August 12, Re: S.R. 2001, Section 002 Windsor Township York County, Pennsylvania Phase I Bog Turtle Survey/ T&E Coordination

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1 441 Friendship Road Harrisburg, PA Phone: (717) Fax: (717) Engineers Geologists Environmental Consultants August 12, 2004 Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Division of Fisheries Management 450 Robinson Lane Bellefonte, Pennsylvania Attn: Chris Urban, Threatened and Endangered Species Coord. Re: S.R. 2001, Section 002 Windsor Township York County, Pennsylvania Phase I Bog Turtle Survey/ T&E Coordination Dear Mr. Urban; GTS Technologies, Inc. is assisting Pickering, Corts, and Summerson and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, District 8-0 in the preliminary engineering and environmental studies for the above referenced project. The project involves the replacement of the S.R. 2001, Section 005 bridge over Kreutz Creek in Windsor Township, York County, Pennsylvania. S.R is locally known as Freysville Road. A project area map is enclosed. The project area is within a rural setting, west of the Borough of York, and land use is a combination of residential properties, agricultural fields, and pasture. The bridge is near the low point of a sag vertical curve. Therefore, topography steepens on both sides of the bridge. Topography within the project area ranges from 540 feet, north and south of the bridge crossing to 500 feet at the Creek. The project study limits extend approximately 450 feet north and south of the bridge crossing and approximately 300 feet up and down stream. A central latitude and longitude of the project area (at the bridge crossing) is, 39 O and 76 O 36 37, respectively. One emergent roadside drainage ditch, and one open water/emergent wetland were identified. The wetland identification and delineation was conducted on February 23, 2004, by GTS Technologies, Inc., Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in accordance with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual (1987). The manual observes a three parameter approach analysis based on consideration of soils, vegetation, and hydrology. Wetland indicators for all three parameters must be present for an area to be determined a wetland. February 23 was an overcast day with temperature ranging in the mid-40s. However, the ground was not frozen within the project area and snow was not present within any of the wetlands. GTS Technologies, Inc. is a division of GEO-Technical Services, Inc.

2 Barbara Woleslagle Weedon of GTS Technologies, Inc. conducted a Phase I Bog Turtle Survey on February 23, 2004 for the potential presence of Bog Turtle habitat (Clemmys muhlenbergii) within the two identified wetlands. For each system, the entire wetland was surveyed. Probing was performed on the soils with a 1-inch diameter broom handle. Two palustrine wetlands and two riverine systems were identified within the project study area. Wetland 1 is a roadside drainage ditch that contains Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum), Swamp Dewberry (Rubus hispidus), Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum), and American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis). The main source of hydrology is surface runoff from the adjacent farm field (Christmas Trees) and the S.R and S.R intersection. No mucky soils were observed within this system. Because it had rained a few days prior to this field visit, and snowmelt had recently occurred, soils were saturated. However, it is suspected that this channel is relatively dry for the majority of the year. Because this system lacks mucky soils, spring seeps, and hummocky vegetation, it is not considered to be potential bog turtle habitat. Refer to the attached Phase I Bog Turtle Field Survey Forms. Wetland Apprx. Wetland Size acre A < 0.50 acre Lat/Long Is the entire wetland on-site? Yes No 50% off site Wetland A is a semi-ponded system located adjacent to a horse pasture. This system received hydrology from a drainage ditch that conveys flow from S.R and overflow from Kreutz Creek. The main vegetation consisted of Duckweed (Lemna minor) and sparse Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum). Due to the wooded nature of the riparian corridor, which the wetland is located within, large mature trees that are adjacent shade the system. This system lacks spring seeps, mucky soils, and hummocky vegetation. The soil has a silty gravelly loam consistency. In addition, the main source of hydrology is the result of surface water runoff. Wetland A is not considered to be potential Bog Turtle habitat. Wetland Approximate Wetland Size ac Classification Extent of mucky soils by classification Potential Habitat Identified Bog Turtles Found PSS 0% No No A < 0.50 PEM 0% No No 2

3 Of the two wetlands delineated and the examination of the entire project area, plus portions of the adjacent project area, neither wetland is considered to contain potential Bog Turtle habitat. Attached to this letter are photographs of the wetlands and adjacent habitat, which are oriented on the attached wetland location map. Also attached are the Bog Turtle Habitat Evaluation field forms. In addition to coordination for the Bog Turtle, we are requesting information concerning the presence of state listed or proposed threatened or endangered species or critical habitats within the area affected by the proposed project. Please provide a response at your earliest convenience. Should you have questions or require additional information, contact me at (717) or me at bweedon@gtstech.com. Sincerely, GTS Technologies, Inc. Barbara Woleslagle Weedon Sr. Biologist QUALIFICATIONS Barbara Woleslagle Weedon, Sr. Biologist Professional Experience: 11 years Education: M.S. Biology, Shippensburg University, 1994 B.S. Biology, Shippensburg University, 1991 Responsibility: Field Reconnaissance and Document Preparation Phase I Bog Turtle Habitat Evaluation Training, October 20-23, Phase I Bog Turtle Habitat Evaluation Training, June 16 & 17, 2004 Enclosure 3

4 Photograph 1: Wetland 1 adjacent to S.R Photograph taken facing Kreutz Creek. Photograph 2: Wetland 1, drainage channel adjacent to S.R View taken facing north. 4

5 Photograph 3: View of Wetland A from S.R Hydrology received from drainage channel that enters the system in the lower right corner of the photograph. Photograph 4: View of Wetland A in May. Gravel pile observed due to roadside drainage channel that feeds system. Hydrology from creek overflow. Pipe under road. 5

6 Photograph 5: View of Kreutz Creek from the bridge, looking upstream. Photograph 6: View of the bridge carrying S.R over Kreutz Creek. Photograph taken facing south. 6

7 Photograph 7: View of Kreutz Creek from the S.R bridge, looking downstream. 7