red-cockaded woodpecker foraging habitat analysis … · 2019-05-13 · sweet gallberry (ilex...
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RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER
FORAGING HABITAT ANALYSIS REPORT,
CAPE FEAR CROSSING,
BRUNSWICK AND NEW HANOVER COUNTIES,
NORTH CAROLINA
S.T.I.P. Number U-4738
The North Carolina Department of Transportation
Division of Highways Environmental Analysis Unit
20 September 2018
RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER
FORAGING HABITAT ANALYSIS REPORT,
CAPE FEAR CROSSING,
BRUNSWICK AND NEW HANOVER COUNTIES,
NORTH CAROLINA
I. INTRODUCTION
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is proposing to construct a
roadway and bridge across the Cape Fear River that will connect United States (US) Highway
(Hwy.) 17 in Brunswick County to US Hwy. 421 in New Hanover County (Figure 1). This
project is identified in NCDOT’s State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) as U-4738.
There are 6 Detailed Study Alternatives (DSA) being analyzed for consideration, and one DSA
(Alternative B) is located within the 0.5-mile radius foraging habitat partition of federally
Endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (Dryobates = Picoides borealis) (RCW) Brunswick
(BRU) Cluster 1.
Dr. J.H. Carter III & Associates, Inc. (JCA) was contracted by NCDOT in 2018 to
conduct a foraging habitat analysis (FHA) for BRU Cluster 1. This FHA report provides updated
cluster and cavity tree status, survey results and current FHA data for BRU Cluster 1.
II. PROJECT AREA
The proposed project is located in the Outer Coastal Plain of southeastern NC (Figure 1).
The area has nearly level topography with gradual slopes leading into drainages. Elevations
range from 0 to 20 feet (ft.) above mean sea level. Mapped soil types in the project area consist
of Leon-Murville-Mandarin poorly drained fine sands, Torhunta-Croatan-Pantego poorly drained
loams, Woodington-Foreston poorly to moderately drained loams, Baymeade-Blankton-Norfolk
well drained loams and Muckalee-Dorovan-Chowan mixed type mucks in very poorly drained
lower floodplains (US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS) 2018). The project area is located in the Cape Fear River Basin. Major
1
Copyright:© 2013 National Geographic Society, i-cubed
Figure 1. General location of the Cape Fear Crossing Detailed Study Alternative B project
design (U-4738) that will connect United States (US) Highway (Hwy.) 17 in
Brunswick County and US Hwy. 421 in New Hanover County, North Carolina.
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Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), MapmyIndia, NGCC, ©OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community
DSA B
2
hydrological features within the survey area include the Brunswick and Cape Fear Rivers,
Jackey's and Town Creeks, Greenfield Lake and numerous unnamed tributaries.
Much of the DSA B study area has been converted from its historic natural state when the
uplands were longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) dominated communities and pocosins and bays
were pond pine (P. serotina) dominated communities. Loblolly (P. taeda) and slash pines (P.
elliottii) are widely present throughout the study area due to past forestry plantings. Logging,
drainage, prolonged fire exclusion and residential and commercial development have altered the
natural landscape in most of this portion of Brunswick County.
Habitats were divided into vegetative community types: Xeric Sandhill Scrub (Coastal
Fringe subtype), Pine-Scrub Oak Sandhill (Coastal Fringe subtype), Mesic Pine Savanna
(Coastal Plain subtype), Wet Pine Flatwoods (Typic subtype), Pond Pine Woodland, High
Pocosin, Managed Loblolly and Longleaf Pine forests and Pine Plantations (Schafale 2018).
Xeric Sandhill Scrub (Coastal Fringe subtype) occurs on xeric, excessively drained
coarse sands. The overstory consists of longleaf pine in varying densities with turkey oak
(Quercus laevis) as the dominant midstory species. Carolina wiregrass (Aristida stricta) is
dominant in the ground cover.
