19940336 Ver 1_COMPLETE FILE_19940408

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State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources ??.
Division of Environmental Management .?I
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary E H N
A, Preston Howard, Jr., P,E„ Director
April 12, 1994
Mr. Thomas Vandeventer
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Dept.
5100 Brookshire Blvd.
Charlotte, N.C. 28216
Dear Mr. Vandeventer:
Subject: Proposed fill in Wetlands or Waters
CMUD, North Mecklenburg Water Treatment Plant
Mecklenburg County
DEM Project #94336
We have reviewed your request for 401 Water Quality Certification to
place fill material in waters which are tributary to McDowell Creek for water
treatment plant lines located at SR 2142 in Mecklenburg County as described in
your submittal dated 6 April 1994. Based on this review, we have determined
that the proposed fill is covered by General Water Quality Certification No.
2664. A copy of the General Certification is attached. This Certification is
necessary for coverage under Corps of Engineers' Nationwide Permit No. 12.
This action completes DEM's review under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.
If this Certification is unacceptable to you, you have the right to an
adjudicatory hearing upon written request within thirty (30) days following
receipt of this Certification. This request must be in the form of a written
petition conforming to Chapter 150B of the North Carolina General Statutes and
filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings, P.O. Box 27447, Raleigh,
N.C. 27611-7447. Unless such demands are made, this Certification shall be
final and binding.
If you have any questions, please contact John Dorney at 919-733-1786.
Sincerely,
4DLZ__)"
reston owar , Jr. P.E.
94336.1tr
Attachment
cc: Wilmington District Corps of Engineers
Corps of Engineers Asheville Field Office
Mooresville DEM Regional Office
Mr. John Dorney
Central Files
Gary Talmage; Black & Veatch
P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/ 10% post-consumer paper

April 6, 1994
Mr. John Dorney
Water Quality Planning
Division of Environmental Management
North Carolina Department of Environment,
Health, and Natural Resources
P. 0. Box 29535
Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535
Dear Mr. Dorney:
We have enclosed seven copies of the joint application form for
Nationwide Permit #12 (Utility Line Backfill and Bedding) and
401 General Certification Concurrence for a 60-inch raw water
transmission main for the proposed North Mecklenburg Water Treatment
Plant. The transmission main crosses an unnamed tributary to McDowell
Creek.
We intend to advertise for bids for the intake and raw water
transmission mains in early May.
If you have any questions regarding the application or need additional
information, please call Gary Talmage, Black & Veatch project manager,
at [phone] or me at [phone].
Very truly yours,
CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG UTILITY DEPARTMENT
;L 6L4 v?' vcx'_etiti
Thomas W. Vandeventer
Special Projects Manager
Enclosures
cc: Steve Lund, Corps of Engineers, Asheville, NC (w/enclosures)
Wilmington District Engineer, Corps of Engineers, Wilmington, NC
(w/enclosures)
Gary Talmage, Black & Veatch (w/enclosures)
Administration Division 5100 Brookshire Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28216 704/399-2221
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department

(/ _2?' __2 G
DEM ID:
ACTION ID:
APP g to
JOINT APPLICATION FORM FOR
NATIONWIDE PERMITS THAT REQUIRE NOTIFICATION TO THE DISTRICT ENGINEER
NATIONWIDE PERMITS THAT REQUIRE SECTION 401 CERTIFICATION CONCURRENCE
NATIONWIDE PERMITS THAT REQUIRE INDIVIDUAL SECTION 401 CERTIFICATION
WILMINGTON DISTRICT ENGINEER
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
P.O. BOX 1890
WILMINGTON, NC 28402-1890
ATTN: CESAW-CO-E
Telephone [phone]
WATER QUALITY PLANNING
DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
NC DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH,
AND NATURAL RESOURCES
P.O. BOX 29535
RALEIGH,-NC 27626-0535
ATTN: MR. JOHN DORNEY
Telephone [phone]
ONE (1) COPY OF THIS COMPLETED APPLICATION SHOULD BE SENT TO THE CORPS OF
ENGINEERS. SEVEN (7) COPIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE N.C. DIVISION OF
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT. PLEASE PRINT.
1. OWNERS NAME: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department
OWNERS REPRESENTATIVE. Benjamin B. Russell
2. OWNERS ADDRESS: •5100 Brookshire Boulevard
Charlotte NC 28216
3. OWNERS PHONE NUMBER (HOME): (WORK): [phone]
4. IF APPLICABLE: AGENT'S NAME OR RESPONSIBLE CORPORATE OFFICIAL, ADDRESS,
PHONE NUMBER: Gary Talmage, Project Manage
r
Black & Veatch
8604 Cliff Cameron Drive, Suite 164
Charlotte. NC ?R?F,q
5. LOCATION OF PLANNED WORK (ATTACH MAP).
COUNTY: Mecklenburg
NEAREST TOWN OR CITY: Hun
SPECIFIC LOCATION (INCLUDE R
From Charlotte I-77 north t,
NC Hwv. 73, left on Oliver H;
ti
rsville NC
?D NUMBERS,
Exit 25, le
er Rd. (#21
n, pipeilne
LANDMARKS, ETC.):
ft on Sam Furr Road left on
'•2 just past county park at
stream cross?nq on private
property.
6. NAME OF CLOSEST STREAM/RIVER: Crossing unnamed tributary to McDowell Creek
7. RIVER BASIN: Catawba River Basin
8: IS THIS PROJECT LOCATED IN A WATERSHED CLASSIFIED AS TROUT, SA, HQW, ORW,
WS I, OR WS II? YES [ ] NO [ XJ
9. HAVE ANY SECTION 404 PERMITS BEEN PREVIOUSLY REQUESTED FOR USE ON THIS
PROPERTY? YES [ ] NO [X]
IF YES, EXPLAIN.
10. ESTIMATED TOTAL NUMBER OF ACRES OF WETLANDS LOCATED ON PROJECT SITE:
None identified -- see attached discussion from approved Environmental
Assessment regarding wetlands in project area. 2/3/92
-2-

