ML070460542

Final Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys: Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant and Associated Transmission Line Corridors (2001-2002).

ML070460542
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Site:	Farley, 05200011
Issue date:	06/21/2002
From:	Tetra Tech NUS
To:	Office of New Reactors, Southern Nuclear Operating Co
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Final Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys:

Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant and Associated Transmission Line Corridors (2001-2002)

Prepared for Southern Nuclear Operating Company by Tetra Tech NUS, Inc.

June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page

1.0 INTRODUCTION

................................................................................................................................................1 2.0 FNP SITE DESCRIPTION..................................................................................................................................2 3.0 TRANSMISSION CORRIDORS ........................................................................................................................3 4.0 METHODOLOGY ...............................................................................................................................................5 4.1 SPECIES OF INTEREST..................................................................................................................................5 4.2 SURVEY TECHNIQUES .................................................................................................................................5 4.2.1 Plants .......................................................................................................................................................6 4.2.2 Animals....................................................................................................................................................7 5.0 RESULTS............................................................................................................................................................10 5.1 FNP SITE ..................................................................................................................................................10 5.1.1 Plants .....................................................................................................................................................10 5.1.2 Animals..................................................................................................................................................12 5.2 TRANSMISSION LINE CORRIDORS .............................................................................................................12 5.2.1 Survey Locations ...................................................................................................................................12 5.2.2 Plants .....................................................................................................................................................18 5.2.3 Animals..................................................................................................................................................18 5.3 POTENTIAL ANIMAL OCCURRENCES .........................................................................................................19 5.3.1 Mammals ...............................................................................................................................................19 5.3.2 Birds.......................................................................................................................................................21 5.3.3 Reptiles ..................................................................................................................................................24 5.3.4 Amphibians............................................................................................................................................26

6.0 CONCLUSION

S.................................................................................................................................................28 6.1 FNP SITE ..................................................................................................................................................28 6.1.1 Plants .....................................................................................................................................................28 6.1.2 Animals..................................................................................................................................................29 6.2 TRANSMISSION LINE CORRIDORS .............................................................................................................29 6.2.1 Plants .....................................................................................................................................................29 6.2.2 Animals..................................................................................................................................................30

7.0 REFERENCES

...................................................................................................................................................31 Final ii June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)

Appendices Page APPENDIX A - PLANT DATA SHEETS ............................................................................................................ A-1 APPENDIX B - ANIMAL DATA SHEETS ..........................................................................................................B-1 APPENDIX C - PHOTOGRAPHS OF SELECTED SURVEY LOCATIONS................................................. C-1 APPENDIX D - RESUMES ................................................................................................................................... D-1 List of Figures Page FIGURE 1. FNP SITE...............................................................................................................................................42 FIGURE 2. FNP TRANSMISSION LINES. ...........................................................................................................43 FIGURE 3. FIELD SURVEY LOCATIONS. .........................................................................................................44 FIGURE 4. FIELD SURVEY LOCATIONS. .........................................................................................................45 FIGURE 5. FIELD SURVEY LOCATIONS. .........................................................................................................46 FIGURE 6. FIELD SURVEY LOCATIONS. .........................................................................................................47 FIGURE 7. FIELD SURVEY LOCATIONS. .........................................................................................................48 FIGURE 8. FIELD SURVEY LOCATIONS. .........................................................................................................49 List of Tables Page TABLE 1. TRANSMISSION LINES AT FNP.......................................................................................................35 TABLE 2. TARGET PLANT SPECIES - SUMMER (JUNE 3-8, 2001 AND JUNE 13-18, 2001). ..................36 TABLE 3. TARGET PLANT SPECIES - AUTUMN (SEPTEMBER 11-15, 2001)...........................................37 TABLE 4. TARGET PLANT SPECIES - SPRING (MARCH 19-23 AND MAY 9-11, 2002). .........................38 TABLE 5. LISTED ANIMAL SPECIES THAT OCCUR OR COULD POSSIBLY OCCUR AT FNP AND ALONG ASSOCIATED TRANSMISSION LINES. ..........................................................................39 TABLE 6. LISTED PLANTS OBSERVED DURING FIELD SURVEYS..........................................................40 TABLE 7. LISTED ANIMALS OBSERVED DURING FIELD SURVEYS.......................................................41 Final iii June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report

1.0 INTRODUCTION

In preparing for renewal of its operating licenses, the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant (FNP) is required to assess a wide variety of potential environmental impacts, including impacts to ecological resources. This report presents the results of field surveys conducted in 2001 and 2002 to update information on ecological resources in the vicinity of FNP, and focuses on threatened and endangered species on the FNP site and its transmission line corridors. The surveys were also intended to aid in the evaluation of potential impacts from continued operation of FNP beyond the current operating term by identifying sensitive populations that potentially could be affected.

FNP, owned by Alabama Power Company and operated by Southern Nuclear Operating Company (SNC),

is located in Houston County in southeastern Alabama, on the west bank of the Chattahoochee River. It is approximately 5.5 miles north of Gordon, Alabama, 16.5 miles east of Dothan, Alabama, 100 miles southeast of Montgomery, Alabama, and 180 miles south-southwest of Atlanta, Georgia. The site is in a sparsely populated, largely rural area, with forests and small farms comprising the dominant land use.

The Chattahoochee River flows in a northwest-southeast direction along the eastern boundary of the FNP property and serves as the boundary between Houston County, Alabama and Early County, Georgia.

SNC has prepared this report to update information on ecological resources, including endangered and threatened species that may occur on the FNP site and its transmission corridors and to provide input to the license renewal decision-making process. Additionally, data from these surveys are intended to support the environmental documentation required by NRC (10 CFR 51.53) to be submitted with the license renewal application. The purpose of the surveys is broader, however, than the satisfaction of NRC regulations, which require applicants to evaluate potential impacts to Federally-listed species. As explained in Section 4.0, state-listed species are also included in accordance with SNCs corporate commitment to environmental stewardship. The following sections describe the survey area, present target lists of species of interest, describe survey techniques, discuss the results of the surveys, and suggest some factors that may influence the distribution and abundance of special-status species on the FNP site and its transmission corridors. The survey area is defined as the FNP site and associated transmission line corridors from FNP to the first substation connecting FNP to the regional transmission system.

Final 1 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report 2.0 FNP SITE DESCRIPTION The FNP site consists of an 1,850-acre tract of land on the west bank of the Chattahoochee River in Houston County, Alabama (Figure 1). Approximately 500 acres are used for generation and maintenance facilities, laydown areas, parking lots, and roads. Alabama Power Company maintains approximately 1,300 acres of the FNP site as a wildlife preserve. In 1999, the Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Council recognized FNP for its wildlife and land management efforts (APC 2000).

The developed areas are primarily located approximately one-half mile west of the river. The remaining portion of the site consists of forested areas, ponds, wetlands, and open fields. The FNP site is near the boundary of the Dougherty Plain and Southern Red Hills physiographic regions of the East Gulf Coastal Plain. There are two major topographical subdivisions at the site: (1) gently rolling upland west of the Chattahoochee River Valley and (2) the river terraces and floodplain of the Chattahoochee River. This contributes to a diverse distribution of plant species, habitats, and communities. The river is about 490 feet wide and is bordered by a mature floodplain forest.

Habitats at FNP consist of river bluff forests, ravine forests, floodplain forests, pine-mixed hardwood forests, pine forests, and non-forested, mechanically-maintained grassland environments. Detailed descriptions of these habitats are found in Section 5.1.

Historical descriptions of the site can be found in the Final Environmental Statement Related to Construction of Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant Units 1 and 2 (USAEC 1972).

Final 2 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report 3.0 TRANSMISSION CORRIDORS Six high-voltage (230- and 500-kilovolt [kV]) transmission lines originate at FNP (Figure 2). The survey area includes the transmission corridors from FNP to each corridors first substation (Table 1).

Approximately 325 miles of transmission corridors are associated with FNP. The standard width of the 500-kV transmission corridors is 150 feet, while the 230-kV transmission corridors are 125 feet wide.

Where corridors overlap, the widths can be added together minus 25 feet (e.g., a 150-foot-wide corridor plus a 125-foot-wide corridor minus 25 feet equals 250 feet) to approximate the overall width.

Two 230-kV lines carry power west from FNP to the Pinckard and Webb substations near Dothan, Alabama. The corridor lengths total approximately 45 miles, with total corridor areas of 906.5 acres. A 500-kV line from FNP to the Snowdoun substation near Montgomery, Alabama, is about 105 miles long and consists of approximately 1,900 acres. The 500-kV FNP to the Raccoon Creek substation (Georgia) line is 62 miles long, covering 1,127 acres. The FNP to South Bainbridge (Georgia) 230-kV line is 46 miles long and covers 697 acres (USAEC 1972). The Raccoon Creek and South Bainbridge corridors overlap for the first seven miles east of FNP. Alabama counties crossed by the transmission corridors consist of Barbour, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Montgomery, and Pike. Georgia counties crossed by the transmission corridors consist of Baker, Decatur, Early, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Tift, and Worth.

Alabama Power Company is currently completing the construction of the 230 kV FNP to Sinai Cemetery transmission line, which is approximately 48 miles long. It travels into the state of Florida and crosses only one Florida county, Jackson. This survey did not include this corridor but it summarizes the results of a separate Alabama Power Company survey of a portion of the corridor.

Alabama Power Company and Georgia Power Company perform maintenance activities to keep vegetation heights low enough to prevent interference with the transmission lines. Current practices incorporate the use of approved herbicides on dry ground, low-lying wet areas, and stream crossings and hand clearing in some wetland areas. Some portions of the transmission corridors are cultivated by local farmers, and therefore require no additional vegetation maintenance. Private interests that have agreed to perform vegetation maintenance are managing portions of the transmission corridors for wildlife enhancement.

Alabama Power Company participates with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and local soil and water conservation districts in a pilot project to enhance wildlife habitats along transmission corridors. During 2000, 24 applicants (representing 212.2 acres of transmission line corridors) entered into this program to enhance wildlife habitats (Heitschmidt, 2000).

Final 3 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report Georgia Power Company participates in a wildlife management program with GDNR on FNP transmission line corridors. The Wildlife Incentives for Non-Game and Game Species (WINGS) program is designed to help land users convert Georgia Power transmission corridors into productive habitat for wildlife. WINGS offers grant money and land management expertise to landowners, hunting clubs, and conservation organizations who commit to participating in the program for 3 years. Georgia Power Company is one of two utilities funding the WINGS program in Georgia.

The transmission corridors are located primarily within the East Gulf Coastal Plain physiographic province. Sandy soils and flat to gently rolling terrain largely characterize the region. Undulating hills and broad shallow valleys can be found in the northern portion of the Snowdoun corridor. The slope, aspect, and underlying substrate of the soils play a significant role in determining the assemblage of plants and animals that are likely to occur in a given area. Because of the substantial length of the transmission corridors and the different directions they take from FNP, they transect a wide array of geophysical conditions that occur in the East Gulf Coastal Plain.

Wetlands along transmission corridors provide habitats that appear suitable for several federally-listed and state-listed plant species. Wetlands also provide habitats for several listed animal species, and some species (e.g., the wood stork) are found only in wetlands. Many animal species, however, are highly mobile and utilize more than one habitat type. The transmission corridors provide an open canopy and offer an abundance of herbaceous ground cover. Thus, they can be natural avenues for movement and foraging by some animals.

Final 4 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report 4.0 METHODOLOGY 4.1 Species of Interest Species of interest for this report consist of listed species as defined below:

• Species that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has listed, or proposed for listing, as threatened or endangered in accordance with the Endangered Species Act. The current statuses of these species were taken from Review of Plant and Animal Taxa that are Candidates or Proposed for Listing as Endangered or Threatened (Federal Register, September 19, 1997; Volume 62, No. 182),

and from lists of Federally-endangered plants and wildlife maintained at the USFWS Endangered Species Program (internet) Home Page (http://www.endangered.fws.gov).

• Species classified by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) as protected by the Nongame Species Regulation (Section 220-2.92) of the Alabama Regulations for 1999-2000 on Game, Fish, and Fur Bearing Animals (ADCNR, 2001).

• Species classified by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GDNR) as endangered, threatened, rare, or unusual in accordance with the Georgia Endangered Wildlife Act and Wildflower Preservation Act (GNHP, 2001a; b)

Species of interest did not include those species that are restricted to aquatic habitats (e.g., fish, mussels) as per the work plan (Tetra Tech NUS 2001). Surveys for fish and mollusks will not be conducted as part of this survey because sufficient data are already available to describe occurrences of these species in the area of concern. SNC intends to rely on the results of recent surveys and studies conducted by various organizations to identify and describe these aquatic organisms in the area of concern (Tetra Tech NUS 2001).

4.2 Survey Techniques The primary objective of the surveys was to determine the presence or absence of federal- and state-listed plant and animal species at FNP and along associated transmission corridors. A literature search was conducted prior to the initial field survey to identify known occurrences of listed species at FNP and along associated transmission corridors, as well as updates of geographic ranges of listed species that may occur in the region. Several sources were consulted for known and possible occurrences of listed species.

Known occurrences of Federally-listed and Alabama-protected species in Alabama counties crossed by the transmission corridors were provided by the ADCNR State Lands Division, Natural Heritage Section.

Final 5 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report Known occurrences of Federally-listed and Georgia-listed species in Georgia counties crossed by the transmission corridors were taken from a data base maintained by the Georgia Natural Heritage Program at http://www.dnr.state.ga.us/dnr/wild/natural/gnhpds.htm. This inventory was further supplemented using standard ecological references, contacts with local and regional authorities, and discussions with Alabama Power Company and Georgia Power Company biologists and natural resource managers. Based on the literature search, lists of federally-listed and state-listed terrestrial species targeted during the surveys were generated (Tables 2-5).

The undeveloped portions of the FNP site were surveyed on foot. The transmission corridors, because of their size, were surveyed by concentrating efforts in areas offering the greatest potential for harboring listed species. These areas were identified during an aerial reconnaissance of the transmission corridors by helicopter on June 5, 2001, prior to conducting ground surveys. Each corridor was flown at low altitude while three biologists recorded land use and habitat information on 7.5-minute USGS topographic quadrangle maps. This aerial reconnaissance provided a significant advantage to the biologists by allowing them to rapidly eliminate from consideration cropland, pastures, and other areas of poor quality habitat for listed species. Following the low-altitude reconnaissance, biologists drove to areas of potential interest and conducted surveys on foot (Figures 3-8). Ground surveys of the entire lengths of all corridors would have required, at a minimum, several months of intensive field-work.

The FNP to Sinai Cemetery corridor includes approximately 15 miles of corridor constructed in 2001 and 2002 to connect FNP to an existing corridor formerly used for a Webb to Sinai Cemetery line. The connection is at a point that results in the new FNP to Sinai Cemetery corridor being 48 miles long.

Alabama Power Company biologists walked the proposed 15-mile right-of-way prior to construction to identify major habitat types with a focus on locating and delineating wetlands. The staff encountered two gopher tortoise burrows. Gopher tortoises are state-protected in Alabama. No Federally listed threatened or endangered species were found.

4.2.1 PLANTS Three seasonal surveys (Summer, Autumn, and Spring) were conducted to ensure that all target species, if present, would be readily visible and identifiable in the field while in flower and/or fruit. The Summer survey was conducted during June 3-8 and June 13-18, 2001, the Autumn survey during September 11-15, 2001, and the Spring survey during March 19-23 and May 9-11, 2002. Target lists of federal and state-listed species were developed for each survey event (Tables 2, 3, and 4). The target lists included all listed vascular plant species believed to have even a remote possibility of occurring at FNP or on the Final 6 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report associated transmission corridors. No species proposed for Federal listing was identified as being likely to occur.

The Summer target list (Table 2) contains 14 species, nearly all of which occur in Coastal Plain pine flatwoods wetlands. This habitat type occurs in several locations on the Raccoon Creek corridor, and to a lesser extent, on the South Bainbridge corridor. Summer fieldwork, after an initial inspection of the FNP site, was therefore concentrated in flatwoods habitats on the Raccoon Creek and South Bainbridge transmission corridors. There is almost no pine flatwoods habitat on the Webb, Pinckard, and Snowdoun corridors.

Numerous open, pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens) savannahsprime habitat for the Federally-endangered Canbys cowbane (Oxypolis canbyi)were observed along the Raccoon Creek transmission corridor during the helicopter reconnaissance. Canbys cowbane blooms in late August and September and is often impossible to identify in late Spring and early Summer. The Autumn survey (September 11-15, 2001) was therefore concentrated on the Raccoon Creek corridor. Most fieldwork during the Autumn survey was concentrated in wetland sinks and in pond cypress savannahs, both of which occur in numerous locations on the Raccoon Creek corridor and are relatively rare on the other four corridors.

Most of the species on the Spring target list (Table 4) occur on bluffs, in ravines, and in floodplain forests. These types of habitats occur primarily at FNP and on the Webb, Pinckard, and Snowdoun transmission corridors.

During each survey, 7.5 minute series topographic quadrangle maps developed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and a hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS) unit were used to record the locations of areas that were searched. Notes were taken at each area searched describing habitats and plant species present. GPS locations of listed species located during the surveys were recorded on data sheets provided by the Georgia Natural Heritage Program and the Alabama Natural Heritage Program (Appendix A).

Plant field-work was performed by Dr. L. L. Gaddy. Dr. Gaddy has a Ph. D. from the University of Georgia in biogeography and is currently president of terra incognita, an environmental consulting company. He has published widely in the fields of biogeography, botany, and invertebrate zoology.

4.2.2 ANIMALS The surveys for birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians was designed to provide information on the occurrence and potential for occurrence of listed species at the FNP site and along the transmission Final 7 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report corridors. Biologists conducted the survey of the FNP site by systematic walkover within all natural habitats, such that each habitat type was thoroughly searched. Surveys conducted along the transmission corridors were performed using similar methodology except that, due to the openness of the corridors, a survey by vehicle was adequate in some areas.

Wildlife surveys were conducted during June 6-12, 2001, June 18-21, 2001, March 21-26, 2002, and April 30-May 2, 2002. During each survey, listed wildlife species were identified through actual observations, as well as from tracks, scat, and bird calls. Topographic maps and a hand-held GPS unit were used to record locations of listed species. Notes regarding listed species occurrences, as well as pertinent data regarding habitat quality, weather conditions, time of day, etc., were recorded in a field notebook. All occurrences of listed animal species observed during the surveys were recorded on data sheets provided by the Georgia Natural Heritage Program and the Alabama Natural Heritage Program (Appendix B). No trapping or other collection activities were conducted, except where slow-moving reptiles or amphibians were captured by hand and released after identification. Because many animal species are mobile and secretive, the absence of a species during a survey is not necessarily conclusive evidence that the species does not use the area in question. Therefore, the potential for use of the FNP site and transmission corridors by listed wildlife species was also evaluated, based on the quality of habitats observed.

Prior to the initiation of field activities, a target animal list was developed (Table 5). The species shown in Table 5 consist of state and Federally-listed species that occur (or could possibly occur based on habitat and known geographic range) in the area encompassed by the FNP site and associated transmission corridors. Listed species that occur only in coastal areas (e.g. sea turtles, manatees), mountainous regions (e.g., Appalachian cottontail,), or in other geographical locations separate from the transmission corridors of interest, were excluded. A conservative approach was used in an effort to make the list as all-inclusive as possible. As mentioned earlier, however, fish, mussels, and other aquatic species were not included as target species as per the work plan (Tetra Tech NUS 2001).

Survey locations along the transmission line corridors were selected based primarily upon the aforementioned helicopter survey. Natural habitats observed during the helicopter survey, such as river and creek crossings, swamps, marshes, and mature forests adjacent to the transmission corridors, were targeted for ground surveys. In addition, areas on or near the transmission line corridors that have been previously identified by SNC as locations of listed species or significant natural communities were surveyed.

