19920389 Ver 1_COMPLETE FILE_19920101

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State of North Carolina
Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources
Division of Environmental Management
512 North Salisbury Street • Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
James G. Martin, Governor September 18, 1992 A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E.
William W. Cobey, Jr., Secretary Acting Director
NC. Wildlife Resources Commission
Division of Wildlife Management
c/o David Allen
512 North Salisbury Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27604-1188
Dear Mr. Allen:
Subject: Proposed Fill in Headwaters or Isolated Wetlands
Fireline Creation
Pender County
DEM Project # 92389
Upon review of your request for Water Quality Certification
to place fill material in 1.3 acres of wetlands for disked or
plowed firelanes located at Holly Shelter Game Land in Pender
County, we have determined that the proposed fill can be covered
by General Water Quality Certification No. 2679 issued January
21, 1992. A copy of the General Certification is attached. This
Certification may be used in qualifying for coverage under Corps
of Engineers' General No. 297.
If you have any questions, please contact John Dorney at
919/733-1786 or 919/733-1787.
Sincerely,
+reston Howard, J P.E.
APH:JD
Attachment
cc: Wilmington District Corps of Engineers
Wilmington DEM Regional Office
Mr. John Dorney
Central Files
REGIONAL OFFICES
Asheville Fayetteville Mooresville Raleigh Washington Wilmington Winston-Salem
704/251-6208 919/486-1541 704/663-1699 919/571-4700 919/946-6481 9191395-3900 919/896-7007
Pollution Prevention Pays
P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535 Telephone [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer
DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
MEMORANDUM
Date: August 25, 1992
To : John Dorney D [ Inc , ,
Planning Branch
From: James H. Gregs 81992
Wilmington Regi Office
WETLANDS GROUP
Through: Dave Adkins WATER QUALITY SECTION
Wilmington onal Office
Subject: Regional Office Review and Recommendations
Application for Permit for Excavation and/or Fill
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Central Office Permit #92389
Pender County
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant proposes to create disked or
plowed firelines to in order to burn pocosin habitat.
ADJACENT WATER BODY: Northeast Cape Fear River
CLASSIFICATION: CSw
The project has been reviewed to determine impacts to water
quality. The following comments have been provided.
1. The project will require a 401 Water Quality Certification.
2. The project complies with the General 401 Water Quality
Certification No. 2679 for fire control activities.
This office has no objection to the project as proposed.
cc: Wilmington Regional Office Files
Central Files
•
DEM ID: q Z-?g9
ACTION ID:
NATIONWIDE PERMIT APPLIED FOR (PROVIDE NATIONWIDE PERMIT #): 199200297
JOINT APPLICATION FORK FOR
NATIONWIDE PERMITS THAT REQUIRE NOTIFICATION TO CORPS OF ENGINEERS
NATIONWIDE PERMITS THAT REQUIRE SECTION 401 CERTIFICATION CONCURRENCE
NATIONWIDE PERMITS THAT REQUIRE INDIVIDUAL SECTION 401 CERTIFICATION
WILMINGTON DISTRICT ENGINEER
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
P.O. BOX 1890
WILMINGTON, NC 28402-1890
ATTN: CESAW-CO-E
Telephone [phone]
WATER QUALITY PLANNING
DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
NC DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH,
AND NATURAL RESOURCES
P.O. 'BOX 29535
RALEIGH, NC 27626-0535
ATTN: MR. JOHN DORNEY
Telephone [phone]
ONE (1) COPY OF THIS COMPLETED APPLICATION SHOULD BE SENT TO THE CORPS OF
ENGINEERS. SEVEN (7) COPIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE N.C. DIVISION OF
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT.' PLEASE PRINT.