11. NUMBER OF ACRES OF WETLAND IMPACTED BY THE PROPOSED PROJECT:
FILLED:
DRAINED: O
FLOODED: 0
EXCAVATED: p
TOTAL IMPACTED: -0
12.
13. PURPOSE OF PROPOSED WORK:
14. STATE REASONS WHY THE APPLICANT BELIEVES THAT THIS ACTIVITY MUST BE
CARRIED OUT IN WETLANDS. ALSO, NOTE MEASURES TAKEN TO MINIMIZE WETLAND
IMPACTS. _N/A
15. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO-,CONTACT THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
(USFWS) AND/OR NATIONAL"MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE (NMFS) REGARDING THE PRESENCE
OR ANY FEDERALLY LISTED OR PROPOSED FOR LISTING ENDANGERED OR THREATENED
SPECIES OR CRITICAL HABITAT IN THt PERMIT AREA THAT MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE
PROPOSED PROJECT. HAVE YOU DONE`SO? YES [ X] NO [ ]
RESPONSES FROM THE USFWS AND/OR NMFS SHOULD BE ATTACHED. See attached
discussion from project Environmental Assessment regarding vegetation.
16. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO CONTACT THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER
(SHPO) REGARDING THE PRESENCE OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES IN THE PERMIT AREA WHICH
MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED PROJECT?
HAVE YOU DONE SO? YES [X J NO [ ]
RESPONSE FROM THE SHPO SHOULD BE ATTACHED. See attached letter and
discussion from approved Environmental Assessment.
17. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY DEM:
A. WETLAND DELINEATION MAP SHOWING ALL WETLANDS, STREAMS, AND LAKES ON
THE PROPERTY. No wetlands identified -- see attached project area map
for lake and stream locations.
B. IF AVAILABLE, REPRESENTATIVE PHOTOGRAPH OF WETLANDS TO BE IMPACTED BY
PROJECT. N/A
C. IF DELINEATION WAS PERFORMED BY A CONSULTANT, INCLUDE ALL DATA SHEETS
RELEVANT TO THE PLACEMENT OF THE DELINEATION LINE. N/A
D. IF A STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN IS REQUIRED FOR THIS PROJECT, ATTACH
COPY. N/A
E. WHAT IS LAND USE OF SURROUNDING PROPERTY? Residential/Agricult?,ra?
F. IF APPLICABLE, WHAT IS PROPOSED METHOD OF SEWAGE DISPOSAL?
N/A
DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED WORK (ATTACH PLANS): Construction of one
- 60 inch raw water tranemiccinn main at a ct
g warn
R'S SIGNATURE ???&t Y
l
DEM ID: 4UY ISSUED
Cl c '
ACTION ID:
JOINT APPLICATION FORM FOR
NATIONWIDE PERMITS THAT REQUIRE NOTIFICATION TO THE DISTRICT ENGINEER
NATIONWIDE PERMITS THAT REQUIRE SECTION 401 CERTIFICATION CONCURRENCE
NATIONWIDE PERMITS THAT REQUIRE INDIVIDUAL SECTION 401 CERTIFICATION
WILMINGTON DISTRICT ENGINEER
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
P.O. BOX 1890
WILMINGTON, NC 28402-1890
ATTN: CESAW-CO-E
Telephone [phone]
WATER QUALITY PLANNING
DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
NC DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH,
AND NATURAL RESOURCES
P.O. BOX 29535
RALEIGH,.-NC 27626-0535 .
ATTN: MR. JOHN DORNEY
Telephone [phone]
ONE (1) COPY OF THIS COMPLETED APPLICATION SHOULD BE SENT TO THE CORPS OF
ENGINEERS. SEVEN (7) COPIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE N.C. DIVISION OF
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT. PLEASE PRINT.
1. OWNERS NAME: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department
OWNERS REPRESENTATIVE.
2. OWNERS ADDRESS: ;5100 Brookshire Boulevard
Charlotte NC 28216
3. OWNERS PHONE NUMBER (HOME):
(WORK) : [phone]
4. IF APPLICABLE: AGENT'S NAME OR RESPONSIBLE CORPORATE OFFICIAL, ADDRESS,
PHONE NUMBER: Gary Talmage, Project Manager
Black & Veatch
8604 Cliff Cameron Drive, Suite 164
Charlotte, NC 28269
LOCATION OF PLANNED WORK (ATTACH MAP).
COUNTY: Mecklenburg
NEAREST TOWN OR CITY: Huntersville, NC
SPECIFIC LOCATION (INCLUDE ROAD NUMBERS, LANDMARKS, ETC.):
From Charlotte, I-77 north to Exit 25, left on Sam Furr Road left on
NC Hwy. 73, left on Oliver Hager Rd (#2142 )-just past county park at
Brown's Cove under construction, pipeline stream crossing on private
property.
6. NAME OF CLOSEST STREAM/RIVER: Crossing unnamed tributary to McDowell Creek
7. RIVER BASIN: Catawba River Basin
5
8: IS THIS PROJECT LOCATED IN A WATERSHED CLASSIFIED AS TROUT, SA, HQW, ORW,
WS I, OR WS II? YES [ ] NO [ X]
9. HAVE ANY SECTION 404 PERMITS BEEN PREVIOUSLY REQUESTED FOR USE ON THIS
PROPERTY? YES [ ] NO [X]
IF YES, EXPLAIN.
10. ESTIMATED TOTAL NUMBER OF ACRES OF WETLANDS LOCATED ON PROJECT SITE:
None identified -- see attached discussion from approved Environmental
Assessment regarding wetlands in project area. 2/3/92