Final 8 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report Animal field-work was performed by Mike Whitten. Mr. Whitten has 12 years of technical and managerial experience in wildlife ecology and toxicology. He currently serves as environmental scientist and conducts wildlife surveys, habitat evaluations, and ecological risk assessments for government, commercial, and utility clients. He has conducted and managed numerous projects that evaluated the ecological effects of proposed and operational electric generating plants, transmission lines, gas pipelines and other development projects on threatened and endangered wildlife species.

Final 9 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report 5.0 RESULTS Results of the field surveys at the FNP site and associated transmission corridors are presented in Sections 5.1 and 5.2, respectively. Brief ecological descriptions of listed animal species that were observed, or that could occur at the FNP site and within the transmission corridors are presented in Section 5.3.

No areas designated by the USFWS as critical habitat for endangered species exist at the FNP site or adjacent to the transmission corridors.

5.1 FNP Site 5.1.1 PLANTS As discussed below, the FNP site is rich in species and habitats. Nevertheless, no Federally-listed or state-listed plant species, or species proposed for Federal listing, were observed during the surveys of the FNP site, and none are known by SNC to occur at FNP.

Habitats at the site consist of river bluff forests, ravine forests, floodplain forests, pine-mixed hardwood forests, pine forests, non-floodplain wetlands, and non-forested mechanically-maintained grassland environments.

River Bluff Forests Steep, forested river bluffs occur along the Chattahoochee River within the FNP site. Best developed near the northeastern corner of the site, some of the bluffs are nearly 50 feet in height above the river.

The soils here are rich in calcium and magnesium and support a mixed hardwood community of white ash (Fraxinus americana), southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), black walnut (Juglans nigra), water oak (Quercus nigra), cherrybark oak (Quercus pagoda), box elder (Acer negundo), and willow oak (Quercus phellos). Reminiscent of a high floodplain forest, the understory contains dwarf palmetto (Sabal minor), silverbell (Diptera sp.), American holly (Ilex opaca), black cherry (Prunus serotina), and buckthorn. The herbaceous layer is dominated by rich-soil floodplain species such as green dragon (Arisaema dracontium), Canada moonseed (Menispermum canadense), and southern pipevine (Aristolochia tomentosa).

Final 10 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report Ravine Forests Wilson Creek has eroded deeply into the local limestone (marl), forming several botanically interesting ravines. The largest and most well-developed ravine forest is on the northeastern edge of the FNP site, but ravine forests are also found on the western and southern margins of the site. The canopies of these ravine forests are dominated by beech (Fagus grandifolia), sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), water oak, southern magnolia, tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), Florida maple (Acer barbatum), white oak (Quercus alba), and white ash. Some of the beeches and maples are over two feet in diameter. Florida maple, ironwood (Ostrya virginiana), and blue beech (Carpinus caroliniana) dominate the understory of these forests. Limestone bluffs and cliffs abound in the ravines. Large colonies of Venus/southern maidenhair fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris) and ovate maiden fern (Thelypteris ovata) occur on the moist limestone bluffs.

Floodplain Forests Most of the floodplain forests of FNP are dominated by high floodplain or ridge floodplain species. On the highest ridges and in high floodplains, willow oak, Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii), bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis), sweet gum, swamp chestnut oak (Quercus michauxii), and cherrybark oak are present. Along the river in early successional areas, sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), silver maple (Acer saccharinum), and black willow (Salix nigra) dominate. In sloughs, backwaters, and poorly-drained areas, bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica), red maple (Acer rubrum), and laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia) are commonly found.

Pine-Mixed Hardwood and Pine The pine-mixed hardwood forests on FNP are primarily successional, recovering from past logging, and relatively nondescript. The dominant pine in most areas is loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Hardwood species usually encountered include red maple, sweet gum, water oak (Quercus nigra), hickories (Carya spp.), and other upland oaks (Quercus spp.). Pine forests at FNP are dominated by loblolly pine and are second growth or planted pine forests. Prescribed burning does not appear to have been carried out in the pine forests at FNP.

Non-Floodplain Wetlands Several non-floodplain wetlands occur on FNP. Most of these are generally weedy marsh areas with scattered red maple, sweet gum, black willow, and buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) as woody species. Plume grass (Erianthus sp.), woolgrass bulrush (Scirpus cyperinus), needlerushes (Juncus spp.),

Final 11 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report and other wet sites emergent, nonwoody species are also found in these wetlands. One wetland has a broad expanse of open water dominated by water lilies (Nuphar lutea and Nymphaea odorata), water shield (Brasenia screberi), and nonwoody marsh grasses such as woolgrass bulrush and common needlerush (Juncus effusus).

5.1.2 ANIMALS Sixteen active gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) burrows were observed during the June 2001 survey in an old field habitat between the Chattahoochee River and the power production facilities at FNP. This area is occasionally mowed (bush-hogged). The gopher tortoise is listed as state-protected by ADCNR.

An osprey (Pandion haliaetus) nest constructed on a wooden platform erected for this purpose is located between the Chattahoochee River and the power production facilities. The nest contained two juveniles and was attended by two adult ospreys during the June 2001 survey. Two adult ospreys were observed at the nest during March 2002. An adult osprey was observed perched in a tree near the 108-acre Service Water Storage Pond at FNP during the June 2001 survey. The osprey is listed as state-protected by ADCNR.

An adult bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was observed perched in a tree directly across the Chattahoochee River from FNP during the June 2001 survey. The bald eagle is listed as threatened by USFWS, endangered by GDNR, and state-protected by ADCNR.

No other listed animal species, or any species proposed for Federal listing, were observed on the FNP site.

5.2 Transmission Line Corridors Brief descriptions of survey locations on each transmission corridor are provided in Section 5.2.1.

Section 5.2.2 discusses listed plants observed on the transmission corridors, while Section 5.2.3 discusses listed animals observed on the transmission corridors.

5.2.1 SURVEY LOCATIONS This section provides brief descriptions of survey locations by corridor and Figures 3-8 note survey locations. Although some tree species exist in the corridors, there is no canopy or subcanopy since the corridors are mowed every three years. Vegetation generally consists of a low shrub layer and a herbaceous layer.

Final 12 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report Webb 230-KV Transmission Line Corridor Land use in the vicinity of the 10-mile Webb transmission corridor is largely agricultural and residential in character. Numerous homes are adjacent to the corridor, with hayfields, pastures, and row crops within or adjacent to the corridor. A few portions of the Webb corridor, however, traverse small isolated wetlands and forested areas.

W1 The corridor traverses pines and pine/hardwood stands here.

W3 Beaver pond at west edge of hill; hardwoods along edges of corridor.

W4 Cypress pond 200-250 yards across, large cypress, bays, and various hardwoods; Scirpus around edge of pond and within corridor; large soybean and peanut fields on corridor to the west.

Pinckard 230-Kv Transmission Line Corridor The Pinckard transmission corridor traverses land that is primarily agricultural and residential. This 35 mile-long corridor also crosses several streams, creeks, and wetlands, some of which are forested.

P1 Pasture interspersed with pine/oak sandhill habitat.

P3 Small stream wetland; weedy, some exotic vegetation.

P4 Beaver ponds and weedy/shrubby wetlands at creek crossing.

P5 Weedy wetland.

P6 Small stream wetland crossing; bottomland hardwood forest along stream beyond corridor.

P7 Cypress swamp along Mill Creek crossing; Cattail, Scirpus, Sagitarria, elderberry, and scattered cypress within corridor. Cattle pasture is at east edge of swamp.

P8 Cypress pond; 100 yards wide along corridor, pond surrounded by large cypress. Yards of two homes are adjacent to pond on north shore.

P9 Western portion is weedy along corridor; mature hardwood forest north of corridor; recently cleared land (apparently for sub-division development) south of corridor; eastern portion along Cooper Creek is second growth, thick deciduous shrub/forest.

P11 Floodplain woods along small stream (Cypress Creek) with weedy/shrubby vegetation; primarily willow, bay, and elderberry. Upland mixed hardwoods on low slopes beyond floodplain.

P12 Weedy stream wetland between pasture (along corridor to the west) and hill (along corridor to the east). Bottomland hardwood forest along stream beyond corridor.

Final 13 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report P13 Extensive cattail marsh along corridor immediately northwest of Choctawhatchee River.

Bottomland hardwood forest along river.

P14 Mixed hardwood bluffs with beech (Fagus grandifolia), southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), and white oak (Quercus alba) in northern portion of site. On hillside descending to Choctawhatchee River floodplain is second-growth thick stand of young oaks on both sides of corridor.

Snowdoun 500-KV Transmission Line Corridor Land use along the Snowdoun transmission corridor is dominated by row crops and pine plantations.

However, several streams, creeks, and small rivers are crossed by the corridor on its 105-mile route to Montgomery. This terrain is more undulating and the soil is darker, more clayey, and less sandy than on the other four surveyed corridors.

M2 Agricultural land, hardwoods, pine forests, and shrubby wetland along Mill Creek.

M3 Agricultural land, scattered hardwood stands.

M4 Bottomland hardwood forest along East Fork of Choctawhatchee River.

M5 Agricultural land, planted pines, mixed young pines and hardwoods.

M6 Bottomland hardwood forest along West Fork of Choctawhatchee River.

M7 Bottomland hardwood forest along Pea River, planted pines and agricultural lands on gentle slopes beyond river floodplain.

M8 Bottomland hardwood forest along Conecuh River.

M9 Hardwood forested ravines and botanically rich bluffs overlooking a cypress swamp.

M10 A large floodplain/bluff complex along Ramer Creek; upland and lowland mixed hardwood species.

Final 14 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report Raccoon Creek 500-KV Transmission Line Corridor The 62-mile Raccoon Creek corridor traverses numerous pine plantations and agricultural tracts, but also crosses large expanses of natural habitats such as pine flatwoods, cypress ponds, swamps, wetland sinks, and pond cypress savannahs.

T1 Bottomland hardwood forest on both sides of corridor. Several Florida willows (Salix floridana) occur along the margin of the corridor here. The Florida willows are scattered over a three- to five- acre area of the transmission corridor in a low, wet area in the western portion of the floodplain. The willows overtop most of the other woody vegetation of the area, which includes wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera),

sweet bay (Magnolia virginiana), and young tulip poplars (Liriodendron tulipifera). The nonwoody plants here include bluestems (Andropogon spp.), meadowbeauties (Rhexia spp.), cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea), and Virginia chain fern (Woodwardia virginica), along with weedy wetland species.

T1A Young pines (pine flatwoods) on both sides of corridor.

T2 Cypress swamp along south edge of corridor in first 1300 ft east of Hwy 370. Extensive Hypericum marsh within corridor east of Raccoon Creek tower # 18. Cypress swamp south of marsh beyond corridor, titi swamp north of marsh beyond corridor.

T5 Marsh is east of tower # 43; titi and cypress in swampy area beyond corridor. Open pine flatwoods (fire maintained) in dryer areas south of corridor.

T5A This site is a wetland depression forested by a dense stand of relatively even-aged pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens). The transmission corridor passes through the middle of the stand. Weedy wetland species such as giant plumegrass (Erianthus giganteus), and woolgrass bulrush (Scirpus cyperinus) mix with typical herbaceous and graminaceous species here. Standing water is present; and there appears to be no sign of fire within the last decade or so. The wetland is too weedy to be ideal for Canbys cowbane (Oxypolis canbyi).

T5B This site contains two poorly-drained pond cypress-mixed hardwoods wetlands associated with Wamble Creek. Both wetlands are poorly-drained pond cypress-mixed hardwoods wetlands with dense understories. Weedy wetland species and standing water are present where the corridor passes through these wetlands.

T8 This site consists of two open, pond cypress wetlands. Both have been burned in the past few years and appeared to be excellent habitat for the endangered Canbys cowbane, which prefers open, wet savannahs. Although no cowbane was found, the state-listed Thornes buckthorn (Sideroxylon thornei) was found along the northern and southern margins of the transmission corridor.

Final 15 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report T9 and T9A These are pond cypress savannahs. The easternmost pond cypress wetland had recently been logged and was dominated by giant plumegrass (Erianthus giganteus) thickets and was poor habitat for listed species.

T9B Two disturbed pond cypress-mixed hardwood wetlands occur here.

T10 This site was dominated by open, pine (Pinus palustris and Pinus elliottii) flatwoods. Marginal habitat for pitcher plants (Sarracenia spp.) was present, but no plants were located.

T11 A pond cypress swamp here was checked out for possible Canbys cowbane habitat. No such habitat was present.

T13 Chickasawhatchee Creek crossing within Elmodel Wildlife Management Area. Agricultural lands west of creek, hardwood forest east of creek. Within corridor: agriculture in some portions, weedy in other portions.

T14 and T14A A series of open and partially-forested limesink ponds with well-defined sandy margins; are purportedly underlain by limestone or marl. Several of these ponds appeared to be excellent habitat for the endangered pondberry (Lindera melissifolia), which is known to occur within and on the margins of such limesinks; none were found. The low hills between the ponds are dry enough so that a few active gopher tortoise burrows were observed here.

T17, T17A, and T17B An extensive stretch of managed, open pine flatwoods is present here. The pines are middle-aged to mature and have been burned, creating the open understory flatwoods forest type preferred by pitcher plants (Sarracenia spp.) and other pine savannah species.

T17C Bottomland hardwood forest along Raccoon Creek. Hardwoods interspersed with areas of planted pines east of Raccoon Creek.

T18 This ravine appeared from the air to be a seepage bog. Field observation revealed that it was a cut-over ravine with no habitat for listed species.

T18A An open, pond cypress wetland; it appears to have previously been rich in species. Currently, it is heavily grazed by cattle and does not harbor habitat for any listed species.

T18B and T18C These two wetlands are deep-water pond cypress ponds. Standing water is present at the point where the corridor crosses these ponds.

T18D This site looked like a potential seepage bog from the air and on the topographic map.

However, it is a highly-disturbed intermittent stream with poor habitat for listed plant species.

T23 Old (but active) beaver pond and swamp. Hardwood forest immediately north of corridor, with agricultural lands to the south of the corridor.

Final 16 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report T24 An extensive stretch of mature rolling, open pine-dominated hills. Because there are scattered wetlands and the site is burned annually, excellent habitat for wet savannah species is present here. Three populations of pitcher plants were found within T24two populations of hooded pitcher plant (Sarracenia minor) and one population of yellow pitcher plant (Sarracenia flava). The western population of hooded pitcher plant had 35 clumps, while the population to the east had less than 10 clumps of the plant. Only two clumps of the yellow pitcher plant were present.

T25 A blackwater creek dominated by mixed hardwoods.

T26, T27, T28, T29, T30, and T32 These sites were surveyed because they appeared to potentially contain open, acidic seepage bogs, which are habitat for pitcher plants and other listed species. Most of these sites, however, were cut-over mixed hardwood or cleared sites and were poor habitat for listed plant species.

T31 This site is a floodplain mixed hardwood site. Where the corridor crosses the floodplain, weedy species and woody shoots dominate.

South Bainbridge 230-KV Transmission Line Corridor Land use in the vicinity of the 46-mile South Bainbridge transmission corridor is largely agricultural and rural, with large tracts of corn and hayfields. The corridor also traverses some moderately large areas of pine flatwoods.

B1 Bottomland hardwood forest along creek; pine and pine/hardwood forest beyond corridor.

B1A A small depression with mixed hardwoods.

B2 Primarily pine-mixed hardwoods with poor habitat for listed plant species.

B3 Swamp surrounding old beaver pond in floodplain of small stream. The swamp is dominated by open pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens) and swamp tupelo (Nyssa biflora), with buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) and herbaceous species in the transmission corridor itself. Young planted pines and pasture on low hill to the southeast along corridor.

B4 Swamp within the floodplain of a small intermittent stream that is part of the Dry Creek watershed.

B5 Xeric vegetation on hillside within corridor; young hardwoods beyond corridor.

B6 A cluster of sinkhole depressions east of Spring Creek. The sinks have been cleared for agriculture or are being used as cattle ponds and are devoid of natural vegetation.

Final 17 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report B7 to B7B A 1.6-mile stretch of mature, gently undulating, longleaf pine-dominated forest. Some portions have been frequently burned, resulting in a dense ground cover of grasses and herbs with few understory shrubs. Less frequently burned portions are thick expanses of hardwoods mixed with pines.

B8 Longleaf pine forest; controlled burning conducted here recently. Site appeared to be good habitat for pitcher plants. No pitcher plants or other listed plants, however, were found..

B9 Gently rolling hills dominated by longleaf pines interspersed with swampy, hardwood-dominated areas in depressions and along stream bottoms.

B10 Lake Seminole (Flint River) crossing.

B11 Young planted pines B12 The corridor passes through mixed oak/pine forest, with agricultural land west of the corridor.

B13 Marsh within corridor is a portion of extensive swamp to the southwest; area identified on USGS topographic maps as upstream extent of Fowlstown swamp.

B14 Pine/hardwood forests in hilly terrain.

B15 Planted pines, mixed pine/hardwood forest.

5.2.2 PLANTS The survey for Federally- and state-listed plant species resulted in the discovery and documentation of one population of yellow pitcher-plant (Sarracenia flava) at site T24, two populations of hooded pitcher-plant (S. minor) at site T24, and one population of Thornes buckthorne (Sideroxylon thornei) at Site T8 (Table 6). One population of Florida willow (Salix floridana), which was previously identified by Georgia Power Company biologists, was noted at site T1. There were no other Federally- or state-listed species, or any species proposed for Federal listing, observed on the transmission line corridors.

5.2.3 ANIMALS Listed animal species discovered on the transmission corridors consisted of the gopher tortoise and Bachmans sparrow (Aimophila aestivalis) (Table 7). Bachmans sparrows were heard singing on the South Bainbridge corridor at Sites B7 and B9. Active gopher tortoise burrows were observed on all five corridors. Specifically, active gopher tortoise burrows were observed on the Webb corridor at Site W1, on the Pinckard corridor at Sites P1 and P14, on the Snowdoun corridor at Sites M3 and M5, on the Raccoon Creek corridor at Sites T1A, T2, T5, T14A, T17, T17B, T17C, and T24, and on the South Bainbridge corridor at Sites B1, B3, B7A, B11, and B12 (Table 7).

Final 18 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report Three dusky gopher frogs (Rana capito sevosa) were observed in a gopher tortoise burrow at B3 on the South Bainbridge corridor. Two Eastern coachwhip snakes (Masticophis flagellum flagellum) were observed near the Flint River on the Raccoon Creek corridor at Site T17B. An osprey was seen flying over the South Bainbridge corridor at the Lake Seminole (Flint River) crossing (Site B10). The dusky gopher frog, Eastern coachwhip, and osprey are not federally-listed and are not state-listed in Georgia (where they were observed). Each of these three species is classified in Alabama, however, as state-protected.

A wading bird rookery was discovered during the Spring 2002 survey in a cypress swamp immediately south of Site T18B (Raccoon Creek corridor); the rookery was approximately 300-400 feet south of the corridor. Seven active great egret (Ardea alba) nests and one active great blue heron (Ardea herodias) nest were observed, and several anhingas (Anhinga anhinga) were observed entering and exiting the cypress swamp in the vicinity of the rookery. The degree of vocalizations suggest that additional nests were present but were not observed in the tree canopy. The fully-vegetated tree canopy hindered a complete nest count. In addition, the rookery was observed only from a distance believed to be sufficient to avoid disturbing the birds. Furthermore, a complete nest count was not attempted since the rookery was not within the corridor. None of the three bird species observed in the rookery is state-or federally-listed; the rookery is reported herein for informational purposes only.

Although not definitely ascertained, evidence suggests that a wading bird rookery is present in the swamp north of the South Bainbridge corridor near B3. During the Spring 2002 survey, several great egrets and great blue herons were seen and heard in this vicinity. The observed activity patterns and types of vocalizations suggest an active rookery. Attempts were not made to search the area since it was not on the corridor. The possible rookery is reported herein for informational purposes only.

