Site Location/Habitat Descriptions

Transcription

1 February 10, 2016 Commissioners of Public Works 103 St. Phillips Street Charleston, SC Attention: Reference: Mr. Frank Crawford Protected Species Assessment TMS No S&ME Project No Dear Mr. Crawford: S&ME, Inc. has completed a protected species assessment on the above-referenced property located in (subject property). Our services were conducted to identify federally threatened or endangered (T&E) species and potential T&E habitat on the subject property. This Protected Species Assessment addresses the general presence of federally threatened and endangered species and/or habitat conducive to the same species at the subject property. Site Location/Habitat Descriptions The subject property is a reported 31.5-acre tract identified by the Charleston County Tax Assessor as TMS No A site reconnaissance of the subject property was conducted on February 8, 2016 to document the current site conditions and identify the habitats located on the subject property. The subject property is a predominantly grassed field (approximately 70%) with scattered pine (Pinus taeda) and hardwoods located in anurban area of North Charleston,. The eastern portion of the site (approximately 30%), is vegetated with field blackberry (Rubus arvensis) and bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea); bamboo is listed as a severe threat by the South Carolina Exotic Pest Plant Council. This bamboo dominate the edges of a drainage ditch that is located on the southeastern corner of the site draining in a northeasterly direction toward Goose Creek. The subject property is located in a heavily developed urban area of North Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina with residential and commercial development in the vicinity of the site. Exhibits 1-5 depicting the site location and surrounding properties are attached for review. Exhibits 4 and 5 depict the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) soil survey and United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps, respectively. While USDA Soil Survey Exhibit (Exhibit 4) indicates the site is outside the detailed soil survey subject property, the soils on the site consist of Urban land-yauhannah-yemassee-ogeechee association. This soil association describes a developed urban landscape on level ground with less than 10 percent natural soil. S&ME, Inc. 620 Wando Park Boulevard Mt Pleasant, SC p f

2 Protected Species Assessment S&ME Project No Protected Species Information The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) maintains a listing of federally protected species for each county in South Carolina. The USFWS designates each federally protected species with one of three classifications: Endangered (E), Threatened (T), or in the distinct case of eagles, protection under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA). The USFWS listing reviewed for this assessment, last updated October 20, 2015, recognizes 20 threatened or endangered species in Charleston County. In addition, the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), no longer considered a threatened or endangered species, but protected under the BGEPA, has been included in this report. The federally protected species, federal status, and a determination of suitable habitat for each species on the subject property are summarized in Table 1. Table 1: Federally Protected Species in Charleston County Common Name Scientific Name Federal Status Habitat Present/Determination American Chaffseed Schwalbea americana E No / No Effect Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus BGEPA No / No Effect Bachman s Warbler Vermivora bachmanii E No / No Effect Canby s Dropwort Oxypolis canbyi E No / No Effect Green Sea Turtle Chelonia mydas T No / No Effect Kemp s Ridley Sea Turtle Lepidochelys kempii E No / No Effect Leatherback Sea Turtle Dermochelys coriacea E No / No Effect Loggerhead Sea Turtle Caretta caretta T No / No Effect Piping Plover Charadrius melodus T No / No Effect Pondberry Lindera melissifolia E No / No Effect Red Knot Calidris canutus rufa T No / No Effect Red-cockaded Woodpecker Picoides borealis E No / No Effect Frosted Flatwoods Salamander Ambystoma cingulatum T No / No Effect Seabeach Amaranth Amaranthus pumilus T No / No Effect Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus E No / No Effect Shortnose Sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum E No / No Effect West Indian Manatee Trichechus manatus E No / No Effect Wood Stork Mycteria americana E No / No Effect Finback whale Balaenoptera physalus E No / No Effect Humpback whale Megaptera novaengliae E No / No Effect Right Whale Balaena glacialis E No / No Effect February 10,

