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Home My WebLink AboutR-2615 JD info NATURAL RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT Widen US 321 / US 421 from the US 321 and US 421 Junction, near Vilas, to SR 1107 (NC 105 Bypass) at Boone Watauga County, North Carolina STIP R-2615 WBS Element No. 38819.1.2 THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Environmental Coordination and Permitting April 2019 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 1 2.0 METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................. 1 3.0 TERRESTRIAL COMMUNITIES ........................................................................ 1 4.0 PROTECTED SPECIES ........................................................................................ 2 4.1 Endangered Species Act Protected Species ........................................................ 2 4.2 Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act ............................................................... 5 5.0 WATER RESOURCES .......................................................................................... 6 6.0 REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS ................................................................. 7 6.1 Clean Water Act Waters of the U.S. ................................................................... 7 6.2 Construction Moratoria .................................................................................... 10 6.3 N.C. River Basin Buffer Rules .......................................................................... 10 6.4 Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10 Navigable Waters .................................... 10 6.5 Coastal Barrier Resources System .................................................................... 11 7.0 REFERENCES ..................................................................................................... 12 Appendix A Figures Figure 1. Vicinity Map Figure 2. Project Study Area Map Figures 3A-3H. Jurisdictional Features Maps Figure 4. Terrestrial Communities Map Appendix B Qualifications of Contributors LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Coverage of terrestrial communities in the study area ................................. 1 Table 2. ESA federally protected species listed for Watauga County. ....................... 2 Table 3. Streams in the study area ............................................................................... 6 Table 4. Surface waters in the study area .................................................................... 7 Table 5. Characteristics of jurisdictional streams in the study area .......................... 7 Table 6. Characteristics of jurisdictional wetlands in the study area......................... 9 Natural Resources Technical Report STIP R-2615, Watauga County, N.C. 1.0 INTRODUCTION The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to widen US 321 / US 421 from the US 321 and US 421 junction, near Vilas, to SR 1107 (proposed NC 105 Bypass), near Boone (STIP R-2615) in Watauga County (Figures 1 and 2). The following Natural Resources Technical Report (NRTR) has been prepared to assist in the preparation of a document for the purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) or the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). 2.0 METHODOLOGY All work was conducted in accordance with the NCDOT Environmental Coordination and Permitting’s Preparing Natural Resources Technical Reports Procedure and the latest NRTR Template dated November 2017. Field work was conducted on July 23 – 27, 2018, July 31 – August 3, 2018, and February 11 – 12, 2019. A request for preliminary jurisdictional determination was prepared and is expected to be submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Resources (NCDWR) prior to or concurrent with environmental permitting. At the time of this writing, a regulatory site visit has not been conducted. The principal personnel contributing to the field work and document are provided in Appendix B. 3.0 TERRESTRIAL COMMUNITIES Four terrestrial communities were identified in the study area. Figure 4 shows the locations and extents of these terrestrial communities. Terrestrial community data are presented in the context of total coverage of each type within the study area (Table 1). Table 1. Coverage of terrestrial communities in the study area Coverage Community Dominant Species (scientific name) (ac.) New York ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis) Maintained-Disturbed Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota) 318.2 reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) American beech (Fagus grandifolia) Northern Hardwood Forest sugar maple (Acer saccharum) 18.4 Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) white pine (Pinus strobus) White