1. OWNERS NAME: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
2. OWNERS ADDRESS: Division of Wildlife Management
12 N. a1S rys .
Raleigh,
_
- 2760
3. OWNERS PHONE NUMBER (HOME): (Wom): 919-733-7291
4. IF APPLICABLE: AGENT'S NAME OR RESPONSIBLE CORPORATE OFFICIAL, ADDRESS,
PHONE NUMBER: David H. Allen
851 PPrrvt.nr.m Y..i
00
5. LOCATION OF PLANNED WORK (ATTACH MAP). COUNTY: Pender
NEAREST TOWN OR CITY: Burgaw
SPECIFIC LOCATION (INCLUDE ROAD NUMBERS, LANDMARKS. ETC.): Holly Shelter
Game Land. see maps
6. NAME OF CLOSEST STREAM/RIVER: Northeast Cape Fear river
7. RIVER BASIN: Northeast Cape Fear
8. IS THIS PROJECT LOCATED IN A WATERSHED CLASSIFIED AS TROUT, SA, HQW, ORW,
WS I, OR WS II? YES [ ] NO [X]
9. HAVE ANY SECTION 404 PERMITS BEEN PREVIOUSLY REQUESTED FOR USE ON THIS
PROPERTY? YES [X) NO [ ]
IF YES, EXPLAIN. Similar request last year for alternate areas; DEM ID 92-054
10. ESTIMATED TOTAL NUMBER OF ACRES OF WATERS OF THE U.S., INCLUDING
WETLANDS, LOCATED ON PROJECT SITE: 35,000
. 3/30/92
B

-2-
11. NUMBER OF ACRES OF WATERS OF THE U.S., INCLUDING WETLANDS, IMPACTED BY
THE PROPOSED PROJECT:
FILLED: 1.3 acres
DRAINED:
FLOODED:
EXCAVATED:
TOTAL IMPACTED:
12. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED WORK (ATTACH PLANS): Disked or plowed firelines.
13. PURPOSE OF PROPOSED WORK: To create firelines in order to burn habitat to
promote desired plants wildlife and endaneered species
14. STATE REASONS WHY THE APPLICANT BELIEVES THAT THIS ACTIVITY MUST BE
CARRIED OUT IN WETLANDS. ALSO, NOTE MEASURES TAKEN TO MINIMIZE WETLAND
IMPACTS. To re-establish transition zone from ridge to ocosin. Asopposed to plowing
firelines around eack rid e we want to burn lar er blocks which requires some
plowing in wetlands. All lowed lines will be bedded-in after use to re-establish
the natural contour of the land.
1S. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO CONTACT THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
(USFWS) AND/OR NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE (NMFS) REGARDING THE PRESENCE
OR ANY FEDERALLY LISTED OR PROPOSED FOR LISTING ENDANGERED OR THREATENED
SPECIES OR CRITICAL HABITAT IN THE PERMIT AREA THAT MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE
PROPOSED PROJECT. HAVE YOU DONE SO? YES [X] NO [ ]
RESPONSES FROM THE USFWS AND/OR NMFS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO CORPS.
16. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO CONTACT THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER
(SHPO) REGARDING THE PRESENCE OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES IN THE PERMIT AREA WHICH
MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED PROJECT?
HAVE YOU DONE SO? YES [X] NO [ ]
RESPONSE FROM THE SHPO SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO CORPS.
17. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY DEM:
A. WETLAND DELINEATION MAP SHOWING ALL WETLANDS, STREAMS, AND LAKES ON
THE PROPERTY.
B. IF AVAILABLE, REPRESENTATIVE PHOTOGRAPH OF WETLANDS TO BE IMPACTED BY
PROJECT.
C. IF DELINEATION WAS PERFORMED BY A CONSULTANT, INCLUDE ALL DATA SHEETS
RELEVANT TO THE PLACEMENT OF THE DELINEATION LINE.
NA
D. IF A STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN IS REQUIRED FOR THIS PROJECT, ATTACH
COPY. NA
E. WHAT IS LAND USE OF SURROUNDING PROPERTY? NC. Game Lands
F. IF APPLICABLE, WHAT IS PROPOSED METHOD OF SEWAGE DISPOSAL? NA
hLa?/T.
for NC. Wildl. Res. Comm.
OWNER'S SIGNATURE DATE
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United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Raleigh Field Office
Post Office Box 33726
Raleigh, North Carolina 27636-3726
TO: Do v/ 1 ?,f
INSTANT REPLY
_ ¦
M
Please excuse this form. We thought you would prefer a speedy reply to a
formal letter. This form serves to provide U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
recommendations pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543).
Re : i-10 I& Sim l k?-
Protect Same
Daly %,lalz
Phe ne en it
Based on our records, there are no Federally-listed endangered or
threatened species which may occur within the project impact area.
The attached page(s) list(s) the Federally-listed species which
may occur within the project impact area.
