Wetland Identification/Delineation and Bog Turtle Habitat Screening Report for. S.R. 0097, Section 003 Two Taverns Bridge Replacement over Littles Run

Transcription

1 Wetland Identification/Delineation and Bog Turtle Habitat Screening Report for S.R. 0097, Section 003 Two Taverns Bridge Replacement over Littles Run June 2003 Prepared for: The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Engineering District Herr Street Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Prepared by: A.D. Marble & Company 3913 Hartzdale Drive Suite 1302 Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents... i I. PROJECT DESCRIPTION...1 II. STUDY AREA DESCRIPTON AND METHODOLOGY...1 III. STUDY FINDINGS...3 IV. WETLAND FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT...4 V. CONCLUSION...5 References... 6 Appendices Appendix A: Photographs Appendix B: Site Sketch Appendix C: PNDI Response Letters Appendix D: Bog Turtle Habitat Screening Forms Appendix E: Wetland Data Point Forms Figures Figure 1 Project Location Map...7 Figure 2 Soils Location Map...8 Figure 3 National Wetland Inventory...9 Figure 4 Site Sketch...13 i

3 WETLAND IDENTIFICATION / DELINEATION and PHASE I BOG TURTLE HABITAT SCREENING SURVEY REPORT for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT) Engineering District 8-0 I. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Two Taverns Bridge Replacement over Littles Run S.R. 0097, Section 003 Mount Joy Township Adams County, Pennsylvania The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT) is replacing the Two Taverns Bridge (S.R. 0097, Section 003) bridge over Littles Run in Mount Joy Township, Adams County (Figure 1). The project is primarily a bridge replacement project with minor approach roadway work. Staged construction and signalized traffic control will be utilized in order to maintain 2 lanes of traffic. The existing two-lane, two span concrete bridge is structurally deficient and functionally obsolete (Photo 1). Permanent right of way and temporary construction easements will be required for the project. The roadway profile will be raised by approximately 0.4 feet in order to fulfill the proper hydraulic conditions. The proposed replacement structure is a single span, prestressed concrete adjacent box beam bridge. The proposed roadway will consist of two 12 foot lanes and 8 foot shoulders for a total roadway width of 40 feet. II. STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION AND METHODOLOGY: On March 19, 2002, Carl Brudin and Eric Palmer [A.D. Marble & Company, Inc., (717) ] conducted a wetland identification/determination and Phase I Bog Turtle Survey at the bridge replacement location. The wetland identification/determination was conducted approximately 100 feet upstream and downstream and 50 feet in each direction along the road. The Bog Turtle Habitat Screening Survey was conducted 300 feet upstream and downstream of the bridge. 1

4 Offsite review prior to conducting the wetland identification/delineations and Phase I Bog Turtle Survey consisted of review of existing information for the project areas including National Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps, the USGS Topographical map (Gettysburg, PA Quadrangle) and the Adams County Soil Survey (NRCS - April 1967). A review of the Adams County Soil Survey revealed the soils surrounding the bridge include the Rowland silt loam (Ro) (Figure 2). Rowland soils consist of very deep and moderately well drained soils. They are on floodplains with flat slopes of 0 to 3 percent (USDA, 1967). Typically, Rowland soils are a dark reddish-brown silt loam with a 10-inch thick surface soil and 10 to 28- inch subsoil. Rowland silt loam soils appear on the Adams County hydric soils list as having hydric inclusions. A review of US Fish and Wildlife Services National Wetland Inventory Map revealed temporarily flooded (PEM5A) palustrine emergent wetlands that are present at the site (Figure 3). The wetland identification and delineation was completed in accordance with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual (Y-87-1). The detailed investigation included determination of the wetland boundaries by the identification of hydric soils, vegetation and evidence of hydrology, which meet the criteria outlined in the manual. Soil profiles were observed to determine the presence and location of hydric soils, an inventory of plant species determined the presence of a dominance of hydrophytes, and an investigation of hydrologic conditions/indicators were conducted. The wetlands were classified according to The Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States (Cowardin et al. 1979). Best professional judgment was then used to identify the potential of the wetland to perform specific wetland functions. Littles Run is a tributary to Rock Creek, both are classified as Warm Water Fisheries (WWF) per Title 25 PA Code, Chapter 93. Littles Run has a small, forested riparian buffer associated along most of the length of the stream. The surrounding land area consists of agricultural fields and unused open space consisting of wetlands, forest and a small meadow. The town of Two Taverns is located just outside of the project area. Several commercial and residential properties, a church and two small family farms are adjacent to the project area. 2