-2-
„,
11. NUMBER OF ACRES OF WETLAND IMPACTED BY THE PROPOSED PROJECT:
FILLED: p
DRAINED: p
FLOODED: p
EXCAVATED: _ p
TOTAL IMPACTED: p
12. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED WORK (ATTACH PLANS): Construction of one
13. PURPOSE OF PROPOSED WORK:
transmission main and return s r amflow to nrpfnnctrii?+;nn canditions-
14. STATE REASONS WHY THE APPLICANT BELIEVES THAT THIS ACTIVITY MUST BE
CARRIED OUT IN WETLANDS. ALSO, NOTE MEASURES TAKEN TO MINIMIZE WETLAND
IMPACTS. N/A
15. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO.CONTACT THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
(USFWS) AND/OR NATIONAL"MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE (NMFS) REGARDING THE PRESENCE
OR ANY FEDERALLY LISTED OR PROPOSED FOR LISTING ENDANGERED OR THREATENED
SPECIES OR CRITICAL HABITAT IN THt PERMIT AREA THAT MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE
PROPOSED PROJECT. HAVE YOU DONE`SO? YES [ X] NO [
RESPONSES FROM THE USFWS AND/OR NMFS SHOULD BE ATTACHED. See attached
discussion from project Environmental Assessment regarding vegetation.
16. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO CONTACT THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER
(SHPO) REGARDING THE PRESENCE OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES IN THE PERMIT AREA WHICH
MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED PROJECT?
HAVE YOU DONE SO? YES [X ) NO [
RESPONSE FROM THE SHPO SHOULD BE ATTACHED. See attached letter and
discussion from approved Environmental Assessment.
17. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY DEM:
A. WETLAND DELINEATION MAP SHOWING ALL WETLANDS, STREAMS, AND LAKES ON
THE PROPERTY. No wetlands identified -- see attached project area map
for lake and stream locations.
B. IF AVAILABLE, REPRESENTATIVE PHOTOGRAPH OF WETLANDS TO BE IMPACTED BY
PROJECT. N/A
C. IF DELINEATION WAS PERFORMED BY A CONSULTANT, INCLUDE ALL DATA SHEETS
RELEVANT TO THE PLACEMENT OF THE DELINEATION LINE. N/A
D. IF A STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN IS REQUIRED FOR THIS PROJECT, ATTACH
COPY. N/A
E. WHAT IS LAND USE OF SURROUNDING PROPERTY? Residentia] /Agricultural
F. IF APPLICABLE, WHAT IS PROPOSED METHOD OF SEWAGE DISPOSAL?
N/A
UWNth'S SIGNATURE DATE
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United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Asheville Field Office
330 Ridgefield Court
Asheville, North Carolina 28806
October 15, 1993
Mr. Gary R. Talmage
Black & Veatch
8604 Cliff Cameron Drive
Suite 164
Charlotte, North Carolina 28269
Dear Mr. Talmage:
Subject: Proposed construction of a new
Babe Stillwell Road, north of
North Carolina
TAKES ? ?i
PRIDE IN
AMERICA
s? i
OCT 18 1993
BLACK & VEAICH
water treatment plant off
Charlotte, Mecklenburg County,
In your letter of September 2, 1993, to Ms. L.K. Mike Gantt of the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (Service) Raleigh Field Office, you
requested our review and comments on the subject project. The Service's
Asheville Field Office is responsible for Section 404 Clean Water Act
permit reviews in the western part of the State, including Mecklenburg
County. The Raleigh Field Office has project review jurisdiction for all
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission FERC
Thus, the following comments are provided by pbothcthe?Ashevilleaandithe
Raleigh Field Offices in accordance with the provisions of the Fish and
Wildlife Coordination Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 661-667e), and Section 7
of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543)
(Act).
According to the information provided in your letter, this project will
involve the construction. of a water treatment facility on a 151 acre
tract located north of Charlotte off Babe Stillwell Farm Road. The
treatment plant will be initially 'ddsigned to handle 18-million-gall.ors
per day (MGD) and ultimately 108 MGD. Additional facilities such as
operations/chemical feed building, treated water storage areas, high
service pumping facilities, and washwater/residuals handling facilities
will also be constructed on this tract. The project also involves the
construction of.a raw water intake structure in Lake Norman and raw and
finished water transmission lines. The raw water transmission line will
run from Lake Norman to the treatment facility crossing through Browns
Cove Park, a residential area, along road and utility line rights-of-way.
The finished water transmission line will run from the plant along Babe
Stillwell Farm Road to a future main on NC 73. Some waste water will be
discharged into McDowell Creek.
Section 404 Comments
The Service is particularly concerned about the potential impacts this
project could have on: (1) the Schweinitz's sunflower (Helianthus
schweinitzii), a federally listed endangered plant species, and other
Federal candidate plant species. Preference should be given to
construction techniques that avoid and/or minimize encroachment and
impacts to these resources.
Helianthus schweinitzii is endemic to the upper piedmont of the
Carolinas, with all 22 known occurrences centered around Charlotte, North
Carolina; and Rock Hill, South Carolina. This species occurs in
relatively open habitats--early successional fields, forest ecotonal
margins, or forest clearings. It thrives in full sun but also grows in
the light shade of open stands of oak-pine-hickory. Helianthus
schweinitzii generally occurs on soils characterized as moist to dryish
clays, clay-loams, or sandy-clay loams that often have a high gravel
content. The draft recovery plan for this species points out the
importance of soils--"The geology and soils of this area appear to be an
important determining factor in the occurrence of Schweinitz's
sunflower." Helianthus schweinitzii is known from a variety of soil
types, including Iredell (Fine, Montmorillonitic, Thermic Typic
Hapluduff), Enon (Fine, Mixed, Thermic Ultic Hapludalf), and Cecil
(Clayey, Kaolinitic, Thermic Typic Hapludult). There are two known
populations of Heli= schweinitzii--along McCoy Road and along
Beatties Ford Road--relatively close to the project area.
In accordance with the Act it is the responsibility of the appropriate
Federal regulatory agency to review its activities or programs and to
identify any such activities or programs that may affect endangered or
threatened species or their habitat. If it is determined that these
proposed activities may adversely affect any species federally listed as
endangered or threatened, formal consultation with this office must be
initiated. Thus, the Service recommends that if appropriate habitat is
available surveys be conducted to determine the presence of Helianthus
schweinitzii in the project impact area (this species blooms in late
summer, September to October).
There are also several plant species that are Federal candidates for
listing that are known to occur in Mecklenburg County--Georgia aster
(Aster georgianus), Heller's trefoil (Lotus helleri), Nestronia
(Nes_ tronia umbellula), and tall larkspur (Delphinium exaltatum). The
first three species are found in similar habitats: Aster georgianus is a
perennial that occurs in dry open woods along roadsides, woodland
borders, old fields, and pastures; Lotus helleri is an annual that occurs
in dry open woods, roadsides and clearings over.clay soils; and Nest=
umbe_llula_ is a root parasite frequently associated with pines and occurs
in upland forests and along wooded streams from the sandy margins onto
the adjacent slopes. Delphinium exaltatum occurs mostly over mafic rock
on grassy balds, glades, and rich woodlands.
Please note that candidate species are not legally protected under the
Act and are not subject to any of its provisions, including Section 7,
until they are formally proposed or listed as endangered or threatened.
W
We are including these species in our response to give you advance
notification and to request your assistance in protecting them. If you
do conduct surveys for Helianthus schweinitzii, we would appreciate it if
the above-mentioned candidate species were also included.
FERC Comments
On October 4, 1993, Mr. Peter Campbell of the Service's Raleigh Field
Office contacted Mr. Don Degan, a Duke Power Company fisheries biologist,
regarding potential project related impacts to Lake Norman's fisheries.
Mr. Degan confirmed that the location of the proposed intake facility is
in an oligotrophic (low nutrient) section of Lake Norman which is
characterized by low fish standing biomass and productivity. Previous
studies conducted,by Duke Power Company for the McGuire Nuclear
Facility's water intake concluded that there is insufficient densities of
larval fish in this area of the lake to be of concern. Although the
nuclear facility's water intake is operated at much higher velocities
than that proposed for the subject project, fish impingement rates on the
existing project trashracks are low. Since the proposed intake will
include a passive screen system with 3/8-inch diameter openings and be
operated at a maximum intake velocity of 0.5 feet per second, the Service
finds that significant adverse impacts to Lake Norman's fishery resources
are not expected from construction or operation of the proposed intake
structure and associated raw water transmission main.
Please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Janice Nicholls of the Service's
Asheville Field Office at 704/665-1195, Ext. 227, or Mr. Peter Campbell
of the Service's Raleigh Field Office at 919/856-4520, if you have any
questions regarding our comments. We have assigned our Log Number
4-2-94-007 to this project. Please refer to this number in all future
correspondence directed to us concerning this matter.
Sinc rely,
i
Brian P. Cole
Field Supervisor
cc;
Ms. L.K. Mike Gantt, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 33726,
Raleigh, NC 27636-3726
Mr. Dennis L. Stewart, Program Manager, Division of Boating and Inland
Fisheries, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Archdale
Building, 512 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27604-1188
Mr. Bob Johnson, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Field Office,
Room 75, Grove Arcade Building, 37 Battery Park Avenue,
Asheville, NC 28801
State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources
Division of Parks & Recreation
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary
Philip McKnelly, PhD., Director
FIFAA
R
OCT A 3 1993
October 7, 1993
Gary R. Talmage
Black and Veatch
8604 Cliff Cameron Drive, Suite 164
Charlotte, NC 28609
BLACK & VEATCH
SUBJECT: New Water Intake Structure, Treatment Plant, and
Transmission -yes, Lake Norman
Dear Mr. Talmage, `
The Division does not _ave any specific concerns regarding the
proposed project. The information obtained from the biological
inventories of the project site appears to be quite thorough and
indicates that no rare species of plants and animals are likely
to be affected, nor any ecologically significant sites.
Sincerely,
Stephen P. Hall
North Carolina Natural Heritage Program
P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-7687 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/ 10% post-cnncj tmn r nnncr