Pine poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) 13.8 Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) yellow buckeye (Aesculus flava) Basic Mesic Forest witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) 0.8 bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) Total 351.2 1 April 2019 Natural Resources Technical Report STIP R-2615, Watauga County, N.C. 4.0 PROTECTED SPECIES 4.1 Endangered Species Act Protected Species As of June 27, 2018, the United States Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) lists 11 federally protected species, under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for Watauga County (Table 2). For each species, a discussion of the presence or absence of habitat is included below along with the Biological Conclusion rendered based on survey results in the study area. Table 2. ESA federally protected species listed for Watauga County. Federal Habitat Biological Scientific Name Common Name Status Present Conclusion Glyptemys muhlenbergii bog turtle T(S/A) No Not Required Glaucomys sabrinus Carolina northern E No No Effect coloratus flying squirrel Myotis grisescens gray bat E Undetermined Unresolved Myotis septentrionalis northern long-eared bat T Undetermined Unresolved Corynorhinus townsendii Virginia big-eared bat E Undetermined Unresolved virginianus rusty-patched bumble Bombus affinis* E * No Effect bee Microhexura montivaga spruce-fir moss spider E No No Effect Solidago spithamaea Blue Ridge goldenrod T No No Effect Liatris helleri Heller’s blazing star T No No Effect Hedyotis purpurea var. Roan Mountain bluet E No No Effect montana Geum radiatum spreading avens E No No Effect E - Endangered T - Threatened T(S/A) - Threatened due to similarity of appearance * - The Service does not and will not require surveys for RPBB in North Carolina because FWS assumes the state is unoccupied by RPBB. Bog Turtle USFWS optimal survey window: April 1-October (visual), April 1 – June 15 (breeding/nesting) Biological Conclusion: Not Required No suitable habitat for the bog turtle occurs within the study area. The study area does not contain wetlands suitable for bog turtles. Although wetlands exist, they are small, do not have suitable peaty or mucky soils for bog turtles to inhabit, do not contain suitable refugia for a population of bog turtles to persist, and are not connected to other, larger bog-type wetlands nearby. A review of North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NHP) records updated July 2018 indicates no known occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area. Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel 2 April 2019 Natural Resources Technical Report STIP R-2615, Watauga County, N.C. USFWS optimal survey window: May-October; coldest days in coldest winter months (nest box surveys) Biological Conclusion: No Effect No suitable habitat for the Carolina northern flying squirrel occurs within the study area. No hemlock, red spruce, or Fraser fir forests occur. The majority of the study area consists of maintained/disturbed areas, with small patches of white pine and isolated patches of northern hardwood forest. This species has been documented at and above 4,000’ mean sea level. Elevations in the study area range between 2706’ and 3592’. A review of NHP records updated July 2018 indicates no known occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area. Gray Bat USFWS optimal survey window: May 15 – August 15 (summer); January 15 – February 15 (winter) Biological Conclusion: Unresolved A biological conclusion for this species is pending investigations coordinated by the NCDOT Biological Surveys Group (BSG). A review of NHP records updated July 2018 indicates no known occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area. Northern Long-Eared Bat USFWS optimal survey window: May 15 – August 15 (summer); January 15 – February 15 (winter) Biological Conclusion: Unresolved A biological conclusion for this species is pending investigations coordinated by the NCDOT BSG. A review of NHP records updated July 2018 indicates no known occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area. Virginia Big-Eared Bat USFWS optimal survey windows: May 15-August 15 (summer); January 15-February 15 (winter) Biological Conclusion: Unresolved A biological conclusion for this species is pending investigations coordinated by the NCDOT BSG. A review of NHP records updated July 2018 indicates a known, historical occurrence with medium locality accuracy is located within the study area. 3 April 2019 Natural Resources Technical Report STIP R-2615, Watauga County, N.C. Rusty-Patched Bumble Bee USFWS optimal survey window: July – October (males), June – October (females), mid- March – mid-October (queens), mid-October – mid-March (overwintering new queens) Biological Conclusion: No Effect The Service