Pine-Scrub Oak Sandhill (Coastal Fringe subtype) occurs on fine sands and has an
overstory consisting of longleaf or loblolly pine and a mixed scrub oak or xeric hardwood
understory/midstory. The ground cover is dominated by Carolina wiregrass and a diversity of
herbaceous species.
Mesic Pine Savanna (Coastal Plain subtype) occurs on loamy sands and has an overstory
of longleaf pine. It is distinguished from the Pine-Scrub Oak Sandhill habitat by an absence of
scrub oaks in the midstory. The ground cover in stands subject to regular burning is dominated
by Carolina wiregrass and a diversity of other grasses and herbs. With little or no fire
management, the understory/midstory usually contains mixed mesic hardwoods, where sweet
gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) can be prominent. Infrequent burning, fire exclusion and/or
previous site disturbances (e.g. logging, agriculture) can lead to an overstory of loblolly pine or
mixed pines.
Wet Pine Flatwoods (Typic subtype) included seasonally wet, open, grassy longleaf pine
or pond pine communities on coarse sandy spodosols. It naturally has more grasses than shrubs.
The low shrub layer is often dominated by dangleberry (Gaylussacia frondosa), inkberry (Ilex
3
glabra), sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), fetterbush (Lyonia lucida), staggerbush (L.
mariana), sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana), dwarf azalea (Rhododendron atlanticum) and switch
cane (Arundinaria tecta). The herbaceous layer includes Carolina wiregrass, eastern bracken
fern (Pteridium latiusculum) and a diverse assemblage of grasses and herbs.
Pond Pine Woodland has a canopy dominated by pond pine, along with loblolly bay
(Gordonia lasianthus), sweetbay, red maple (Acer rubrum) and Atlantic white cedar
(Chamaecyparis thyoides). The dense shrub layer includes titi (Cyrilla racemiflora), fetterbush,
sweet gallberry (Ilex coriacea), inkberry, swamp bay (Persea palustris) and switch cane. The
latter species may dominate the shrub layer after severe fires or repeated burns.
High Pocosin occurs on poorly drained peat deposits and wet sands and generally has a
canopy of pond pine with a scattering of swamp bay, loblolly bay and sweetbay. Fetterbush, titi,
sweet gallberry, inkberry and laurel-leaf greenbrier (Smilax laurifolia) dominate the dense shrub
layer.
Managed Loblolly and Longleaf forest types occur on old field and/or modified (drained
and/or intensively site prepared) sites. The dominant overstory species are loblolly pine and/or
longleaf pine, sometimes mixed with hardwoods such as sweet gum, water oak (Quercus nigra),
other oaks and red maple. The understory/midstory is often tall and dense and consists of
hardwood saplings, pine regeneration and vines. Herbaceous ground cover is often sparse unless
burned frequently.
Pine Plantations consist of planted pines on various soil types, including wet or drained
mineral soils. The overstory is typically loblolly or slash pine and a dense midstory develops
quickly. Sweet gum is often the dominant midstory species, but other mesic hardwoods and tall
shrubs also occur. Herbaceous ground cover is often sparse unless burned frequently.
Several Carolina Bays occurred in the project area. Carolina Bays are elliptic wetland
depressions from one to several hundred acres in size and were originally vegetated with various
hydrophytic communities including pocosin, Wet Pine Flatwoods and Pond Pine Woodland.
Many have been drained and converted to other land uses. These vegetative communities
occurred on Murville mucky fine sand, Torhunta mucky fine sandy loam and Muckalee loam.
Other communities in the project area most closely resembled Cypress-Gum Swamp and
Tidal Freshwater Marsh. These communities did not contain a significant pine component and
4
would not be expected to be used for foraging by RCWs. However, they do contain sufficient
hardwoods and dead pines to serve as travel or dispersal corridors.
Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point, located approximately 10 miles (mi.) south of the
survey area, is listed as a Significant RCW Support Population for the Mid-Atlantic Coastal
Plain Recovery Unit (US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 2003).
III. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
NCDOT proposes to construct a project known as the Cape Fear Crossing (U-4738)
which would be a fully controlled access transportation facility extending from the vicinity of US
Hwy. 17 Bypass and Interstate (I)-140 in Brunswick County to US. Hwy. 421 in New Hanover
County, including a crossing of the Cape Fear River. DSA B begins with an interchange at I-
140, runs 2.4 mi. southeast to an interchange at US Hwy. 17, continues southeast 3.9 mi. to an
interchange at NC Hwy. 133, then runs northeast for 3.5 mi. across the Cape Fear River and
terminates at Shipyard Boulevard and US Hwy. 421 (Figure 1).
According to the Feasibility Study for the Wilmington Southern Bridge from US Hwy. 17
Bypass near Bishop to US Hwy. 421 (NCDOT 2003), the project would serve multiple users,
including the Port of Wilmington, the military, commuters and tourists. The project is
anticipated to be part of a comprehensive transportation network connecting Brunswick County
to New Hanover County and will serve as an important intermodal connector in improving
freight movements within the Wilmington area by accommodating anticipated growth at the Port
of Wilmington, as well as providing hurricane evacuation routes.
JCA was contracted in 2014 to conduct a RCW survey of 12 DSAs for the proposed Cape
Fear Crossing project. Since that time, 6 DSAs have been eliminated and one of the remaining
DSAs (Alternative B) is located within the 0.5-mile radius foraging habitat partition of known
RCW BRU Cluster 1 (Figure 2).
IV. METHODOLOGY
A. RCW SURVEY
A variety of resources were utilized in preparation for field surveys and the FHA,
including aerial photographs, topographic maps, soil surveys (USDA NRCS 2018), historical
RCW cavity tree data and other data from previous surveys by JCA. Natural communities and
5
BRU 1
LANV
ALE
MACO
ALBRIGHT
SLATER
LANSAN
LEWI
S
OLD F
ORES
T
GRANDIFLORA
NUNS
LAPH
AM
TARA
FORE
ST
BUCKEYE
BREMAN
SAVANNA BRANCH
WATE
RSFIE
LD
BODY SHOP
AVINGTON
GLASGOW
HIGHCROFT
SUNBURST
HUEY
GREENSVIEW
WHITEH
ILL
GANEY
SERE
NE
PRIN
WINDINGWOOD
PINEBRUSH
HEATHWOOD
SOUTHBEND
BRADBURY
ROSEA
NORTHRIDGE
ALEXANDERI-1
40
AVINGTON Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community
RCW cavity trees 2018U-4738 DSA B project designRCW survey area0.5 mile radius foraging habitat partitionStreets
Figure 2. Location of red-cockaded woodpecker (Dryobates borealis) BRU Cluster 1 and part of DSA B of the proposed Cape Fear Crossing (U-4738), near Leland, Brunswick County, North Carolina.
0 0.5 10.25 Miles
/
6
plant nomenclature in the project area were classified according to Schafale (2018) and Weakley
(2015), respectively.
Biologists surveyed uplands within the 0.5-mile radius of the proposed DSA B including
BRU Cluster 1 for RCWs (Figure 2). All known RCW cavity trees were visited on the ground and
the activity status of each cavity was updated.
Potential RCW nesting habitat was defined as pine or pine-hardwood stands >60 years of
age (USFWS 2003). Commercial and residential areas were checked by vehicle and large
forested tracts with potentially suitable habitat were surveyed on foot using parallel transects.
Surveys were conducted and transects spaced so that all suitable habitat was viewed at least
once.
B. FORAGING HABITAT ANALYSIS
A FHA was completed for RCW foraging habitat partition BRU 1 in July 2018. The
specific data parameters collected included vegetative community type, dominant woody species,
diameter at breast height (dbh) for pines and hardwoods >4 inches dbh in 2-inch diameter
classes, pine and hardwood overstory basal areas (BA), understory/midstory density and height,
ground cover density and stand contiguity.