5.3 Potential Animal Occurrences As mentioned earlier, many animal species are mobile and secretive, and thus, the absence of a species during a survey is not necessarily conclusive evidence that the species does not utilize the area in question. Therefore, the potential for occurrence of listed wildlife species was also evaluated. Brief ecological descriptions of listed animal species that were observed, or that could occur at the FNP site and within the transmission corridors are presented below.

5.3.1 MAMMALS Gray Bat The gray bat (Myotis grisescens) is listed as endangered by USFWS and GDNR, and as state-protected by ADCNR. The species in found mainly in Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Missouri. It inhabits moist Final 19 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report caves in limestone strata, and is almost exclusively a cave-dwelling species. Gray bats forage primarily over water, and are known to forage up to 25 miles from their cave roost. They show dietary preferences for flying aquatic insects such as stone flies, caddis flies, mayflies, beetles, and mosquitoes (Brown, 1997; Gore, 1992). Gray bats are not likely to occur at FNP or along the transmission corridors due to the absence of caves in the region.

Southeastern Bat The Southeastern bat (Myotis austroriparius) is listed as state-protected by ADCNR. It inhabits caves, hollow trees, attics of buildings, crevices of buildings, concrete storm sewers, and other dark cavities.

The species is adaptable to a variety of locations and physical conditions. Southeastern bats sometimes form large colonies, often with other bat species. They appear to prefer foraging over water, where they consume small beetles, moths, mosquitoes, and other flying insects (Brown, 1997; Belwood and Lefebvre, 1992). Southeastern bats might be present along the transmission corridors and could occur at the FNP site.

Indiana Bat The Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) is listed as endangered by USFWS and GDNR, and is listed as state-protected by ADCNR. This species hibernates in dense clusters in caves. The Indiana bat is a migratory species, travelling as far as 300 miles between Winter and Summer habitats (Humphrey, 1992). Summer records are scarce, but a few individuals have been found under bridges and in old buildings, and several maternity colonies have been found under loose bark and in the hollows of trees. Summer foraging by females and juveniles is limited to riparian and floodplain areas. Males forage over floodplain ridges and hillside forests and usually roost in caves. The species is apparently absent south of Tennessee during the Summer (USFWS, 1999). There are no recorded occurrence of this species in Georgia or Alabama counties crossed by the transmission corridors. Since no hibernation caves are known to occur within the area encompassed by the FNP site and associated transmission corridors, the potential for occurrence of this species at the FNP site and along the corridors is negligible. The species is included in this report only because some maps of the Indiana bats geographic range (Brown, 1997; Humphrey, 1992) include the area encompassed by the FNP site and associated transmission corridors.

Rafinesques Big-Eared Bat Rafinesques big-eared bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) is listed as rare by GDNR and as state-protected by ADCNR. This bat is found in forested areas, especially in pine flatwoods and pine-oak woodlands. It roosts in hollow trees, under bark, in old cabins and barns, and in wells and culverts. These bats are capable of hovering, and their primary food item is moths (Belwood, 1992; Brown, 1997). Because of its Final 20 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report large geographic range (the entire southeastern United States), Rafinesques big-eared bat might occur along the transmission corridors and at the FNP site.

Southeastern Pocket Gopher The Southeastern pocket gopher (Geomys pinetis) is listed as state-protected by ADCNR. It prefers deep, sandy soils and is absent from hard clay, rocky soils, wet areas. The species is characteristically found in pine-oak woodlands, open pine flatwoods, and in weedy or grassy fields. Pocket gophers are fossorial (living underground), and build extensive tunnel systems, with portions constantly being added and abandoned in search of food. Common food items include a wide variety of roots, tubers, bulbs, and other plant parts. The tunnels are deep enough to be undetectable at the surface, but loose soil is pushed up sloping tunnels to the surface and piled in mounds 12-18 inches across ands 4-8 inches high. The approximate course of the tunnels can usually be identified by the position of these mounds. Although rain and wind gradually erode the mounds, mound scars usually persist on the surface for a year or more.

(Brown, 1997).

It is unlikely that Southeastern pocket gophers occur on the FNP site, since no surface mounds indicating pocket gopher tunnels were observed during the Spring and Summer wildlife surveys. No mounds were observed on the transmission corridors either, but the species probably occurs in areas crossed by the corridors, and thus, might occur occasionally within the corridors in appropriate habitats.

Long-Tailed Weasel The long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata) is listed as state-protected by ADCNR. It is found in forested and open habitats and appears to have no particular habitat preference among terrestrial communities.

The long-tailed weasel preys primarily on rodents, birds, reptiles, and rabbits. It inhabits shallow ground burrows, or in crevices of logs or stumps. They hunt during both day and night, but tend to be more active at night (Brown, 1997). Because of their wide geographic range (throughout the United States) and unrestricetd habitat preference, they may occur at FNP and along the transmission corridors.

5.3.2 BIRDS Bald Eagle The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is listed as threatened by USFWS, endangered by GDNR, and state-protected by ADCNR. Bald eagles occur in a wide variety of habitats, but proximity to water is important. Preferred habitat includes a high amount of water-to-land edge where prey is concentrated.

Thus, bald eagles are generally restricted to coastal areas, lakes, and rivers. They prey on fish near the surface but will eat dead fish or other carrion, as well as birds and mammals. The average foraging distance from roosts or nests is 2 to 4 miles. Some bald eagles in the southern United States migrate Final 21 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report northward in mid-Summer (after the nesting season) and return in early Autumn (Curnutt, 1996; Stalmaster, 1987).

There are no known bald eagle nests or roosting sites in the vicinity of the FNP site or along the transmission corridors. It is unlikely that any eagle nests occur on the FNP site, since the existence of a breeding pair would result in numerous sightings. A single bald eagle was observed perched in a tree directly across the Chattahoochee River from FNP during the Summer 2001 survey. Bald eagles presumably forage, at least occasionally, on the Chattahoochee River in the vicinity of FNP and at river crossings and lakes along the transmission corridors.

Osprey The osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is listed as state-protected by ADCNR. Ospreys are found primarily along rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and seacoasts. They feed almost exclusively on fish caught by plunging feet-first into the water. Osprey populations were previously affected by organochlorine pesticides (especially DDT), which caused thinning of the egg shells, so that the eggs crushed during incubation by adult ospreys. Populations are now recovering in many areas. Ospreys usually nest near or above water bodies in dead snags, living trees, cliffs, utility poles, wooden platforms on poles, channel buoys, chimneys, windmills, etc. Nests are often used in successive years (Henny, 1988).

An osprey nest containing two juveniles was observed at FNP during the Summer 2001 survey. Two adult ospreys were observed at the nest during the Spring 2002 survey. The nest is located on a wooden platform erected for this purpose. The ospreys associated with this nest presumably forage on the Chattahoochee River in the vicinity of FNP, and in the 108-acre Storage Pond at FNP. An adult osprey was observed perched in a tree near the 108-acre Storage Pond at FNP during the Summer 2001 survey.

An adult osprey was seen flying over the South Bainbridge corridor at the Lake Seminole (Flint River) crossing in Decatur County Georgia during the Spring 2002 survey. Ospreys probably forage at various river crossings and lakes along the transmission corridors.

Wood Stork The wood stork (Mycteria americana) is listed as endangered by USFWS and GDNR, and state-protected by ADCNR. Wood stork habitats include cypress/gum ponds, river swamps, marshes, and bays. The wood stork is highly gregarious in its nesting and feeding behavior. They are tactile feeders (vision is not used to locate or catch prey) and usually forage in shallow water (6 to 20 inches). Small fish are the primary food items, but storks also consume crustaceans, salamanders, tadpoles, and insects. The distance between nesting colonies and feeding areas can range up to 60 miles or more (Ogden, 1996; USFWS, 1986).

Final 22 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report There are no known stork rookeries in the vicinity of the FNP site or the transmission corridors. It is unlikely that any rookeries exist on the FNP site, since the gregarious behavior of this species would result in numerous sightings. Similarly, the existence of rookeries adjacent to the transmission corridors is unlikely. Wood storks might forage, at least occasionally, in suitable wetlands in or near the transmission corridors.

Bachmans Sparrow Bachmans sparrow (Aimophila aestivalis) is listed by GDNR as rare. This species is primarily a resident of dry pine-dominated woodlands. It is sometimes found in abandoned fields with scattered shrubs, pines, or oaks, usually in dense ground cover. Foods include seeds and a variety of insects and other invertebrates. Georgia and Alabama are hosts to migratory Bachmans sparrows as well as permanent residents (Ehrlich et al., 1988; Kale and Maehr, 1990). Bachmans sparrows were heard singing on the South Bainbridge corridor at Sites B7 and B9 during the Spring 2002 survey. Bachmans sparrows are probably present at other locations along the transmission line corridors and at the FNP site.

Red-Cockaded Woodpecker The red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) is listed as endangered by USFWS and GDNR, and is listed as state-protected by ADCNR. The red-cockaded woodpecker is a cooperative breeder that lives in social units known as clans. The species is unique among North American woodpeckers because it excavates cavities in living pines. Cavity excavation usually requires from one to several years. Active clusters of cavities occur in open, mature pine stands with sparse midstory vegetation. When the hardwood midstory grows above 15 feet, cavity abandonment usually occurs. Cavities are rarely found in trees as young as 30 to 40 years old, and most cavity trees are at least 80 years old. Ideal foraging habitat consists of pine sands with trees > 9 inches diameter at breast height (dbh). They also forage in pine stands of 4 to 9 inches dbh, and sometimes in pines scattered through hardwood stands. Food consists primarily of arthropods (Hooper et al, 1980).

Preferred habitat for this species does not exist at FNP. Some portions of the Raccoon Creek corridor traverse what appears to be suitable red-cockaded woodpecker habitat. These areas were searched during the Summer survey, but no red-cockaded woodpeckers or cavity trees were observed. The probability of this species occurring on the FNP site or along the transmission corridors is very low, due to the absence of suitable habitat at FNP and the absence of cavity trees in the limited suitable habitat along the transmission corridors.

Final 23 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report 5.3.3 REPTILES Barbours Map Turtle Barbours map turtle (Graptemys barbouri) is listed as threatened by GDNR and as state-protected by ADCNR. The species is confined to the Apalachicola drainage system. This includes the Flint River (Georgia), the Chattahoochee River, and streams that enter these two rivers. Rivers are the preferred habitat, especially those portions with strong current and areas of exposed limestone. Males and young females feed mostly on insects, especially caddisfly larvae. Adult females feed almost exclusively on mussels and snails (Mount, 1975; Sanderson, 1992). It could occur at the FNP site along the Chattahoochee River, and might also occur where the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers, and their tributaries, cross the transmission corridors.

Alabama Map Turtle The Alabama map turtle (Graptemys pulchra) is listed as rare by GDNR and as state-protected by ADCNR. It inhabits streams ranging in size from medium-sized creeks to large rivers. Sand bars and sandy beaches are required as nesting sites. Males and young females feed primarily on insects. Adult females feed almost exclusively on mussels and snails, and the species is absent where mollusks are not found (Mount, 1975; Shealey, 1992).

The Alabama map turtle does not inhabit the Chattahoochee River drainage and is not known to occur in Georgia Counties crossed by the FNP transmission corridors. It has been recorded in Montgomery County, Alabama, and its range also includes the Escambia River drainage in Pike County, Alabama.

Thus, it could occur along the northern portion of the Snowdoun corridor, but does not occur at FNP or along other FNP-associated transmission corridors.

American Alligator The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is common in extreme southern Georgia and Alabama, and thus, is not a state-listed species. The alligator is federally listed as threatened due to its similarity in appearance to the endangered American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus). Alligator habitat consists of swamps, marshes, ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams and rivers. Alligators are opportunistic feeders and food items include fish, turtles, birds, snakes, frogs, insects, and small mammals. Alligators often dig dens and small ponds (gator holes) in swamps ad marshes. In the dry season, these dens and ponds are often the last places deep enough to hold water, and are utilized by Final 24 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report numerous wetland animals (Mount, 1975; Van Meter, 1987). Alligators undoubtedly occur in suitable habitats along the transmission corridors.

Eastern Indigo Snake The Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi) is listed as threatened by USFWS and GDNR, and as state-protected by ADCNR. It typically inhabits dry areas that are bordered by water. Prey includes fish, frogs, toads, lizards, snakes, small turtles, birds, and small mammals. Indigo snakes in southern Georgia and Alabama typically spend the winter in gopher tortoise burrows (Moler, 1992; Mount, 1975). Indigo snakes are diurnal and wide ranging, typically utilizing areas of 125-250 acres or more (Moler, 1992). Indigo snakes may occur along portions of the transmission corridors and could occur at FNP.

Florida Pine Snake The Florida pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus) is listed as state-protected by ADCNR. This snake is restricted to Florida and Coastal Plain areas of Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. Southern Georgia and extreme southeastern Alabama represent the northwestern extent of the Florida pine snakes geographic range. The Florida pine snake occupies xeric habitats such as longleaf pine/xerophytic sandhills, pine flatwoods on well drained soils, and old fields on former sandhill habitats. It is extremely fossorial, and seeks out burrows of rodents and gopher tortoises. Common prey items include ground nesting birds and their eggs, mice, pocket gophers, and immature rabbits (Franz, 1992).

Florida pine snakes are not likely to occur at FNP due to the absence of xeric habitats, but the species might occur in portions of the Webb, Pinckard, and South Bainbridge transmission corridors. Suitable habitats for this species are rare on the Raccoon Creek and Snowdoun corridors, and most of the Snowdoun corridor is outside the species known geographic range.

Southern Hognose Snake The Southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus) is listed as state-protected by ADCNR. It is found primarily in dry sandy habitats such as sandhills, pine/turkey oak woodlands, and scrub. It is semi-fossorial and its diet consists almost exclusively of frogs and toads (Mount, 1975; Tennent, 1997) The Southern hognose snake may occur along portions of the transmission corridors, but is less likely to occur at FNP due to the absence of its preferred habitat.

Eastern Coachwhip The Eastern coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum flagellum) is listed as state-protected by ADCNR. It is found in a variety of dry, relatively open habitats, especially where open woods are interspersed with weedy fields. Common prey consists of insects, lizards, small mammals, birds, and other snakes (Mount, Final 25 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report 1975). Two Eastern coachwhips were observed approximately 100 feet west of the Flint River on the Raccoon Creek corridor at Site T17B. The species probably occurs at other locations along the transmission corridors and could occur at the FNP site.

Gopher Tortoise The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is listed as threatened by GDNR and state-protected by ADCNR. Georgia populations and Alabama populations east of the Mobile and Tombigbee Rivers are not federally listed. The gopher tortoise inhabits sandy, well drained areas where adequate vegetation for foraging exists. Principal foods include grasses, legumes, sedges, and fruit. Gopher tortoises excavate burrows that are also utilized by numerous other species (Diemer, 1992).

Sixteen active gopher tortoise burrows were observed in an old field habitat at FNP. Gopher tortoise burrows were observed at numerous locations along the transmission line corridors. Specifically, active gopher tortoise burrows were observed on the Webb corridor at Site W1, on the Pinckard corridor at Sites P1 and P14, on the Snowdoun corridor at Sites M3 and M5, on the Raccoon Creek corridor at Sites T1A, T2, T5, T14A, T17, T17B, 17C, and T24, and on the South Bainbridge corridor at Sites B1, B3, B7A, B11, and B12.

Alligator Snapping Turtle The alligator snapping turtle (Macroclemys temminckii) is listed by GDNR as threatened. It inhabits rivers, oxbows, and sloughs. It is also found in lakes and swamps, especially those near rivers, but is almost never found in isolated ponds and lakes. The alligator snapping turtle is the worlds largest freshwater turtle, with recorded weights of over 220 pounds. Primary food items consist of fish and molluscs but this turtle will also consume crustaceans, waterfowl, carrion, and occasionally plant foods such as acorns and palmetto berries (Mount, 1975; Pritchard, 1992). The species might occur along the FNP-associated transmission corridors.

5.3.4 AMPHIBIANS Pine Barrens Tree Frog The pine barrens tree frog (Hyla andersonii) is listed as state-protected by ADCNR. This species is known from only three geographic locations: New Jersey, the Carolinas, and along the Florida-Alabama border. The Florida-Alabama population inhabits hillside seepage bogs. Adults forage in evergreen bog shrubbery and tadpoles develop in small pools of clear seepage water in the bogs (Means, 1992a).

This species is not known from Georgia and within Alabama, is known only from Escambia, Covington, and Geneva Counties (Means, 1992a). Approximately one mile of the Pinckard transmission corridor traverses Geneva County, but there is no seepage bog habitat in that portion of the corridor, or in other Final 26 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report nearby FNP-associated transmission corridors. Thus, the probability of the pine barrens tree frog occurring along the corridors or at FNP is negligible.

Dusky Gopher Frog The dusky gopher frog (Rana capito sevosa) is listed as state-protected by ADCNR. Alabama and Georgia populations are not Federally-listed. It inhabits upland, xeric areas, especially longleaf pine/turkey oak sandhills. It takes shelter during the day in active and abandoned gopher tortoise burrows, crayfish burrows, and stump holes, but lays its eggs in seasonally flooded, grassy ponds and cypress ponds that lack fish populations. It is a nocturnal species but occasionally emerges to sit near the mouth of its burrow on overcast, damp days. Primary food items consist of invertebrates and smaller frogs and toads (Mount, 1975; Godley, 1992). Three dusky gopher frogs were observed by flashlight within a gopher tortoise burrow at B3 on the South Bainbridge corridor. The dusky gopher frog might occur within suitable habitats at other locations within some transmission corridors, but most of the Snowdoun corridor is north of the geographic range of this species. The probability of this species at FNP is low, due to lack of appropriate habitat.

Striped Newt The striped newt (Notophthalmus perstriatus) is listed by GDNR as rare. The species is known only from southern Georgia and northern Florida. It is restricted to sinkhole ponds in sandhill communities and cypress or bay ponds in pine flatwoods. The striped newt typically does not occur in permanent ponds, which usually contain predatory fishes. Adult newts feed on aquatic larvae and eggs as well as various aquatic invertebrates (Christman, 1992). Striped newts are not expected to occur at FNP site due to the absence of appropriate habitat. The probability of occurrence of this species in or near the transmission corridors is expected to be low, due to the scarcity of appropriate habitat and because the corridors are near or beyond the northern extent of the geographic range of the striped newt.

Seal Salamander Coastal Plains populations of the seal salamander (Desmognathus monticola) are listed as state-protected by ADCNR. The seal salamander is basically a southern Appalachian species, ranging from southeastern Pennsylvania to northern Alabama. However, isolated populations occur in southern Alabama, primarily in the Red Hills region of southwestern Alabama. Seal salamanders in southern Alabama are associated with rocky, small streams and creeks, usually in mesic hardwood ravines containing crumbly sandstone or limestone. Primary food items are aquatic and terrestrial arthropods found in the leaf litter of banks and stream bottoms (Mount, 1972; Means, 1992b).

The habitat described above for this species does occur along Wilson Creek at FNP and in portions of the Snowdoun corridor, but these areas are to the east of most known seal salamander occurrences in Final 27 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report Alabama. Thus, its existence is possible, but probably unlikely, at FNP and on the Snowdoun corridor. It is not likely to occur on the other four transmission corridors, due to the lack of appropriate habitat and to the species restricted geographic range.

Georgia Blind Salamander The Georgia blind salamander (Haideotriton wallacei) is listed as threatened by GDNR. It is known from only a few locations in southern Georgia and northern Florida, where it is confined to subterranean waters in limestone sediments. Although it has been found mostly in caves, it may also occur in recharge areas around sinkholes. Crustaceans are its primary prey (Means, 1992c). It has not been recorded in Alabama and probably does not occur on FNP-associated transmission corridors in Georgia.

