20190317 Ver 1_NCWRC Scoping_20190308

� North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission E�
Gordon Myers, Executive Director
January 16, 2019
Mr. Troy Enright
Environmental Resources Management
295 Madison Avenue, Suite 8A
New York, NY 10017
Subject: Request for Information for the Liquefied Natural Gas Peaking Facility, known as the
Robeson LNG Project, Robeson County, North Carolina.
Dear Mr. Enright,
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have reviewed the subject
information and are familiar with the habitat values of the area. Comments are provided in accordance
with provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-
667e) and North Carolina General Statutes (G. S. 113 -13 1 et seq.).
On behalf of Duke Energy, Environmental Resources Management is requesting environmental
information regarding the construction of a liquefied natural gas peaking facility, known as the Robeson LNG
Project in Robeson County. The proposed project area would be located at the intersection of Rev Bill Road
and NC Highway 71, northeast of Maxton. The project area drains to the Lumber River.
There are no national refuges or state-owned, wildlife -designated lands within the project vicinity, nor are
there migratory or feeding grounds for anadromous fish. However, aerial maps and images indicate Gum
Swamp flows along the western boundary of the project site and likely bisects the southern portion of the
project. There are records for the Santee crayfish (Procambarus blandingii), a species on the Natural
Heritage Program's (NHP) Watch List, downstream of the project in Gum Swamp. There are also records
for the state -special concern, thinlip chub (Cyprinella sp.) downstream of the site in the Lumber River. In
addition, the NHP Natural Heritage Areas — Upper and Middle Lumber River Swamp — are located
downstream of the site.
The NCWRC recommends maintaining a minimum 100 -foot undisturbed, native, forested buffer along
perennial streams, and a minimum 50 -foot buffer along intermittent streams and wetlands. Maintaining
undisturbed, forested buffers will minimize impacts to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife resources, water
quality and aquatic habitat both within and downstream of the project area. Wide riparian buffers are also
helpful in maintaining stability of stream banks and for treatment of pollutants associated with urban
stormwater. Lastly, these buffers provide a travel corridor for wildlife species.
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

Page 2
January 16, 2019
Scoping — Robeson LNG Project
The project footprint should be surveyed for wetlands and streams to ensure there are no impacts to
surface waters. In addition to providing wildlife habitat, wetland areas and streams aid in flood control
and water quality protection. United States Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 Permits and NC
Division of Water Resources Section 401 Certifications are required for any impacts to jurisdictional
streams or wetlands. Temporarily disturbed wetland areas should be returned to original soils and
contours, reseeded with annual small grains appropriate for the season (e.g. oats, millet, rye, wheat or rye
grass) and allowed to revert to natural wetland vegetation. Measures to avoid or minimize impacts to
wetlands should be implemented.
Avoid the removal of large trees at the edges of construction corridors. Disturbed areas should be re-
seeded with seed mixtures that are beneficial to wildlife. Avoid fescue -based mixtures as fescue is
invasive and provides little benefit to wildlife. In general, the use of non-invasive, native species is
recommended. Using native species instead of ornamentals should reduce the need for water, fertilizers
and pesticides. Pollinator seed mixes are commercially available and provide forage and shelter for
numerous species of bees, butterflies, moths and birds. A list of wildlife -friendly plants is available upon
request.
Sediment and erosion control measures should be installed prior to any land clearing or construction. The
use of biodegradable and wildlife -friendly sediment and erosion control devices is strongly
recommended. Silt fencing, fiber rolls and/or other products should have loose -weave netting that is
made of natural fiber materials with movable joints between the vertical and horizontal twines. Silt
fencing that has been reinforced with plastic or metal mesh should be avoided as it impedes the
movement of terrestrial wildlife species. Excessive silt and sediment loads can have detrimental effects
on aquatic resources including destruction of spawning habitat, suffocation of eggs and clogging of gills.
If I can provide further assistance, please call [phone] or emailabr�iela.garrison(cbncwildlife.org.
Sincerely,
Gabriela Garrison
Eastern Piedmont Habitat Conservation Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program