Ms. Melissa Bimbi, Endangered Species Biologist

Transcription

1 November 11, 2014 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 176 Croghan Spur Road, Suite 200 Charleston, SC Attention: Reference: Ms. Melissa Bimbi, Endangered Species Biologist Protected Species Assessment Hanahan School Sites #1 and #2 Berkeley County, South Carolina S&ME Project No Dear Ms. Bimbi: S&ME, Inc. (S&ME) has completed a protected species assessment on the abovereferenced subject site (site) located in Berkeley County, South Carolina. The work was conducted to identify federally threatened or endangered species or potential habitat on the site as part of the due diligence associated with the future development of the site. While the plans are preliminary at this time, S&ME understands the site may be developed with multi-family, hotel, retail and commercial uses. This assessment addresses the general presence of federally threatened and endangered species and/or habitat conducive to the same species at the site. 1.0 SITE LOCATION/HABITAT DESCRIPTIONS The site is an approximate 33-acre tract formed from two (2) parcels identified by the Berkeley County Tax Assessor as TMS Nos and The site is comprised primarily of mixed upland forest with a small portion of the property being a drainage system that gradually becomes more channelized prior to flowing off the site and eventually to Goose Creek. The site is primarily mixed upland forest. This mixed hardwood pine upland forest habitat is dominated by southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), water oak (Quercus nigra), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), and live oak (Quercus virginiana). The understory is dominated by southern bayberry (Morella cerifera), live oak and southern magnolia. These forested upland areas comprises 100% of the total site.

2 Protected Species Assessment S&ME Project No Hanahan School Sites #1 and #2 November 11, 2014 A drainage system flows through the property in a roughly north south direction until it reaches the northwestern property boundary where it becomes more channelized and turns to the southwest, eventually flowing under Williams Lane and draining to Goose Creek south of the site. The vegetation in these drainage areas is similar to the vegetation noted across the remainder of the site. Photographs documenting the subject property are attached for review. The site is located in a lightly developed area of Berkeley County, South Carolina with primarily residential homes located west and south of the site. The Naval Weapons Station is located to the east of the site beyond N. Rhett Avenue. Several commercial buildings and undeveloped forested tracts are located north of the site. Figures depicting the site location and surrounding properties are attached for review. 2.0 PROTECTED SPECIES INFORMATION The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) maintain a listing of federally protected species for each county. S&ME reviewed the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species Inventory for previously documented occurrences of threatened and endangered species on or in the vicinity of the site. Two (2) occurrences of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) were noted approximately 1 to 1.5 miles west of the subject site. The most recent of these sightings was in January 2003 and was the last observation of the active nest. The other sighting was in 1977 and no additional information was given. The USFWS designates each federally protected species with one of three classifications: Endangered (E), Threatened (T), or in the distinct case of eagles, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA). The USFWS listing reviewed for this assessment was last updated June 25, The USFWS recognizes 10 species in Berkeley County. The federally protected species, the species federal status and a determination of suitable habitat for each listed species is summarized in Table 1. Table 1 Federally Protected Species in Berkeley 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 Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus E No / No Effect Shortnose Sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum E No / No Effect Canby s Dropwort Oxypolis canbyi E No / No Effect Pondberry Lindera melissifolia E No / No Effect Red-cockaded Woodpecker Picoides borealis E No / No Effect 2

3 Protected Species Assessment S&ME Project No Hanahan School Sites #1 and #2 November 11, 2014 Common Name Scientific Name Federal Status Habitat Present/ Determination Frosted Flatwoods Salamander Ambystoma cingulatum T No / No Effect West Indian Manatee Trichechus manatus E No / No Effect Wood Stork Mycteria americana E No / No Effect Abbreviations: E= Endangered of extinction throughout or a significant portion of the species total range BGEPA= Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act T= Threatened of becoming endangered throughout or a significant portion of the species range In the interest of brevity, the bolded species in Table 1 are not addressed in the following summary as no open water habitat is present on the site. Therefore, it was determined that the proposed project will have no effect on these three (3) species as the site does not exhibit the desired habitat for this species. A summary of each listed 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. American chaffseed has 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 American 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. American haffseed 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 proposed project will have no effect on this species as the site 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 3

4 Protected Species Assessment S&ME Project No Hanahan School Sites #1 and #2 November 11, 2014 within one-half mile of open water with a clear flight path leading to the water. According to SCDNR records, bald eagles were previously identified in the general vicinity of the subject site; however, these sightings were approximately miles west of the site near the Goose Creek reservoir. No individuals of this species and no nests were observed on the site during the site reconnaissance. Therefore, the proposed project will have no effect on this species as the site 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 proposed project will have no effect on this species as the site 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 proposed project will have no effect on this species as the site does not exhibit the desired habitat for this species. 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 postfledgling molt. The RCW 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 RCW excavates nest and roost cavities in trees that are stressed, and often are infected with the red-heart rot fungus. Preferred nesting sites 4

5 Protected Species Assessment S&ME Project No Hanahan School Sites #1 and #2 November 11, 2014 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 proposed project will have no effect on this species as the site does not exhibit the desired habitat for this species. Frosted 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 proposed project will have no effect on this species as the site 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 decurved and thick at the base. 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 proposed project will have no effect on this species as the site does not exhibit the desired habitat for this species. 3.0 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS Based on the federal listings reviewed, habitat assessment, and visual survey of the project site, it is our opinion that the subject site does not contain any significant and unique habitats that currently, or in the future, provide habitat suitable for the federally listed threatened or endangered species discussed above. Accordingly, we conclude that the proposed project will have no effect on any of the listed protected species as the site does not exhibit the desired habitat for these species. 5