V If the proposed project will be removing pines greater than or equal
to 30 years of age in pine or pine/hardwood habitat, surveys should
be conducted for active red-cockaded woodpecker cavity trees in
appropriate habitat within a 1/2 mile radius of project boundaries.
If red-cockaded woodpeckers are observed within the project area or
active cavity trees found, the project has the potential to adversely
affect the red-cockaded woodpecker, and you should contact this
office for further information.
Concur - Is not likely to adversely affect Federally-listed
endangered or threateded species.
Staffing limitations prevent us from conducting a field inspection
of the project site. Therefore, we are unable to provide you
with site specific recommendations at this time.
Questions regarding this form letter may be directed to the biologist who is
handling this project.
a n'R .11JtLAA, '71819--?
Biologist Date
CONCUR:
End nggred Sp cies a
Coordinator
kt
REVISED _?IA'l 19, -199-1
-Meier C,)unt-:
Piping plover (Charadrius melodus: - T
:Ireen sea turtle (Chelonia mvdas; - T
-*Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) - E
Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) - T
Rough-leaved loosestrife (Lysimachia asnerulaefolia) - E
Coolev's meadowrue (ThalictruM coolevi) - E
`,merican chaft teed (Schwalbea americana)- PE
Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelvs coriacea) - E
Kemp's Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelvs kem i) - E
American alligator (Alli7,ator mississippiensis) - T S/A+
Seabeach amaranth (Amaranthus pumilus) - PT
Sea turtles when "in the water" and the shortnose sturgeon are under the
jurisdiction of the National ;urine Fisheries Service and should be
contacted concerning your agency's responsibilities under Section 7 of the
Endangered Species Act. Their address is:
National Marine Fisheries Service
U.S. Department of Commerce
9450 Koger Boulevard
Duval Building
St. Petersburg, Florida 33702
There are species which, although not now listed or officially proposed for
listing as endangered or threatened, are under status review by the Service.
These "Candidate" (C1 and C2) species are not legally protected under the
Act, and are not subject to any of its provisions, including Section 7,
until they are formally proposed or listed as threatened or endangered. We
are providing the below list of candidate species which may occur. within the
project area for the purpose of giving you advance notification. These
species may be listed in the future, at which time they will be protected
under the Act. In the meantime, we would appreciate anything you might do
for them.
Bachman's sparrow (Aimophila aestialis) - C2
Henslow's sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii) - C2
Atlantic pigtoe (mussel) (Fusconaia masoni) - C2
Pyxie moth (Agrotis buchholzi) - C2
White-wicky (Kalmia cuneata) - C2
Carolina grass-of-parnassus (Parnassia caroliniana) - C2
Carolina goldenrod (Solidago pulchra) - C2
Spring-flowering goldenrod (Solidago verna) - C2
Carolina trillium (Trillium pusillum var. pusillum) - C2
Carolina bogmint (Macbridea caroliniana) - C2
Pineland plantain (Plantago sparsiflora) - C2
Wireleaf dropseed (Sporobolus teretifot'ius) - C2
Carolina asphodel (Tofieldia labra) - C2
Savanna cowbane (Oxypolis ternata) - C2
+Threatened/Similarity of Appearance
NT OF T
Q ..•:.rf S'?
United States Department of the Interior
P
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FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
?aS4OH -%, 75 Spring Street, S.W.
Atlanta, Georgia
30303
Ms. Jean Benton o
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Wilmington District Regulatory Branch
Post Office Box 1890
Wilmington, North Carolina 28402-1890
Dear Ms. Benton:
¦
TAn

This letter is in reference to the burning of pocosin habitat for red-cockaded
woodpeckers (RCW) on the Holly Shelter Gamelands in North Carolina. I
recently visited this area and observed RCW clusters (formerly colonies) in
pocosin habitat and on the longleaf pine "ridges" scattered through the
pocosin habitat. RCW occur in 'similar habitats in other parts of their range,
although the shrub and tree species may be different, e.g., "titi swamps" in
Florida.