North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Betty Ray McCain, Secretary
October 5, 1993
Gary R. Talmadge
Black & Veatch
8604 Cliff Cameron Drive, Suite 164
Charlotte, NC 28269
Re: Archaeological Survey Report for Proposed North
Mecklenburg Water Treatment Plant Site near
Huntersville, Mecklenburg County, ER 94-7397.
Dear Mr. Talmadge:
Division of Archives and History
William S. Price, Jr., Director
Thank you for your letter of September 1, 1993, transmitting the archaeological
survey report by R.P. Stephen Davis, Jr. and Joseph Herbert concerning the above
project.
The following properties were determined not eligible for listing in the National
Register of Historic Places:
31 MK631-31 MK643, because of lack of integrity
We concur with the recommendations for no further investigations.
The above comments are made pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act of 1966 and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's
Regulations for Compliance with Section 106, codified at 36 CFR Part 800.
Thank you for your cooperation and consideration. If you have questions
concerning the above comment, please contact Renee Gledhill-Earley,
environmental review coordinator, at 919/733-4763.
Sincerely,
F ,?
?
%_?
avid Brook, Deputy State
Historic Preservation Officer
DB:slw
cc: Dr. R.P. Stephen Davis, Jr.
IM t7- r____ n. - . . . -
A
EXCERPT FROM
NORTH MECKLENBURG WATER TREATMENT PLANT
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
December 22, 1993
Appendix B
Wetlands Survey

Wetlands Survey
An evaluation of wetlands was performed within the project area using guidelines
and procedures set forth in the Corps of Engineers (COE) Wetlands Delineation Manual*"
Various sources of information on soils, vegetation, and hydrology were obtained and
reviewed to determine if wetlands are present at the project site and along the pipeline
alignments. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps, National Wetlands
Inventory (NWI) maps prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the
Soil Survey of Mecklenburg County" and Mecklenburg County floodplain maps were the
primary sources of information. In addition, a vegetation survey 12 was performed to
document the plant species present in the area. Of particular concern was the presence
and abundance of hydrophytic species. The survey may be found in Appendix C and lists
the plant species and describes the plant communities found within the zone of impact
of the project. Wetlands were not found within the project area, except along the two
small streams that are tributaries of McDowell Creek.
The proposed pipeline alignments and treatment plant site were overlaid on other
mapping, including the USGS topographic maps and the NWI maps, to determine the
potential for the presence of wetlands prior to the field survey. The NWI maps indicate
that wetlands are not present in the project area except along the banks of two small
streams that are tributaries to McDowell Creek and would be crossed by the pipelines.
The two streams are classified as PF01A in the Cowardin, et al. system used by the
USFWS to classify wetlands. These wetlands are defined as palustrine forested wetlands
with a predominance of broad-leaved, deciduous trees and characterized by temporary
flooding.
The 1980 soil surveys was reviewed to determine if hydric soils had been mapped in
the area. Hydric soils are a wetlands indicator, but they have not been mapped in the
project area. The results of the vegetation survey indicate that hydrophytic, or wetland,
species do not dominate in the project area, although some species are present.
The treatment plant site and the pipeline corridors were field-evaluated in June 1993
using the 1987 COE guidance document to verify the information sources and to
determine the presence of wetlands. The entire length of each pipeline corridor, both
raw and finished water, was surveyed. The treatment plant site was surveyed from the
western end toward the eastern extent, adjacent to McDowell Creek.
The treatment plant site is located in an agricultural field on a ridge between two
small intermittent streams that flow in a southeasterly direction and are tributaries of
B-1
McDowell Creek. This is an upland area with elevations ranging from approximately
740 feet on the western edge of the site to an elevation of 680 feet on the upper banks
of McDowell Creek, on the eastern side. The area has been previously disturbed by
cultivation. The vegetation along the northeast edge of the site is classified as a
Piedmont/Mountain Bottomland Forest and may be disturbed by treatment plant
construction. Dominant species are sycamore, cottonwood, red maple, and green ash.
The understory is a mixture of transgressives of the previous species and a dense ground
cover of honeysuckle and poison ivy. The vegetation does not meet the criteria to be
considered hydrophytic. In addition, soils in the area do not meet the criteria to be
considered hydric.
The raw water pipeline will pass through the new county park, currently under
construction. Most of the natural vegetation has been disturbed for clearing for
construction activities or from the previous timbering when the lake was developed. The
pipeline will pass through a pasture, an abandoned field, and a power line right-of-way
before passing into an area of disturbed woodland, also classified as a
Piedmont/Mountain Bottomland Forest. The pipeline corridor will continue through an
open strip that is a gas pipeline right-of-way and then will return to a wooded area, as
described above. It will parallel the edge of the woods through an abandoned field for
the remainder of the distance until it meets the treatment plant site. The vegetation
along the raw water line does not meet the criteria to be considered hydrophytic, and the
soils are also not hydric.
The area along McDowell Creek is very disturbed due to previous sewer line
construction. The vegetation is a mosaic of scrubby vegetation dominated by goldenrod,
honeysuckle, blackberry, brome grass, fescue, orchard grass, lespedeza, poison ivy, and
thistle. This area is located within the McDowell Creek floodplain; however, the
vegetation does not meet the hydrophytic criteria, and the soils are not hydric. As a
result, this area is not considered a jurisdictional wetland.
One of the two finished water pipelines follows the right-of-way along Babe Stillwell
Farm Road until it intersects NC Highway 73. Wetlands are clearly not present along
this alignment, which runs through a cultivated upland area and a residential
neighborhood.
B-2

EXCERPT FROM
NORTH MECKLENBURG WATER TREATMENT PLANT
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
December 22, 1993
Annendix r
Vegetation Survey
A
Environmental Assessment - Flora
Brown's Cove Water Treatment Facililty
May/June 1993
Prepared for Black and Veatch
by
James F. Matthews, Ph.D.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte

2
Environmental Assessment
Brown's Cove Water Intake and Treatment Facility
Flora
This study was undertaken to satisfy the guidelines for
environmental assessments regarding plants. During the
field work the vegetation was examined to identify the types
of communities, their stage of succession and the factors
limiting succession. Indication of the age or importance of
the forest is given by stating the diameter breast height
(dbh) estimates. The community types are noted according to
the Classification of the Natural Communities of North
Carolina, third approximation by Schafale and Weakley (N.C.
Natural Heritage Program, 1990) and the Forest Cover Types
of the U.S. and Canada by Eyre (Society of American
Foresters), noted as T-no. In addition, particular
attention was paid to the identification of the following
endangered, threatened or species of concern: Silphium
perfoliatum'(Northern cup-plant), Helianthus schweinitzii
(Schweintiz's sunflower) and Gnaphalium helleri var. helleri
(Heller's rabbit tobacco). In addition, any unusual
occurrences of species not common to the flora were
considered.
Common names are used when available. Table 1 provides
a cross index to the scientific names. Nomenclature follows
Radford et al., Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas.
Habitats are noted as: Agricultural Cultivated (AC),
Agricultural Fallow (AF), Agricultural Pasture (AP), Scrub
(S) and Urban Open (UO).
AM
3
Project Description
Overall the project involves a water intake from Lake
Norman which passes through a County Park under
construction, then along a roadside, through a field, into
woods and into the treatment site, a cultivated field. The
force flow from the treatment site parallels the flood plain
of McDowell Creek, also paralleling an existing sewer line
right-of-way.
Treatment Plant Site
The treatment plant is situated on a hillside above
McDowell Creek. The majority of the disturbance will occur
in the area under agricultural cultivation (AC). There is
one group of trees situated in the middle of the field,
around several abandoned sheds. The trees are weedy
species, Honey Locust 8" dbh, Hackberry 811 dbh, Black
Cherry, Smooth Sumac and Privet. The treatment plant will
not extend to the top of the field (northwest), although the
cultivation extends to the edge of the property. On the
northeast and southwest borders of the treatment plant site
are two tributaries into McDowell Creek. The vegetation
along the southwest tributary will not be disturbed, being
buffered by the cultivated field and a narrow pasture area.
The vegetation along the northeast will be disturbed by the
treatment plant, which extends to the edge of the
floodplain. This narrow band of vegetation is classified as
a Piedmont/Mountain Bottomland Forest in the Heritage
Classification; as a T-94 (Sycamore-Sweetgum-American Elm)
A
4
in the SAF classification. The area is very disturbed, being
adjacent to the field. The dominant species are Sycamore 121,
dbh, Cottonwood 8" dbh, Red Maple 8" dbh, Green Ash 7" dbh.
The understory is a mixture of transgressives of the above
species, with a dense ground cover of Honeysuckle and Poison
Ivy.
The upper slope of the field, and the SE boundary of the
treatment plant site is at the 700 ft. contour. This
contour forms a break between the field and the flood plain
below, and is dominated by a mixture of weedy species, both
woody and herbaceous. The trees are less than 10" dbh, and
are represented by'Hackberry, Southern Red Oak, Winged Elm,
Willow Oak, Black Cherry, Mulberry, Sassafras, Flowering
Dogwood and Winged Sumac. The lower level is a dense cover
of Honeysuckle.
The floodplain, below the treatment plant and next to
McDowell Creek is an abandoned plant nursery, dominated by
rows of cultivated species. The natural vegetation is a
mixture of grass, mostly Brome Grass and Rye, with many
early successional weedy species. This area was previously
cultivated by has been allowed to undergo succession and is
classified as agricultural fallow (AF).
Intake from Lake Norman
The intake line enters the shore into a new County park
under development. Most of the natural vegetation has been
disturbed, either in timbering by Crescent Land and Timber
when the lake was formed, or by the developing park. The
. . . 4%
5
R/W crosses the park, passes along the edge of a residential
lawn NO), crosses NC 73 and passes along the east side of a
Oliver Hager Rd. (UO). After ca. 500 ft, the R/W turns
southeast, crossing a pasture (AP), crossing under a powerline
R/W and then continuing through an abandoned field (AF),
for ca. 600 ft., along the northeast side of the headwaters
of the tributary that forms the boundary of the treatment
plant site. The field ends and the R/W passes into a
disturbed woods, dominated by Sweetgum and Willow Oak, up to
17" dbh, with an subcanopy of Yellow-poplar, Sycamore,
American Holly, White Oak, Red Maple, Flowering Dogwood and
Pawpaw. This vegetation is classified under the Heritage
Program system as a Piedmont/Mountain Bottomland forest, and
in the SAF system as T-92. The woody vines are Poison Ivy,
Honeysuckle and Virginia Creeper; the ground cover is mostly
Microstegium grass. The distance through this woodland is
ca. 500 ft. The R/W crosses an open strip of field, about
75 ft. wide that appears to be a gas line R/W. It is
dominated by Blackberry and Goldenrod, with a few shrubs of
Willow and Amorpha. It then passes into the same type of
woods as detailed above, for ca. 700 ft., then crosses a power
line R/W, which is ca. 100 ft. wide. This R/W is dominated
by Blackberry, Lespedeza, Fescue and Brome Grasses. The water
intake R/W crosses a corner of the woods southeast of the
powerline R/W (for ca. 150 ft.) and parallels the edge of the
woods and abandoned field for the remainder of the distance,
ca. 1,000 ft., until it emerges at the treatment plant site,
ANk
6
in the cultivated field (AC). The woody vegetation along the
edge of the woods is less than 6" dbh, being composed of
Sycamore, Black Walnut, Red Maple, Black Cherry, Willow,
Winged Sumac with a dense interweaving of Honeysuckle, Poison
Ivy and Blackberry. This is classified as a scrub area (S).
Force Line to Sam Furr Road
The force line leaves the treatment plant site, crossing the
tributary that serves as the northeast boundary. The
vegetation in this area, in the floodplain is scrub (S).
The water line R/W parallels the existing sewer line R/W, on
the north side of the sewer. The water line R/W will extend
the disturbance already created by the sewer line R/W. The
open sewer line R/W is a very disturbed scrub (S) area,
dominated by Goldenrod, Honeysuckle, Blackberry, Brome,
Fescue and Orchard Grasses, Lespedeza, Poison Ivy, and
Thistle. Along the border to the north, the fringe of woody
vegetation varies in width, but is generally consistent in
size (less than 12" dbh) and in species composition. The
species on the slopes of the hills are White Oak, White Ash,
Sweetgum and Short-leaf Pine. On the floodplain, Box Elder,
Sycamore, Honey Locust, Red Maple, Winged Elm, American Elm
dominate over a subcanopy and shrub layer of Persimmon, Red
Cedar, Hazelnut and Swamp Dogwood. This mosaic of scrubby
vegetation occurs all the way to Sam Furr Rd. Several small
tributaries are crossed, along with the power line R/W, but
the overall character of the vegetation remains highly
disturbed and scrubby.
AM
7
Endangered/Threatened Species
Although the species of concern flower in the fall, the
vegetative growth is tall enough to be seen. The growth of
the species was checked in the gardens at UNC- Charlotte
before the field work to determine the heights on May 28.
Since these species often reside in the field/woods ecotone,
particular attention was paid to these areas. No
populations of the the three species were found, nor were
any other unusual species for the Mecklenburg County flora
found. There are no recommendations regarding habitats or
communities resulting from this field work.
Ja es F. Matthews, Ph.D.
•
Table 1
Master List of Plant Species
Nomenclature follows: Radford et al, 1968, Manual of
the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas, UNC Press
Common Name Scientific Name
Amorpha Amorpha fruticosa
Ash
Green Fraxinus pennsylvanica
White F. americanaWhite
Blackberry Rubus spp.
Box Elder Acer negundo
Cedar
Red Juniperus virginiana
Cherry Prunus serotina
Black
Cottonwood Populus deltoides
Dogwood
Flowering Cornus florida
Swamp C. amomum
Elm
American Ulmus americana
Winged U. alata
Goldenrod Solidago spp.
Grass
Brome Bromus catharticus
Fescue Festuca elatior
Microstegium Microstegium vimineum
Orchard Dactylis glomerata
Rye Lolium multiflorum
Hackberry Celtis laevigata
Hazelnut Corylus americana
Holly
American Ilex opaca
Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica
•
Ivy
Poison Rhus toxicodendron
Lespedeza Lespedeza cuneata
Locust
Honey Gleditisa triacanthos
Maple
Red Acer rubrum
Mulberry Morus rubra
Oak
Southern Red Quercus falcata
White Q. alba
Willow Q. phellos
Pawpaw Asimina tiloba
Persimmon Diospyros virqiniana
Pine
Short-leaf Pinus echinata
Poplar
Yellow Liriodendron tulipifera
Privet Liqustrum sinense
Sassafras Sassafras albidum
Sumac
Smooth Rhus qlabra
Winged R. copallina
Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua
Sycamore Platanus occidentalis
Thistle Carduus spp.
Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Walnut
Black Juglans nigra
Willow Salix spp.
. 'AM
NORTH MECKLENBURG WATER TREATMENT PLANT
o E31ack & VeaCr11ISD WA'T'ER
_ TRANSMISSION MAIN
ALTERNATIVES
SCALE
1" = 2000
FIGURE 8-1
JANE, F g.,. .
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the
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United
N. .0
and Canada,t
?r _ r ? ; qtr ? ? ` a,: ,,?: ? ?• s
_ 'y}. .•1,4 r' ?' ` 't4 ,v. , t . ? y! t • .F ?:r .. r?. 1Z..} .T
'r f
HEyre, Editor^?, f ', / iE!}
lil a_
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try . /{ L''; : Y
T , l?
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:... . c? env r_ y,j??J } . f_,? _•. ...J - .?
}society o American Foriii,
ers '
1980 - - ._ • x;,. i'
`'ice` -/Ir ?i:` J ••..i.. `?? .....t.
9 •.
Forest Cover Types
of the
United States and Canada
F. H. Eyre, Editor

