20190211 Ver 1_U-5875 mussel report_20190215

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
ROY COOPER 7AMES H. TROGDON, III
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
June 8, 2017
Memorandum to: Jason Dilday, Environmental Senior Specialist
NES, Environmental Coordination and Permitting Group
From: Matt Haney, Environmental Senior Specialist
NES, Biological Surveys Group
Subject: Freshwater Mussel Survey Report for the Proposed
Widening of SR 1203 (Allen Rd) from SR 1467
(Stantonsburg Rd) to US 13 (Dickinson Ave Extension), Pitt
County. TIP No. U-5875. WBS # 44677.1.1
The North Carolina Department of Transportation proposes to widen SR 1203
(Allen Rd) from SR 1467 (Stantonsburg Rd) to US 13 (Dickinson Ave Extension) in Pitt
County. The project crosses Greens Mill Run and unnamed tributaries (UT) to Greens
Mill Run. These waterbodies are in the Tar-Pamlico River basin. From the project,
Greens Mill Run flows approximately 6.9 river miles until converging with the Tar River.
This project crosses Greens Mill Run in its headwaters. The federally endangered Tar
River spinymussel (Elliptio steinstansana), proposed threatened Atlantic pigtoe and
proposed threatened green floater are listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS) as potentially occurring in Pitt County.
The Tar River spinymussel lives in relatively silt-free uncompacted gravel and/or
coarse sand in fast-flowing, well oxygenated stream reaches. The Tar River spinymussel
is endemic only to the Tar River and Neuse River systems in North Carolina. In the Tar
River system, the species has been documented only from the mainstem of the Tar River,
Shocco Creek, Fishing Creek, Little Fishing Creek, and Swift Creek.
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,
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.
Although uncommon, the green floater is found in drainages to the Atlantic (Tar-
Pamlico, Neuse, Roanoke and Yadkin-Pee Dee) and Interior Basins (New and Watauga).
This mussel inhabits quiet backwaters with gently sloping banks and substrates of sandy
silt and avoids fast waters.
MAILING ADDRESS: TE�EPHONE: 919-707-6000 LOCATION:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX: [phone] CENTURY CENTER, BUILDING A
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS WEBSITE: 'I000 BIRCH RIDGE DRIVE
"I548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER HTTPS://CONNECT.NCDOT.GOU/RESOURCES/ENVIRON RALEIGH NC 276"I O
Ra,�EicH NC 27699-1548 MENTAUPAGES/DEFAULT.ASPX

Greens Mill Run is classified as a 303d stream. The closest NPDES facility to the
project is Greenville Utilities Commission, which is located approximately 9 river miles
downstream of the project along the Tar River.
Prior to conducting a habitat assessment, a review of the NC Natural Heritage
Program database was conducted (May 5, 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 Tar River spinymussel, Atlantic
pigtoe or green floater in Greens Mill Run. The closest known occurrence of Tar
River spinymussel is approximately 19.9 river miles away from this project in the
Tar River. The closest known occurrence of Atlantic pigtoe is approximately 18.2
river miles away from this project in the Tar River. The closest known occurrence
of green floater is approximately 20.9 river miles away from this project in the Tar
River.
A habitat assessment was conducted on May 8, 2017 by NCDOT biologists Jared
Gray (Permit No. 17-ES00314) and Matt Haney, along with RKK biologist Neil Medlin.
Greens Mill Run was approximately 5-16 feet wide and the water depth was 0.5-2 feet.
This stream has already been impacted by rip rap on the streambanks. The substrate
consisted of clay, sand and silt. Land use adjacent to the stream consisted of residential
and agriculture. There were signs of streambank erosion and channelization. No live
mussels or mussel shells were observed in Greens Mill Run.
The UT's to Greens Mill Run ranged in width from 1-7 feet and water depth
ranged from 3 inches-2 feet. The substrate consisted of clay, sand and silt. Land use
adjacent to the streams consisted of residential, commercial and agriculture. There were
signs of streambank erosion and channelization. No live mussels or mussel shells were
observed in the UT's to Greens Mill Run.
Due to the size of the streams, this project being located too high in the watershed,
degraded habitat due to rip rap on the streambanks and where the site is situated, and that
there are no known occurrences of Tar River spinymussel in these streams, this project
will have no effect on this species.
Biological Conclusion 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 is as follows:
Biological Conclusion Atlantic pigtoe: No Effect
Biological Conclusion Green floater: No Effect

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Project Vicinity
U-5875
SR 1203 (Allen Road) from
SR 1467 (Stantonsburg Road) to
US 13 (Dickenson Avenue Ext.)
Widen to Multilanes
Pitt County, North Carolina
December 2016
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