Foraging habitat was analyzed using pine stems ≥8 inches dbh because of site conditions
that resulted in slow growth and a paucity of pines ≥10 inches dbh. The low pine BA and low
numbers of pine stems ≥10 inches dbh are natural conditions of xeric sands, Wet Pine Flatwoods,
Pond Pine Woodland and pocosin habitats in the area. Poor growing conditions due to excessive
soil dryness or wetness and low soil fertility can prevent pines on such sites from reaching 10
inches dbh in less than 100 years, perhaps never on some sites. Therefore, pines trees ≥8.0
inches dbh were counted as available foraging habitat and the lack of pines >10 inches dbh
should not be interpreted as representing poor or insufficient RCW foraging habitat (Carter
2012).
Sampling plots were placed every 5 chains (1 chain = 66 ft.) along transects spaced
approximately 5 chains apart within the 0.5-mile radius foraging habitat partition. Foraging
substrate was measured with a 10-factor BA prism using the prism-plot method. Pine BA, the
number of pines and hardwoods ≥4 inches dbh in 2-inch diameter classes and the age of a
representative dominant pine were obtained in each plot.
7
Pine stands were also assessed by the density and height of the midstory. Determining
midstory density was subjective, but followed these basic criteria: a stand with a sparse
hardwood midstory had few or no hardwoods present; a stand with a dense hardwood midstory
had limited visibility and movement through the stand was difficult; and a stand with a
moderately dense hardwood midstory was intermediate. Each habitat type was further
subdivided according to hardwood midstory height. Midstory hardwoods <7 ft. in height were
considered low, hardwoods from 7-15 ft. in height were considered moderate and hardwoods
>15 ft. in height were considered tall.
Vegetative communities were divided into 4 stand types: sparse pine (<40 square feet
(ft2) of pine BA/acre (ac.); moderately dense pine (≥40 to ≤70 ft2 of pine BA/ac.); dense pine
(>70 ft2 of pine BA/ac.) and non-foraging or unsuitable habitat. Non-foraging or unsuitable
habitat consisted of hardwood-pine drains, bays or pocosins devoid of pine trees, clear-cuts,
agricultural lands, treeless developed areas, road and power line rights-of-way and other
permanently cleared areas.
Removals within the RCW partition were calculated using ArcGIS software and were
subtracted from the affected stands. The total acreage and pine BA removed by DSA B were
subtracted from the pre-project totals for the BRU Cluster 1 foraging partition. Removals were
based on slope stakes received from project engineers at AECOM. JCA added an additional 25
ft. buffer to the slope stakes to calculate clearing limits.
RCW RSMS foraging habitat standards for the Outer Coastal Plain in southeastern North
Carolina and northeastern South Carolina (Carter 2012)
The Regional Standard for Managed Stability (RSMS) (Carter 2012) guidelines require a
minimum of 3,000 ft2 of pine BA on at least 75 ac. of good quality suitable foraging habitat as
defined (USFWS 2003) or modified below. The minimum dbh of pines varies from 4 to 10
inches dbh depending on vegetative community type. Because the minimum pine BA
requirements also vary among community types, the minimum area necessary to achieve 3,000
ft2 of pine BA will usually exceed 75 ac.
The following Standard for Managed Stability guidelines (USFWS 2003) are applicable
in southeastern NC and northeastern South Carolina (SC) with the RSMS (Carter 2012) changes
in bold below and listed in Table 1.
8
(1) Pine stands must be at least 30 years of age or older.
(2) Average BA of pines ≥8 inches dbh should be between 30 and 70 ft2/acre.
Exceptions: in High Pocosin habitat and bays where pine BA can be as low as 20
ft2/acre in stems >4 inches dbh and in Old Field/Managed Loblolly & Longleaf
Pine habitats and Pine Plantations where pine BA should not be less than 40
ft2/acre in stems ≥10 inches dbh.