Society of American Foresters
5400 Grosvenor Lane
Washington, D.C. 20014
1980
. .. 'I"
64
feet) wide or even less, and at a maximum usually
under 1.6 km (less than a mile). In many places the
belt becomes narrower with time as the land sub-
sides and man-made levees prevent further flooding
and silting.
The silt soils that support live oak forests repre-
sent some of the best agricultural land in the region,
and much has been cleared for that purpose. None-
theless, there are abandoned fields in the New
Orleans area that have regrown to forests now
about 75 years old (Bonck and Penfound 1945, Pen-
found and Howard 1940). The sequence is as
follows: Annual and perennial weeds occupy the
fields for about five years, after which shrubs,
especially southern bayberry (waxmyrtle) and
roughleaf dogwood, begin to take over. By 25 years
the shrub community approximates a young forest,
but live oak seedlings begin to appear and seem
destined to grow into a typical live oak forest in
another 50 years.
Live oak grows on uplands but not as a majority
species. Several salt domes that rise 30 to 180 m (100
to 600 ft.) above marshes in southwestern Louisiana
have good soil and a climate comparable to that
where live oak forests grow. However, the domes
support a mixed angiosperm forest, with live oak in
mixture with southern magnolia, white basswood,
and American beech. Live oak here is in the major-
ity only where planted.
Variants and associated vegetation. -Variation
in tree composition is due to differences in drainage
that result from an elevation change of only about
1 m (a very few feet). Shrubs in the live oak forest
usually include dwarf palmetto, yaupon, American
elder; vines are Alabama supplejack, grape, poison-
ivy, and Virginia creeper; and herbs are oak forest
grass and tradescantia (spiderwort).
` WILLIs A. ECCLER
Warren Wilson College
Swamp Chestnut Oak - Cherrybark Oak
91
Definition and composition. -Swamp chestnut
oak and cherrybark oak together usually constitute
a majority of the stocking, but when many species
are in mixture, they may comprise only a plurality.
Prominent hardwood associates are the ashes (green
and white) and the hickories (shagbark, shellbark,
mockernut, and bitternut), as well as white oak,
Delta post oak, Shumard oak, and blackgum.
Sweetgum may occasionally be of high importance
on first bottom ridges. Minor associates include
willow oak, water oak, southern red oak, post oak,
American elm, winged elm, water hickory, south-
ern magnolia, yellow-poplar, beech, and occa-
sionally loblolly and spruce pines.
SOUTHERN FoRsr REcioN
Geographic distribution'- Small areas of the
type are scattered over a large part of the South
within the floodplains of the major rivers, except
that of the Mississippi, where the type is rare.
Ecological relationships. -The type occurs on the
highest first-bottom ridges in the terraces on the
best, most mature, fine sandy loam soils, and also
on first-bottom ridges on a few well-drained soils
other than sandy loam. The site is seldom covered
with standing water and rarely, if ever, overflows,
though it may be hummocky and wet between
hummocks. Swamp chestnut.oak-cherrybark oak
succeeds sycamore -sweetgum-American elm on
the ridges in the terraces. Typically it is climax on
older alluvium (Putnam et al. 1960). Site indexes at
50 years range from 80 to 100 for swamp chestnut
oak and from 95 to 115 for cherrybark oak (Broad-
foot 1976).
Variants and associated vegetation. -The type
most commonly occurs adjacent to the sycamore-
sweetgum -American elm type and to beech-
southern magnolia stands (formerly recognized as
type No. 90). Among the subordinate trees and
undergrowth are painted buckeye, pawpaw,
American hornbeam, flowering dogwood, dwarf
palmetto, Coastal Plain willow, American snow-
bell, southern arrowwood, possumhaw, devils-
walkingstick, eastern redbud, and American holly.
FRANK W. SHROPSHIRE .
USDA Forest Service
Southeastern Area, State
and Private Forestry
Sweetgum -Willow Oak
92
Definition and composition. -Sweetgum and
willow oak comprise a plurality of the stocking,
with sweetgum essentially the key species. Willow
oak may be superseded by water oak in the south-
ernmost range of the type. Sugarberry, green ash,
American elm, and Nuttall oak are major associ-
ates, especially on slightly lower elevations. Minor
associates are overcup oak, water hickory, cedar
elm, eastern cottonwood, laurel oak, red maple,
honeylocust, persimmon and, rarely, baldeypress.
The type was formerly named sweetgum- Nuttall
oak-willow oak (SAF 1954).
Geographic distribution. -The type is wide-
spread in the alluvial floodplains of major rivers in
Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, eastern
Missouri, and eastern Texas. Most extensive stands
are in the Mississippi River Delta.
Ecological relationships. -The type perpetuates
itself on first-bottom ridges and terrace flats, ex-
cept in deep sloughs, swamps, and the lowest flats.
Usually it is interspersed with the sugarberry-
• , •w