does not and will not require surveys for RPBB in North Carolina because FWS assumes the state is unoccupied by RPBB. Spruce-Fir Moss Spider USFWS optimal survey window: May-August Biological Conclusion: No Effect No habitat for the spruce-fir moss spider exists within the study area. This species has been documented to occur above 5,400’ above mean sea level. Elevations within the study area range from 2,706’ to 3,592’ above mean sea level. No portion of the study area contains spruce-fir forest or humid moss or liverwort mats on rock surfaces. A review of NHP records updated July 2018 indicates no known occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area. Critical Habitat Biological Conclusion: No Effect. The study area is not located on Grandfather Mountain, is not above 5,400 feet in elevation, and does not contain fir-dominated spruce-fir forests or humid moss or liverwort mats on rock surfaces. Blue Ridge Goldenrod USFWS optimal survey window: July - September Biological Conclusion: No Effect No suitable habitat for Blue Ridge goldenrod occurs within the study area. This species has been documented to occur above 4,600’ above mean sea level. Elevations within the study area range from 2,706’ to 3,592’ above mean sea level. The High Elevation Rocky Summit natural community does not occur within the study area, and no cliffs, ledges, balds, or dry rock crevices of granite outcrops are located within the study area. A review of NHP records updated July 2018 indicates no known occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area. Heller’s Blazing Star USFWS optimal survey window: July - September Biological Conclusion: No Effect No suitable habitat for Heller’s blazing star occurs within the study area. Although a small portion of the study area is within the known elevation range of this species (3,500’ – 5,999’ above mean sea level), the High Elevation Rocky Summit natural community does not occur within the study area. No high elevation ledges, rock outcrops, cliffs, or balds are located within the study area. A review of NHP records 4 April 2019 Natural Resources Technical Report STIP R-2615, Watauga County, N.C. updated July 2018 indicates no known occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area. Roan Mountain Bluet USFWS optimal survey window: June - July Biological Conclusion: No Effect No suitable habitat for Roan Mountain bluet occurs within the study area. This species has been documented to occur above 4,200’ above mean sea level. Elevations within the study area range from 2,706’ to 3,592’ above mean sea level. No grassy balds, cliff ledges, shallow soils in crevices of rock outcrops, or steep slopes with full sun at the summits of high elevation peaks occur within the study area. No Fraser fir or red spruce forests are located within or adjacent to the study area. A review of NHP records updated July 2018 indicates no known occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area. Spreading Avens USFWS optimal survey window: June - September Biological Conclusion: No effect No suitable habitat for spreading avens occurs within the study area. This species has been documented to occur above 4,296’ above mean sea level. Elevations within the study area range from 2,706’ to 3,592’ above mean sea level. No high elevation cliffs, outcrops, or bases of steep talus slopes occur within the study area. No red spruce-Fraser fir, high elevation red oak, or northern hardwood forests with scattered spruce are located within or adjacent to the study area. A review of NHP records updated July 2018 indicates no known occurrences within 1.0 mile of the study area. 4.2 Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act The bald eagle is protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, which is enforced by the USFWS. Habitat for the bald eagle primarily consists of mature forests in proximity to large bodies of open water for foraging. Large dominant trees are utilized for nesting sites, typically within 1.0 mile of open water. A desktop-GIS assessment of the project study area, as well as the area within a 1.13-mile radius (1.0 mile plus 660 feet) of the project limits, was performed in July 2018 using 2014 color aerials. No water bodies large enough or sufficiently open to be considered potential feeding sources were identified. Since there was no foraging habitat within the review area, a survey of the project study area and the area within 660 feet of the project limits was not conducted. Additionally, a review of NHP records updated July 2018 revealed no known occurrences of this species within 1.13 miles of the project study area. Due to the lack of habitat, known occurrences, and minimal impact anticipated for this project, it has been determined that this project will not affect this species and no Eagle Act permit is required. 