20150053 Ver 1_Environmental Assessment_20060701

Protected Species Survey
Improvements to US 64 from Lake Tosaway to Indian Creek
Transylvania Count,y�, North Carolina
(T[P R-2�09C)
(State Project WBS No.34328)
Prepared for:
Ko & Associates
1011 Schaub Drive, Suite 202
Raleigh, NC 27606
and
The North Carolina Department of Transportation
Raleigh, North Carolina
Prepared by:
The Catena Group
A10-B Millstone Drive
Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278
Tel[phone] Fax[phone]
July 2006

PROTECTED SPECIES SURVEY
Improvements to US 64 from Lake Toxaway to Indian Creek
Transylvania County, North Carolina
(R-2409C)
Introduction
The following report is submitted to detail methods and results of a survey for small whorled
pogonia (Isotria medeoloides) within the area of proposed improvements to US 64 in
Transylvania County, NC (R-2409C). This report is an addendum to the draft Natural Resources
Technical Report (NRTR) delivered to Ko and Associates in February 2006. It was stated in the
February draft NRTR report that suitable habitat for small whorled pogonia occurs throughout
the project area, and thus a biological conclusion of "Unresolved" was given until surveys could
be conducted during the flowering period of May to June. The pogonia survey was later
conducted by The Catena Group during the flowering period and resulted in discovery of a new
colony of small whorled pogonia located within the cut-fill boundaries of one (Alternate 2) of the
three proposed improvement alternatives.
Project Description
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes improvements to a section
of US 64 in Transylvania County; North Carolina (Figure 1). These improvements involve a
combination of widening of the existing roadway and construction of roadway on a new
alignment. The project extends from a point approximately 0.25 mile west of the US 64/NC281
intersection (just east of the Lake Toxaway outfall) and extends eastward a distance of
approximately 1.5 miles, ending just west of Indian Creek. Three alternate alignments are
proposed: Alternate 1 entails improvements on the existing alignment; Alternate 2 is proposed as
a 30 mile per hour (MPH) alignment involving new road construction on a new alignment;
Alternate 3 is proposed as a 40 MPH alignment and also involves new road construction on a
new alignment.
Protected Species in Transylvania County
Plants and animals with federal classifications of Endangered, Threatened, Proposed
Endangered, and Proposed Threatened are protected under provisions of Sections 7 and 9 of the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. As of February 25, 2003, the USFWS lists nine
species of plants and animals as federally protected species for Transylvania County (Table 1).