Flatwoods Salamander The flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum) is listed as threatened by USFWS and GDNR, and as state-protected by ADCNR. This salamander inhabits pine-flatwoods-wiregrass communities that adjoin cypress heads or ponds without large predatory fish. Adult salamanders feed on various invertebrates (Ashton, 1992). Because of the absence of this habitat type at the FNP site, flatwoods salamanders are not expected to occur there. The species is also not expected to occur within the transmission corridors, but there is a moderate possibility that it could occur in some areas adjacent to the corridors.

6.0 CONCLUSION

S 6.1 FNP Site 6.1.1 PLANTS No federally-listed or state-listed plant species were observed during field surveys of the FNP site. The federally-endangered relict trillium (Trillium reliquum) has been recorded in Henry County, which lies immediately north of Houston County (where FNP is located). Although potential habitat for this species exists on the forested bluffs along Wilson Creek in the northeastern portion of FNP, careful searches did not reveal any relict trillium at FNP.

FNP was found to be a botanically rich and diverse site. Wilson Creek harbored two rich, relatively undisturbed stands of hardwood forest over calcareous soils. Here, forests dominated by mature beech (Fagus grandifolia), southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) and white oak (Quercus alba) had rich understories of shrubs and herbs.

Final 28 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report 6.1.2 ANIMALS The bald eagle was the only federally-listed wildlife species observed at FNP; a single adult eagle was observed along the Chattahoochee River opposite the FNP site during the Summer 2001 survey. It is unlikely that any eagle nests occur at the site, but bald eagles undoubtedly forage, at least occasionally, on the Chattahoochee River in the vicinity of FNP. The Eastern indigo snake has been recorded in Houston County, Alabama (USFWS, 2002), and habitat suitable for this species exists at FNP. Although not known from FNP, its existence there is possible. With the exception of the bald eagle and the Eastern indigo snake, it is unlikely that any other federally-listed wildlife species occur at FNP (See Section 5.3).

Two species listed by ACDNR as state-protected (but not federally listed) are known to occur at FNP, and a few other state-protected species might occur there. A population of gopher tortoises exists in an old field habitat at the FNP site. Vegetation management practices favorable for this state-listed species will benefit gopher tortoises, as well as other wildlife species that utilize gopher tortoise burrows. A breeding pair of ospreys has nested on a wooden nest platform at FNP for several years. The ospreys associated with this nest undoubtedly forage in the Chattahoochee River and in the Service Water Storage Pond at FNP. Forested areas of FNP, especially those in the southern portion of the site along the Chattahoochee River and streams that flow into the river, provide excellent habitat for numerous wildlife species. State listed wildlife species such as the long-tailed weasel and Eastern coachwhip probably occur there. In addition, the Southeastern bat and Rafinesques big-eared bat could forage, at least occasionally, at the site.

6.2 Transmission Line Corridors 6.2.1 PLANTS Seasonal searches along the FNP-associated transmission corridors were conducted for federally-listed and state-listed plants. Particular attention was paid to the following federally-listed species: relict trillium (Trillium reliquum), pondberry (Lindera melissifolia), Canbys cowbane (Oxypolis canbyi),

harperella (Ptilimnium nodosum), American chaffseed (Schwalbea americana), fringed campion (Silene polypetala), Cooleys meadowrue (Thalictrum cooleyi), and Florida torreya (Torreya taxifolia). These species have been recorded in counties crossed by the transmission corridors or could occur in the corridors based on habitat and geographic range. No federally-listed plants were observed.

Four state-listed plant species were observed; all were on the Raccoon Creek corridor. One population of Florida willow (Salix floridana), one population of yellow pitcher plant (Sarracenia flava), two populations of hooded pitcher plant (Sarracenia minor), and one population of Thornes buckthorn Final 29 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report (Sideroxylon thornei) were observed. The Raccoon Creek corridor proved to be rich in habitats and plant species.

6.2.2 ANIMALS No federally-listed wildlife species were observed during field surveys of the FNP-associated transmission corridors, and no occurrence records were discovered in the literature search. The gopher tortoise was the only wildlife species observed on transmission corridors in Alabama and listed by ADCNR as state-protected. Wildlife species observed along the transmission corridors in Georgia and state-listed by GDNR consisted of the gopher tortoise and Bachmans sparrow. The dusky gopher frog, Eastern coachwhip, and osprey were observed on transmission lines in Georgia. These species are not state-listed in Georgia but are state-listed in Alabama.

Although few listed species were observed along the transmission corridors, many animal species are mobile and secretive, and thus, the absence of a species during a few surveys is not necessarily evidence that the species does not utilize the area in question. For example, bat surveys require many nights of mist netting, while reptiles and amphibian censuses require massive numbers of funnel traps, nets, and/or other capturing devices. Therefore, unequivocal conclusions regarding the presence or absence of most listed species were beyond the scope of the surveys. The surveys, however, were adequate to determine the potential for occurrence of listed wildlife species based on habitats along the transmission corridors.

Federally-listed species that might utilize habitats along the transmission corridors, at least occasionally, include the bald eagle, wood stork, and Eastern indigo snake. There is a moderate to high probability that several state-listed wildlife species occur, at least occasionally, within or adjacent to the corridors (Table 5 and Section 5.3).

The activities required for vegetation maintenance in transmission corridors can actually provide habitat more favorable to the gopher tortoise than in areas outside the corridors. Specifically, the corridors often provide this state-listed species with food in the form of abundant herbaceous vegetation and open sunlit sites for nesting. In some areas, these conditions occur infrequently in habitat beyond the transmission corridor edges, especially in the prolonged absence of fires.

Swamps, marshes, and river and creek crossings provide foraging habitat for several listed wildlife species. Numerous marshes and beaver ponds were observed within the transmission corridors. These areas provide excellent foraging habitat for many wildlife species, some of which are listed species.

Final 30 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report

7.0 REFERENCES

ADCNR (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources). 2001. State Lands Division, Natural Heritage Section. Response to Species Information Request. April 10.

APC (Alabama Power Company). 2000. Southern Company. Southern Nuclear - Plant Farley.

Available online at http://www.southernco.com/southernnuclear/farley.asp. Accessed July 6, 2001.

Ashton, R. E, 1992. Flatwoods salamander. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Amphibians and Reptiles. Ed. P. E. Moler. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 291 pp.

Belwood, J.J. and L.W. Lefebvre. Southeastern brown bat. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida -

Mammals. Ed. S. R. Humphrey. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 392 pp.

Brown, L. N., 1997. A Guide to the Mammals of the Southeastern United States. University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville, Tennessee. 236 pp.

Christman, S. P., 1992. Striped newt. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Amphibians and Reptiles. Ed. P. E. Moler. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 291 pp.

Curnutt, J. L., 1996. Southern bald eagle. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Birds. Eds.

J. A. Rodgers, Jr., H. W. Kale II, and H. T. Smith. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 688 pp.

Diemer, J. E., 1992. Gopher tortoise. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Amphibians and Reptiles. Ed. P. E. Moler. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 291 pp.

Ehrlich, P. R., D. S. Dobkin, and D. Wheye, 1988. The Birders Handbook: A Field Guide to the Natural History of North American Birds. Simon & Schuster Inc., New York, NY. 785 pp.

Franz, R. 1992. Florida pine snake. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Amphibians and Reptiles. Ed. P. E. Moler. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 291 pp.

Final 31 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report Georgia Natural Heritage Program (GNHP), 2001a. Special Concern Animals of Georgia. Report generated 16 October 2001. http://www.dnr.state.ga.us/dnr/wild/natural/span.htm Georgia Natural Heritage Program (GNHP), 2001b. Tracking List of Special Concern Plants of Georgia.

Report generated 16 October 2001. http://www.dnr.state.ga.us/dnr/wild/natural/sppl_t.htm.

Godley, J.S. 1992. Gopher frog. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Amphibians and Reptiles.

Ed. P. E. Moler. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 291 pp.

Gore, J.A. 1992. Gray bat. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Mammals. Ed. S. R. Humphrey.

Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 392 pp.

Heitshmidt, D. (Forester, Power Delivery, Alabama Power Company). 2000. Letter to D. Barrow (District Conservationist, United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Montgomery, Alabama). December 15.

Henny, C.J., 1988, "Osprey" in (R.S. Palmer, ed.) Handbook of North American Birds, Volume 4. Yale University Press, New Haven, Connecticut. 433 pp.

Hooper, R. G., A. F. Robinson, and J. A. Jackson. 1980. The red-cockaded woodpecker: notes on life history and management. USDA Forest Service General Report SA-GR9.

Humphrey, S. R., 1992. Indiana bat. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Mammals. Ed.

S. R. Humphrey. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 392 pp.

Kale, H. W. and D. S. Maehr, 1990. Florida's Birds. Pineapple Press, Sarasota, FL. 288 pp.

Means, D.B. 1992a. Pine barrens tree frog. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Amphibians and Reptiles. Ed. P. E. Moler. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 291 pp.

Means, D.B. 1992b. Seal salamander. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Amphibians and Reptiles. Ed. P. E. Moler. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 291 pp.

Final 32 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report Means, D.B. 1992c. Georgia blind salamander. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Amphibians and Reptiles. Ed. P. E. Moler. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 291 pp.

Moler, P. E. 1992. Eastern indigo snake. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Amphibians and Reptiles. Ed. P. E. Moler. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 291 pp.

Mount, R. E. 1975. The Reptiles and Amphibians of Florida. Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.

347 pp.

Ogden, J. C. 1996. Wood stork. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Birds. Eds. J. A. Rodgers, Jr., H. W. Kale II, and H. T. Smith. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 688 pp.

Pritchard, P. C. H. 1992. Alligator snapping turtle. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida -

Amphibians and Reptiles. Ed. P. E. Moler. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 291 pp.

Sanderson, R.A. 1992. Barbours map turtle. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Amphibians and Reptiles. Ed. P. E. Moler. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 291 pp.

Shealey, R.M. 1992. Alabama map turtle. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Amphibians and Reptiles. Ed. P. E. Moler. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 291 pp.

Stalmaster, M. V. 1987. The Bald Eagle. Universe Books, New York. 227 pp.

Tennent, A. 1997. A Field Guide to Snakes of Florida. Gulf Publishing Company, Houston, Texas. pp.

257.

Tetra Tech NUS. 2001. Environmental Field Survey Plan. Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant. Houston County, Alabama. Tetra Tech NUS, Incorporated, Aiken, South Carolina. Prepared for Southern Nuclear Company, Birmingham, Alabama. May.

Final 33 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report USAEC (U.S. Atomic Energy Commission). 1972. Final Environmental Statement related to the construction of Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2. Alabama Power Company. Docket Nos. 50-348 and 50-364. June.

USFWS (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). 1986. Recovery plan for the U.S. breeding population of the wood stork. Atlanta, Georgia. 28 pp.

USFWS (U.S. Fish and Wildlfe Service). 1991. Division of Endangered Species, Species Accounts, Indiana Bat. Available online at http://endangered.fws.gov/i/a/saa08.html. Accessed November 14, 2001.

USFWS (U.S. Fish and Wildlfe Service). 2002. Alabamas Federally Listed Species by County, Daphne Ecological Services Field Office, Daphne, Alabama, updated June 11, 2002. Available online at http://daphne.fws.gov/es/specieslst.htm. Accessed June 12, 2002991.

Van Meter, V. B. 1987. Floridas alligators and crocodiles, Florida Power and Light Company, Miami, Florida, 41 pp.

Final 34 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report TABLES AND FIGURES Table 1. Transmission lines at FNP.

Transmission line Voltage (kV) Distance to first substation (mi.)

FNP - Pinckard (Alabama) 230 35 FNP - Webb (Alabama) 230 10 FNP - Montgomery (Alabama) 500 105 FNP - Raccoon Creek (Georgia) 500 62 FNP - South Bainbridge (Georgia) 230 46 FNP - Sinai Cemetery (Alabama and Florida) 230 48 Final 35 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report Table 2. Target plant species - Summer (June 3-8, 2001 and June 13-18, 2001).

Common Name Species Federal status State statusa Habitat type Purple Honeycomb Head Balduina atropurpurea None Rare Wet savannahs, pitcherplant bogs Harper Fimbry Fimbristylis perpusilla None Endangered Exposed muddy margins of pineland ponds Pondberry Lindera melissifolia Endangered Endangered Pond margins and wet savannahs Pondspice Litsea aestivalis None Threatened Cypress ponds; swamp margins Canby Dropwort Oxypolis canbyi Endangered Endangered Pond cypress depressions Clearwater Butterwort Pinguicula primuliflora None Threatened In shallow, sandy, clearwater streams and seeps; Atlantic whitecedar swamps Florida Willow Salix floridana None Endangered Spring runs; seepy sphagnous wetlands with Eleocharis tortilis, Itea, Alnus, Orontium, Arnoglossum sulcatum Yellow Flytrap Sarracenia flava None Unusual Wet savannahs, pitcherplant bogs Whitetop Pitcherplant Sarracenia leucophylla None Endangered Wet savannahs Hooded Pitcher Plant Sarracenia minor None Unusual Wet savannahs, pitcherplant bogs Parrot Pitcherplant Sarracenia psittacina None Threatened Wet savannahs, pitcherplant bogs Chaffseed Schwalbea americana Endangered Endangered Dry savannahs Thornes (Swamp) Sideroxylon thornei None Endangered Calcareous swamps Buckthorn Silky Camellia Stewartia malacodendron None Rare Wetland margins

a. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources does not provide special status designations for plants. Therefore, the state-listed designations in this column are those of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Note: There were no proposed or candidate species whose geographic ranges included the study area.

Final 36 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report Table 3. Target plant species - Autumn (September 11-15, 2001).

Common Name Species Federal status State statusa Habitat type Purple Honeycomb Head Balduina atropurpurea None Rare Wet savannahs, pitcherplant bogs Harper Fimbry Fimbristylis perpusilla None Endangered Exposed muddy margins of pineland ponds Pondberry Lindera melissifolia Endangered Endangered Pond margins and wet savannahs Pondspice Litsea aestivalis None Threatened Cypress ponds; swamp margins Canby Dropwort Oxypolis canbyi Endangered Endangered Pond cypress depressions Clearwater Butterwort Pinguicula primuliflora None Threatened In shallow, sandy, clearwater streams and seeps; Atlantic whitecedar swamps Florida Willow Salix floridana None Endangered Spring runs; seepy, sphagnous wetlands with Eleocharis tortilis, Itea, Alnus, Orontium, Arnoglossum sulcatum Yellow Flytrap Sarracenia flava None Unusual Wet savannahs, pitcherplant bogs Hooded Pitcher Plant Sarracenia minor None Unusual Wet savannahs, pitcherplant bogs Parrot Pitcherplant Sarracenia psittacina None Threatened Wet savannahs, pitcherplant bogs Thornes (Swamp) Sideroxylon thornei None Endangered Calcareous swamps Buckthorn

a. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources does not provide special status designations for plants. Therefore, the state-listed designations in this column are those of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Note: There were no proposed or candidate species whose geographic ranges included the study area.

Final 37 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report Table 4. Target plant species - Spring (March 19-23 and May 9-11, 2002).

Common Name Species Federal status State statusa Habitat type Wagner Spleenwort Asplenium heteroresiliens None Threatened Limestone and marl outcrops; tabby ruins Baltzell Sedge Carex baltzellii None Endangered Beech-magnolia slope forests Velvet Sedge Carex dasycarpa None Rare Evergreen hammocks; mesic hardwood forests Green Fly Orchid Epidendrum conopseum None Unusual Epiphytic on limbs of evergreen hardwoods; also in crevices of Altamaha Grit outcrops Florida Anise-tree Illicium floridanum None Endangered Steepheads, floodplain forests Pondberry Lindera melissifolia Endangered Endangered Pond margins and wet savannahs Alabama Milkvine Matelea alabamensis None Threatened Open bluff forests; mesic margins of longleaf pine sandridges Canbys Cowbane Oxypolis canbyi Endangered Endangered Cypress ponds and (Dropwort) sloughs, wet savannahs Harperella (Mock Ptilimnium nodosum Endangered Endangered Limesinks and clay-Bishopweed) based ponds Plumleaf Azalea Rhododendron prunifolium None Threatened Mesic hardwood forests in ravines and on sandy, seepy streambanks Florida Willow Salix floridana None Endangered Spring runs; seepy, sphagnous wetlands with Eleocharis tortilis, Itea, Alnus, Orontium, Arnoglossum sulcatum Bay Starvine Schisandra glabra None Threatened Rich woods on stream terraces and lower slopes Chaffseed Schwalbea americana Endangered Endangered Pond margins and wet savannahs, upland wet forests Fringed Campion Silene polypetala Endangered Endangered Mesic deciduous forests Cooley Meadowrue Thalictrum cooleyi Endangered Endangered Pond margins and wet savannahs Florida Torreya Torreya taxifolia Endangered Endangered Rich ravines in extreme southwest Georgia Relict Trillium Trillium reliquum Endangered Endangered Mesic hardwood forests; limesink forests

a. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources does not provide special status designations for plants. Therefore, the state-listed designations in this column are those of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Note: There were no proposed or candidate species whose geographic ranges included the study area.

Final 38 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report Table 5. Listed animal species that occur or could possibly occur at FNP and along associated transmission lines.

Probability State statusa Federal of Common name Scientific name statusa Georgia Alabama occurrenceb Mammals Gray bat Myotis grisescens E E SP L Southeastern bat Myotis austroriparius - - SP M Indiana bat Myotis sodalis E E SP L Rafinesques big-eared Corynorhinus rafinesquii - R SP M bat Southeastern pocket Geomys pinetis - - SP M gopher Long-tailed weasel Mustela frenata - - SP M Birds Bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus T E SP P Osprey Pandion haliaetus - - SP P Wood stork Mycteria americana E E SP M Bachman's sparrow Aimophila aestivalis - R - P Red-cockaded Picoides borealis E E SP L woodpecker Reptiles Barbours map turtle Graptemys barbouri - T SP M Alabama map turtle Graptemys pulchra - R SP M American alligator Alligator mississippiensis T(S/A) - - M Eastern indigo snake Drymarchon corais T T SP M couperi Florida pine snake Pituophis melanoleucus - - SP M mugitus Southern hognose snake Heterodon simus - - SP M Eastern coachwhip Masticophis flagellum - - SP P flagellum Gopher tortoise Gopherus polyphemus - T SP P Alligator snapping turtle Macroclemys temminckii - T SP M Final 39 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report Table 5. Listed animal species that occur or could possibly occur at FNP and along associated transmission lines (continued).

Probability State statusa Federal of Common name Scientific name statusa Georgia Alabama occurrenceb Amphibians Pine barrens treefrog Hyla andersonii - - SP L Dusky gopher frog Rana capito sevosa - - SP P Striped newt Notophthalmus perstriatus - R - L Seal salamander Desmognathus monticola - - SP L Georgia blind Haideotriton wallacei - T - L salamander Flatwoods Ambystoma cingulatum T T SP L salamander

a. E = Endangered - A species which is in danger of extinction throughout all or part of its range.

T = Threatened - A species which is likely to become an endangered species in the foreseeable future throughout all or part of its range.

T(S/A) = Threatened due to similarity of appearance - A species which is protected because it is very similar in appearance to a listed species.

R = Rare - A species which may not be endangered or threatened but which should be protected because of its scarcity.

U = Unusual - An unusual species that deserves special consideration.

SP = State Protected - A species which is protected by the Nongame Species Regulation of the Alabama Regulations for 1999-2000 on Game, Fish, and Fur Bearing Animals.

- = Not Listed

b. L = Low probability M = Moderate to high probability P = Present; observed during the wildlife surveys See Section 5.3 of text for a discussion of the probability of occurrence of these species.