5 April 2019 Natural Resources Technical Report STIP R-2615, Watauga County, N.C. 5.0 WATER RESOURCES Water resources in the study area are part of the French Broad River basin (U.S. Geological Survey \[USGS\] Hydrologic Unit 06010103). Thirty-three streams were identified in the study area (Table 3). The location of each stream is shown in Figures 3A-3H. Table 3. Streams in the study area NCDWR Bank Bankfull Best Usage Depth Stream Name Map ID Index Height width Classification (in) Number (ft) (ft) Brushy Fork Creek Brushy Fork Creek 8-15-10 C 5 25 24 George Branch George Branch 8-15-10-2 C 3 9 6 Linville Creek Linville Creek 8-15-10-1 C 3 9 6 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SA 8-15-10 C 2 3 2 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SB 8-15-10 C 2 3 2 UT to George Branch SC 8-15-10-2 C 3 3 4 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SD 8-15-10 C 2 4 5 UT to George Branch SE 8-15-10-2 C 2 1 2 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SF 8-15-10 C 3 4 5 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SG 8-15-10 C 5 4 6 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SH 8-15-10 C 3.5 5 2 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SI 8-15-10 C 1 3 3 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SJ 8-15-10 C 1 2 2 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SK 8-15-10 C 2.5 2 5 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SL 8-15-10 C 1 1 2 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SM 8-15-10 C 1.5 3 2 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SN 8-15-10 C 1.5 4 3 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SO 8-15-10 C 0.5 1 2 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SP 8-15-10 C 2 2 4 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SQ 8-15-10 C 2 3 3 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SR 8-15-10 C 2.5 4 5 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SS 8-15-10 C 3 2 1 UT to Brushy Fork Creek ST 8-15-10 C 5 15 8 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SU 8-15-10 C 2.5 2.5 1 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SV 8-15-10 C 3 4 2 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SW 8-15-10 C 2 5 1 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SX 8-15-10 C 3 3 3 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SY 8-15-10 C 2 4 3 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SZ 8-15-10 C 8 13 6 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SAA 8-15-10 C 3 4 6 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SAB 8-15-10 C 6 6 2 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SAC 8-15-10 C 2 9 2 UT to Brushy Fork Creek SAD 8-15-10 C 3 7 8 6 April 2019 Natural Resources Technical Report STIP R-2615, Watauga County, N.C. No Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW), High Quality Waters (HQW), or water supply watersheds (WS-I or WS-II) are located within the study area or within 1.0 mile downstream of the study area. No streams within the study area are identified as impaired on the North Carolina Final 2016 303(d) list. Two surface waters were identified in the study area (Table 4). The location of each surface water is shown in Figures 3A-3H. Table 4. Surface waters in the study area Area (ac) in Surface Water Jurisdictional Map ID of Connection Study Area Pond A (PA) Yes Brushy Fork Creek 0.1 Tributary A (TA) Yes WAU/Brushy Fork Creek 0.0 6.0 REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS 6.1 Clean Water Act Waters of the U.S. Thirty-three jurisdictional streams were identified in the study area (Table 5). The locations of these streams are shown on Figures 3A-3H. NCDWR stream identification forms are included in a separate Preliminary Jurisdictional Determination (PJD) Package. All jurisdictional streams in the study area have been designated as cold water streams for the purposes of stream mitigation. Table 5. Characteristics of jurisdictional streams in the study area Figure Compensatory Length River Basin Map ID Number Classification Mitigation (ft.) Buffer Required Brushy Fork 15,462 3B-3H Perennial Yes Not Subject Creek George 1,513 3B Perennial Yes Not Subject Branch Linville 353 3D Perennial Yes Not Subject Creek SA 129 3B Perennial Yes Not Subject SB 268 3B Perennial Yes Not Subject SC 8 3B Perennial Yes Not Subject SD 241 3B Intermittent Undetermined Not Subject SE 25 3B Perennial Yes Not Subject SF 273 3C Perennial Yes Not Subject SG 382 3C Perennial Yes Not Subject SH 491 3D Intermittent Undetermined Not Subject SI 193 3D Perennial Yes Not Subject SJ 309 3E Intermittent Undetermined Not Subject 7 April 2019 Natural Resources Technical Report STIP R-2615, Watauga County, N.C. Figure Compensatory Length River Basin Map ID Number Classification Mitigation (ft.) Buffer Required SK 266 3D Intermittent Undetermined Not Subject SL 144 3D