(3) Average BA of pines <8 inches dbh should be less than 20 ft2/acre. Exceptions: High
Pocosin and Pond Pine Woodland habitats which do not have a maximum BA for
pines <8 inches dbh.
(4) No hardwood midstory exists, or if a hardwood midstory is present, it must be sparse
and/or less than 7 ft. in height, except in High Pocosin and Pond Pine Woodland
habitats where there is no hardwood midstory height or density limitation.
(5) Total stand BA, including overstory hardwoods, should be less than 80 ft2/acre (see 7
below for exception).
(6) Overstory hardwood BA must be ≤10 ft2/ acre.
(7) Total stand BA can exceed 80 ft2/acre if the maximum limits for overstory hardwood
BA and pines <8 inches dbh are not exceeded and the BA in pines 8-14 inches dbh is
30-70 ft2/acre. (in other words, the excess in BA is comprised of pines ≥14 inches
dbh) (W. McDearman, USFWS, pers. comm.) This situation is most likely to
occur in Old Field/Managed Loblolly & Longleaf Pine habitats and Pine
Plantations.
Additionally, all land counted as foraging habitat must be within 200 ft. of another
foraging stand or the cluster and all stands counted as foraging habitat should be within 0.25 mile
(mi.) of the cluster (USFWS 2003). Foraging habitat available for the cluster was first evaluated
using a 0.25 mi. radius foraging habitat partition. If the minimum SMS requirements were not
met within the 0.25 mi. radius partition, a 0.5 mi. radius partition was used. RCW foraging
habitat separated by more than 200 ft. from other foraging habitat was considered non-
contiguous and was not counted as available habitat (USFWS 2003).
Pine stands that met the RSMS Guidelines (Carter 2012) for overstory BA and had a
sparse hardwood midstory, a moderately dense hardwood midstory that was low in height or a
dense hardwood midstory that was low in height were considered “suitable” foraging habitat.
9
“Potentially suitable habitat” was described as stands that met most requirements, but
exceeded the maximum limits for pine BA in certain dbh classes, hardwood midstory density/
height and/or overstory hardwood density. These stands have the necessary pine BA and could
meet the RSMS with midstory removal, prescribed burning and/or thinning. Stands with suitable
overstory characteristics containing a moderately dense or dense midstory that was moderate or
tall in height were in this potentially suitable category.
All stands on sites managed for pine dominance that did not fall into the suitable or
potentially suitable categories were classified as “future potential habitat.” These stands will
require time and management to meet the RSMS requirements.
Table 1. Summary of red-cockaded woodpecker RSMS foraging habitat requirements in the
Outer Coastal Plain of southeastern North Carolina & northeastern South Carolina.
V. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A. RCW
The RCW is a small black and white woodpecker with horizontal bars on its back,
spotted flanks and a white belly. The cap and chin stripe are black and the male has a small,
Xeric Sandhill Scrub
Pine- Scrub Oak
Sandhill
Mesic Pine
Savanna
Wet Pine Flatwoods/
Sandy Pine
Savanna
Pond Pine Woodland
High Pocosin
Old Field/
Managed Loblolly
& Longleaf
Pine Plantation
Pine BA (Min.)
30 ft2/acre (8 inches dbh min.)
20 ft2/acre
(4 inches
dbh min.)
40 ft2/acre (10 inches dbh min.)
Pine BA (Max.)
20 ft2/acre (<8 inches dbh) N/A 20 ft2/acre (<10 inches
dbh)
Hardwood BA
(overstory maximum)
<10 ft2/ac
Midstory/ Understory Density &
Height
Sparse and/or <7 ft. in height N/A Sparse and/or <7 ft. in
height
10
difficult to see, red spot on each side of the black cap. It is most easily identified by the large
white cheek patches that distinguish it from similar species (USFWS 2003).