EesTmN Fopxsr CovER TYPES
American elm-green ash type and the overcup oak
-water hickory type. Elsewhere, heavy cutting us-
ually increases the sweetgum component because of
that species' sprouting characteristics. The sprouts
grow- rapidly early and continue growing well on
sites where this type occurs. On transitional sites,
the sweetgum-willow oak type is usually super-
seded by the sugarberry -American elm-green
ash type. Major reasons are the oak's insufficient
acorn crops, poor seedling establishment, and very
slow early growth.
Variants and associated vegetation.•-The type
becomes predominantly sweetgum on well-drained
first-bottom ridges and pervious silty clays on ter-
race flats. It is predominantly willow oak combined
with water oak on clay soils on first-bottom ridges
and better-drained flats and on poorly drained ter-
race flats. Nuttall oak dominates on well-drained,
first-bottom flats. Willow oak prevails on first-
bottom ridges and poorly drained terrace flats.
Near the Gulf Coast, laurel oak dominates. A cedar
elm-water oak-willow oak variant occurs on
poorly drained impervious soils on low, indistinct or
flattened first-bottom ridges; this variant is also of
minor importance on certain impervious terrace
sites, amounting to high, shallow flats.
Understory species are sugarberry, green ash,
oaks, red maple, and red mulberry. Undergrowth
includes greenbrier, dwarf palmetto, and several
vines-redvine, peppervine, trumpet-creeper, and
poison-ivy.
R.L. JOHNSON
USDA Forest Service
Southern Forest
Experiment Station
Sugarberry - American Elm - Green Ash
93
Definition and composition. -The type species
sugarberry, American elm, and green ash together
constitute a plurality of the stocking. Hackberry
replaces sugarberry in the northern part of the
range. Major associates include water hickory;
Nuttall, willow, water, and overcup oaks;
sweetgum; and boxelder. Other associated species
are cedar and winged elm, blackgum, persimmon,
honeylocust, waterlocust, red and silver maple,
American sycamore, and eastern cottonwood.
Geographic distribution. -The type is found
throughout the southern forests from east Texas to
the Atlantic, from the Gulf Coast to southern Illi-
nois. It is found within the floodplains of the major
rivers.
Ecological relationships. -The type is usually
located in transitional areas between the sweet-
65
gum-willow oak type, which occupies higher ele-
vations, and the overcup oak-water hickory type,
which occurs at the lower elevations. It occupies
low ridges, flats, and sloughs in first bottoms; ter-
race flats and sloughs; and occasionally new lands
or fronts. Rarely does it occur on maltreated ter-
race ridges. It may be found on clay; or silt loam
soils, and it tends to be long term in the succes-
sional scale. The type species are all shade tolerant
when small and reproduce readily. All three, but
especially green ash, sprout prolifically. .
Variants and associated vegetation. -Occasional
small stands of pure green ash may occur almost
anywhere within the type, . but most notably on
moist flats or in shallow sloughs. Stands composed
predominantly of sugarberry occur on new land or
front sites.
The understory commonly includes sugarberry,1
ash, elm, water hickory, Nuttall oak, overcup oak,
red maple, roughleaf dogwood, hawthorn;'
possumhaw, and red mulberry. Undergrowth in-
cludes several vines-trumpet-creeper, peppervine,
redvine, rattan (Alabama supplejack), Carolina
moonseed, Virginia creeper, grape, and poison-ivy.
Herbaceous plants include bedstraw, violet, wild
carrot, wild lettuce, amsonia, mint, legumes,
sedge, smartweed, and false indigo. When open-
ings are created in the stands, a heavy growth of
annual grasses and cocklebur may occur.
R.L. JOHNSON
USDA Forest Service
Southern Forest
Experiment Station
Sycamore - Sweetgum - American Elm
94
Definition and composition. -American syca-
more, sweetgum, and American elm together com-
prise a plurality of the stocking, but composition
varies widely from mixed stands to nearly pure
stands of one of the type species. The type includes
the river front species-site type described by Put-
nam et al. (1960), which occurs on the banks or
front land of major rivers in the southern forest.
The most common associated species are green ash,
sugarberry (and hackberry in the northern Missis-
sippi River Valley), boxelder, silver maple, cotton-
wood, black willow, water oak, and pecan. This
type was formerly designated sycamore-pecan-
American elm (SAF 1954).
Geographic distribution. -Sycamore-sweet-
gum-American elm occurs as scattered stands
throughout the southern forest region (exclusive of
Florida). This area includes the southeastern
Coastal Plain (Delaware to Georgia), the Gulf

66
Coastal Plain (Alabama to Texas and north to
southern Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma),
and the Mississippi River floodplain (Louisiana to
southern Missouri). The type is also present in the
lower Ohio River Valley and its lower tributaries,
and in the Piedmont and Cumberland plateaus, and
adjacent areas.
Ecological relationships. -The type occupies
river fronts in the first bottoms of major rivers, the
banks of smaller rivers and large creeks that flood,
and occasionally branch heads and coves of small
creeks. Slightly elevated sites with somewhat poorly
drained to well-drained silty soils of alluvial origin
characterize the river fronts (Broadfoot 1976). In
small creek bottoms the type occurs on nonalluvial
soils that are usually coarser textured. The soils of
both kinds of sites typically are rich, with moder-
ately good drainage, and have adequate moisture
throughout the growing season. Site indexes at 50
years range from 100 to 130 for sycamore and 90 to
120 for sweetgum (Broadfoot 1976).
The type succeeds the cottonwood type on river
front sites, but may pioneer on heavily cutover sites
or old fields in either river bottoms or small creek
bottoms. Where repeated disturbances such as
floods occur, the type may represent a persistent
subclimax, but the climax on these sites will be
swamp chestnut oak-cherrybark oak or sweetgum
-willow oak.
Variants and associated vegetation. -A sycamore
-pecan-American elm variant is found on river
fronts in the Mississippi River Valley. On wetter
sites with heavier soils in alluvial bottoms of rivers,
the type becomes transitional with sweetgum-wil-
low oak. In branch heads and coves of small creeks
in the uplands the type intergrades with sweetgum
-yellow-poplar. The companion types in the cen-
tral forest region are river birch-sycamore and
silver maple-American elm.
Some common understory components of the
type include pawpaw, giant cane, and pokeweed
(McKnight 1968). Vines often present are poison-
ivy, grape, Alabama supplejack (rattan), green-
briers, and Japanese honeysuckle. Wood-nettle is
sometimes present in moist coves and bottoms.
S.B. LAND
Mississippi State University
Black Willow
95
Definition and composition. -Black willow and
other species of Salix together comprise a majority
of the stocking. Cottonwood is the chief associate,
particularly in the early stages, but green ash,
sycamore, pecan, persimmon, waterlocust, Ameri-
can elm, baldcypress, red maple, sugarberry, box-
SOUTHERN FOREST REGION
elder, and in some areas, silver maple are invaders
preceding the next successional stage.
Geographic distribution. -The type is character-
istic of the fronts and banks of most major streams
through the central and southern forests but extends
also into the northern forest. Along the East Coast,
the black willow type has only minor distribution
and then generally in swamps rather than in river
bottoms.
Ecological relationships. -Black willow is a tem-
porary, pioneer type of very rapid growth. Along
with cottonwood, it is the first to appear on newly
formed sandbars and river margins, almost to the
exclusion of other species. It is also frequently found
in front land, sloughs, and low flats and occasion-
ally in shallow swamps and deep sloughs through-
out the first bottom. Where willow and cottonwood
occur together, cottonwood outgrows willow and
becomes dominant except where frequent and ex-
tended growing-season flooding covers the trees and
kills the cottonwood. Sites may silt in 6 m (20 ft.)
during the life of the stand, and any one flood may
increase the elevation from 2.5 cm (1 in.) to 1.5 m
(5 ft.).
Black willow is relatively short lived and cannot
regenerate under shade. As the soils build up and
the willow and cottonwoods drop out, the type is
usually replaced in the central forest by the silver
maple-American elm type and by boxelder; and in
the southern forest by the sycamore- sweetgum-
American elm type and by boxelder and, on the
lower sites, by swamp-privet. The type merges with
the cottonwood-willow type in the prairie-plains
area.
Variants and associated vegetation. -Common
understory tree species are boxelder, red maple, red
mulberry, swamp-privet, and planertree (water-
elm). Undergrowth may consist of buttonbush,
possumhaw, poison-ivy, trumpet-creeper, redvine,
and peppervine. Herbs may or may not be present,
depending on length of growing season overflow
and density of overstory.
Levee systems and stream channelizations have
restricted the area available for formation of this
type.
R.M. KRINARD
USDA Forest Service
Southern Forest
Experiment Station
Overcup Oak-Water Hickory
96
Definition and composition. -Overcup oak and
water hickory together make up a majority of the
stocking. Major associates are green ash, sugar-
berry, American elm, waterlocust, red maple, and
?S
" C'LASSIFICATTON
- OF TTY' NATURAL
COMMLJNTITFS
OF NORTH
CAROLINA
Third Approximation
? U?jY?s.?•4s? „? r?
S . j i` / •F iii.. _ ;i: %05