5 The Phase I Bog Turtle Habitat Screening Survey was conducted according the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Guidelines for Bog Turtle Surveys (Revised August 30, 2000). The survey included an investigation area within 300 feet of the bridge replacement to determine if there are wetlands present that exhibit potential for bog turtle habitat. The soil profiles were studied to determine if a bottom substrate of soft deep muck was present, vegetation was studied to determine if grasses and sedges were present and the hydrology was studied to determine if spring-fed, shallow surface water was present. Other important criteria consist of open canopy dominated by low lying herbaceous layer of grasses, sedges, and rushes. Any invasive or exotic plant species that are present are considered as a negative factor for bog turtle habitat. Forested wetlands (PFO) are given lower ratings because of insufficient light penetration. A sketch of the S.R. 0097, Section 003, associated wetlands and waterways is found at the end of this report (Figure 4). Observations were made as necessary to ensure adequate coverage and characterization of each project area was collected. Comments were recorded on field data sheets at representative points (hereafter referred to as data points ) located both in wetland areas and adjacent upland areas. These data points are labeled DP1 and DP2, etc. All completed data sheets are attached to this report. III. STUDY FINDINGS A field visit to the Two Taverns bridge replacement site determined that Waters of the United States and associated wetlands were present. Two data points were recorded (one within the wetland and one in the surrounding upland area) at each wetland identified. On the north (upstream) side of S.R. 0097, the flagged wetland areas were labeled W1-1 through W1-7 (Photos 1, 2, 3) and W2-1 through W2-10 (Photo 4). These wetland areas contain Littles Run and an associated small strip of Palustrine Emergent Wetland (PEM). These wetlands are associated with the floodplain for Littles Run and only receive water during high water events. A culvert and a drainage ditch wetland (W1A) feeds storm water runoff to Littles Run from a storm water detention basin located 0.25 miles west of the bridge. The drainage ditch will be impacted with the new roadway cut-fill line. The wetland impacts total 652 sq. (ft) (0.01 ac). As part of a 3

6 betterments improvements project from the adjoining roadway section, a drainage culvert was placed to relocate the flow of runoff underneath S.R into the lower south west quadrant floodplain area. In a pasture east of Littles Run a small spring is located and is included in the W2 wetland delineation line but will not be impacted as it is outside of any impact areas. A very di minimus area of wetlands will be impacted by roadway fill totaling 54 sq. ft. (0.001ac.). The vegetation is dominated by reed canary grass, rice cut grass, and deer tongue grass (Photo 2). This area does not contain the mucky soils and vegetation necessary to be considered potential bog turtle habitat. Two wetlands were flagged on the south (downstream) side of S.R Littles Run and an unnamed tributary to Littles Run were flagged at the top of bank and labeled W3-1 through W3-7 and W4-1 and W4-6 (Photo 5). These wetlands occur in a very narrow strip along a stream channel within a forested floodplain. The stream s bed and bank do not have the soft muck suitable for bog turtle habitat and the forest canopy shades the wetland creating an unsuitable area for bog turtles. A second wetland was flagged on the south (downstream) side of S.R and labeled W5-1 through W5-11 (Photo 6). This Palustrine Emergent Wetland (PEM) is separated from Littles Run by a natural levee upland buffer. This wetland is located at the lowest elevation of a floodplain and is a detention area for run-off water. This area does not contain the mucky soft soils and specific vegetation necessary to be considered potential bog turtle habitat, either. There are no wetland impacts on the south side of the bridge replacement project. IV. WETLAND FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT Based on best professional judgment, principal functions performed by the wetlands include: groundwater recharge, drainage for surrounding upland and wildlife habitat functions. Overland flow from surrounding uplands and floodwaters from Littles Run may be retained within the wetland during storm events. Because of the bordering streamside habitat and a diversity of vegetation classes; the wetlands have potential to provide wildlife habitat. Wetland riparian 4

7 habitats act as corridors for wildlife species and provide seasonal breeding areas for amphibians and reptiles. CONCLUSION The wetlands are primarily riverine with associated floodplain wetlands. The wetland impacts total 706 sq. ft. / (0.02 ac). There are no wetlands within the project study area that contain the substrate and vegetation necessary to be considered bog turtle habitat. 5

8 REFERENCES Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, and E.T. LaRoe Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Washington, DC. USACE The Highway Methodology Workbook. US Army Corps of Engineers New England Division. 28pp. NEDEP NRCS Soil Survey of Adams County, Pennsylvania. U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA Official Soil Series Descriptions Data Access. USDA-NRCS Soil Survey Division. Available on LIST OF PREPARERS Andrew C. Parker Education: Experience: Role: Carl O. Brudin, III Education: Experience: Role: Eric L. Palmer Education: Experience: Role: Senior Environmental Scientist B.S., Land Reclamation and Earth Science 16 years Project Manager Environmental Scientist B.S., Environmental Science 6 years Wetland Investigation/Document Preparation Environmental Scientist B.S., Environmental Resources Management 9 years Wetland Investigation/Document Preparation 6

9 Figure 1 Two Taverns Bridge Replacement OverLittles Run S.R. 0097, Section 003 Adams County, Pennsylvania To Gettysburg tu 97 Project Location To Littlestown Project Location Feet Map Source: USGS 7.5' Topographic Quadrangles (Gettysburg) 0 1,000 2,000 4,000 Baltimore Pike over Littles Run P:\GIS\Projects\P614A\MXD\Location Map.mxd Page 7

10 Figure 2 Two Taverns Bridge Replacement Over Littles Run S.R. 0097, Section 003 Adams County, Pennsylvania KnB KnB KnB KnB W W PcC PcC Two Taverns Road PoB Baltimore Pike (S.R. 0097) Be Project Location KnC KnB L i t t l e s R u n Rw KnC AbB KnC AbB Hoffman Home Road PoB PoB AbB W KnC Feet ,000 2,000 Streams Soil Types Map Sources: NRCS SSURGO Soils Data, ERRI Streams, USGS Digital Orthophotograph (Gettysburg Quadrangle, 1993) Baltimore Pike over Littles Run 8

11