Note: There were no proposed or candidate species whose geographic ranges included the study area.

Table 6. Listed plants observed during field surveys.

Federal State Locationa b a

Species Status Status Corridor Site Florida willow (Salix floridana) None Endangered Raccoon Creek T1 Thornes buckthorn (Sideroxylon thornei) None Endangered Raccoon Creek T8 Yellow pitcher plant (Sarracenia flava) None Unusual Raccoon Creek T24 Hooded pitcher plant (Sarracenia minor) None Unusual Raccoon Creek T24

a. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources does not provide special status designations for plants. Therefore, the state-listed designations in this column are those of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

b. See Figures 3-8 for locations relative to transmission corridors; see Appendix A for precise locations and data.

Final 40 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report Table 7. Listed animals observed during field surveys.

Federal State Status Locationa Species Status Georgia Alabama Corridor Site Bald eagle Threatened Endangered State Protected FNP (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Osprey (active nest) None None State Protected FNP (Pandion haliaetus) South Bainbridge B10b Dusky gopher frog None None State Protected South Bainbridge B3b (Rana capito sevosa)

Eastern coachwhip None None State Protected Raccoon Creek T17Bb (Masticophis flagellum flagellum)

Bachmans sparrow None Rare None South Bainbridge B7 (Aimophila aestivalis) South Bainbridge B9 Gopher tortoise None Threatened State Protected FNP (Gopherus polyphemus) Webb W1 Pinchard P1 Pinckard P14 Snowdoun M3 Snowdoun M5 Raccoon Creek T1A Raccoon Creek T2 Raccoon Creek T5 Raccoon Creek T14A Raccoon Creek T17 Raccoon Creek T17B Raccoon Creek T17C Raccoon Creek T24 South Bainbridge B1 South Bainbridge B3 South Bainbridge B7A South Bainbridge B11 South Bainbridge B12

a. See Figures 3-8 for locations relative to transmission corridors. See Appendix B for precise locations and data.

b. Species is not state-listed in Georgia (location where observed) but is classified as state-protected in Alabama.

Final 41 June 21, 2002

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Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report APPENDIX A PLANT DATA SHEETS Final A -- 1 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report APPENDIX B ANIMAL DATA SHEETS Final B -- 1 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report APPENDIX C PHOTOGRAPHS OF SELECTED SURVEY LOCATIONS Final C-1 June 21, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Marsh, Farley Nuclear Plant

Marsh, Farley Nuclear Plant

Wilson Creek, Farley Nuclear Plant

Wilson Creek, Farley Nuclear Plant

Wilson Creek, Farley Nuclear Plant

Wilson Creek, Farley Nuclear Plant

Dwarf Palmetto (left) and Needle Palm (right),

Farley Nuclear Plant

Deceptive Trillium, Farley Nuclear Plant

Ovate Maiden Fern, Farley Nuclear Plant

Gopher Tortoise Burrow, Farley Nuclear Plant

Osprey Nest, Farley Nuclear Plant

Orb Spider (Araneus bicenntinarius),

Farley Nuclear Plant

Turkey Tracks, Farley Nuclear Plant

Cypress Swamp, Site P8, Pinckard Transmission Line

Black Racer, Site M5, Snowdown Transmission Line

Site M9, Snowdown Transmission Line

Near Site M9, Snowdown Transmission Line

South Bainbridge Transmission Line (left) and Raccoon Creek Transmission Line (right), North of Site B1

Wetland, Site B3, South Bainbridge Transmission Line

Wading Birds, Site B3 South Bainbridge Transmission Line

Active Gopher Tortoise Burrow, Site B5, South Bainbridge Transmission Line

Near Site B8, South Bainbridge Transmission Line

Bachmans Sparrow identified here, Site B9, Tower #174, South Bainbridge Transmission Line

Active Gopher Tortoise Burrow, Site B12, Tower #194, South Bainbridge Transmission Line

Site B13, Tower #196, South Bainbridge Transmission Line

Site B14, South Bainbridge Transmission Line

Crab Apple Tree, Site B14, South Bainbridge Transmission Line

Deer Antlers, Site B14, South Bainbridge Transmission Line

Deer Tracks, Site B14, South Bainbridge Transmission Line

Raccoon Creek Transmission Line Pond Cypress and Thornes Buckthorn, Site T8 Raccoon Creek Transmission Line

Thornes Buckthorn, Site T8 Raccoon Creek Transmission Line

West of T8 Raccoon Creek Transmission Line

Ichawaynochaway Creek, near Site 13 Raccoon Creek Transmission Line

Water Lilly, Site T14 Raccoon Creek Transmission Line

Prickly Pear Cactus, Site T17 Raccoon Creek Transmission Line

Flint River, Site T17B Raccoon Creek Transmission Line

East of T18B Raccoon Creek Transmission Line

Beaver Pond, Site T23 Raccoon Creek Transmission Line

Site T24 Raccoon Creek Transmission Line

Hooded Pitcher Plants, Site T24 Raccoon Creek Transmission Line

Cleistes (Orchid), Site T24, Raccoon Creek Transmission Line

Yellow Pitcher Plants, Site T24 Raccoon Creek Transmission Line

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report APPENDIX D RESUMES Final D-1 June 21, 2002

CURRICULUM VITAE: L. L. GADDY EDUCATION Ph.D., Geography (interdisciplinary in botany, geography, and entomology), University of Georgia, 1985.

Dissertation: "The ecology and spatial dynamics of ant-dispersed herbs in four southern Appalachian forest communities."

M. S., Geography (interdisciplinary in geography and botany), University of South Carolina, 1976.

Thesis: "The climax vegetation of Richland County, South Carolina: a geographic approach to forest ecosystems."

B. A., English, University of South Carolina, 1971.

UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE/RESEARCH APPOINTMENTS Adjunct Professor, School of the Environment, University of South Carolina, Columbia, Southe Carolina, 2001-Research Associate, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, Missouri, 1992-Adjunct Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, 1987-Hesler Visiting Lecturer in Floristic Botany, Department of Botany, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1986.

Visiting Professor, Department of Geography and Political Science, Francis Marion University, Florence, SC, 1995.

Instructor, Department of Geography, University of New Orleans, 1984-1985.

Graduate Teaching/Research Assistant, Biogeography, University of Georgia, Athens, 1982-1984.

Graduate Teaching Assistant, Meteorology and Physical Geography, University of South Carolina, Columbia, 1973-1974.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY Biologist, South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Columbia and Charleston, 1975-1979.

Consulting Biologist, 1979-1981.

Ph.D. studies, University of Georgia, and Consulting Biologist, 1981-1984.

Instructor, Department of Geography, University of New Orleans, 1984-1985.

Consulting Biologist, Independent Scholar, 1985-present.

Temporary Instructor, Department of Geography and Political Science, Francis Marion University, Florence, SC, 1995.

President and Founder of terra incognita, a nonprofit environmental research and consulting firm, 1998-

TYPE OF WORK PERFORMED AS A CONSULTANT Endangered species surveys, endangered species risk assessment, wetland delineations/mitigation plans, natural area surveys, Red-cockaded Woodpecker inventories, vegetation/forest mapping,accuracy assessment of manually- and digitally-generated vegetation maps, environmental impact statements and assessments, Habitat Evaluation Procedures (HEP), site evaluation/land use planning, survey team management, invertebrate surveys, and technical writing and editing.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED

1. Wetlands of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, 1981 for South Carolina Coastal Council);

2. Endangered and threatened plants of the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests, North Carolina, 1981-1982 (for the U. S. Forest Service);

3. Endangered and threatened plant inventory of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, 1984-1985 (for the National Park Service);

4. Wetlands of Fort McClellan, Alabama, 1983, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of the Army;

5. Environmental studies for "Developmental Strategy for the Lake Russell Site at Calhoun Falls, South Carolina,"

1991 (for Edward Pinckney/Associates, Ltd. and the Savannah Valley Authority);

6. Natural Areas of the Highlands Region, 1991-1992 (for the Town of Highlands and the North Carolina Natural Heritage Foundation;

7. Status of the smooth coneflower (Echinacea laevigata), 1992 (for the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service);

8. Natural Areas of Henderson County, North Carolina, 1992-1994 (for the Henderson County Natural Heritage Inventory Committee and the Conservation Trust of North Carolina);

9. Endangered species and wetland delineationsCope Project, 1993 (for S. C. Electric and Gas and Duke/Fluor-Daniel);

10. Forest Inventory of Boise National Forest, Boise, Idaho, 1995 (for the U. S. Forest Service);

11. Environmental Assessment technical writing, 1997 (for Rust Environment and Infrastructure);

12. Wetland delineations in Maine, 1997 (for Duke Engineering and Services);

13. Endangered and threatened plants of Robins Air Force Base, 1997-1998 (for Rust Environment and Infrastructure);

14. Endangered and threatened plants of Congaree Swamp National Monument, 1998-1999 (for the National Park Service);

15. Endangered and threatened species of the Manning Tract, Congaree River floodplain, 1998-1999 (for Rust Environment and Infrastructure and Wetland and Environmental Services and Wetland and Environmental Services, Inc.);

16. Endangered and threatened plants, birds, reptiles and amphibians, and invertebrates of Wright Brothers National Memorial, 1998-1999 (for the National Park Service);

17. Endangered and threatened species of the upper Broad River, 1999 (for Duke Engineering and Services);

18. Endangered and threatened plants of the upper Catawba River, 1999 (for Duke Power Company);

19. Endangered species risk assessment, 1999 (for Milliken Forestry).

20. Environmental assessments for relicensing, McGuire and Catawba Nuclear Stations, 2000, (for Duke Power Company).

21. Wetland delineations and endangered species assessments, 2001 (for East Tennessee Natural Gas Company).

STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE I have been a consulting biologist and independent scholar for over 20 years. I have managed a small company, written my own reports, carried out my own field work, and done most of my graphics during this period. I have led several field teams of biologists and have managed projects of from $2000. to $200,000. in value. I have been involved in environmental impact studies and environmental assessments on which I have teamed with landscape architects, engineers, economists, and other professionals. I have produced numerous published vegetation maps during the last 15 years. I have occasionally been hired as a technical writer/editor and have extensive experience writing and editing biological reports. During these years, I have published a book on the spiders of South Carolina, have a forthcoming book in press with the University of South Carolina, written numerous papers in several fields, described several species of plants, and participated in several conservation projects. Finally, I have participated on the committees of three master's level graduate students at Clemson University and recently served on a Ph.D. student's committee.

I have participated in research expeditions to China, southeastern Asia, and Australia and am currently working on two historical botany papers concerning western China. In 1998, I started a small nonprofit company, terra incognita, which carries out environmental consulting work in the United States.

PUBLICATIONS Biogeography, Systematics, and Botany Gaddy, L. L. 2000. A Naturalist's Guide to the Blue Ridge Front: from Linville Gorge to Tallulah Gorge. University of South Carolina Press. Columbia. 190 p.

Gaddy, L. L., J. B. Nelson, and A. B. Pittman. 2000. Endangered, threatened, and rare plants of Congaree Swamp National Monument, Richland County, South Carolina. Unpublished bound report for the National Park Service.

Columbia, S..C. 18 pages, vascular plant checklist and maps.

Wu, J. L., J. M. Xu, F. X. Pen, and L. L. Gaddy. 2000. The type plants of Mount Emei, Sichuan, China. terra incognita publication number 1. Columbia, SC.

Whittemore, A. T. and L. L. Gaddy. 1997. Hexastylis, pp. 54-58 In Flora of North America. Oxford University Press, New York, London. 590 p.

Gaddy, L. L. 1995. Carex radfordii, a new species (Cyperaceae: Section Laxiflorae) from the southern Appalachians.

Novon 5:259-261.

Tobe, J. D., J. E. Fairey, and L. L. Gaddy. 1992. Vascular flora of the Chauga River Gorge, Oconee County, S. C.

Castanea 57:77-109.

Gaddy, L. L. 1990. Glade Fern Ravine, a rich fern site in the Southern Appalachians of South Carolina. Castanea 55:282-285.

Gaddy, L. L. 1987. A review of the taxonomy and biogeography of Hexastylis. Castanea 52:186-196.

Gaddy, L. L. 1987. Hexastylis shuttleworthii var. harperi, a new variety of heartleaf from Alabama and Georgia. Sida 12:51-55.

Gaddy, L. L. 1986. Twelve new ant-dispersed plants from the southern Appalachians of South Carolina. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 113:247-251.

Gaddy, L. L. 1986. A new Hexastylis (Aristolochiaceae) from Transylvania County, North Carolina. Brittonia 38:82-85.

Gaddy, L. L. 1985. Rare, endangered, threatened, and exotic plants of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. National Park Service Cooperative Unit, Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia, Technical Report No. 18. Athens, Ga.

Gaddy, L. L. 1984. Guide to the wetland plant communities of Fort McClellan, Alabama. U. S. Department of Interior. Fish and Wildlife Service. National Wetlands Inventory. Atlanta. 60 pp.

Gaddy, L. L., C. C. Douglass, A. Hodge, and H. LeGrand. 1984. Plants new to South and North Carolina. Castanea 49: 97.

Gaddy, L. L. 1983. Notes on the Biltmore sedge (Carex biltmoreana). Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 110:530-532.

Gaddy, L. L. 1982. The floristics of three South Carolina pine savannahs. Castanea 47: 393-402.

Gaddy, L. L. 1982. Vegetation studies, pp. 32-56 IN Gaddy, L. L., editor. Man's impact on the vegetation, avifauna, and herpetofauna of South Carolina's barrier islands: a habitat approach to carrying capacity. S. C. Wildlife and Marine Resources Study Completion Report. 167 pp.

Gaddy, L. L. 1981. Two carices new to South Carolina. Castanea 46: 237-238.

Gaddy, L. L. 1980. Vascular plant communties, IN An ecological characterization of the Sea Island region of South Carolina and Gerogia. U. S. Department of Interior. Fish and Wildlife Service. Office of Biological Services Publication 79/42. Washington, D. C.

Gaddy, L. L. and D. A. Rayner. 1980. Rare or overlooked? Recent plant collections in the Coastal Plain of South Carolina. Castanea 45: 181-183.

Gaddy, L. L. and Garrett A. Smathers. 1980. The vegetation of Congaree Swamp National Monument, pp. 171-182 IN Contributions to the knowledge of the flora and vegetation of the Carolinas, Proceedings of the 16th International Phytogeographical Excursion (IPE) (1978). Veroff. Geobot. Institut. ETH, Stiftung Rubel, Zurich (Switz.).

Smathers, Garrett A. and L. L. Gaddy. 1980. Congaree Swamp National Monument: vegetation type map.

Research/Resources Management Report No. 36. U. S. Department of Interior, National Park Service, Atlanta. 11 pp.

Gaddy, L. L. 1977. Notes on the flora of the Congaree River floodplain. Castanea 42: 103-106.

Bioclimatology Gaddy, L. L., V. Meentemeyer, and P. J. Suckling. 1984. The relationship between winter minimum temperatures and spring phenology in a southern Appalachian cove. Archives for Meteorology, Geophysics, and Bioclimatology (Vienna) Ser. B 34: 155-162.

Invertebrate Biology Gaddy, L. L. 1987. Orb-weaver abundance in three forested communities in the southern Appalachian mountains of South Carolina. Journal of Arachnology 15:273-275.

Gaddy, L. L. and J. C. Morse. 1985. Common spiders of South Carolina with annotated checklist. Technical Bulletin No. 1094. Clemson University Agricultural Experiment Station, Clemson, South Carolina. 182 pp.

Gaddy, L. L. and P. Laurie. 1983. Notes on the autumnal northward migration of the Cloudless Sulfur, Phoebis sennae (Pieridae), along the South Carolina coast. Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 37:166-167.

Gaddy, L. L. 1981. Observations on some maritime forest spiders of four South Carolina barrier islands. Brimleyana 6:159-169.

Wharton, C. H., V. W. Lambour, J. Newsom, P. V. Winger, L. L. Gaddy, and R. Mancke. 1981. The fauna of bottomland hardwoods in southeastern United States, pp.87-140 IN J. R. Clark and J. Benforado, editors. Wetlands of Bottomland Hardwood Forests. Developments in Agricultural and Managed Forest Ecology 11. Elsevier. Amsterdam, Oxford, New York.

PRESENT RESEARCH/RESEARCH INTERESTS The ecology, taxonomy, and biogeography of the plant genus Hexastylis in southeastern U. S. A. and its related species of Asarum subgenus Heterotropa in Asia Plant geography of the headwaters of the Savannah River drainage, South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina Ecology of southeastern floodplain systems Lianas and woody plant diversity in Congaree Swamp Carex (sedges) of the southeastern United States Endangered species ecology Botanical explorers of western China and eastern Tibet

MICHAEL L. WHITTEN EDUCATION: M.S.; Environmental Science; Western Washington University; 1990 B.S.; Mathematics; University of Montevallo; 1976 TRAINING: OSHA Health and Safety Training (8-Hr. Refresher Course), Tt NUS; 2002 OSHA Health and Safety Training (8-Hr. Refresher Course), KBN Engineering and Applied Sciences, Inc. (KBN); 1994 OSHA Health and Safety Training (8-Hr. Refresher Course), KBN; 1993 OSHA 40-Hour Health and Safety Training, KBN Engineering and Applied Sciences, Inc. (KBN); 1992 EXPERIENCE

SUMMARY

Mr. Whitten has 12 years of technical and managerial experience in toxicology and ecology. He currently serves as Environmental Scientist conducting ecological risk assessments and biological evaluations. He has conducted and managed ecological risk assessments at Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) sites and in the vicinity of proposed and operational waste incinerators. He has also designed and conducted biological monitoring programs for proposed and operational waste incinerators. His experience with pesticides includes full-scale field studies, simulated field pen studies, laboratory toxicity tests, and pesticide data evaluations. He has conducted over 300 pesticide data evaluation reviews for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Ecological Effects Branch. These studies reviewed field and laboratory pesticide toxicity studies using a variety of avian and mammal species. He has directed field surveys and managed projects that evaluated the ecological effects of proposed and operational electric generating plants, transmission lines, gas pipelines and other development projects on threatened and endangered wildlife species such as bald eagles, wood storks, red-cockaded woodpeckers, Everglades snail kites, Florida scrub jays, sandhill cranes, bog turtles, and gopher tortoises. He has written management plans for a variety of threatened and endangered species. He has conducted many other habitat evaluations and wildlife surveys for government, commercial, and utility clients. The objective of these projects was to assess the likelihood of Federal and state listed threatened and endangered wildlife species and, if any listed species were present, to recommend appropriate mitigation actions to the client.

PROJECT EXPERIENCE:

Environmental Scientist/Toxicologist; Tt NUS; Aiken, South Carolina; 1995 to Present.

Mr. Whitten is the project biologist for environmental surveys of threatened and endangered species being conducted in support of operating license renewal efforts at Southern Nuclear Operating Companys Joseph

M. Farley Nuclear Plant (Plant Farley) in southeastern Alabama. He is responsible for seasonal field surveys of the 1,850-acre plant site and 350 miles of transmission line corridors in southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia. Results of the surveys will be used to evaluate the potential impacts from continued operation of Plant Farley on threatened and endangered species. The surveys of threatened and endangered species were conducted in 2001 and 2002, following a helicopter reconnaissance of transmission line corridors.

Mr. Whitten is managing ecological risk assessments of 12 RCRA and CERCLA sites at Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West, FL. The project is an investigation of environmental contamination and an evaluation of ecological risks from aviation-related activities. He is assessing the ecological impacts of contamination in groundwater, surface water, soil, and sediment, and is responsible for study design and the collection of fish, mollusk, crustacean, and plant samples. 1995-Present. Client: Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC).