Fire suppression in the Southeast, during the past 50 years, has significantly
altered vegetative structure and composition in many habitats, which
historically were frequently burned by lightening fires, primarily during the
growing season. During periods of drought, even the pocosins and wetland type
habitats undoubtably burned. Additionally, the frequent fires on the more
xeric, upland sites kept the wetland vegetation (shrubs and small trees
7 3-
i t ed ;.;v an ove!-,tory of pond nine and midstory of shrubs
h =a for P.C1,1's, they 6o use it for
nc'; •i _.:?j cti i_< ?:'czC? ,? g. Pis long a .f ?"iuC11C it res kef'p the hardwood tree
species (e.g., red maple and loblolly bay) from growing into the canopy layer
and "interfering" with RCW cavities, which causes cavity abandonment, RCW's
will continue to occupy and depend on this habitat.
In conclusion, it is vital that prescribed fire be used as both the most
efficient and effective way to control hardwoods in pocosin habitat. Indeed,
not doing so is a recipe for cavity tree and cluster abandonment, which in
small populations like Holly Shelter, will lead to rapid population decline.
The benefits to the RCW of a sound prescribed burning program on Holly Shelter
Gamelands far outweigh the negative (if any) factors.

I hope this information provides the background you need to complete your-
permit review for the Holly Shelter prescribed burning proposal. Let me know
if I can provide any additional information.
Sincerely yours.

Ralph Costa
Red-cockaded Woodpecker
Recovery Coordinator
cc:
Dave Allen
2

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0 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 9
512 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604-1188, 919-733-3391
Charles R. Fullwood, Executive Director
Wilmington District Engineer Water Quality Planning
Corps of Engineers DEM
Dept. of the Army NC Dept. of Env., Health
PO Box 1890 & Nat. Res.
Wilmington, NC. 28402-1890 PO Box 29535
ATTN: CESAW-GO-E Raleigh, NC 27626-0535
A ATTN: Mr. John Dorney
This application, report, and enclosed maps are intended as
a management plan to request permission to plow or disc
firelines in wetlands (pocosin) under general permit #
199200297 for state and federal agencies.
The proposed activities will take place in 4 different
timber compartments (see maps) of the Holly Shelter Game
Land in Pender County. The red lines on the maps indicate
proposed new plowed or disced firelines (a total of 2.1
miles). The blue lines represent firelines which we have
been using for many years and would no longer need to be
j plowed (a total of 7.7 miles). We can eventually bed-in
I these old lines to re-establish the natural contour of the
land. All newly plowed lines in wetlands will also be
rehabilitated after use.
We burn stands on a 2 year rotation at Holly Shelter. This
request will cover those areas which we did not burn last
year, when we received authorization to conduct similar
activities.
The purpose of this proposal (as was last years) is to
improve habitat for wildlife, and desirable plant species,
and decrease the total amount of plowing needed. In the
past we have burned only on the irregular shaped ridges.
This proposal will connect the ridges by plowing or discing
short lines through the pocosin and burning larger blocks.
This will allow the fire to cross into the pocosin and re-
establish the transition zones which are important in
maintaining many plant communities.
r
Furthermore, we are interested in improving habitat for the
federally endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW). We have
a small population of RCW's on Holly Shelter, and burns in
compartments 4 and 7 are being conducted specifically for
RCW's. Note that these areas are not associated with
ridges, and thus new firelines must be plowed completely
around the woodpecker colony sites. In fact, we will
probably have to plow a double fireline at these two sites
to assure the fire does not jump the fireline. Please refer
to the copy of the letter from Ralph Costa (RCW Recovery
Coordinator, USFWS) concerning the importance of fire to
RCW's.
Thank you for reviewing this proposal. If you have any
questions, or would like to visit the site, please give me a
call: 919-638-3000 -- 851 Perrytown Rd., New Bern, NC
28562.
Sincerely, a,?