3 Protected Species Assessment S&ME Project No In the interest of brevity, the bolded species in the table above are not discussed below as they are aquatic species and no open water habitat suitable for these species is present at the site. As a result of no potential habitat for these aquatic species being present at the site, no effect to these species will occur. A summary of the remaining terrestrial species is provided below. American Chaffseed (Schwalbea americana) American chaffseed is a perennial herb growing to a height of 0.6 to 0.7 meters. The entire plant, including the leaves and flowers, are covered with fine hairs. Chaffseed is an erect herb with simple, alternate leaves that are lance-shaped to elliptic and purplish tinged. The corollas are creamy yellow to purple-tinted green and rose-tinted green. The fruit resembles a capsule that is divided into four sections that shed numerous, winged seeds. The seeds are greenish-brown in color and linear in shape. The flowering period for chaffseed occurs in May through June with the fruiting period occurring June through July. American chaffseed is found in moist to dry, sandy soils in the Coastal Plain. The species prefers fire-maintained areas such as wet savannas and open, moist pine forests. Chaffseed also occurs within open, grass and sedge systems. The species depends on a fluctuating water table and frequent fire to maintain the open habitat that it requires. The project will have no effect on this species as the subject property does not exhibit the desired habitat for this species. Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) The bald eagle is a large raptor with a wingspan of approximately seven feet. Adult individuals of this species have a mainly dark brown plumage with a solid white head and tail. The bald eagle develops adult plumage in the fifth or sixth year. Juveniles exhibit a chocolate brown to black plumage with occasional occurrences of white mottling on the tail, belly, and underwings. The bald eagle s primary diet consists of fish; however, it will feed on birds, mammals, and turtles when fish are not available. The bald eagle s primary habitat is undisturbed riparian zones including coastal, river, and lakeshore areas. Bald eagle nest sites within the southeast are usually located in living dominant or co-dominant pine or cypress trees. Nest sites are often located in the largest living trees within the area commanding an open view of the surrounding terrain. Nest sites are generally located within one-half mile of open water with a clear flight path leading to the water. The project will have no effect on this species as the subject property does not exhibit the desired habitat for this species. Bachman s Warbler (Vermivora bachmanii) The adult male Bachman's Warbler sports a distinct and attractive plumage. The forehead, throat, side of the neck, and belly are yellow. The upper parts are mostly olive to olive green, with olive reaching into the cheek and the nape, which sometimes shows a little grey. Black adorns the fore crown and the breast. The females require more skill and patience to identify. They are mostly olive above and yellowish below, with an olive wash across the breast. Both sexes have black eyes and dark bills, with a slight droop. This warbler is a small songbird, measuring about 4.25 inches long. Bachman's may have bred in the drier parts of bottomland swamps, higher in the floodplain. Dominant trees in this habitat include sweetbay magnolia, swamp tupelo, sweetgum, blackgum, water oak, willow oak, and red maple. One theory is that this warbler needed openings in the forest canopy, which allowed thickets of blackberry, cane, and palmetto to emerge. Other ecologists argue that it used mature February 10,

4 Protected Species Assessment S&ME Project No bottomland and some upland forests. The project will have no effect on this species as the subject property does not exhibit the desired habitat for this species. Canby s Dropwort (Oxypolis canbyi) Canby s dropwort is a perennial herb growing from elongate, stoloniferous rhizomes to a height of 2.6 to 3.9 feet in height. The stems are hollow and erect with slender leaves. The species is aromatic, smelling like dill. The flowering period is from May through early August. The flowers of Canby s dropwort have five white petals and pale green sepals. The leaves are round in cross-section, thin, and divided by partitions. The primary habitats of Canby s dropwort are wet pineland ponds and savannas, wet meadows, and around the edges of open cypress ponds. The species prefers habitat with little or no canopy closure. Canby s dropwort prefers soils with a high water table. The project will have no effect on this species as the subject property does not exhibit the desired habitat for this species. Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) The Piping plover is a small, stout, sandy colored colonial shorebird approximately 6 to 7 inches in length. The legs are yellow-orange, the forehead has a black band running eye to eye, and a black ring is visible around the short neck. Its bill is orange with a black tip. The piping plover is a colonial nesting bird which occupies the South Carolina beaches in the winter months before returning to breeding grounds on the northern Atlantic coast, Great Lakes, and in the mid-west of Canada and the United States. The foraging winter habitat is the beaches and immediate coastal shores. They fly in small flocks, in a synchronized fashion, low above the shore and water. While foraging for invertebrates they move in small flocks, with short running bursts, within the wash zone following the movement of the wave action. The primary habitat is the beaches and rocky coastal shores. The project will have no effect on this species as the subject property does not exhibit the desired habitat for this species. Pondberry (Lindera melissifolia) Pondberry is a deciduous shrub which grows to a maximum height of approximately six feet and forms dense thickets. The leaves of Pondberry are thin and drooping and taper to a point at the tip. Leaves are ovate to elliptic in shape and have an odor resembling sassafras when crushed. Pondberry produces multiple yellow flowers from February to March and red fruit from August to October. Pondberry prefers seasonally wet areas within bottomland hardwoods, ponds, and shallow depressions located within the coastal plain of South Carolina. The project will have no effect on this species as the subject property does not exhibit the desired habitat for this species. Red knot (Calidris canutus rufa) The red knot is a medium-sized shorebird. During breeding season, it has a rust colored face, chest and undersides and dark brown wings. In winter, it has a gray head, chest and upperparts and a white belly. It has long greenish legs and a pointed black bill. Males and females look similar. The red knot breeds on the tundra. During migration and in the winter it can be found on tidal flats, rocky shores and beaches. The project will have no effect on this species as the subject property does not exhibit the desired habitat for this species. February 10,