Mr. Whitten is managing ecological risk assessments and long term monitoring programs at several RCRA and CERCLA sites at NAS Cecil Field, FL. The project is an investigation of ecological risks from former military landfills and disposal areas. He is responsible for evaluating the ecological impacts of contamination in soil, groundwater, surface water, and sediment. He is also responsible for collecting environmental samples, writing work plans, and evaluating chemical data as part of long-term monitoring programs designed to evaluate ecological risks from a former landfill and a former skeet range. 1997-Present. Client: NAVFAC.

Mr. Whitten is managing ecological risk assessments at several RCRA and CERCLA sites at MCRD Parris Island SC. The project is an investigation of ecological risks from former military landfills and disposal areas. He is responsible for evaluating the ecological impacts of contamination in soil, groundwater, surface water, and sediment. 1998-Present. Client: NAVFAC.

Mr. Whitten is managing an ecological risk assessment being conducted at NAS Willow Grove, PA. The project is an investigation of environmental contamination and an evaluation of ecological risks from aviation-related landfill and fire-training activities. He is responsible for evaluating the ecological impacts of contamination in groundwater, surface water, soil, and sediment. 1997-Present. Client: NAVFAC.

Mr. Whitten is the project biologist for preparation of the license renewal report for Robinson Nuclear Power Station, near Hartsville, South Carolina. He is responsible for collecting data on natural resources and endangered and threatened terrestrial species at the plant and along associated transmission corridors.

January 2001 to Present. Client: Progress Energy/Carolina Power and Light.

Mr. Whitten is the project biologist for preparation of the license renewal reports for Quad Cities and Dresden Nuclear Power Stations in Illinois. He is responsible for collecting data on natural resources and endangered and threatened terrestrial species at the plants and along associated transmission corridors.

December 2000 to Present. Client: Exelon Corporation.

Mr. Whitten is the project biologist for preparation of the license renewal report for V.C. Summer Nuclear Station, near Jenkinsville, South Carolina. He is responsible for collecting data on natural resources and endangered and threatened terrestrial species at the plant and along associated transmission corridors.

December 2000 to Present. Client: South Carolina Electric and Gas Company.

Mr. Whitten was the project biologist for preparation of the license renewal report for Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, in southern Pennsylvania. He was responsible for collecting data on natural resources and endangered and threatened terrestrial species at the plant and along associated transmission corridors. He conducted a field survey for the federally threatened bog turtle along a 34-mile transmission corridor in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware. 2000. Client: PECO Energy.

Mr. Whitten was the project biologist for environmental surveys associated with preparation of the license renewal environmental report for the Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant (HNP) located near Baxley, Georgia. He was responsible for writing the wildlife survey plan, which was subsequently approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

He was also responsible for seasonal field surveys of the 2,244-acre plant site and 365 miles of transmission line corridors. Results of the surveys were used to evaluate the potential impacts from continued operation of HNP on threatened and endangered species. 1998-1999. Client: Southern Nuclear Operating Company.

Mr. Whitten was the project biologist for preparation of the license renewal reports for Surry and North Anna Nuclear Stations in eastern Virginia. He was responsible for collecting data on natural resources and endangered and threatened terrestrial species at the plants and along associated transmission corridors.

1999-2000. Client: Virginia Power.

Mr. Whitten performed an ecological risk assessment conducted at the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) in Cherry Point, NC. The project was an investigation of environmental contamination and an evaluation of ecological risks from aviation-related landfill activities. He assessed the ecological impacts of contamination in groundwater, surface water, soil, and sediment. 1995-1996. Client: NAVFAC.

Mr. Whitten performed an ecological risk assessment at the Naval Surface Warfare Center at the Dahlgren Laboratory, MD. The project, conducted under CERCLA requirements, was an investigation of

environmental contamination and an evaluation of ecological risks from naval munitions testing and maintenance activities. He also assessed the ecological impacts of contamination in groundwater, surface water, soil, and sediment, and helped design further studies of contamination in a creek on the site. 1995.

Client: NAVFAC.

CHRONOLOGICAL WORK HISTORY:

Environmental Scientist/Toxicologist; Tt NUS; Aiken, South Carolina; 1995 to Present.

Wildlife Biologist/Environmental Toxicologist/Project Manager; KBN; 1989 to 1995. Mr. Whitten was Project Manager for an investigation of the foraging territory of a pair of nesting bald eagles in Hilsborough County, FL. Over 6 weeks, he led a team of biologists who monitored the flight paths of the 2 adult eagles to and from their nest. After determining the eagles' foraging areas, he developed a management plan that preserved the eagles' foraging habitat while allowing the mining of phosphate in areas where the eagles would not be adversely impacted. In addition, a threatened and endangered wildlife survey was conducted in the same area and subsequent management plans were developed for the Florida sandhill crane and Southeastern American kestrel. 1994-1995. Client: IMC-Agrico, Inc.

Mr. Whitten conducted an investigation of the foraging territory of a pair of nesting bald eagles in Lee County, FL. He designed the study that monitored the flight paths of the 2 adult eagles to and from their nest. After determining the eagles' foraging areas, he designed a management plan that would permit suburban development activities in certain areas without adversely impacting the eagles. In addition, he conducted a threatened and endangered wildlife survey in the same area with particular emphasis on red-cockaded woodpeckers, Florida scrub jays, gopher tortoises, and wading birds. 1994-1995. Client: Atlantic Gulf Communities.

Mr. Whitten conducted endangered wildlife species surveys and habitat assessments and designed a mitigation plan for a powerplant expansion project in Manatee County, FL. During this period, he also conducted an endangered wildlife species survey along a proposed cable crossing in and near the Intracoastal Waterway in Flagler County, FL. 1994-1995. Client: Florida Power and Light Co. (FPL).

Mr. Whitten conducted an endangered wildlife survey along a proposed electrical transmission line in Seminole County, FL. 1993-1994. Client: Florida Power Corp. (FPC).

Mr. Whitten was Task Manager for habitat assessments and threatened and endangered wildlife species surveys in the area surrounding a proposed transmission line on the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and

Kennedy Space Center in Brevard County, FL. He conducted field surveys with particular emphasis on bald eagles, wading birds, alligators, and gopher tortoises. 1993. Client: FPL.

Mr. Whitten was Task Manager for an investigation of endangered wildlife species in the area surrounding a proposed transmission line and electrical substation in Brevard County, FL. He conducted field surveys with particular emphasis on the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. He determined the extent and quality of foraging resources and the home range of 2 red-cockaded woodpecker clans during breeding and nonbreeding seasons. He also conducted a nesting survey of threatened Florida scrub jays along a proposed electrical transmission line in Martin County, FL. 1993. Client: FPL.

Mr. Whitten was a Task Manager conducting a bald eagle survey at the site of a proposed electrical generating plant near Perryman, MD. 1993. Client: Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. (BG&E).

Mr. Whitten assisted in a retrospective study of the effects of mercury on the prey base of the endangered Florida panther. The study involved the collection of museum specimens and recently collected tissue from various mammals and birds utilized as prey for the Florida panther. 1992-1994. Client: EPA.

Mr. Whitten was the Task Manager for an investigation of the effects of transmission line collisions on endangered bird species in the Florida Everglades. The task included protocol development, field work, agency meetings, and reports. The investigation, conducted to satisfy requirements of the Endangered Species Act, resulted in an estimated mortality rate for birds along a 4-mile portion of existing transmission lines and recommended procedures for a study of avian mortality along a 40-mile proposed transmission line. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service subsequently approved these recommendations. 1992. Client:

FPL.

Mr. Whitten conducted a habitat assessment on 5 CERCLA sites at Mayport Naval Station in Mayport, FL.

This study determined the occurrence of threatened and endangered wildlife species at the sites and receptor species for further study. 1992. Client: ABB Environmental Services.

Mr. Whitten investigated the potential impacts on threatened and endangered wildlife species of a proposed urban development project in Martin County, FL. Particular species of interest included the red cockaded woodpecker, Florida scrub jay, gopher tortoise, manatee, and Florida sandhill crane. He also developed mitigation plans and recommended management strategies based on the results of his surveys. 1992. Client:

Mobil Development Corp.

As a Project Manager, Mr. Whitten conducted surveys of osprey nests atop transmission towers in 5 central Florida counties. He recommended actions to reduce electrical hazards posed by the nests and minimize risks to nesting ospreys. 1992. Client: FPL.

Mr. Whitten was also a Project Manager for an endangered species survey and subsequent gopher tortoise relocation project associated with a proposed gas pipeline in Manatee County, FL. As a result of the survey, efforts were implemented that allowed the pipeline to be installed without adversely affecting an active bald eagle nest located near the pipeline route. In addition, he was responsible for a gopher tortoise relocation project in which tortoises were temporarily held in captivity and released on the site after construction activities were complete. 1991-1992. Client: Florida Gas & Transmission.

Mr. Whitten assisted in an ecological risk assessment for a proposed hazardous waste incinerator in Polk County, FL. As Task Manager for environmental sampling, he collected fish for subsequent mercury analyses. Based on the results of this sampling and on modeled air and soil concentrations of organic and inorganic constituents associated with the proposed incinerator, this study evaluated risks to wildlife (especially bald eagles) from direct and indirect exposure. 1991. Client: Florida First Processing, Inc.

Mr. Whitten was Project Manager for an endangered species survey and subsequent gopher tortoise relocation project associated with the construction of an electrical generation facility in Seminole County, FL. As a result of his efforts, the state granted permits that allowed the construction of the facility on schedule. 1991. Client: FPC.

Mr. Whitten was Project Manager for a 2-year environmental monitoring project that assessed the human health and ecological effects of an operational municipal waste incinerator in Lake County, FL. He managed the study design, field sampling, analysis, and risk assessment for the $140,000 study. The risk assessment was based on concentrations of a variety of chemicals in soil, vegetation (Spanish moss, grass) and animal tissue (fish, earthworms, horse hair, birds). Samples were collected before the initial operation of the incinerator and at 6-month intervals during the 2-year period after the facility became operational.

Results indicated that the facility posed no threat to humans or ecological receptors in the vicinity. 1990-1993. Client: Lake County Board of County Commissioners.

Mr. Whitten compiled a synthesis report on pesticides used in Florida and their potential effects on wildlife.

The report included pesticide toxicity and usage data, pesticide regulations, risk assessment techniques, and case studies of fish and wildlife dieoffs. He revised this report in 1995. 1990; 1995. Client: Florida Game

& Fresh Water Fish Commission.

Mr. Whitten assisted in an assessment of the toxicological impacts to aquatic species of a proposed electric generating plant. The assessment showed that effluent from the proposed facility would not adversely affect fish and other aquatic species. 1990. Client: BG&E.

Mr. Whitten reviewed more than 300 laboratory and field pesticide studies submitted by chemical manufacturers to the EPA as part of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) registration process. He determined whether the studies followed established FIFRA testing procedures and whether they were scientifically valid. These reviews were the basis for pesticide risk assessments. 1989-1994. Client: EPA.

Mr. Whitten evaluated the impacts of a proposed electric generating plant, gas pipeline, and transmission line on wildlife in central FL. He directed and conducted field surveys of wildlife and aquatic organisms.

He coordinated mitigation activities associated with bald eagles, red-cockaded woodpeckers, indigo snakes, sandhill cranes, and other wading bird species. 1989-1991. Client: Seminole Electric Cooperative Inc.

Environmental Toxicologist; WWU; 1986 to 1988. Mr. Whitten designed and conducted a 2-year,

$120,000 study that assessed the effectiveness of nest boxes in the determination of pesticide impacts on avian reproduction. He prepared the study design and managed a team of biologists who monitored breeding success and survival of birds in 240 nest boxes through 2 breeding seasons in Whatcom County, WA. He also sampled and analyzed soil, invertebrates, and avian tissue in the study area after an aerial application of insecticide. In addition, he monitored the survival of European starling juveniles by the use of radio transmitters attached to the young birds. As a result of this study, standard protocol methodologies were incorporated into a guidance document published by the National Technical Information Service to be used in future nest box studies. 1987-1988.

Mr. Whitten assisted in field studies of the effects to wildlife of treating golf courses with pesticides. In this capacity, he assisted with behavioral observations of wild birds, carcass collection, and the determination of scavenger removal rates. 1987. Client: Ciba-Geigy Corp.

Mr. Whitten conducted a field pen study of the effects of a granular insecticide on bobwhite quail and house sparrows. He supervised the capture and husbandry of wild house sparrows to be used as test subjects and monitored the survival of the sparrows and quail placed in pens throughout a field in which 3 different insecticide application methods were used. 1986. Client: American Cyanamid Co.

U..S. Naval Reserves; 1984-1994. As a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve, Mr. Whitten conducted habitat evaluations, endangered species surveys, and preliminary risk assessments on 2 CERCLA

sites at NAS Cecil Field, FL. In addition, he developed wildlife management plans and provided assistance on an as-needed basis to the Natural Resources Manager at NAS Cecil Field. 1992-1994.

U.S. Navy; 1976-1984. Mr. Whitten spent 5 years as a jet navigator and electronics countermeasures officer. He logged nearly 1,000 flight-hours in the EA-6B Prowler aircraft. During his service on board the USS Independence and the USS Forrestal, he accumulated over 300 carrier-arrested landings and supervised 15 personnel. For a period of 3 years, he served as Curriculum Officer for the Navy's wilderness survival training of flight students. In that capacity, he supervised 12 instructors and was responsible for the survival training of over 3,000 students per year. He left active duty in 1984 as a Lieutenant. He then served as a drilling reservist in the Navy Reserve and retired from the reserves in 1994 as a Lieutenant Commander.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

Member, Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry, 1989-Present Board of Directors, Regional Chapter, Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry, 1992-1994 Regional Chapter President, Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry, 1994 PUBLICATIONS:

The Use of Radio Telemetry to Investigate Postfledging Survival of European Starlings Following an Agricultural Spraying of Methyl Parathion (primary author), in Radiotelemetry Applications for Wildlife Toxicology Field Studies, Brewer, L.W., Fagerstone, K.A. (eds), Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Pensacola, Florida, 1998.

"Handbook of Pesticide Use and Effects on Florida Wildlife" (co-author), Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, 1995.

"The Use of Starling Nest Boxes for Field Reproductive Studies: Provisional Guidance Document &

Technical Support Document" (co-author), National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA, NTIS PB89-195028, 1989.

Threatened and Endangered Species Survey:

Sinai Cemetery Transmission Line Corridor 2002 Supplement to Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys:

Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant and Associated Transmission Line Corridors 2001-2002 Prepared for Southern Nuclear Operating Company By Tetra Tech NUS, Inc.

October 25, 2002

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page

1.0 INTRODUCTION

..............................................................................................................................................1 2.0 THE TRANSMISSION CORRIDOR ...............................................................................................................3 3.0 METHODOLOGY .............................................................................................................................................4 3.1 SPECIES OF INTEREST..................................................................................................................................4 3.2 SURVEY TECHNIQUES .................................................................................................................................4 3.2.1 Plants .............................................................................................................................................5 3.2.2 Animals .........................................................................................................................................6 4.0 RESULTS............................................................................................................................................................7 4.1 SURVEY LOCATIONS ...................................................................................................................................7 4.2 PLANTS .......................................................................................................................................................9 4.3 ANIMALS ..................................................................................................................................................10 4.4 POTENTIAL ANIMAL OCCURRENCES .........................................................................................................10 4.4.1 Mammals .....................................................................................................................................10 4.4.2 Birds ............................................................................................................................................13 4.4.3 Reptiles........................................................................................................................................17 4.4.4 Amphibians .................................................................................................................................20

5.0 CONCLUSION

S...............................................................................................................................................22 5.1 PLANTS .....................................................................................................................................................22 5.2 ANIMALS ..................................................................................................................................................22

6.0 REFERENCES

.................................................................................................................................................24 Final ii 10/25/02

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)

Appendices Page APPENDIX A - ANIMAL DATA SHEETS ......................................................................................................... A-1 APPENDIX B - PHOTOGRAPHS OF SELECTED SURVEY LOCATIONS..................................................B-1 List of Figures Page FIGURE 1. FNP SITE...............................................................................................................................................33 FIGURE 2. FIELD SURVEY LOCATIONS. .........................................................................................................34 List of Tables Page TABLE 1. TARGET PLANT SPECIES: SINAI CEMETERY TRANSMISSION LINE CORRIDOR, AUGUST, 2002..................................................................................................................................................28 TABLE 2. TARGET ANIMAL SPECIES: SINAI CEMETERY TRANSMISSION LINE CORRIDOR, AUGUST, 2002..................................................................................................................................................30 TABLE 3. LISTED ANIMALS OBSERVED DURING FIELD SURVEYS.......................................................32 Final iii 10/25/02

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report

1.0 INTRODUCTION

In preparing for renewal of its operating licenses, the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant (FNP) is required to assess a wide variety of potential environmental impacts, including impacts to ecological resources. This report presents the results of field surveys conducted in August 2002 to update information on ecological resources (and particularly, threatened and endangered species) along the transmission line corridor from FNP to the Sinai Cemetery substation. The surveys were intended to aid in the evaluation of potential impacts from continued operation of FNP beyond the current operating term by identifying sensitive populations that potentially could be affected.

Southern Nuclear Operating Company (SNC) has prepared this report to update information on ecological resources that occur on the FNP-to-Sinai Cemetery transmission corridor, and to provide input for the license renewal decision-making process. In addition, data from the field surveys are intended to support the environmental documentation required by NRC (10 CFR 51.53) to be submitted with the license renewal application. The purpose of the surveys is broader, however, than the satisfaction of NRC regulations, which require applicants to evaluate potential impacts to federally-listed species. As explained in Section 3.1, state-listed species are also included in accordance with SNCs corporate commitment to environmental stewardship.

FNP, owned by Alabama Power Company and operated by SNC, is located in Houston County in southeastern Alabama, on the west bank of the Chattahoochee River. The FNP site is approximately 16.5 miles east of Dothan, Alabama, and 16 miles north of the Alabama-Florida border. Six high-voltage (230- and 500-kilovolt [kV]) transmission lines originate at FNP, and consist of approximately 325 miles of transmission corridors (Figure 1). Two 230-kV lines carry power west from FNP to the Pinckard and Webb substations near Dothan, Alabama. A 500-kV transmission line terminates at the Snowdoun substation near Montgomery, Alabama. A second 500-kV transmission line extends into Georgia, terminating at the Raccoon Creek substation. A 230-kV line carries power to the South Bainbridge substation, near Bainbridge, Georgia. Field surveys were conducted at FNP and along the transmission line corridors to the Pinckard, Webb, Snowdoun, Raccoon Creek, and South Bainbridge substations during 2001 and early 2002. Detailed habitat descriptions of the FNP site and these five corridors, and results of the field surveys, were provided in a report entitled Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys: Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant and Associated Transmission Line Corridors (2001-2002)

(Tetra Tech NUS 2002).

Construction of the 230-kV FNP to Sinai Cemetery transmission line was not complete when the aforementioned field surveys were initiated, and thus, the surveys documented in the Tetra Tech NUS Final 1 10/25/02

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report (2002) report did not include this transmission line corridor. The current report provides the results of surveys along the FNP-to-Sinai Cemetery corridor, and does not include results of the previous (Tetra Tech NUS 2002) surveys.

The following sections describe the FNP-to-Sinai Cemetery transmission corridor, present target lists of plant and animal species, describe survey techniques, and discuss the results of the surveys.

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Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report 2.0 THE TRANSMISSION CORRIDOR The 230-kV FNP-to-Sinai Cemetery transmission line is approximately 48 miles long. Originating at FNP, the line runs in a southwestern direction for approximately 11 miles, then runs generally southeast to the Sinai Cemetery substation, near Sneads, Florida. The first 18 miles are within Houston County, Alabama, while the remaining portion (approximately 30 miles) is within Jackson County, Florida. The standard width of the transmission line corridor is 125 feet.