The RCW is endemic to mature, fire-maintained pine forests in the southeastern United
States, where it was historically common. Prime nesting habitat for RCWs includes open,
mature southern pine forests dominated by longleaf, loblolly, pond, slash or other southern pine
species greater than 60 years of age with little or no mid- or understory development. Pine
flatwoods and pine-dominated savannas, which have been maintained by frequent fires, serve as
ideal nesting and foraging habitat for RCWs. Potential foraging habitat is defined as open pine
or pine/ hardwood stands 30 years of age or older (USFWS 2003). Logging, fire exclusion and
conversion of forestlands for agricultural and other uses have destroyed most of this species’
habitat (USFWS 2003).
B. RCW CLUSTER STATUS
Brunswick (BRU) Cluster 1 was documented as active during a survey in the winter of
1992-93 (JCA 1992) (Figure 2). When the area was resurveyed by JCA biologists in 2003, the
RCW cluster was still active and an after-hatching-year male was captured and banded (JCA
2003). In 2014, the cluster was active with a solitary unbanded bird. The cluster is currently
inactive and contains 9 cavity trees in various stages of completion and suitability (Figure 2 and
Table 2). All cavity trees are >850 ft. from DSA B of the U-4738 project (Figure 2).
Table 2. Status of red-cockaded woodpecker (Dryobates borealis) cavity trees associated with BRU Cluster 1, Brunswick County, North Carolina.
GPS Location*
Cluster Cavity Tree
Number Cavity Stage
Cavity Activity
Easting Northing
BRU 1 1 Healed over start Relic 694134 52775
2 Healed over start Relic 694122 52802
3 Healed over start Relic 694098 52851
4 Completed cavity, suitable Inactive 694076 52872
5 Completed cavity, enlarged Relic 694021 53033
6 Healing over cavity Relic 694124 52960
7 Healed over start Relic 694188 52840
8 Completed cavity, enlarged Relic 694210 52847
9 Healed over start Relic 694058 52875
* Location is in NAD 1983 State Plane meter
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C. RCW SURVEY
A majority of the proposed project site has been negatively impacted by timber
harvesting, fire suppression and residential, commercial and industrial development resulting in
very little suitable RCW habitat. Uplands within the DSA B 0.5-mile survey area and within the
vicinity of BRU Cluster 1 were surveyed in July 2018 (Figure 2). However, no RCW cavity
trees outside of BRU Cluster 1 were found during ground surveys.
D. FORAGING HABITAT ANALYSIS
The cluster does not meet the 0.25 mi. radius RSMS guidelines. The RSMS data analysis
for the 0.50 mi. radius foraging partition follow.
RSMS
The pre-project RSMS foraging habitat totals for the 0.50 mi. radius foraging partition
were 3,314.01 ft2 of pine BA on 53.70 ac. of suitable habitat, 1,897.36 ft2 of pine BA on 28.38
ac. of potentially suitable habitat and 5,364.15 ft2 of pine BA on 358.52 ac. of future potential
habitat (Figure 3; Table 3).
DSA B will remove 309.37 ft.2 of pine BA on 30.36 ac. of future potential habitat (Table
3).
The post-project RSMS foraging habitat totals for the 0.50 mi. radius foraging partition
were 3,314.01 ft2 of pine BA on 53.70 ac. of suitable habitat, 1,897.36 ft2 of pine BA on 28.38
ac. of potentially suitable habitat and 5,054.78 ft2 of pine BA on 328.16 ac. of future potential
habitat (Figure 3; Table 3). This partition will meet the RSMS requirements post-project
assuming potentially suitable habitat is made suitable (Carter 2012).
VI. SUMMARY
No RCW cavity trees will be removed or impacted by the proposed project. BRU Cluster
1 is currently inactive and there is only one suitable cavity left within the cluster.