6 Protected Species Assessment S&ME Project No Hanahan School Sites #1 and #2 November 11, CLOSING Thank you in advance for your assistance with this project. 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 Chris Daves, P.W.S. Senior Reviewer ATTACHMENTS: I. Figures II. Site Photographs 6

7 *ALL BOUNDARIES DEPICTED ON THIS SKETCH ARE APPROXIMATE AND INTENDED FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY. / Miles SCALE: SOURCE: SEE SCALE BAR ESRI SOURCE DATE: 2014 DATE: NOVEMBER 2014 PROJECT AREA HANAHAN SCHOOL SITES #1 AND #2 BERKELEY COUNTY, SC S&ME JOB NO FIGURE # 1

8 *ALL BOUNDARIES DEPICTED ON THIS SKETCH ARE APPROXIMATE AND INTENDED FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY. / Miles SCALE: SOURCE: SEE SCALE BAR USGS SOURCE DATE: 1979 DATE: NOVEMBER 2014 USGS TOPOGRAPHIC EXHIBIT HANAHAN SCHOOL SITES #1 AND #2 BERKELEY COUNTY, SC S&ME JOB NO FIGURE # 2

9 *ALL BOUNDARIES DEPICTED ON THIS SKETCH ARE APPROXIMATE AND INTENDED FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY. / Feet ,200 SCALE: SOURCE: SEE SCALE BAR ESRI SOURCE DATE: 2014 DATE: NOVEMBER 2014 AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH HANAHAN SCHOOL SITES #1 AND #2 BERKELEY COUNTY, SC S&ME JOB NO FIGURE # 3

10 *ALL BOUNDARIES DEPICTED ON THIS SKETCH ARE APPROXIMATE AND INTENDED FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY. DUPLIN / DUPLIN WAHEE WAHEE DUPLIN CAROLINE DUPLIN BETHERA WAHEE BETHERA Feet ,200 SCALE: SOURCE: SEE SCALE BAR NRCS SOURCE DATE: 1966/1974 DATE: NOVEMBER 2014 SOIL SURVEY EXHIBIT HANAHAN SCHOOL SITES #1 AND #2 BERKELEY COUNTY, SC S&ME JOB NO FIGURE # 4

11 PFO1C *ALL BOUNDARIES DEPICTED ON THIS SKETCH ARE APPROXIMATE AND INTENDED FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY. PFO1A / U12 PFO1A U42P U42P U43 U11 U43 U11 PFO1A Feet ,200 SCALE: SOURCE: SEE SCALE BAR USFWS SOURCE DATE: 1989 DATE: NOVEMBER 2014 WETLAND INVENTORY EXHIBIT HANAHAN SCHOOL SITES #1 AND #2 BERKELEY COUNTY, SC S&ME JOB NO FIGURE # 5

12 *ALL BOUNDARIES DEPICTED ON THIS SKETCH ARE APPROXIMATE AND INTENDED FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY. / and 2 Feet ,200 SCALE: SOURCE: SEE SCALE BAR ESRI SOURCE DATE: 2014 DATE: NOVEMBER 2014 PHOTOGRAPH LOG HANAHAN SCHOOL SITES #1 AND #2 BERKELEY COUNTY, SC S&ME JOB NO FIGURE # 6

13 Hanahan School Sites #1 and #2 Project #: Sheet 1 of Wando Park Blvd. Mount Pleasant, SC Photo 1 Photographer: B Davis Date: Location / Orientation Remarks Southern portion of property near Williams Lane General view of mixed upland forest. Photo 2 Photographer: B Davis Date: Location / Orientation Remarks Southern portion of property near Williams Lane Mixed upland forest Tree Stratum

14 Hanahan School Sites #1 and #2 Project #: Sheet 2 of Wando Park Blvd. Mount Pleasant, SC Photo 3 Photographer: B. Davis Date: Location / Orientation Remarks Central-southern portion of property Mixed upland hardwood slightly lower area that transects the property in a general north south direction Photo 4 Photographer: B. Davis Date: Location / Orientation Remarks Central portion of property Mixed upland hardwood continuation of lower area that transects property as noted in Photo #3.

15 Hanahan School Sites #1 and #2 Project #: Sheet 3 of Wando Park Blvd. Mount Pleasant, SC Photo 5 Photographer: B. Davis Date: Location / Orientation Remarks North-central portion of the property. Drainage system that flows to the west toward Williams Lane. Photo 6 Photographer: B. Davis Date: Location / Orientation Remarks Western portion of property Drainage on property becomes more channelized along the western property boundary flowing to Williams Lane.

16 Hanahan School Sites #1 and #2 Project #: Sheet 4 of Wando Park Blvd. Mount Pleasant, SC Photo 7 Photographer: B. Davis Date: Location / Orientation Remarks Southeast corner of property Continuation of drainage channel off property along property boundary Photo 8 Photographer: B. Davis Date: Location / Orientation Remarks Southern property boundary Williams Lane along southern property boundary.