Alabama Power Company and Gulf Power Company perform maintenance activities to keep vegetation heights low enough to prevent interference with the transmission line. Current practices incorporate the use of approved herbicides on dry ground, low-lying wet areas, and stream crossings and hand clearing in some wetland areas. Many portions of the transmission corridor are cultivated by local farmers, and therefore require no additional vegetation maintenance. Private interests that have agreed to perform vegetation maintenance are managing portions of the transmission corridor for wildlife enhancement.

The transmission corridor is located primarily within the East Gulf Coastal Plain physiographic province.

Sandy soils and flat to gently rolling terrain largely characterize the region. The slope, aspect, and underlying substrate of the soils play a significant role in determining the assemblage of plants and animals that are likely to occur in a given area.

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Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report 3.0 METHODOLOGY 3.1 Species of Interest Species of interest for this report consist of listed species as defined below:

• Species that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has listed, or proposed for listing, as threatened or endangered in accordance with the Endangered Species Act. The current statuses of these species were taken from lists of federally-endangered plants and wildlife maintained at the USFWS Endangered Species Program (internet) Home Page (http://endangered.fws.gov).

• Animal species classified by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) as state-protected (ADCNR does not provide special status designations for plants).

• Animal species that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC) has listed, or proposed for listing, as endangered, threatened, or of special concern.

• Plant species that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has listed, or proposed for listing, as endangered or threatened.

The current statuses of Alabama-listed animals were taken from Alabama Inventory List (ANHP 2001).

Current statuses of Florida-listed animal and plant species were taken from Floridas Endangered Species, Threatened Species, and Species of Special Concern, Official Lists (FFWCC 1997), and subsequent updates.

Species of interest did not include those species that are restricted to aquatic habitats (e.g., fish, mussels).

Surveys for fish and mollusks were not conducted as part of this survey because sufficient data are already available to describe occurrences of these species in the area of concern. SNC intends to rely on the results of recent surveys and studies conducted by various organizations to identify and describe these aquatic organisms in the area of concern.

3.2 Survey Techniques The primary objective of the surveys was to determine the presence or absence of federal- and state-listed plant and animal species along the FNP-to-Sinai Cemetery transmission corridor. A literature search was conducted prior to the field surveys to identify known occurrences of listed species along the transmission corridor, as well as updates of geographic ranges of listed species that might occur in the region. Several Final 4 10/25/02

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report sources were consulted for known and possible occurrences of listed species. Known occurrences of federally-listed and Alabama-protected species in Houston County, Alabama, were provided by the ADCNR State Lands Division, Natural Heritage Section. Recorded locations of federally-listed and Florida-listed species within approximately 4 miles of the corridor in Jackson County, Florida, were provided by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI 2002a). This inventory was further supplemented using standard ecological references, and contacts with local and regional authorities. Based on the literature search, lists of federally-listed and state-listed terrestrial species targeted during the surveys were generated (Tables 1 and 2).

The transmission corridor was surveyed by concentrating efforts in areas offering the greatest potential for harboring listed species. These areas were identified prior to conducting the field surveys by examining United States Geological Survey (USGS) aerial photographs taken in 1997 and 1999. The aerial photographs were downloaded from Terra Server at http://terraserver.com, and printed with the transmission corridor highlighted on the printouts. The aerial photography provided a significant advantage to the biologists by allowing them to rapidly eliminate from consideration areas of poor quality habitat for listed species, such as cropland and pastures. Areas noted as being poor quality habitat for listed species were generally confirmed as such in the field. Following the examination of the aerial photographs, biologists drove to areas of potential interest and conducted surveys on foot.

3.2.1 PLANTS A late-summer survey of listed plant species was conducted during August 2-4, 2002. A table of known and potentially-occurring listed plant species in Houston County, Alabama and Jackson County, Florida was compiled prior to the survey (Table 1). This table provided a target list of species for the August field work, and consisted of all federal and state-listed vascular plant species believed to have even a remote possibility of occurring on the transmission corridor.

The aforementioned aerial photographs, 7.5 minute series topographic USGS quadrangle maps, and a hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS) unit were used to record the locations of areas that were searched during the plant survey. Notes were taken describing habitats and plant species present at each area searched.

The plant survey was performed by Dr. L.L. Gaddy. Dr. Gaddy has a Ph. D. from the University of Georgia in biogeography and is currently president of terra incognita, an environmental consulting company. He has published widely in the fields of biogeography, botany, and invertebrate zoology.

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Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report 3.2.2 ANIMALS The surveys for birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians was designed to provide information on the occurrence and potential for occurrence of listed species along the transmission corridor. The survey focused on areas along the transmission line corridor that were identified during examination of the aforementioned aerial photographs. Specifically, natural habitats such stream crossings, swamps, marshes, xeric uplands, and mature forests adjacent to the transmission corridors, were targeted for the field survey. These areas were generally searched on foot. Due to the openness of the corridor, however, a survey by vehicle was adequate in some areas.

The wildlife survey was conducted during August 12-14, 2002. Wildlife species were identified through actual observations, as well as from tracks, scat, and bird calls. Topographic maps, the aforementioned aerial photographs, and a hand-held GPS unit were used to record the locations of listed species and areas searched. Notes regarding listed species occurrences, habitats, etc. were recorded in a field notebook.

Occurrences of listed animal species observed were recorded on data sheets provided by the Florida Natural Heritage Program and the Alabama Natural Heritage Program (Appendix A). No trapping or other collection activities were conducted. Because many animal species are mobile and secretive, the absence of a species during a survey is not necessarily conclusive evidence that the species does not use the area in question. Therefore, the potential for use of the transmission corridor by listed wildlife species was also evaluated, based on the quality of habitats observed.

Prior to the initiation of the field survey, a target animal list was developed (Table 2). The species shown in Table 2 consist of state- and federally-listed species that occur (or could possibly occur based on habitat and known geographic range) in the area encompassed by the transmission corridor. A conservative approach was used in an effort to make the list as all-inclusive as possible. As mentioned earlier, however, fish and mollusks were not included as target species.

The wildlife field survey was performed by Mr. Mike Whitten. Mr. Whitten has 13 years of technical and managerial experience in wildlife ecology and toxicology. He currently serves as a wildlife biologist, and eco-toxicologist, conducting wildlife surveys, habitat evaluations, and ecological risk assessments for government, commercial, and utility clients. He has conducted and managed numerous projects that evaluated the ecological effects of proposed and operational electric generating plants, transmission lines, gas pipelines and other development projects on threatened and endangered wildlife species.

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Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report 4.0 RESULTS Brief descriptions of survey locations on the transmission corridor are provided in Section 4.1. Section 4.2 discusses the results of the plant survey. Section 4.3 discusses the results of the wildlife survey. Brief ecological descriptions of listed animal species that were observed, or that could occur within the transmission corridor, are presented in Section 4.4.

No areas designated by the USFWS as critical habitat for endangered species exist within or adjacent to the transmission corridor.

4.1 Survey Locations This section provides brief descriptions of survey locations, which are shown in Figure 2. Locations that were visited but were found to contain no natural habitats (i.e., croplands and pastures) are not described below and are not included in Figure 2.

S1A Jackson Creek crossing. The corridor crosses a mixed hardwood forest dominated by southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), American beech (Fagus grandifolia), and Florida maple (Acer barbatum), with spruce pine (Pinus glabra) and hickories (Carya spp.) also present.

S1B Cedar Creek crossing. The vegetation here is similar to that at S1A.

S2 The corridor crosses a small tributary of Rocky Creek at this location. A 4-ft high beaver dam within the corridor has created a ponded area within the bottomland along the stream. Sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), water oak (Quercus nigra), river birch (Betula nigra), and black willow (Salix nigra) are dominant around the pond beyond the corridor.

S3 Here, the corridor crosses the margin of a pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens) wetland. Woolgrass bulrush (Scirpus cyperinus) is dominant within the corridor.

S4A Bruners Gin Creek crossing and hillside to the northwest. The corridor crosses a bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) and tupelo (Nyssa biflora) swamp along the creek. Woody plant saplings, grasses, sedges, and herbaceous species dominate the corridor near the creek. Upslope (northwest) from the creek, the corridor passes through mixed hardwoods/pines and planted pines. Grasses, sedges, and wildlife food plots occur within the corridor on the hillside to the northwest of the creek.

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Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report S4B The corridor traverses a mixed pine/hardwood forest for approximately 1/2-mile. The gently undulating terrain within the corridor is dominated by grasses and blackberry (Rubus spp) thickets.

S5A The corridor passes through a stand of dense, young, pond cypress. Weedy nonwoody species dominate the corridor.

S5B Old fields and planted pines.

S6A The corridor traverses pine flatwoods habitat for approximately one mile. The pine flatwoods have not been burned or thinned in many years, and are transitioning into a hardwood dominated forest with a closed canopy. Blackberry, various grasses, and weedy species dominate the corridor.

S6B A 1/2-mile stretch through mixed pine/hardwoods. Vegetation within the corridor is a mixture of herbaceous and shrubby species through slightly undulating terrain.

S7 The northern portion of this 1.3-mile segment passes through planted pines and areas of mixed pine/hardwoods. Some areas within the corridor are currently cultivated as wildlife food plots, while other portions are a mixture of low grasses and other herbaceous vegetation. The southern portion of this segment traverses a large area that has recently been clear-cut.

S8A This is a crossing of two sinks collectively called Deer Pond. Both sinks were dry and were being invaded by upland and weedy species. Dog fennel (Eupatorium capillifolium) and purple rattle-bush (Sesbania punicea), a legume, were abundant in the corridor. The corridor crosses through planted pines along a low ridge to the southeast of the sinks.

S8B A series of low, wet areas are found along the corridor, which traverses a cypress swamp.

Maidencane (Panicum hemitomom) and white Maryland meadowbeauty (Rhexia mariana var. alba) dominate the vegetation within the corridor in the southern portion of this location. The corridor is dominated by Ludwigia spp. in the northern portion of this location.

S9 Mixed pine/hardwoods lie to the east of the corridor, while old field habitat lies to the west. A wetland that is an outlier of Cow Pen Pond is also located slightly east of the corridor. Part of the wetland is open and grassy, the remainder is dominated by buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis).

S10A A small, wet grassy meadow within the corridor. This area is dominated by meadowbeauties (Rhexia spp.), seedboxes (Ludwigia spp.), grasses, and sedges.

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Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report S10B The corridor crosses the margins of several sandy, pond cypress wetlands that are interspersed between drier areas.

S11 The corridor passes through a disturbed, shallow, swamp tupelo-pond cypress depression.

S12 This 1.7-mile segment of the corridor is located on a series of low rolling hills. Habitats adjacent to the corridor are characterized as hardwood forest, mixed pine/hardwood forest, planted pines, and pastures.

S13 Grasses and shrubs within the corridor, hardwood stands interspersed with planted pines outside the corridor.

S14 The corridor crosses several small sink-hole ponds. All of the ponds were dry during the field survey, and were becoming overgrown by weedy vegetation. Dog fennel (Eupatorium capillifolium) and purple rattle-bush (Sesbania punicea) were the dominant species along the corridor, with wetland species such as black willow and buttonbush also present.

S15 The corridor crosses the shallow, upstream end of a 6-acre pond formed by a dam across a small stream. The portion of the pond within the corridor is essentially a marsh, and numerous wetland species such as Scirpus spp. and water lilly (Nymphaea spp.) are present.

Vegetation within the corridor generally consists of a low shrub layer and a herbaceous layer. Although some tree species exist within the corridor, there is no canopy or subcanopy since the corridor is mowed every three years.

4.2 Plants No state- or federally-listed plant species were found within the Farley-to-Sinai Cemetery corridor.

Most of the land crossed by the corridor is agricultural, with soybeans, cotton, peanuts, and hay being the most commonly-encountered crops. At two locations in Alabama (Sites S1A and S1B), the corridor crosses rolling hills underlain by calcareous rocks (limestone and marl), which are drained by deeply-cut creeks that flow into the Chattahoochee River. The banks, bluffs, and ravines of these creeks harbor a rich flora dominated by southern magnolia, American beech, Florida maple, and various species of ferns and herbaceous plant species that grow on calcium-rich soils. Along the Alabama-Florida boundary and southward into Florida, the landscape is underlain by limestone or marl deposits. Here, creek drainage is often absent, with large and small ponds and sinks dominating the landscape. Many of these sinks are shallow and have been incorporated into agricultural usage as cattle ponds or simply wet spots in the Final 9 10/25/02

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report fields. Other sinks, however, are still wet and appear to provide potential habitat for state- and federally-listed plant species. However, the extensive withdrawal of ground water by central-pivot irrigation and the current decade-long drought has dramatically reduced the water level in most of the sinks. The most common wetland species found in these sinks include pond cypress, black willow, buttonbush, woolgrass bulrush, plume grass (Erianthus sp.), and needlerushes (Juncus spp.).

4.3 Animals Listed animal species discovered on the transmission corridors consisted of the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), and little blue heron (Egretta caerulea) (Table 3).

Active gopher tortoise burrows were observed at Sites S4A, S4B, S6A, S6B, S7, S8A, S9, and S12, and slightly southwest of S2 (Figure 2). Alligator tracks were observed near an alligator den at Site S8B. A little blue heron was observed at Site S15.

Southeastern pocket gopher (Geomys pinetis) mounds were observed at Sites S6A, S6B, S7, and S12. An Eastern coachwhip snake (Masticophis flagellum flagellum) was observed at S12. The Southeastern pocket gopher and Eastern coachwhip are not federally-listed and are not state-listed in Florida (where they were observed). These two species are classified in Alabama, however, as state-protected.

4.4 Potential Animal Occurrences As mentioned earlier, many animal species are mobile and secretive, and thus, the absence of a species during a survey is not necessarily conclusive evidence that the species does not utilize the area in question. Therefore, the potential for occurrence of listed wildlife species was also evaluated. Brief ecological descriptions of listed animal species that were observed, or that could occur within the transmission corridors, are presented below.

4.4.1 MAMMALS Gray Bat The gray bat (Myotis grisescens) is listed as endangered by USFWS and FFWCC, and as state-protected by ADCNR. The species is found mainly in Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Missouri (Gore 1992).

In Florida, the gray bat is found only in a few caves near Marianna, in Jackson County (Brown 1997a, Gore 1987). It inhabits moist caves in limestone strata, and is almost exclusively a cave-dwelling species.

Gray bats forage primarily over water, especially over streams bordered by forests, and are known to forage up to 25 km (15 miles) from their cave roost. They show dietary preferences for flying aquatic insects such as stoneflies, caddisflies, mayflies, beetles, and mosquitoes (Brown 1997a, b; Gore 1992).

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Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report Jackson County, Florida, is underlain by a layer of limestone which has been partially dissolved by percolating water, resulting in one of the highest concentrations of caves in Florida (Gore 1987). As mentioned in Section 2.0, approximately 30 miles of the Sinai transmission corridor are within Jackson County. Large colonies of gray bats occur in Florida Caverns State Park, approximately 10 miles from the Sinai Cemetery transmission corridor. The FNAI (2002a) database did not contain any records of this species in the vicinity of the transmission corridor. Because of the scarcity of open water bodies along the corridor, gray bats probably do not forage within the corridor. However, they might cross the corridor while traveling to and from foraging areas.

Southeastern Bat The Southeastern bat (Myotis austroriparius) is listed as state-protected by ADCNR. It inhabits caves, hollow trees, attics of buildings, crevices of buildings, concrete storm sewers, and other dark cavities.

The species is adaptable to a variety of locations and physical conditions and is found in southern Alabama and in the northern two-thirds of Florida. Southeastern bats sometimes form large colonies, often with other bat species. (Brown 1997a, b; Belwood and Lefebvre 1992). Tens of thousands of Southeastern bats have been recorded in Jackson County caves (Gore 1987). These bats appear to prefer foraging over water, where they consume small beetles, moths, mosquitoes, and other flying insects (Brown 1997a, b; Belwood and Lefebvre 1992). Southeastern bats are probably present along the transmission corridor.

Indiana Bat The Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) is listed as endangered by USFWS and FFWCC, and is listed as state-protected by ADCNR. This species hibernates in dense clusters in caves. The Indiana bat is a migratory species, traveling as far as 300 miles between Winter and Summer habitats (Humphrey 1992). Summer records are scarce, but a few individuals have been found under bridges and in old buildings, and several maternity colonies have been found under loose bark and in the hollows of trees. Summer foraging by females and juveniles is limited to riparian and floodplain areas. Males forage over floodplain ridges and hillside forests and usually roost in caves (Brown 1997a, b; Humphrey 1992). The species is apparently absent south of Tennessee during the Summer (USFWS 1999). There are no recorded occurrences of this species in Houston County, Alabama.

Humphrey (1992) reported that the Indiana bat is known in Florida from only one specimen collected in 1955 within the Florida Caverns State Park. Brown (1997a) stated that the species has been recorded in Florida only in a few caves in the Panhandle. FNAI (2002b) data indicate that Indiana bats have been confirmed in Jackson County, but the FNAI (2002a) database did not contain any records of this species Final 11 10/25/02

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report in the vicinity of the transmission corridor. In summary, northern Florida and southern Alabama represent the periphery of the range of this species. Furthermore, recorded occurrences are sparse in northern Florida and southern Alabama, and no hibernation caves are known to occur in the vicinity of the transmission corridor. Therefore, the potential for Indiana bats along the corridor is low.

Rafinesques Big-Eared Bat Rafinesques big-eared bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) is listed as state-protected by ADCNR. This bat is found in forested areas, especially in pine flatwoods and pine-oak woodlands. It roosts in hollow trees, under bark, in old cabins and barns, and in wells and culverts. These bats are capable of hovering, and their primary food item is moths (Belwood 1992; Brown 1997b). Because of its large geographic range (the entire southeastern United States), Rafinesques big-eared bat might occur along the transmission corridor.

Southeastern Pocket Gopher The Southeastern pocket gopher (Geomys pinetis) is listed as state-protected by ADCNR. It prefers deep, sandy soils and is absent from hard clay, rocky soils, and wet areas. The species is characteristically found in pine-oak woodlands, open pine flatwoods, and in weedy or grassy fields. Pocket gophers are fossorial (living underground), and build extensive tunnel systems, with portions constantly being added and abandoned in search of food. Common food items include a wide variety of roots, tubers, bulbs, and other plant parts. The tunnels are deep enough to be undetectable at the surface, but loose soil is pushed up sloping tunnels to the surface and piled in mounds 12-18 inches across ands 4-8 inches high. The approximate course of the tunnels can usually be identified by the position of these mounds. Although rain and wind gradually erode the mounds, mound scars usually persist on the surface for a year or more.

(Brown 1997b).

Pocket gopher mounds were observed on the transmission corridor in Florida at Sites S6A, S6B, S7, and S12. Although no mounds were observed on the corridor in Alabama (where they are listed as state-protected), the species is known to occur in Houston County (ADCNR 2002) and probably occurs along some portions of the corridor in Alabama.

Long-Tailed Weasel The long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata) is listed as state-protected by ADCNR. It is found in forested and open habitats and appears to have no particular habitat preference among terrestrial communities.

Long-tailed weasels prey primarily on rodents, birds, reptiles, and rabbits. They typically inhabit shallow Final 12 10/25/02

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report ground burrows, or crevices of logs or stumps. They hunt during both day and night, but tend to be more active at night (Brown 1997b). Because of their wide geographic range (throughout the United States) and unrestricted habitat preference, they might occur along the transmission corridor.

Shermans Fox Squirrel Shermans fox squirrel (Sciurus niger shermani) is listed as a species of special concern by FFWCC. It is one of several subspecies of fox squirrels in the eastern United States, where it occurs in southern Georgia, the eastern portion of the Florida panhandle, and central Florida. Shermans fox squirrels inhabit open woodlands, and especially in pine flatwoods and longleaf pine-turkey oak sandhills. Their primary food items are acorns and longleaf pine seeds, but nuts, fungi, bulbs, vegetative buds, and insects are also eaten (Brown 1997b; Kantola 1992).