BRU Cluster 1 meets the RSMS Guidelines (Carter 2012) post-project, assuming
potentially suitable habitat is made suitable. However, because the BRU 1 foraging partition
is on private property, potentially suitable habitat will most likely never be made suitable. The
proposed project, as currently designed, is only removing future potential habitat. That fact,
12
B
B
GF
G
B
B
G
E
D
D
D
D
A
D
D
D
D
E
D
C
D
FB
E
E
AD
F
B
B
B
¯0 500 1,000250 Feet
/
Project removals
Pine DensitySparseModerateDense
Midstory DensitySparseModerateDense
,,,,,,,,,,,,, , ,, , ,
Midstory HeightLowModerateTall
13-16 year old loblolly pine plantationHardwood drainNon-foraging habitatClear-cut
Figure 3. Red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) foraging habitat within the 0.5 mile radius foraging partition for BRU Cluster 1, Brunswick County, North Carolina.
13
Table 3. Pre-project, project removals and post-project red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) foraging habitat totals using the Regional Standard for Managed Stability (JCA 2012) within the 0.50 mile radius foraging partition for BRU Cluster 1, Brunswick County, North Carolina.
Avg. Stems
Avg. BAAvg.
StemsAvg. BA
Avg. Stems
Avg. BAAvg.
StemsAvg. BA
Avg. Stems
Avg. BA
Avg. Stems
Avg. BA Acres BA Acres BA Acres BA Acres BA Acres BA Acres BA
A 5.63 40 361.13 65.00 22.73 10.00 0.00 0.00 383.86 75.00 22.73 10.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 95.0 Moderate Dense Moderate 5.63 75.00Sub-total 5.63 75.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
B 263.02 77 18.44 3.34 18.56 11.66 1.38 1.67 38.38 16.67 19.94 13.33 12.44 10.00 3.30 10.0 Sparse Moderate Tall 12.16 202.71 0.02 0.33Dense Moderate 152.56 2,543.18Dense Tall 98.30 1,638.66 0.68 11.34
Sub-total 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 263.02 4,384.55 0.70 11.67
C 2.46 46 18.52 5.00 26.30 15.00 0.00 0.00 44.82 20.00 26.30 15.00 14.93 10.00 1.00 Sparse Sparse Tall 2.46 49.20 0.11 2.20Sub-total 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.46 49.20 0.11 2.20
D 43.31 61 69.80 14.17 60.53 38.33 10.20 14.17 140.53 66.67 70.73 52.50 44.14 40.83 0.00 73.3 Moderate Sparse Moderate 2.88 151.20Sparse Tall 7.80 409.50
Moderate Low 5.81 305.03Moderate Moderate 6.76 354.90Moderate Tall 6.57 344.93
Dense Low 6.84 359.10Dense Moderate 6.65 349.13
Sub-total 23.33 1,224.83 0.00 0.00 19.98 1,048.96 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
E 12.52 75 22.22 6.00 112.53 80.00 17.07 21.00 151.82 107.00 129.60 101.00 100.05 88.00 0.00 88.0 Dense Sparse Moderate 1.61 162.61Sparse Tall 2.51 253.51
Moderate Moderate 8.40 848.40Sub-total 4.12 416.12 0.00 0.00 8.40 848.40 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
F 20.62 76 18.52 5.00 103.37 77.50 0.00 0.00 121.89 82.50 103.37 77.50 92.00 72.50 0.00 0.0 Dense Dense Moderate 0.95 73.63Dense Tall 19.67 1,524.43
Sub-total 20.62 1,598.06 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00G 93.04 13-16 353.85 70.00 18.84 10.00 0.00 0.00 372.69 80.00 18.84 10.00 7.47 5.00 0.00 80.0 Sparse Dense Moderate 93.04 930.40 29.55 295.50
Sub-total 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 93.04 930.40 29.55 295.50Total 440.60 53.70 3,314.01 0.00 0.00 28.38 1,897.36 0.00 0.00 358.52 5,364.15 30.36 309.37
Stand Descriptions Acreage Suitable Potential Future Totals Total S&PBA = basal area Total Pre-Project 53.70 28.38 358.52 440.60 82.08dbh = diameter at breast height Total Removals 0.00 0.00 30.36 30.36 0.00Hwd = hardwood Total Post-Project 53.70 28.38 328.16 410.24 82.08HGC = herbaceous ground cover BAS&P = Suitable and Potentially Suitable habitat Stand C - 46 year old sparse, High Pocosin habitat. Total Pre-Project 3,314.01 1,897.36 5,364.15 10,575.52 5,211.37
Total Removals 0.00 0.00 309.37 309.37 0.00Total Post-Project 3,314.01 1,897.36 5,054.78 10,266.15 5,211.37
Stand E - 75 year old, dense Pine-Scrub Oak Sandhill and Mesic Pine Savanna habitat.