David H. Allen
Wildlife Forester
cc: Tommy Hughes, Management Biologist
Earl Gillis, Supervising Biologist
Vic French, Holly Shelter Crew Leader
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D*M ID:
NATIONWIDE PERMIT APPLIED FOR
ACTION ID:
(PROVIDE NATIONWIDE PERMIT #): 199200297
JOINT APPLICATION FORK FOR
NATIONWIDE PERMITS THAT REQUIRE NOTIFICATION TO CORPS OF ENGINEERS
NATIONWIDE PERMITS THAT REQUIRE SECTION 401 CERTIFICATION CONCURRENCE
NATIONWIDE PERMITS THAT REQUIRE INDIVIDUAL SECTION 401 CERTIFICATION
WILMINGTON DISTRICT ENGINEER
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
P.O. BOX 1890
WILMINGTON, NC 28402-1890
ATTN: CESAW-CO-E
Telephone [phone]
WATER QUALITY PLANNING
DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
NC DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH,
AND NATURAL RESOURCES
P.O.'BOX 29535
RALEIGH, NC 27626-0535
ATTN: MR. JOHN DORNEY
Telephone [phone]
ONE (1) COPY OF THIS COMPLETED APPLICATION SHOULD BE SENT TO THE CORPS OF
ENGINEERS. SEVEN (7) COPIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE N.C. DIVISION OF
ENVIRONhiE;NTAL MANAGEMENT'. PLEASE PRINT.
1. OWNERS NAME; North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
2. OWNERS ADDRESS: Division of Wildlife Management
a isurys .
- --b-1 IV. lr[UU4-1 100
3. OWNERS PHONE NUMBER (HOME): (WORK): 919-733-7291
4. IF APPLICABLE: AGENT'S NAME OR RESPONSIBLE CORPORATE OFFICIAL, ADDRESS,
PHONE NUMBER: David H. Allen
-- 8 1 Perrvto- rd
New Bern NC. 28562
- 6 8- 000
5. LOCATION OF PLANNED WORK (ATTACH MAP). COUNTY: Pender
NEAREST TOWN OR CITY: Burga.w
SPECIFIC LOCATION (INCLUDE ROAD NUMBERS, LANDMARKS, ETC.): Holly Shelter
Game Land. see ma Ds
-
6. NAME OF CLOSEST STREAM/RIVER: Northeast Cape Fear river
7. RIVER BASIN: Northeast Cape Fear
8. IS THIS PROJECT LOCATED IN A WATERSHED CLASSIFIED AS TROUT, SA, HQW, ORW,
WS I, OR WS II? YES [ ] NO [XI
9. HAVE ANY SECTION 404 PERMITS BEEN PREVIOUSLY REQUESTED FOR USE ON THIS
PROPERTY? YES [XI NO [
IF YES, EXPLAIN. Similar request last year for alternate areas; DEM ID 92-0 4
10. ESTIMATED TOTAL NUMBER OF ACRES OF WATERS OF THE U.S., INCLUDING
WETLANDS, LOCATED ON PROJECT SITE: 35,000
3/30/92
9
-2-
11. NUMBER OF ACRES OF WATERS OF THE U.S., INCLUDING WETLANDS, IMPACTED BY
THE PROPOSED PROJECT:
FILLED: 1.3 acres
DRAINED:
FLOODED:
EXCAVATED: _
TOTAL IMPACTED:
12. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED WORK (ATTACH PLANS): Disked or plowed firelines.
13. PURPOSE OF PROPOSED WORK: To create firelines in order to burn habitat to
promote desired plants. wildlife, and endangered species.
14. STATE REASONS WHY THE APPLICANT BELIEVES THAT THIS ACTIVITY MUST BE
CARRIED OUT IN WETLANDS. ALSO, NOTE MEASURES TAKEN TO MINIMIZE WETLAND
IMPACTS. To re-establish transition zone from ridge to pocosin As opposed to plowing
firelines around each ridge we want to burn larger blocks which requires some
plowing in wetlands. All plowed lines will be bedded-in after use to re-establish
the natural contour of the land.
15. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO CONTACT THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
(USFWS) AND/OR NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE (NMFS) REGARDING THE PRESENCE
OR ANY FEDERALLY LISTED OR PROPOSED FOR LISTING ENDANGERED OR THREATENED
SPECIES OR CRITICAL HABITAT IN THE PERMIT AREA THAT MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE
PROPOSED PROJECT. HAVE YOU DONE SO? YES [X] NO ( ]
RESPONSES FROM THE USFWS AND/OR NMFS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO CORPS.
16. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO CONTACT THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER
(SHPO) REGARDING THE PRESENCE OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES IN THE PERMIT AREA WHICH
MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED PROJECT?
HAVE YOU DONE SO? YES [X] NO ( ]
RESPONSE FROM THE SHPO SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO CORPS.
17. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY DEM:
A. WETLAND DELINEATION MAP SHOWING ALL WETLANDS, STREAMS, AND LAKES ON
THE PROPERTY.
B. IF AVAILABLE, REPRESENTATIVE PHOTOGRAPH OF WETLANDS TO BE IMPACTED BY
PROJECT.
C. IF DELINEATION WAS PERFORMED BY A CONSULTANT, INCLUDE ALL DATA SHEETS
RELEVANT TO THE PLACEMENT OF THE DELINEATION LINE. NA
D. IF A STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN IS REQUIRED FOR THIS PROJECT, ATTACH
COPY. NA
E. WHAT IS LAND USE OF SURROUNDING PROPERTY?
NO. Game Lands
F. IF APPLICABLE, WHAT IS PROPOSED METHOD OF SEWAGE DISPOSAL? NA
for NO. Wildl. Res. Comm. , y'9A
OWNER'S SIGNATURE DATE
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United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Raleigh Field Office
Post Office Box 33726
Raleigh, North Carolina 27636-3726
TO:
INSTANT REPLY
M ¦
Please excuse this form. We thought you would prefer a speedy reply to a
formal letter. This form serves to provide U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
recommendations pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543).
Re: Ho //" EA-a' !kc r
n-?- ..? r--- - - - -- - n
-7 ne ea fl
Based on our records, there are no Federally-listed endangered or
threatened species which may occur within the project impact area.
The attached page(s) list(s) the Federally-listed species which
may occur within the project impact area.
V If the proposed project will be removing pines greater than or equal
to 30 years of age in pine or pine/hardwood habitat, surveys should
be conducted for active red-cockaded woodpecker cavity trees in
appropriate habitat within a 1/2 mile radius of project boundaries.
If red-cockaded woodpeckers are observed within the project area or
active cavity trees found, the project has the potential to adversely
affect the red-cockaded woodpecker, and you should contact this
office for further information.
Concur - Is not likely to adversely affect Federally-listed
endangered or threateded species.
Staffing limitations prevent us from conducting a field inspection
of the project site. Therefore, we are unable to provide you
with site specific recommendations at this time.
Questions regarding this form letter may be directed to the biologist who is
handling this project.
(R. WcaAl, 71819A
Biologist Date
CONCUR: K ! b -i
End ngered Sp c i e s atle
Coordinator
• . ..
REVISED HA'i 111, 1902
?°n.der xin t
Piping plover (C-taradrius melodus; - T
Jreen sea turtle (Chelonia mvdas; - T
-kRed-cockaded woodpecker '?coides borealis) - E
Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) - T
Rough-leaved loosestrife (Lysimachia asnerulaefolia) - E
Cooley': meadowrue (Thalictrum coolevi) - E
,',merican chaff-'Seed (Schwalbea americana)- PE
?-atherbac:; sea turtle (Dermochelvs coriacea) - E
Kemp's Ridley sea turtle (Lepidocheivs kempi; - E
American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) - T S/:1+
Seabeach amaranth (Amaranthus pumilus) - PT
Sea turtles when "in the water" and the shortnose sturgeon are under the
jurisdiction of the National Marine Fisheries Service and should be
contacted concerning your agency's responsibilities under Section 7 of the
Endangered Species Act. Their address is:
National Marine Fisheries Service
U.S. Department of Commerce
9450 Koger Boulevard
Duval Building
St. Petersburg, Florida 33702
There are species which, although not now listed or officially proposed for
listing as endangered or threatened, are under status review by the Service.
These "Candidate" (C1 and C2) species are not legally protected under the
Act, and are not subject to any of its provisions, including Section 7,
until they are formally proposed or listed as threatened or endangered. We
are providing the below list of candidate species which may occur within the
project area for the purpose of giving you advance notification. These
species may be listed in the future, at which time they will be protected
under the Act. In the meantime, we would appreciate anything you might do
for them.