Perennial Yes Not Subject SM 54 3D Intermittent Undetermined Not Subject SN 837 3E Perennial Yes Not Subject SO 101 3E Intermittent Undetermined Not Subject SP 118 3E Intermittent Undetermined Not Subject SQ 420 3E Perennial Yes Not Subject SR 406 3E Perennial Yes Not Subject SS 199 3F Intermittent Undetermined Not Subject ST 624 3F Perennial Yes Not Subject SU 221 3G Intermittent Undetermined Not Subject SV 524 3G Perennial Yes Not Subject SW 376 3G Perennial Yes Not Subject SX 339 3G Intermittent Undetermined Not Subject SY 394 3G Perennial Yes Not Subject SY 120 3G Intermittent Undetermined Not Subject SZ 593 3G Perennial Yes Not Subject SAA 730 3H Perennial Yes Not Subject SAB 9 3H Intermittent Undetermined Not Subject SAC 424 3H Perennial Yes Not Subject SAC 51 3H Intermittent Undetermined Not Subject SAD 379 3H Perennial Yes Not Subject Total 26,976 Sixty jurisdictional wetlands were identified within the study area (Table 6). The locations of these wetlands are shown on Figures 3A-3H. All wetlands in the study area are located within the Watauga River basin (USGS Hydrologic Unit 06010103). USACE wetland determination forms and NCWAM forms for each site are included in a separate Preliminary Jurisdictional Determination Package. 8 April 2019 Natural Resources Technical Report STIP R-2615, Watauga County, N.C. Table 6. Characteristics of jurisdictional wetlands in the study area Area Figure Hydrologic Map NCWAM (ac.) in NumbeNCWAM Classification Classificatio ID Rating Study r n Area WA 3B Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh Medium Riparian 0.18 WB 3B Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh Medium Riparian 0.01 WC 3B Headwater Forest High Riparian 0.01 WD 3B Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.01 WE 3C Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh Medium Riparian 0.01 WF 3C Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.13 WG 3C Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.10 WH 3C Headwater Forest Low Riparian 0.06 WI 3C Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh Medium Riparian 0.01 WJ 3C Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh Medium Riparian 0.01 WK 3C Headwater Forest Low Riparian 0.17 WL 3C Headwater Forest High Riparian 0.01 WM 3D Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.13 WN 3D Headwater Forest High Riparian 0.01 WO 3D Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.05 WP 3D Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh Medium Riparian 0.02 WQ 3D Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh Low Riparian 0.02 WR 3D Bottomland Hardwood Forest High Riparian 0.02 WS 3D Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh Low Riparian 0.03 WT 3D Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh Low Riparian 0.06 WU 3D Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh Low Riparian 0.03 WV 3D Headwater Forest Low Riparian 0.04 WW 3D Headwater Forest High Riparian 0.01 WX 3D Headwater Forest High Riparian 0.01 WY 3D Headwater Forest High Riparian 0.03 WZ 3E Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh Low Riparian <0.01 WAA 3E Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh Low Riparian 0.05 WAB 3E Headwater Forest High Riparian 0.04 WAC 3E Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.02 WAD 3E Headwater Forest High Riparian 0.02 WAE 3E Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh Medium Riparian 0.01 WAF 3E Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.01 WAG 3E Headwater Forest High Riparian 0.11 WAH 3F Headwater Forest Low Riparian 0.03 WAI 3F Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.01 WAJ 3F Bottomland Hardwood Forest High Riparian 0.03 WAK 3F Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.01 WAL 3F Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh High Riparian 0.09 WA3F Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.03 M 9 April 2019 Natural Resources Technical Report STIP R-2615, Watauga County, N.C. Area Figure Hydrologic Map NCWAM (ac.) in NumbeNCWAM Classification Classificatio ID Rating Study r n Area WAN 3G Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.11 WAO 3G Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.05 WAP 3G Headwater Forest High Riparian 0.01 WAQ 3G Headwater Forest High Riparian 0.03 WAR 3G Headwater Forest Low Riparian 0.01 WAS 3G Headwater Forest Low Riparian 0.03 WAT 3G Headwater Forest Low Riparian 0.06 WAU 3H Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.09 WAV 3G Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.02 WA3G Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.02 W WAX 3H Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.01 WAY 3H Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.06 WAZ 3H Headwater Forest Low Riparian 0.02 WBA 3H Headwater Forest High Riparian 0.01 WBB 3H Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.02 WBC 3H Headwater Forest Low Riparian 0.04 WBD 3G Headwater Forest High Riparian <0.01 WBE 3E Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.01 WBF 3E Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.07 WBG 3D Headwater Forest Medium Riparian <0.01 WBH 3C Seep High Riparian <0.01 Total 2.30 6.2 Construction Moratoria The study area is located within a watershed designated by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) as a trout watershed. As of this writing, the NCDOT is awaiting a requested comment letter from the NCWRC to determine whether any streams within the study area will be subject to a trout moratorium. 