20170785 Ver 2_12-USFWS_16-249_Cross charlotte Trail Brandywine to Tyvola Segment_Mecklenburg Co_20190409

United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Asheville Field Office
160 Zillicoa Street
Asheville, North Carolina 28801
February 22, 2016
Mr. Chris Tinklenberg
Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
200 South Tryon Street, Suite 200
Charlotte, North Carolina, 28203
Dear Mr. Tinklenberg:
Subject: Cross-Charlotte Trail (XCLT) — Brandywine to Tyvola Segment; Charlotte,
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
Log No. 4-2-16-249
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has reviewed the information provided in your
letter received on January 26, 2016. We submit the following comments in accordance with the
provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 661-667e); the
National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. §4321 et seq.); and section 7 of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543) (Act).
Project Description
The purpose of this project is to complete a 1.5-mile segment of the XCLT from Brandywine
Road to Tyvola Road in a developed area of Charlotte, North Carolina. This proposed segment
would be one of at least three that would provide alternative transportation options and access to
recreational amenities for the surrounding community. This segment would be approximately
8,000 linear feet in length and 150-200 feet wide. No design or construction plans were included
in your correspondence that describe a proposed construction schedule, construction methods, or
impact minimization measures.
Federally Protected Species
Suitable habitat may be present at the project site for the federally threatened Northern long-
eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis). However, we believe that the amount of suitable habitat that
may be lost as a result from the proposed project would have an insignificant or
discountable impact on the species. Therefore we would concur with a determination that the
proposed project may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect this species.

Based on the Service's species records, no other federally protected species or their habitats
occur in the project area.
Please be aware that in accordance with the Act, it is the responsibility of the appropriate federal
agency or its designated representative to review its activities or programs and to identify any
such activities or programs that may affect endangered or threatened species or their habitats. If
it is determined that the proposed activity may adversely affect any species federally listed as
endangered or threatened, formal consultation with this office must be initiated.
The Service recommends that you contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers if the proposed
development may impact streams or wetlands, and contact the North Carolina Wildlife
Resources Commission concerning potential impacts to state-protected resources.
Invasive plant species are present at the site and the Service is concerned that disturbances
resulting from the proposed project may allow them to spread. Without active management,
including the revegetation of native species in disturbed areas, proj ect corridors will likely be
sources of, and corridors for, the movement of invasive exotic plant species. Therefore, we
strongly recommend that only species native to the natural communities within the project area
be used in association with all aspects of this project.
The Service appreciates the opportunity to comment on this project. Please contact Mr. Byron
Hamstead of our staff at 828/258-3939, Ext. 225, if you have any questions. In any future
correspondence concerning this project, please reference our Log Number 4-2-16-249.
Sincerely,
- - original signed - -
Janet A. Mizzi
Field Supervisor
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