By ;
Michael P....Schafale and Alan S. Weakley. .
North Carolina Natural Heritage. Program
. .
Division of Parks and Recreation ,
N. C. Department of Environment, Health, ,
and Natural Resources 1990

r

721
44

CLASSIFICATION OF THE NATURAL COMMUNITIES OF NORTH CAROLINA
THIRD APPROXIMATION

by
Michael P. Schaf ale and Alan S. Weakley
1990

North Carolina Natural Heritage Program
Division of Parks and Recreation
Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources
P.O. Box 27687
Raleigh, NC 27611
James G. Martin, Governor William W. Cobey, Jr., Secretary, DEHNR
Cover art by Julia Larke

Rare Plant Species: Vascular -- Asclepias purpurascens, Quercus palustris,
Smilax hugeri.
Synonyms:
Swamp Forest (Moore 1973, Moore and Wood 1976)..
SAP 92: Cottonwood, Sweetgum-Willow Oak.
Examples:
Brown's Creek Floodplain, Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge, Anson Co.
Big Oak Woods, Mason Farm, N.C. Botanical Garden, Orange Co. (Sather and Hall
1988).
New Hope Creek Bottomland and other creeks at the upper end of Jordan Reservoir,
Durham Co. (Sutter, Harrison, and Rettig 1987).
References: Moore (1973), Moore and Wood (1976), Sather and Hall (1988),
Sutter, Harrison, and Rettig (1987)....
Sample Plant Communities:
Mixed bottomland hardwoods/Mixed herbs.
Quercus michduxii-Ulmus americana.
Liquidambar styraciflua-Quercus phellos. '
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
PIEDMONT/MOUNTAIN BOTTOMLAND.FOREST
Sites: Floodplain ridges and terraces other than active levees adjacent to the
river channel.
Soils: Various alluvial soils, probably generally Chewacla (Fluvaquentic Dyrsto-
chrepts) and Congaree (Typic Udifluvents).
Hydrology: Palustrine, intermittently flooded.
Vegetation: Canopy dominated by various bottomland trees such as Liriodendron
tulipifera, Liquidambar styraciflua, Quercus pagoda (falcata var. pagodaefolia),
9. michauxii, Ulmus americana, Celtis laevigata, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Pinus
tasda, Carya ovata, and Carya cordiformis. Understory trees include Carplnus
caroliniana, Acer floridanum, Acer rubrum, Cornus Florida, Ilex opaca, and
Asimina triloba. Shrubs include species such as Aesculus sylvatica, and Evony-
mus americana. Arundinaria gigantea may form dense thickets. Vines are fre-.
quently prominent, including Toxicodendron (Anus) radicans, Parthenocissus quin-
quefolia, Bignonia (Anisostichus) capreolata, Smilax app., Henispermum cana-
dense, and Vitis spp. Herbs include Boshmeria cylindrica, Polystichum acrosti-
choldes, Carex app., Cryptotaenia canadensis, Polygonum (Tovara) virginlanum,
Arisaema triphyllum, Viola app., Senecio aureus, Elymus virginicus, Solidago
caesia, Aster divaricatus, Chasmanthium (Uniola) latifolium, and Chasmanthium
(Uniola) laxum. Some places are heavily invaded by Lonicera japonica and Micro-
stegium vimineum, and the native herbs are suppressed.
169
Dynamics: These communities are flooded, at least occasionally. Unlike the
Levee Forest they are seldom disturbed by flowing water. They receive less
sediment deposition than the Levee Forest but still receive significant input of
nutrients through it.
Bottomland Forests are believed to form a stable climax forest, having an
uneven-aged canopy with primarily gap phase regeneration, although the possi-
bility of unusually deep and prolonged flooding may make widespread mortality
more likely than in uplands. Areas that have been cleared or heavily logged in
the past may have abundant or dominant disturbance species such as Pinus taeda,
Acer rubrum, Liquidambar styraciflua, or Platanus occidentali.s.
Range: Throughout the Piedmont and lower parts of the Blue Ridge.
Associations: Grades into Levee Forest or Swamp Forest within the floodplain.
May grade to various mesic, dry-mesic, or dry forest communities.
Distinguishing Features: Piedmont /Mountain Bottomland Forests are distinguished
from Levee Forests by not occurring on active levee deposits adjacent to the
river. The presence of Platanus occidentalis and Betula ni.gra usually indicates
a levee, but these species may sometimes invade cleared bottomlands. Bottomland
Forests are distinguished from Swamp Forests by occurring in higher and better
drained parts of the'floodplain, which is reflected in vegetational differences.
Bottomland Forests are more diverse and usually have a well developed herb
layer.
The boundary with upland forests occurs where flooding ceases to have a
significant effect on the vegetation and flood-intolerant species such as Fagus
grandifolia become a-significant component of the community.
Variation: This type contains a broad range of wetness, related to height of
ridges or terraces. Sites may vary due to different alluvial material and its
effect on soil fertility. Substantial regional variation may also exist but
.information is not sufficient to recognize variants.
'Comments: Because of the relatively steep gradients and narrow floodplains in
the :Piedmont and especially in the Blue Ridge, rivers with fluvial landforms
large enough to allow recognition of levee, swamp, and bottomland are less
common than in the Coastal Plain. Even large river floodplains may contain
alternating stretches of narrow and broad flcodplain.
This type occupies topographic positions equivalent to the Bottomland
Hardwoods communities of the Coastal Plain. Because of the steeper gradients
and shorter floods it supports different vegetation.
The fertility and infrequent flooding in these sites have made them excel-
lent farm lands. Very few bottomlands of any significant size remain. While
many bottomlands exist as successional forests grown up in abandoned fields,.:
intact Bottomland Forests are among the rarest of communities in North Carolina.
Rare Plant Species: Vascular -- Cardamine douglassii, Carex cherokeensis, Carex
granularis, Cirsium carolinianum, Dryopteris carthusiana, Panax trifolius,
Phacelia ranunculacea, Silphium perfoliatum ssp. connatum.
Synonyms:
Alluvial Forest (Peet and Christensen 1981, Moore 1973, Moore and wood 1976) (in
part).
170