Table 1. Threatened and Endangered Species, Transylvania County
Common Name Scientific Name Status
Bog turtle Glyptemys muhlenbergii T(S/A)*
Carolina northern flying squirrel Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus Endangered
Appalachian elktoe Alasmidonta raveneliana Endangered
Oyster mussel Epioblasma capsaeformis Endangered**
Mountain sweet pitcher plant Sarracenia jonesii Endangered
Small whorled pogonia lsotria medealoides Threatened
Spreading avens Geum radiatum Endangered
Swamp pink Helonias bullata Threatened
Rock Gnome Lichen Gymnoderma lineare Endangered
*T(S/A) - Threatened due to similarity of appearance (e.g., American alligator)--a species that is threatened due to similarity of appeazance with
other rare species and is listed for its protection. These species are not biologically endangered or threatened and are not subject to Section 7
consultation; **Historic record - obscure and incidental record.
Based on NC Natural Heritage Program records, no Threatened or Endangered species listed to
occur in Transylvania County are documented within 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) of the study area.
None of the species listed as occurring within the county, with the exception of small whorled
pogonia, are provided suitable habitat within the study area, and therefore were given Biological
Conclusions of "No Effect" in the draft NRTR.
Species Synopsis
Small Whorled Pogonia lsotria medeoloides
Status: Threatened
Family: Orchidaceae
Listed: October 6, 1994
Small whorled pogonia is a perennial herb in the orchid family with long, pubescent roots and a
smooth, hollow stem 3.7 to 9.8 inches tall terminating in a whorl of 5 or 6 light green, elliptical
leaves that are somewhat pointed and measure up to 3.1 x 1.6 inches. A flower, or occasionally
two flowers, is produced at the top of the stem. Small whorled pogonia's nearest relative is the
purple five leaf orchid (Isotria verticillata), which is similar looking, but can be distinguished by
its purplish stem and by differences in the flower structure. The purple five leaf orchid is much
more common and widespread than the small whorled pogonia. When not in flower, young
plants of Indian cucumber-root (Medeola virginiana) also resemble small whorled pogonia.
However, the hollow stout stem of the small whorled pogonia will separate it from the genus
Medeola, which has a solid, more slender stem (USFWS 1992). Small whorled pogonia is often
found in colonies. Some individuals within a colony may remain underground in a dormant state
for several years, making it difficult to determine population size and viability. Flowering
typically occurs in May through June.
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This orchid typically grows in open, dry, deciduous woods and in areas along streams with acidic
soil. The plant can also be found in rich, mesic woods in association with eastern white pine and
great rhododendron. Small whorled pogonia prefers areas with a layer of leaf litter and decaying
material, but can also be found on dry, rocky, wooded slopes, moist slopes, or slope bases near
vernal streams (NCNHP 2004). - .
There are 23 populations of small whorled pogonia in the Southeast Region: five populations
occur in North Carolina, four in South Carolina, 13 in Georgia, and one in Tennessee. Most
southeastern populations number less than 25 plants. South Carolina has one population of over
25 plants, and Georgia has two populations numbering about 100 plants each. In the Southeast,
North Carolina has two protected sites, both of which are viable; South Carolina has four
protected sites,. two of which are viable; and Georgia has seven protected sites, four of which are
viable (USRWS 1992). Small whorled pogonia is extremely rare: it is listed as Endangered in
North Carolina and has a State Ranking of S 1, "Critically Imperiled" with fewer than five extant
populations in the state. It has a. Global Ranking of "G2" which is defined as; "imperiled
globally because of rarity or because of some factor (s) making it�very vulnerable to extinction
. throughout its range" (NCNHP 2004). � "
The primary threat to small. whorled pogonia is �habitat destruction, while collecting is a threat to
a lesser degree (USF.WS 1992). According to Denise Moldenhauer of USEWS, Asheville office,.
there is a lack of experience with relocating/transplanting this species, and there no empirical
evidence to suggest that transplanting can be accomplished successfully (pers. comm.). .
Methods
For this evaluation, the project area is an area approximately 50 feet outside of the cut-fill
boundaries for each of the proposed alternates, approximately 50:4 acres total. Systematic
surveys were conducted within the project during the days of June 14=16; 2006 by two persons �
walking transects (perpendicular to slope of terrain) and searching areas of suitable habitat wliile
spaced 15-20 feet apart. A back—and=forth pattern was conducted uritil the entire section of
suitable habitat was covered. Suitable liabitat was considered to be open, deciduous and
coniferous forest, rhododendron thickets; dry roadside cuts, mesic drainages and floodways, and
fern gl"ades. Dense stands of mountain laurel (Kalmia litifolia) were found significantly .lacking '.
of herbaceous vegetation and were also extremely diffcult to investigate effectively, so. were .
excluded from the survey. Nonetheless, nearly the entire project area, riorth and south of US 64
and its maintained shoulders, were surveyed.
Results
The survey resulted in finding one colony of small whorled pogonia within the project area on.
June 16, 2006 (see photographs below). fihe colony is located at the east end of the project� area
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and notth of US 64, appro�imately 50 feet from the road (Fi�ure 2: coords: 35.12467, -
82.9170>). This location occurs �vithin the cut-till boundary tor Alremate 3. but just outside of
Alternates I and 3. hiitially. we located two individual plants approximately 3 feet apart; one
individual was in the fruiting stage supporting a maturing capsule, while the other apparendy had
not flowered. A subsequent visit to the colony by NCDOT and USF WS personnel resul[ed in the
tinding of six additional small whorled poconia stems, all within a distance of 20 feet of the
ori�inal two stems and closer to the road. According to Anne Burrows of NCDOT (pers.
comm.), only one of these individuals had Flowered. Photographs and stem measurements were
taken of the two stems found on June 16; identification of the plants as being small whorled
pogonia was confirmed by Denise Moldenhauer and Carolyn Wells of the USFWS (.4sheville
office). based on the photographs and tield observa[ion.
The colony occurs on a dry, acidic slope (gradual) that is southward facine and receives
moderate sun light. The canopy is likely second-growth and dominated by mature white pine
(Pi�rus strnhus), but also contains some oaks (Or�erct�s spp.); the understory is open and the
herbaceous vegetation provides sparse to moderate covera�e of the ground, although one of the
later-found individuals was found beneath dense coverage of blueberry (Vnccrniaim sp.) nearby.
The litter layer eontains a mixture of dried pine and deciduous leaves.
Biological Conclusion Unresohed
During the survey within the project area in June 2006, a colony of small whorled was identified
in the eastern portion of the project and north oP US 64. The colony is represented by eight
individuals, all located within �0 feet of the existine roadway and within the cut-till boundaries
of Alternate 2, as proposed. Although the colony is not expected to occur within Alternates I
and 3, it is believed that some plants may be within lees than I U ot� feet their boundaries, and thus
could be affected by construction activities or associated land clearine. Specitic construction and
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clearing limits cannot be determined at this time, and therefore a Section 7 Consultation will be
required in order to evaluate the potential impacts to the species. Based on this information, a
Biological Conclusion of Unresolved has been given. Also, because some individuals within the
population may remain dormant in some years, it is difficult to estimate the exact population size
without monitoring for a long period. This species is extremely rare in North Carolina and
throughout its range, and because there is no supporting evidence to suggest that the colony
could be successfully relocated, it is likely that during review of the project the USFWS will
strongly encourage avoidance of the population.
References
North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP). 2004. Natural Heritage Program List of
the Rare Plant Species of North Carolina. M.A. Franklin and J.T. Finnegan, Eds. North
Carolina Natural Heritage Program. Raleigh, NC. '
US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1992. Small Whorled Pogonia (Isotria medeoloides)
Recovery Plan, First Revision. Newton Corner, Massachusetts. 75 pp.
5

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