20190396 Ver 1_T&E Supplemental info for R128 ePCN Form_20190510

Supplemental Information
ePCN Form — NCDOT Division 10 — Jack's Branch Road over Cabbage Branch
Project Number 17BP.10.R.128
G. Supplemental Information
5. Endangered Species and Critical Habitat
STV conducted protected species habitat assessments on September 20, 2017. As of June 27, 2018
the United States Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) lists three federally protected species, under the
Endangered Species Act (ESA) for Anson County (Table 1). 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 1. ESA federally protected species listed for Anson County
Scientific Name
Common Name
Federal
Status
Habitat
Present
Biological
Conclusion
Helianthus schweinitzii
Schweinitz's sunflower
E
Yes
NE
Lasmi ona decorata
Carolina heels litter
E
No
NE
Picoides borealis
Red -cockaded woodpecker
E
No
NE
E - Endangered
NE - No Effect
Schweinitz's sunflower
USFWS Optimal Survey Window: late August -October
Habitat Description: Schweinitz's sunflower is endemic to the Piedmont of North and South
Carolina. The few sites where this rhizomatous perennial herb occurs in relatively natural
vegetation are found in Xeric Hardpan Forests. The species is also found along roadside
rights -of -way, maintained power lines and other utility rights -of -way, edges of thickets and
old pastures, clearings and edges of upland oak -pine -hickory woods and Piedmont longleaf
pine forests, and other sunny or semi -sunny habitats where disturbances (e.g., mowing,
clearing, grazing, blow downs, storms, frequent fire) help create open or partially open
areas for sunlight. This sunflower is intolerant of full shade and excessive competition from
other vegetation. Schweinitz's sunflower occurs in a variety of soil series, including Badin,
Cecil, Cid, Enon, Gaston, Georgeville, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Misenheimer, Secrest,
Tatum, Uwharrie, and Zion, among others. This plant is generally found growing on
shallow sandy soils with high gravel content; shallow, poor, clayey hardpans; or shallow
rocky soils, especially those derived from mafic rocks.
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Suitable habitat for Schweinitz's sunflower is present in the study area along roadside
shoulders. Plant by plant surveys were conducted by STV biologists Brandon Phillips,
CHMM and Joshua Kotheimer, WPIT, throughout areas of suitable habitat on September
20, 2017. No individuals of Schweinitz's sunflower were observed and the September field
Supplemental Information — Anson 234

survey was conducted during the flowering season. A review of NCNHP records on March
8, 2019 indicates no known occurrences within one mile of the study area and no effect to
Schweinitz's sunflower is anticipated.
Carolina heelsplitter
USFWS Recommended Survey Window: year round
Habitat Description: The Carolina heelsplitter was historically known from several locations
within the Catawba and Pee Dee River systems in North Carolina and the Pee Dee and
Savannah River systems, and possibly the Saluda River system in South Carolina. In North
Carolina, the species is now known only from a handful of streams in the Pee Dee and
Catawba River systems. The species exists in very low abundances, usually within six feet
of shorelines, throughout its known range. The general habitat requirements for the
Carolina heelsplitter are shaded areas in large rivers to small streams, often burrowed into
clay banks between the root systems of trees, or in runs along steep banks with moderate
current. The more recent habitat where the Carolina heelsplitter has been found is in
sections of streams containing bedrock with perpendicular crevices filled with sand and
gravel, and with wide riparian buffers.
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
A mussel survey for the Carolina heelsplitter was not conducted. Suitable habitat for the
Carolina heelsplitter such as clay banks around tree roots, or bedrock crevices filled with
sand are not present in the study area, and Cabbage Branch was dry during the field review.
A review of NCNHP records on March 8, 2019 indicates no known occurrences within one
mile of the study area and no effect to Carolina heelsplitter is anticipated.
Red -cockaded woodpecker
USFWS Recommended Survey Window: year round; November -early March (optimal)
Habitat Description: The red -cockaded woodpecker (RCW) typically occupies open, mature stands
of southern pines, particularly longleaf pine (Pinus palustris), for foraging and
nesting/roosting habitat. The RCW excavates cavities for nesting and roosting in living
pine trees, aged 60 years or older, which are contiguous with pine stands at least 30 years
of age to provide foraging habitat. The foraging range of the RCW is normally no more
than 0.5 mile.
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
No red -cockaded woodpeckers were observed in the study area during the field reviews,
and it was determined that no potential habitat is present due to the lack of mature pine or
pine -hardwood forests. Forested habitats containing pine trees within the study area have
been actively managed resulting in a dominance of trees 15 to 25 years in age and not
contiguous enough to support appropriate RCW nesting or foraging habitat. A review of
NCNHP records on March 8, 2019 indicates a known occurrence of red -cockaded
woodpeckers within one mile of the study area. However, based on the field reviews and
available habitat, it is determined that the project would have `No Effect' on red -cockaded
woodpecker.
Supplemental Information — Anson 234