Bachman's sparrow (Aimophila aestialis) - C2
Henslow's sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii) - C2
Atlantic pigtoe (mussel) (Fusconaia masoni) - C2
Pyxie moth (Agrotis buchholzi) - C2
White-wicky (Kalmia cuneata) - C2
Carolina grass-of-parnassus (Parnassia caroliniana) - C2
Carolina goldenrod (Solidago pulchra) - C2
Spring-flowering goldenrod (Solidago verna) - C2
Carolina trillium (Trillium pusillum var. pusillum) - C2
Carolina bogmint (Macbridea caroliniana) - C2
Pineland plantain (Plantago sparsiflora) - C2
Wireleaf dropseed (Sporobolus teretifoTius) - C2
Carolina asphodel (Tofieldia lg abra) - C2
Savanna cowbane (Oxypolis ternata) - C2
+Threatened/Similarity of Appearance
,A
S?gNT OF Th
A United States Department of the Interior
y O
? A
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
RCH 3-4k, 75 Spring Street, S.W.
Atlanta, Georgia
30303
Ms. Jean Benton 12)32
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Wilmington District Regulatory Branch
Post Office Box 1890
Wilmington, North Carolina 28402-1890
Dear Ms. Benton:
¦
TAKE V ?

This letter is in reference to the burning of pocosin habitat for red-cockaded
woodpeckers (RCW) on the Holly Shelter Gamelands in North Carolina. I
recently visited this area and observed RCW clusters (formerly colonies) in
pocosin habitat and on the longleaf pine "ridges" scattered through the
pocosin habitat. RCW occur in similar habitats in other parts of their range,
although the shrub and tree species may be different, e.g., "titi swamps" in
Florida.
Fire suppression in the Southeast, during the past 50 years, has significantly
altered vegetative structure and composition in many habitats, which
historically were frequently burned by lightening fires, primarily during the
growing season. During periods of drought, even the pocosins and wetland type
habitats undoubtably burned. Additionally, the frequent fires on the more
xeric, upland sites kept the wetland vegetation (shrubs and small trees
nrlY^"1Yi l•+y from ?liccp ??-?±ar areas, 1'1 ? f ro removed,
_,•?. nva,04^g t.._._ , __ _.which occurs when __ is i
efforts, from the system.
I
1?:::'„'s evolved with this frequent fire scenario, and therefore, have adapted to
"open park-like" stands, with little to no hardwood midstory. Although the
pocosin habitat, dominated by an overstory of pond pine and midstory of shrubs
and hardwood trees, is not optimum habitat for RCW's, they do use it for
nesting and foraging. As long as periodic fires keep the hardwood tree
species (e.g., red maple and loblolly bay) from growing into the canopy layer
and "interfering" with RCW cavities, which causes cavity abandonment, RCW's
will continue to occupy and depend on this habitat.
In conclusion, it is vital that prescribed fire be used as both the most
efficient and effective way to control hardwoods in pocosin habitat. Indeed,
not doing so is a recipe for cavity tree and cluster abandonment, which in
small populations like Holly Shelter, will lead to rapid population decline.
The benefits to the RCW of a sound prescribed burning program on Holly Shelter
Gamelands far outweigh the negative (if any) factors.
w

I hope this information provides the background you need to complete your,
permit review for the Holly Shelter prescribed burning proposal. Let me know
if I can provide any additional information.
Sincerely yours,

Ralph Costa
Red-cockaded Woodpecker
Recovery Coordinator
cc:
Dave Allen
2

JUL 21 1992, j
SGROUP
UALITY SECTION
® North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
512 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604-1188, 919-733-3391
Charles R. Fullwood, Executive Director
Wilmington District Engineer
Corps of Engineers
Dept. of the Army
PO Box 1890
Wilmington, NC. 28402-1890
ATTN: CESAW-CO-E
Water Quality Planning
DEM
NC Dept. of Env., Health
& Nat. Res.
PO Box 29535
Raleigh, NC 27626-0535
ATTN: Mr. John Dorney
This application, report, and enclosed maps are intended as
a management plan to request permission to plow or disc
firelines in wetlands (pocosin) under general permit #
199200297 for state and federal agencies.
The proposed activities will take place in 4 different
timber compartments (see maps) of the Holly Shelter Game
Land in Pender County. The red lines on the maps indicate
proposed new plowed or disced firelines (a total of 2.1
miles). The blue lines represent firelines which we have
been using for many years and would no longer need to be
plowed (a total of 7.7 miles). We can eventually bed-in
these old lines to re-establish the natural contour of the
land. All newly plowed lines in wetlands will also be
rehabilitated after use.
We burn stands on a 2 year rotation at Holly Shelter. This
request will cover those areas which we did not burn last
year, when we received authorization to conduct similar
activities.