Stand F - 76 year old, dense Pond Pine Woodland habitat.
Stand G - 13-16 year old loblolly pine plantation.
RemovalsPotentially
Suitable Habitat
RemovalsFuture
Potential Habitat
Removals
Stand Type
AcresStand Age
4.0-7.9 inches dbh
8-13.9 inches dbh
14.0+ inches dbh
Suitable Habitat
Potentially Suitable Habitat
Future Potential Habitat
Stand A - 40 year old moderately dense, High Pocosin habitat.
4+ inches dbh 8+ inches dbh 10+ inches dbh Canopy Hardwood
BA
HGC (%)
Pine Density
Stand B - 77 year old sparse, High Pocosin habitat.
Value does not meet Regional Standard for Managed Stability requirements (JCA 2012).
Stand D - 61 year old, moderately dense Pine-Scrub Oak Sandhill and Mesic Pine Savanna habitat.
Dense pine stands with a BA of >70 ft2/acre were counted as suitable only if the excess BA was in pines >14 inches dbh (USFWS pers. comm.).
Hardwood Midstory Density
Hardwood Midstory Height
Suitable Habitat
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together with the inactive cluster status, indicates that Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act
does not apply and Section 7 may only require informal consultation.
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VII. LITERATURE CITED
Carter III, Joseph H. 2012. Proposed red-cockaded woodpecker regional SMS foraging habitat standards for the Outer Coastal Plain in the Southeastern North Carolina and Northeastern South Carolina. 6pp.
Dr. J.H. Carter III and Associates, Inc. 1992. Biological assessment for proposed Wilmington Bypass, New Hanover and Brunswick Counties, NC. Prepared for NCDOT. 10 pp. Dr. J.H. Carter III and Associates, Inc. 2003. Red-cockaded woodpecker foraging habitat analysis for Brunswick County Cluster #1, Wilmington Bypass project (T.I.P. No. R- 2633A/B), Brunswick County, North Carolina. Prepared for NCDOT. 13 pp. Dr. J.H. Carter III and Associates, Inc. 2014. Red-cockaded woodpecker aerial and ground
survey report, Cape Fear Crossing (T.I.P. U-4738), Brunswick and New Hanover Counties, North Carolina. Prepared for NCDOT. 27 pp.
North Carolina Department of Transportation. Feasibility Study for the Wilmington Southern Bridge from US Hwy. 17 Bypass near Bishop to US Hwy. 421. August 2003. Schafale, Michael P. 2018 working draft. Guide to the natural communities of North Carolina: 4th approximation. NC Natural Heritage Program, Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Raleigh, North Carolina. 217 pp. United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2018. USDA website (http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx). Accessed 10 August 2018. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2003. Red-cockaded woodpecker recovery plan: 2nd revision. US Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta, Georgia. 296 pp.
Weakley, Alan S. 2015. Flora of the southern and mid-Atlantic states: Draft May 2015. UNC- Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC. 1320 pp.
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