5 Protected Species Assessment S&ME Project No Red-Cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) The red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) is a black and white bird measuring approximately seven inches long. The bird displays black and white horizontal stripes on its back. The cheeks and underparts are white and the sides are streaked in black. The cap and stripe on the throat and neck of the bird are black. Male individuals of the species have a small red spot on each side of the black cap and display a red crown patch after the first post-fledgling molt. The woodpecker s diet consists primarily of insects. The RCW s range is closely linked to the distribution of mature stands of southern pines. Loblolly and longleaf pines that are 60-plus years old are most commonly selected for nesting and roosting trees. The woodpecker excavates nest and roost cavities in trees that are stressed, and often are infected with the red-heart rot fungus. Preferred nesting sites generally include relatively open, park-like, mature pine stands with an undeveloped or low mid-story layer. Suppression of the midstory by fire or mechanical means in mature pine stands promotes colonization by the RCW. Foraging habitat is frequently limited to pine or pine-hardwood stands that are 30 years or older with a preference for pine trees with a diameter of 10 inches or larger. Dense hardwood mid-story hampers foraging by RCW s. The USFWS indicates that the maximum foraging radius from a colony site for RCW s is typically one-half mile or less. The project will have no effect on this species as the subject property does not exhibit the desired habitat for this species. Flatwoods Salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum) The flatwoods salamander is a small amphibian growing to a length of up to five inches. This species is black in color with a cross-pattern of irregular, gray lines on the back. The belly of the flatwoods salamander is gray to black with whitish to gray spots. This species prefers fire-maintained, seasonally wet, pine savannas and pine flatwoods located within the southeastern portion of the United States. These areas consist predominantly of long leaf pine or slash pine with a low percentage of canopy cover typical of fire maintained stands. Additionally, this species is found near cypress ponds. Isolated shallow water wetlands are required for laying eggs. The project will have no effect on this species, as the subject property does not exhibit the desired habitat for this species. Seabeach Amaranth (Amaranthus pumilus) Seabeach amaranth grows close to the ground surface and has extended pinkish-redstems which do not root. The coverage of the plant may extend three feet. The leaves are typically 0.5 inch in length, dark green, thick and fleshy. The obscure flowers are yellow, significantly smaller than the leaves, and grow in small clusters at the nodes. Flowering occurs beginning in June and lasting through the first frost. The seeds are small, black and encased in a waxy coating to facilitate distribution by wind and water. Seabeach amaranth prefers upper beach dunes, high sandy coastal flats, and dredge spoil areas. The project will have no effect on this species, as the subject property does not exhibit the desired habitat for this species. Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) The wood stork is a large wading bird that is approximately 50 inches tall and has a wingspan of approximately five feet. The plumage of the wood stork is primarily white, with black primary and secondary wing feathers and a short black tail. The head and neck are dark gray and primarily unfeathered. The wood stork displays a prominent black bill that is slightly curved and thick at the base. February 10,

6 Protected Species Assessment S&ME Project No The wood stork feeds primarily on small fish, including minnows and shellfish. The wood stork is a colonial nesting bird. The wood stork requires shallow inundated wetland areas with a depth of six to ten inches. The bird s primary habitat is brackish and freshwater wetland areas with associated shallow water zones. Wood storks are highly colonial and prefer forested wetland areas (swamps) or islands surrounded by open water. The project will have no effect on this species, as the subject property does not exhibit the desired habitat for this species. Summary and Conclusions Based on the federal listings reviewed, habitat assessment, and visual survey of the subject property, it is our opinion that the subject property does not contain significant and unique habitats that are suitable for the federally listed threatened or endangered species discussed above. Accordingly, it is our opinion that no impacts to the federally protected species listed for Charleston County will occur due to potential development at the subject property. S&ME will submit a revised version of this report, following your review and at your direction, to the USFWS asking for concurrence with our findings. The USFWS is the federal agency tasked with identifying any impact to federally protected species and/or habitat suitable for these same species. Please contact us at (843) with questions regarding this report, or if you require additional information. Sincerely, S&ME, Inc. Bret Davis, P.G Project Geologist Chuck Black, P.E., LEED AP Senior Environmental Engineer, V.P. Attachments: Exhibits Site Photographs February 10,