6.3 N.C. River Basin Buffer Rules The study area is not located within a basin to which N.C. river basin buffer rules apply; therefore, no streams within the study area are subject to protection under these rules. 6.4 Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10 Navigable Waters No study area streams have been designated by the USACE as Navigable Waters under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act. 10 April 2019 Natural Resources Technical Report STIP R-2615, Watauga County, N.C. 6.5 Coastal Barrier Resources System No Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) units exist within the study area. 11 April 2019 Natural Resources Technical Report STIP R-2615, Watauga County, N.C. 7.0 REFERENCES Duncan, W.H. and Duncan, M.B. 1998. Trees of the Southeastern United States. Athens: The University of Georgia Press. 322 pp. Environmental Laboratory. 1987. Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual. Technical Report Y-87-1, U. S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station. Vicksburg, Mississippi. Environmental Laboratory. 1992. Clarification and Interpretation of the 1987 Manual, memorandum from Major General Arthur E. Williams. Environmental Laboratory. 2012. Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Eastern Mountains and Piedmont Region (Version 2.0). U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center. Vicksburg, Mississippi. nd Justice, W.S., Bell, C.R. and Lindsey, A.H. 2005. Wild Flowers of North Carolina. 2 ed. Chapel Hill: The University of Chapel Hill Press. 325 pp. NatureServe. 2010. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life \[web application\]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://www.natureserve.org/explorer. (Accessed: December 14, 2010). N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality. 1995. Guidance for Rating the Values of Wetlands in North Carolina. Fourth version. N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality. Water Quality Assessment and Impaired Waters List (2016) Final 303(d) list. https://files.nc.gov/ncdeq/Water%20Quality/Planning/TMDL/303d/2016/2016_N C_Category_5_303d_list.pdf N.C. Natural Heritage Program. 2001. Guide to Federally Listed Endangered and Threatened Species of North Carolina. Raleigh, NC. 134 pp. N.C. Natural Heritage Program. 2018. Biotics Database. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Raleigh, North Carolina. Data Date January 2018. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. 2008. Bog Turtle Fact Sheet. http://www.ncwildlife.org/pg07_wildlifespeciescon/nongame_bogturtle_lores.pdf. (Accessed: February 22, 2008). North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. 2005. Northern Flying Squirrel Fact Sheet.http://www.ncwildlife.org/pg07_WildlifeSpeciesCon/nongame_noflysquirr el_lores.pdf.(Accessed: February 18, 2008). 12 April 2019 Natural Resources Technical Report STIP R-2615, Watauga County, N.C. Radford, A.E., Ahles, H.E. and Bell, C.R. 1968. Manual of the Vascular Flora of North Carolina. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press. 1183 pp. Schafale, M.P. and A.S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the Natural Communities of North Carolina: Third Approximation. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Division of Parks and Recreation, NCDEHNR. Raleigh, North Carolina. 325 pp. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2018. Endangered Species, Threatened Species, Federal Species of Concern, and Candidate Species, Watauga County, North Carolina. Updated 27 June 2018. http://www.fws.gov/raleigh/species/cntylist/Watauga.html U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2018. Roan Mountain Bluet in North Carolina. http://www.fws.gov/nc-es/plant/rmbluet.html. (Accessed: June 30, 2018). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2018. Spreading Avens in North Carolina. http://www.fws.gov/nc-es/plant/spreadavens.html. (Accessed: June 30, 2018). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2017. The Rusty Patched Bumble Bee (Bombus affinis) Interagency Cooperation under Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act Voluntary Implementation Guidance Version 1.1. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Regions 3, 4, 5 and 6. March 20, 2017 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2015. http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/mammals/nlba/nlbaFactSheet.html. (Accessed: February 20, 2015.) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2014. Northern Long-Eared Bat Interim Conference and Planning Guidance. USFWS Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6. http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/mammals/nlba/pdf/NLEBinterimGuida nce6Jan2014.pdf. (Accessed: February 20, 2015.) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2010. Carolina northern flying squirrel. http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/listedspecies/Carolina_northern_flying_squirr el.html (Accessed: October 19, 2010). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2010. Gray Bat in North Carolina. http://www.fws.gov/nc-es/mammal/graybat.html. (Accessed: October 19, 2010). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2010.Virginia big-eared bats in North Carolina. http://www.fws.gov/nc-es/mammal/vbigear.html. (Accessed: October 20, 2010). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2010. Information on Threatened and Endangered Species: Blue Ridge Goldenrod. http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/listedspecies/Blue_Ridge_goldenrod.html. (Accessed: December 14, 2010). 13 April 2019 Natural Resources Technical Report STIP R-2615, Watauga County, N.C. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2008. Bog Turtles in North Carolina. http://www.fws.gov/nc-es/reptile/bogtur.html. (Accessed: February 22, 2008). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2006. Optimal Survey Windows for North Carolina’s Federally Threatened and Endangered Plant Species. http://www.fws.gov/nces/es/plant_survey.html. (Accessed: December 14, 2010). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2001. Designation of Critical Habitat for the Spruce-fir Moss Spider. 66 FR 35547 35566. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1999. Recovery Plan for Liatris helleri Porter (Heller’s Blazing Star). First Revision. Atlanta, GA. 25 pp. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1996. Roan Mountain Bluet Recovery Plan. Atlanta, GA. 46 pp. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1993. Spreading Avens Recovery Plan. Atlanta, GA. 32 pp. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1985. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Determination of Threatened Status for Solidago spithamaea (Blue Ridge goldenrod). 50 FR 12306-12309. U.S. Geological Survey. 2013. Boone, NC. 1:24,000. North Carolina, Topographic Quadrangle (7.5-minute series). Reston, VA: U.S. Department of the Interior, USGS. U.S. Geological Survey. 2013. Sherwood, NC. 1:24,000. North Carolina, Topographic Quadrangle (7.5-minute series). Reston, VA: U.S. Department of the Interior, USGS. U.S. Geological Survey. 2013. Valle Crucis, NC. 1:24,000. North Carolina, Topographic Quadrangle (7.5-minute series). Reston, VA: U.S. Department of the Interior, USGS. U.S. Geological Survey. 2013. Zionville, TN. 1:24,000. Tennessee, Topographic Quadrangle (7.5-minute series). Reston, VA: U.S. Department of the Interior, USGS. 14 April 2019 Appendix A Figures Appendix B Qualifications of Contributors Principal Investigator: David Cooper Education: B.S. Zoology, North Carolina State University, 1999 Experience: Senior Environmental Scientist, VHB, 2018-Present Environmental Scientist, Ecological Engineering, LLP, 2014-2018 Environmental Scientist, S&EC, PA, 2007-2014 Living Collections Staff, NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 1999-2007 Responsibilities: Wetland and stream delineations, natural community assessments, T/E species assessments, GPS, document preparation, and review. Investigator: G. Lane Sauls Jr. Education: B.S. Natural Resources, Ecosystems Assessment, North Carolina State University, 1994 Experience: Natural Resources Manager, VHB, 2018-Present Principal/Senior Scientist, Ecological Engineering, LLP, 2008-2018 Senior Scientist, Sungate Design Group, PA, 2006-2008 Senior Scientist, Mulkey, Inc., 2003-2006 Senior Program Manager, ARCADIS, 1996-2003 Project Scientist, NCDOT, 1994-1996 Responsibilities: Wetland and stream delineations, natural community assessments, T/E species assessments, GPS, document preparation, and review Investigator: Heather Smith, LSS Education: M.S. Soil Science, North Carolina State University, 2004 Experience: Senior Environmental Scientist, VHB, 2018-Present Environmental Scientist, Ecological Engineering, LLP, 2015-2018 Project Manager, NCDENR Ecosystem Enhancement Program, 2008- 2015 Environmental Scientist, LG2 Environmental Solutions, LLC, 2005- 2008 Responsibilities: Data form preparation, document review