareous or mafic
habitat exists on the
parnassus
rocks
property
Platanthera
Large
bogs, seeps, grassy
Limited potential
NO
grandiflora
Purple-
balds, high
habitat exists on the
fringed
elevation moist
property
Orchid
forests
Poa paludigena
Bog
bogs
No potential habitat
NO
Bluegrass
exists on the property
Rhodiola rosea
Roseroot
high elevation
No potential habitat
NO
rocky summits
exists on the property
Solidago spithamaea*
Blue Ridge
high elevation
No potential habitat
NO
Goldenrod
rocky summits
exists on the property
Sparganium emersum
Greenfruit
pondshores
No potential habitat
NO
Bur -reed
exists on the property
Spiranthes ochroleuca
Yellow
grassy balds,
Limited potential
NO
Ladies'-
meadows, wooded
habitat exists on the
tresses
slopes
property
Stenanthium
Bog
bogs and wet
Limited potential
NO
gramineum var.
Featherbells
meadows
habitat exists on the
robustum
property
Stenanthium
Pinebarren
high elevation
No potential habitat
NO
leimanthoides
Death -camas
rocky summits, thin
exists on the property
soil at high
elevations
Thelypteris simulate
Bog Fern
bogs
No potential habitat
NO
exists on the property

Turritis glabra
Tower
Mustard
mountain forests
and meadows
No potential habitat
exists on the property
NO
Vaccinium
Cranberry
bogs, seeps,
No potential habitat
NO
macrocarpon
pocosins
exists on the property
Veronica Americana
American
seeps, bogs
Limited potential
NO
Speedwell
habitat exists on the
property
Data from N. C. Natural Heritage Program and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
*Federally Threatened Species, **Federally Endangered Species