The purpose of this proposal (as was last years) is to
improve habitat for wildlife, and desirable plant species,
and decrease the total amount of plowing needed. In the
past we have burned only on the irregular shaped ridges.
This proposal will connect the ridges by plowing or discing
short lines through the pocosin and burning larger blocks.
This will allow the fire to cross into the pocosin and re-
establish the transition zones which are important in
maintaining many plant communities.
Furthermore, we are interested in improving habitat for the
federally endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW). We have
a small population of RCW's on Holly Shelter, and burns in
compartments 4 and 7 are being conducted specifically for
RCW's. Note that these areas are not associated with
ridges, and thus new firelines must be plowed completely
around the woodpecker colony sites. In fact, we will
probably have to plow a double fireline at these two sites
to assure the fire does not jump the fireline. Please refer
to the copy of the letter from Ralph Costa (RCW Recovery
Coordinator, USFWS) concerning the importance of fire to
RCW's.
Thank you for reviewing this proposal. If you have any
questions, or would like to visit the site, please give me a
call: 919-638-3000 -- 851 Perrytown Rd., New Bern, NC
28562.
Sincerely, ,
C?e'
David H. Allen
Wildlife Forester
cc: Tommy Hughes, Management Biologist
Earl Gillis, Supervising Biologist
Vic French, Holly Shelter Crew Leader

1
+ DEM ID:
ACTION ID:
ATIONWIDE PERMIT APPLIED FOR (PROVIDE NATIONWIDE PERMIT fl : 199200297
JOINT APPLICATION FORM FOR
NATIONWIDE PERMITS THAT REQUIRE NOTIFICATION TO CORPS OF ENGINEERS
NATIONWIDE PERMITS THAT REQUIRE SECTION 401 CERTIFICATION CONCURRENCE
NATIONWIDE PERMITS THAT REQUIRE INDIVIDUAL SECTION .401 CERTIFICATION
WILMINGTON DISTRICT ENGINEER WATER QUALITY PLANNING
CORPS OF ENGINEERS DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY INC DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH

P.O. BOX 1890 ,
AND NATURAL RESOURCES
WILMINGTON, NC 28402-1890 P.O. BOX 29535
ATTN: CESAW-CO-E RALEIGH, INC 27626-0535
Telephone [phone] ATTN: MR. JOHN DORNEY
Telephone (919) i53-5083
ONE (1) COPY OF THIS COMPLETED APPLICATION SHOULD BE SENT TO THE CORPS OF
ENGINEERS. SEVEN (7) COPIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE N.C. DIVISION OF
EN'JIicONMENTAL MANAGEMENT. PLEASE PRINT.
1. OWNERS NAME: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
2. OWNERS ADDRESS: Division of Wildlife Management
512 N. a is ury s
a eig , VC. _
3. OWNERS PHONE NUMBER (HOME): (WOE): 919-733-7291
4. IF APPLICABLE: AGENT'S NAME OR RESPONSIBLE CORP
a OFF
PHONE NUMBER: David H. Allen .¦? f?
5. LOCATION OF PLANNED WORK (ATTACH MAP). COUNTY:
NEAREST TOWN OR CITY: Bur Raw
SPECIFIC LOCATION (INCLUDE ROAD NUMBERS, LANDMARK
Game Land. see maps
?. pd[ n? 11
6. NAME OF CLOSEST STREAM/RIVER: Northeast Cape Fear river
n? E i 1
7. RIVER BASIN: Northeast Cape Fear 1992
-'
..
NDS
8. IS THIS PROJECT LOCATED IN A WATERSHED CLASSIFIED AS TROUT, SA, HQW, AT?nGROUP
WS I, OR WS II? YES [ ] NO (x] MJ UALITY SECTION
' F
9. HAVE ANY SECTION 404 PERMITS BEEN PREVIOUSLY REQUESTED FOR USE ON THIS
PROPERTY? YES [ ]
IF YES, EXPLAIN. Similar Xrequest last year for alternate areas; DEM ID 92-054
10. ESTIMATED TOTAL NUMBER OF ACRES OF WATERS OF THE U.S., INCLUDING
WETLANDS, LOCATED ON PROJECT SITE: 35,000
3/30/92
1C