7 REFERENCE: PLEASE NOTE THIS EXHIBIT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT MEANT FOR DESIGN, LEGAL, OR ANY OTHER USES. THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES ABOUT ITS ACCURACY. S&ME, INC. ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DECISION MADE OR ANY ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE USER BASED UPON THIS EXHIBIT. ³ Site Location 1 in = 8,000 ft Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, USGS, Intermap, increment P Corp., NRCAN, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri (Thailand), Site Location , Feet Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, USGS, Intermap, increment P Corp., NRCAN, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri (Thailand), TomTom, MapmyIndia, OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community SCALE: CHECKED BY: DRAWN BY: DATE: See Scale Bar EXHIBIT NO. BKD TMS No /10/2016 PROJECT NO: Site Location Exhibit

8 REFERENCE: PLEASE NOTE THIS EXHIBIT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT MEANT FOR DESIGN, LEGAL, OR ANY OTHER USES. THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES ABOUT ITS ACCURACY. S&ME, INC. ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DECISION MADE OR ANY ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE USER BASED UPON THIS EXHIBIT. ³ Site Location ,200 1,800 2,400 Feet Copyright: 2013 National Geographic Society, i-cubed SCALE: CHECKED BY: DRAWN BY: DATE: See Scale Bar EXHIBIT NO. BKD TMS No /10/2016 PROJECT NO: USGS Topographic Exhibit (Ladson Quad)

9 REFERENCE: PLEASE NOTE THIS EXHIBIT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT MEANT FOR DESIGN, LEGAL, OR ANY OTHER USES. THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES ABOUT ITS ACCURACY. S&ME, INC. ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DECISION MADE OR ANY ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE USER BASED UPON THIS EXHIBIT. ³ Site Location Feet Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community SCALE: CHECKED BY: DRAWN BY: DATE: See Scale Bar EXHIBIT NO. BKD TMS No /10/2016 PROJECT NO: Aerial Photgraph Exhibit

10 REFERENCE: PLEASE NOTE THIS EXHIBIT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT MEANT FOR DESIGN, LEGAL, OR ANY OTHER USES. THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES ABOUT ITS BONNEAU ACCURACY. S&ME, INC. ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DECISION MADE OR ANY ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE USER BASED UPON THIS EXHIBIT. MEGGETT BONNEAU BONNEAU MEGGETT WATER ³ CAPERS CAPERS CAPERS CAROLINE BONNEAU LYNCHBURG GOLDSBORO CAPERS GOLDSBORO NORFOLK Site Location BONNEAU OCILLA OUT CAROLINE CAPERS WATER GOLDSBORO NORFOLK MEGGETT BETHERA NORFOLK ,250 1,875 2,500 Feet NORFOLK Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community SCALE: CHECKED BY: DRAWN BY: DATE: See Scale Bar EXHIBIT NO. BKD TMS No /10/2016 PROJECT NO: USDA/NRCS Soil Survey Exhibit

11 REFERENCE: PLEASE NOTE THIS EXHIBIT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT MEANT FOR DESIGN, LEGAL, OR ANY OTHER USES. THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES ABOUT ITS ACCURACY. S&ME, INC. ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DECISION MADE OR ANY ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE USER BASED UPON THIS EXHIBIT. U12 ³ Site Location U43 PFO1C PEM1C U12 U11 PFO4A PFO1A PUBHh Feet Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community SCALE: CHECKED BY: DRAWN BY: DATE: See Scale Bar EXHIBIT NO. BKD TMS No /10/2016 PROJECT NO: USFWS Wetland Inventory Exhibit

12 Project #: Sheet 1 of Wando Park Blvd. Mount Pleasant, SC Photo 1 Photo 2 Photographer: B Davis Date: 2/8/2016 Photographer: B Davis Date: 2/8/2016 Location / Orientation Remarks Subject Property General view grassed portion of property located along the western boundary of the site. Location / Orientation Remarks Subject Property General view of southwestern corner of the property facing intersection of. Hanahan Road and Rivers Avenue

13 Project #: Sheet 2 of Wando Park Blvd. Mount Pleasant, SC Photo 3 Photographer: B. Davis Date: 2/8/2016 Location / Orientation Remarks Subject Property Drainage ditch located on southeastern corner of property. Area is dominated by bamboo. Photo 4 Photographer: B. Davis Date: 2/8/2016 Location / Orientation Remarks Subject Property Eastern property boundary is dominated by bamboo and common briars.