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Home My WebLink About20190211 Ver 1_U-5875 revised mussel report_20190215�Py6 �'� �11 � � � �T � ��a.M �� STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ROY COOPER 7AMES H. TROGDON, III GOVERNOR SECRETARY February 13, 2019 Memorandum to: Jay Johnson, Division 2 Environmental Officer From: Matt Haney, Environmental Program Specialist Environmental Analysis Unit, 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 Dwarf Wedgemussel (Alasmidonta heterodon), federally endangered Tar River Spinymussel (Parvaspina steinstansana), federally threatened Yellow Lance (Elliptio lanceolata) and proposed threatened Atlantic Pigtoe (Fusconaia masoni) are listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as potentially occurring in Pitt County. The Green Floater (Lasmigona subviridis) is listed by the USFWS as an At Risk Species and as potentially occurring in Pitt County. Dwarf Wedgemussels are found in large rivers and small streams, often burrowed into clay banks among the root systems of trees. They may also be found associated with mixed substrates of cobble, gravel, and sand. Occasionally they may be found in very soft silt substrates. Stream banks are stable with extensive root system holding soils in place. The associated landscape is largely wooded, especially near streams. Trees near the stream are relatively mature and tend to form a closed canopy over smaller streams, creeks, and headwater river habitats. Water quality is good to excellent. 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. MAILING ADDRESS: TE�EPHONE: 919-707-6000 LOCATION: NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX: 919-250-4224 CENTURY CENTER, BUILDING A PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS WEBSITE: 'I000 BIRCH RIDGE DRIVE 1b4$ MAIL SERVICE CENTER HTTPS://CONNECT.NCDOT.GOV/RESOURCES/ENVIRON Ra�eiGH NC 27610 R,4�Ei�H NC 27699-1548 MENTAUPAGES�DEFAULT.ASPX The Yellow Lance prefers clean, coarse to medium sized sands as substrate. On occasion, specimens are also found in gravel substrates. This species is found in the main channels of drainages down to streams as small as a meter across. 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. Greens Mill Run is classified as a 303d stream (severe bioclassification for benthos). The closest NPDES facility to the project is Greenville Utilities Commission WWTP, which is located approximately 9 river miles downstream of the project along the Tar River. A review of the NC Natural Heritage Program database was conducted (February 13, 2019) 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 federally listed species or At Risk Species in Greens Mill Run. The closest known occurrence of Dwarf Wedgemussel is approximately 20 river miles away from this project in Chicod Creek (historical occurrence). The closest known occurrence of Tar River Spinymussel is approximately 19.9 river miles away from this project in the Tar River (historical occurrence). The closest known occurrence of Yellow Lance is approximately 28 river miles away from this project in the Tar River (historical occurrence). 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 any of the federally listed species in these streams or near the project, this project will have no effect on these species. Biological Conclusion for Dwarf Wedgemussel, Tar River Spinymussel, Yellow Lance and Atlantic Pigtoe: No Effect While the following species is not currently federally protected and a biological conclusion is not necessary at the time of the writing of this report, if this species was to receive federal protection, the appropriate biological conclusion is as follows: Biological Conclusion for Green Floater: No Effect