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79 <br /> Project <br /> Biotic Resources <br /> Biotic Resources will be evaluations from available data and field studies. These evaluations will include <br /> published resource information of the project study area including: USGS 7.5 minute series; US Fish and <br /> Wildlife Service (USFWS) mapping, USDA NRCS soil surveys; USDA NRCS Web Soil Survey, aerial <br /> photography, Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) lists of protected species and database of uncommon <br /> and protected species and unique habitat, North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural <br /> Resources (NCDENR) Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ) river basin reports, and Wildlife Resources <br /> Commission (NCWRC) proposed critical habitats for aquatic species. In addition, pedestrian field studies <br /> will be conducted for each alternative corridor, as described below. Three (3) meetings/field visits with <br /> representatives from the local environmental groups to discuss the environmental resources within the <br /> project study area. <br /> Terrestrial Communities <br /> Field investigations will identify the predominant species within the project study area. Plant community <br /> descriptions will be based on Classification of plant communities is based loosely on a system used by <br /> the NCNHP, Classification of the Natural Communities of North Carolina. <br /> Significant Natural Heritage Areas <br /> The NCNHP statewide list of Significant Natural Heritage Areas (SNHA) will be reviewed for the project <br /> study area. <br /> Terrestrial Wildlife <br /> Faunal species within the project study area will be discussed following the community descriptions <br /> expected within and around the project study area were determined through review of supporting <br /> literature. Field investigation will visually survey for signs of terrestrial wildlife through direct <br /> observation and indirect evidence (tracks, scat). <br /> Aquatic Communities <br /> Aquatic communities will be identified as part of the field delineation of jurisdictional Waters of the US, <br /> described below. NCWRC GIS coverage of proposed critical habitats for aquatic species will be reviewed. <br /> Water quality classifications and special designations,such as Outstanding Water Resources (OWR), High <br /> Quality Waters (HQW), water supply watershed, and 303(d) listed waters will be listed. The most recent <br /> Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) will be reviewed <br /> to identify floodplains and floodways within the project study. <br /> Invasive Species <br /> Species identified within the project study area that appear on the NCDOT Invasive Exotic Plant List for <br /> North Carolina will be recorded. <br /> Endangered Species Act Protected Species <br /> Protected species with the federal status of endangered (E), threatened (T), proposed endangered (PE), <br /> and proposed threatened (PT) are protected under provisions of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) will <br /> be evaluated within the project study area. The USFWS and NCNHP online databases will be reviewed <br /> for federally listed species potentially occurring within the project study area. Suitable habitat for these <br /> protected species will be searched for during the field investigations. <br /> Dl urharn-Orainge (Light Haii "11"ransit Dl3ro(ect J June 2013 J 4-14 DI (RAF'"r <br />