Shermans fox squirrels have been recorded in Jackson County (FNAI 2002b) and some portions of the corridor pass through woodlands that are presumably inhabited by these squirrels. In such areas, Shermans fox squirrels probably forage along the edges of the corridor, and sometimes cross the corridor.

4.4.2 BIRDS Peregrine Falcon The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) is listed by FFWCC as endangered, and by ADCNR as state-protected. USFWS formerly listed the American peregrine falcon (F. p. anatum) as endangered. Because of the similar appearance among subspecies, USFWS also listed the general species (Falco peregrinus) as endangered. The peregrine falcon (including all subspecies) was removed from the federal list on August 25, 1999.

Peregrine falcons formerly nested throughout most of the U.S., but there have been no reports of nesting in the southeastern U.S. in many years. Wintering peregrine falcons are sometimes observed in the southeastern U.S., usually in coastal areas. Typical winter habitats consist of coastal shorelines, as well as lake and river margins, ponds, sloughs, and marshes near the coast. Peregrine falcons prey primarily on birds (Meyer and Smallwood 1996). Because there have been no reports of nesting in the southeastern U.S. in many years, and since wintering falcons are essentially coastal, the possibility of peregrine falcons nesting or foraging along the transmission corridor is very low.

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Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report Sourtheastern American Kestrel The Southeastern American kestrel (Falco sparverius paulus) is listed as threatened by FFWCC and is one of two subspecies of the American kestrel that occur in Florida and southern Alabama. The northern subspecies (F. s. paulus) is a winter resident only, and is not federally- or state-listed in Alabama or Florida. The southeastern subspecies is a year-round resident. It is found in a variety of open habitats, most frequently in sandhills, sand pine scrub, and pastures. Southeastern American kestrels nest in cavities excavated by woodpeckers. They consume a variety of prey items, especially insects and small reptiles. Grasshoppers, dragonflies, lizards, and worms are typical prey items, but they also prey on frogs and small birds. Perch hunting from powerlines and fence posts is the most common foraging method.

The Southeastern American kestrel potentially nests in Jackson County (FNAI 2002b), and probably forages along some portions of the corridor.

Bald Eagle The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is listed as threatened by USFWS and FFWCC, and state-protected by ADCNR. Bald eagles occur in a wide variety of habitats, but proximity to water is important. Preferred habitat includes a high amount of water-to-land edge where prey is concentrated.

Thus, bald eagles are generally restricted to coastal areas, lakes, and rivers. They prey on fish near the surface but will eat dead fish or other carrion, as well as birds and mammals. The average foraging distance from roosts or nests is 2 to 4 miles. Some bald eagles in the southern United States migrate northward in mid-Summer (after the nesting season) and return in early Autumn (Curnutt 1996; Stalmaster 1987).

There are no known bald eagle nests or roosting sites along the transmission corridor. It is unlikely that any eagle nests occur in the immediate vicinity of the corridor, since the existence of a breeding pair would probably result in numerous sightings. In addition, the absence of lakes and rivers along the corridor largely precludes the possibility of eagles foraging within the corridor.

Osprey The osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is listed as state-protected by ADCNR. Ospreys are found primarily along rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and seacoasts. They feed almost exclusively on fish caught by plunging feet-first into the water. Osprey populations were previously affected by organochlorine pesticides (especially DDT), which caused thinning of the egg shells, so that the eggs crushed during incubation by adult ospreys. Populations are now recovering in many areas. Ospreys usually nest near or above water Final 14 10/25/02

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report bodies in dead snags, living trees, cliffs, utility poles, wooden platforms on poles, channel buoys, chimneys, windmills, etc. Nests are often used in successive years (Henny 1988).

The absence of lakes and rivers along the corridor largely precludes the possibility of ospreys foraging within the corridor.

Red-Cockaded Woodpecker The red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) is listed as endangered by USFWS and FFWCC, and state-protected by ADCNR. The red-cockaded woodpecker is a cooperative breeder that lives in social units known as clans. The species is unique among North American woodpeckers because it excavates cavities in living pines. Cavity excavation usually requires from one to several years. Active clusters of cavities occur in open, mature pine stands with sparse midstory vegetation. When the hardwood midstory grows above 15 feet, cavity abandonment usually occurs. Cavities are rarely found in trees as young as 30 to 40 years old, and most cavity trees are at least 80 years old. Ideal foraging habitat consists of pine stands with trees > 9 inches diameter at breast height (dbh). They also forage in pine stands of 4 to 9 inches dbh, and sometimes in pines scattered through hardwood stands. Food consists primarily of arthropods (Hooper et al. 1980).

There are no recorded red-cockaded woodpecker colonies in Houston County or Jackson County.

Preferred habitat for this species does not exist along the corridor. Since red-cockaded woodpeckers are very habitat-specific, the probability of this species occurring along the transmission corridor is very low.

Wood Stork The wood stork (Mycteria americana) is listed as endangered by USFWS and FFWCC, and state-protected by ADCNR. Wood stork habitats include cypress/gum ponds, river swamps, marshes, and bays. The wood stork is highly gregarious in its nesting and feeding behavior. They are tactile feeders (vision is not used to locate or catch prey) and usually forage in shallow water (6 to 20 inches). Small fish are the primary food items, but storks also consume crustaceans, salamanders, tadpoles, and insects.

The distance between nesting colonies and feeding areas can range up to 60 miles or more (Ogden 1996; USFWS 1986).

FNAI (2002a) records indicate a possible wood stork rookery approximately one mile southwest of the corridor in Jackson County near Ocheesee Pond. This "pond" is actually several hundred acres of open water and several thousand acres of cypress swamp. It is unlikely that any rookeries exist along the Final 15 10/25/02

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report corridor due to the almost complete absence of preferred wetland habitats that are crossed by the corridor.

Similarly, it is unlikely that wood storks forage within the corridor.

Limpkin The limpkin (Aramus guarauna) is listed as a species of special concern by FFWCC. The limpkin is primarily a bird of Central America. Within North America, limpkins are occasionally seen in the southeastern U.S., but breeding is known only in southeastern Georgia and peninsular Florida.

Tallahassee represents the westward extent of breeding records for this species. Apple snails (Pomacea paludosa) are the primary food item, but limpkins also consume mussels and other species of aquatic snails. Limpkins are found along freshwater swamps and marshes, streams, and lake margins. Nests made of aquatic vegetation are often near the water level in marshes or shrubs, but are occasionally in the tops of sabal palms (Sabal palmetto) (Bryan 1992).

Limpkins are not known from Alabama. FNAI (2002b) data indicate that this species potentially occurs (but has not been confirmed) in Jackson County. Because Jackson County lies west of what is typically thought of as the geographic range of this species, and since preferred habitat along the corridor is almost totally absent, the probability of limpkins along the corridor is low.

White Ibis The white ibis (Eudocimus albus) is listed as a species of special concern by FFWCC. This medium sized wading bird nests and forages in freshwater, brackish, and saline environments. White ibises prefer shallow water (2-6 inches) when feeding, although they often forage on lawns and pastures. Aquatic arthropods (especially crayfish and insects) are primary food items, but small amphibians and reptiles are commonly taken. Ibises nest in colonies, which are usually surrounded by water. Nests tend to be in shrubby vegetation, but nests are sometimes in trees up to 50 feet (Frederick 1996).

FNAI (2002a) records indicate a white ibis rookery approximately one mile southwest of the corridor in the swamp system associated with Ocheesee Pond in Jackson County. The corridor does not cross preferred nesting habitat for this species, but white ibises probably forage in drainage ditches and pastures along the corridor.

Other Wading Birds The tricolored heron (Egretta tricolor), little blue heron (Egretta caerulea), and snowy egret (Egretta thula), are each listed as a species of special concern by FFWCC. They are discussed here as a group because they are closely related and share similar foraging and breeding characteristics. These wading Final 16 10/25/02

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report birds nest in multi-species colonies, which are usually located in swamps or on islands. Small fish and aquatic invertebrates comprise most of the diet. These herons and egrets forage in a wide variety of habitats such as marshes, swamps, lake and stream shorelines, canals, and agricultural and roadside ditches (Kale and Maehr 1990).

A single little blue heron was seen foraging along the shoreline of a shallow pond at Site 15 during the survey. This species, as well as tricolored herons and snowy egrets, probably forages occasionally at Site

15. These species also probably forage in various ditches and wet pastures crossed by the corridor. Little blue herons and snowy egrets have been reported to nest approximately one mile southwest of the corridor in the swamp system associated with Ocheesee Pond. Little blue herons have also been reported as nesting approximately two miles from the corridor at a second location in Jackson County. Nesting colonies at locations adjacent to the corridor are not likely.

4.4.3 REPTILES American Alligator The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is federally-listed as threatened due to its similarity in appearance to the endangered American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), and is listed by FFWCC as a species of special concern. Alligator habitat consists of swamps, marshes, ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams and rivers. Alligators are opportunistic feeders and food items include fish, turtles, birds, snakes, frogs, insects, and small mammals. Alligators often dig dens and small ponds (gator holes) in swamps and marshes. In the dry season, these dens and ponds are often the last places deep enough to hold water, and are utilized by numerous wetland animals (Mount 1975; Van Meter 1987).

Alligator tracks were observed in the vicinity of an alligator den at Site S8B. The den was in a marshy area between towers # 88 and 89, in the middle of the corridor (see photograph in Appendix B). Because of drought conditions at the time of the survey, the only surface water in the vicinity was at the mouth of the den. Water marks 4 feet above the ground on trees in the cypress swamp adjacent to the corridor at this location attest to normally wetter conditions. Alligators undoubtedly occur in suitable habitats along other portions of the corridor.

Eastern Indigo Snake The Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi) is listed as threatened by USFWS and FFWCC, and as state-protected by ADCNR. It typically inhabits dry areas that are bordered by water. Prey includes fish, frogs, toads, lizards, snakes, small turtles, birds, and small mammals. Indigo snakes in Final 17 10/25/02

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report southern Alabama and northern Florida typically spend the winter in gopher tortoise burrows (Moler 1992; Mount 1975). Indigo snakes are diurnal and wide ranging, typically utilizing areas of 125-250 acres or more (Moler 1992). Indigo snakes are known to occur in Houston County (ADCNR 2002) and Jackson County (FNAI 2002b) and could occur along portions of the transmission corridor in Alabama or Florida.

Southern Hognose Snake The Southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus) is listed as state-protected by ADCNR. It is found primarily in dry sandy habitats such as sandhills, pine/turkey oak woodlands, and scrub. It is semi-fossorial and its diet consists almost exclusively of frogs and toads (Mount 1975; Tennent 1997). The Southern hognose snake might occur, at least occasionally, along portions of the transmission corridor.

Eastern Coachwhip The Eastern coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum flagellum) is listed as state-protected by ADCNR. This snake is found in a variety of dry, relatively open habitats, especially where open woods are interspersed with weedy fields. Common prey consists of insects, lizards, small mammals, birds, and other snakes (Mount 1975).

An Eastern coachwhip was observed in Florida at S12. Although not observed on the corridor in Alabama (where it listed as state-protected), the species probably occurs in areas crossed by the corridor in Alabama.

Florida Pine Snake The Florida pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus) is listed as and is listed by FFWCC as a species of special concern, and by ADCNR as state-protected. This snake is restricted to Florida and Coastal Plain areas of Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. The Florida pine snake occupies xeric habitats such as sandhills, pine flatwoods on well drained soils, and old fields on former sandhill habitats. It is extremely fossorial, and seeks out burrows of rodents and gopher tortoises. Common prey items include ground nesting birds and their eggs, mice, pocket gophers, and immature rabbits (Franz 1992). Florida pine snakes might occur within the transmission corridor where the corridor crosses suitable habitats.

Gopher Tortoise The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is listed as a species of special concern by FFWCC and as state-protected by ADCNR. Populations east of the Mobile and Tombigbee Rivers are not federally-Final 18 10/25/02

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report listed. The gopher tortoise inhabits sandy, well drained areas where adequate vegetation for foraging exists. Principal foods include grasses, legumes, sedges, and fruit. Gopher tortoises excavate burrows that are also utilized by numerous other species (Diemer 1992). Active gopher tortoise burrows were observed in Alabama at Sites S4A, S4B, and at the edge of a pasture southwest of S2. Active gopher tortoise burrows were observed in Florida at Sites S6A, S6B, S7, S8A, S9, and S12.

Barbours Map Turtle Barbours map turtle (Graptemys barbouri) is listed as a species of special concern by FFWCC and as state-protected by ADCNR. The species is confined to the Apalachicola drainage system. This includes the Chattahoochee River and streams that enter the Chattahoochee. Rivers are the preferred habitat for this species, especially portions of rivers with strong currents and exposed limestone. Males and young females feed mostly on insects, especially caddisfly larvae. Adult females feed almost exclusively on mussels and snails (Mount 1975; Sanderson 1992). Although Barbours map turtles have been recorded in Houston County (ADCNR 2002) and Jackson County (FNAI 2002b), the transmission corridor does not cross any habitat preferred by these turtles. Therefore, the species is probably absent from the corridor.

Alligator Snapping Turtle The alligator snapping turtle (Macroclemys temminckii) is listed as a species of special concern by FFWCC and as state-protected by ADCNR. It inhabits rivers, oxbows, and sloughs, and is also found in lakes and swamps, especially those near rivers. Unlike the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), the alligator snapper rarely leaves the water, and is almost never found in isolated ponds and lakes. The alligator snapping turtle is the worlds largest freshwater turtle, with recorded weights of over 220 pounds. Primary food items consist of fish and molluscs, but this turtle will also consume crustaceans, waterfowl, carrion, and occasionally plant foods such as acorns and palmetto berries (Ashton and Ashton 1985; Mount 1975; Pritchard 1992). Alligator snapping turtles are probably absent from the corridor, since the corridor does not pass over deep water bodies that are connected to rivers.

Suwannee Cooter The Suwannee cooter (Pseudemys concinna suwanniensisi) is listed as a species of special concern by FFWCC. This subspecies is found from Tampa to the Appalachicola River basin. It is primarily restricted to rivers, spring runs, impoundments, and backwaters. The Suwanee cooter is herbivorous, feeding primarily on submergent aquatic vegetation (Jackson 1992). The Suwannee cooter probably does not occur long the corridor due to the absence of preferred habitat.

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Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report 4.4.4 AMPHIBIANS Flatwoods Salamander The flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum) is listed as threatened by USFWS and as state-protected by ADCNR. This salamander inhabits pine-flatwoods-wiregrass communities that adjoin cypress heads or ponds without large predatory fish. Adult salamanders feed on various invertebrates (Ashton 1992). Flatwoods salamanders have been confirmed in Houston County (ADCNR 2002) and Jackson County (FNAI 2002b), but the transmission corridor does not pass through habitat suitable for this species. Thus, flatwoods salamanders probably do not occur along the corridor.

Georgia Blind Salamander The Georgia blind salamander (Haideotriton wallacei) is listed as a species of special concern by FFWCC. It is known primarily from a few caves in Jackson County, Florida, but it has been recorded in a few caves in other counties within northern Florida and southern Georgia. It is confined to subterranean waters in limestone sediments. It has been found mostly in caves, but it might also occur in recharge areas around sinkholes. Crustaceans are its primary prey (Means 1992a). It has not been recorded in Alabama. It has not been recorded near the transmission corridor (FNAI 2002a), although it is known to occur in Jackson County (FNAI 2002b).

The probability of Georgia blind salamanders along the corridor is unclear, since the species is entirely subterranean. The corridor does cross a few sinkholes in Jackson County. Since Jackson County is apparently the center of this salamanders population, it might occur in some underground portions of the corridor.

Pine Barrens Tree Frog The pine barrens tree frog (Hyla andersonii) is listed as a species of special concern by FFWCC and state-protected by ADCNR. This species is known from only three geographic locations: New Jersey, the Carolinas, and along the Florida-Alabama border. The Florida-Alabama population is located west of the FNP to Sinai Cemetery transmission corridor. Specifically, the species is known in Alabama from Escambia, Covington, and Geneva counties, and in Florida from Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, and Holmes counties. The Florida-Alabama population inhabits hillside seepage bogs. Adults forage in evergreen bog shrubbery and tadpoles develop in small pools of clear seepage water in the bogs (Means 1992b).

Final 20 10/25/02

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report No seepage bog habitat was observed on the corridor, and the species has not been recorded in either of the two counties crossed by the corridor. Thus, the probability of the pine barrens tree frog occurring along the corridor is negligible.

Gopher Frog The gopher frog (Rana capito) is listed as a species of special concern by FFWCC. The subspecies R. c.

sevosa, known as the dusky gopher frog or crawfish frog, is listed as state-protected by ADCNR.

Alabama and Florida populations are not federally-listed. The gopher frog inhabits upland, xeric areas, especially longleaf pine/turkey oak sandhills. It takes shelter during the day in active and abandoned gopher tortoise burrows, crayfish burrows, and stump holes, but lays its eggs in seasonally flooded, grassy ponds and cypress ponds that lack fish populations. It is a nocturnal species but occasionally emerges to sit near the mouth of its burrow on overcast, damp days. Primary food items consist of invertebrates and smaller frogs and toads (Mount 1975; Godley 1992). The dusky gopher frog probably occurs within suitable habitats along the transmission corridor.

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Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report

5.0 CONCLUSION

S 5.1 Plants The survey along the Sinai Cemetery corridor was conducted for federally-listed and state-listed plants.

Particular attention was directed to the federally-listed pondberry (Lindera melissifolia), Canbys cowbane (Oxypolis canbyi), fringed campion (Silene polypetala), gentian pinkroot (Spigelia gentianoides), and Florida torreya (Torreya taxifolia). These species have either been recorded in counties crossed by the transmission corridor or could occur along the corridors based on habitat and geographic range. No federally-listed or state-listed plants were found during the survey.

5.2 Animals The American alligator was the only federally-listed wildlife species observed during the survey. The gopher tortoise was the only state-protected wildlife species observed on the transmission corridor in Alabama. Wildlife species observed along the transmission corridor in Florida and state-listed by FFWCC consisted of the gopher tortoise, alligator, and little blue heron. The Southeastern pocket gopher and Eastern coachwhip were observed on transmission lines in Florida; these two species are not state-listed in Florida but are state-listed in Alabama.

Although few listed species were observed along the transmission corridors, many animal species are mobile and secretive, and thus, the absence of a species during a few surveys is not necessarily evidence that the species does not utilize the area in question. For example, bat surveys require many nights of mist netting, while reptiles and amphibian censuses require massive numbers of funnel traps, nets, and/or other capturing devices. Therefore, unequivocal conclusions regarding the presence or absence of most listed animal species were beyond the scope of the survey. The survey, however, was adequate to determine the potential for occurrence of listed wildlife species based on habitats along the transmission corridor.

Based on habitats along the corridor, indigo snakes (federally-listed as threatened) probably occur, at least occasionally, along the transmission corridor. With the exception of the indigo snake and alligator, federally-listed species probably do not occur within or adjacent to the corridor. A few federally-listed bat and bird species, however, might fly over the transmission corridor while traveling to and from foraging areas.

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Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report Most of the land crossed by the transmission line corridor is used for agricultural purposes, particularly row crops, hayfields, and pasture. The corridor crosses few wetlands. Woodland habitats crossed by the corridor tend to be small isolated tracts rather than long stretches of forest. Because of these conditions, use of the corridor by most listed wildlife species is probably limited primarily to occasional foraging.

The activities required for vegetation maintenance in transmission line corridors can actually result in habitat more favorable to the gopher tortoise than in areas outside the corridors. Specifically, the open canopy often provides this state-listed species with food in the form of abundant herbaceous vegetation, and open sunlit sites for nesting. In many areas, these conditions occur infrequently in habitat beyond the transmission corridor edges, especially in the prolonged absence of fires. These circumstances were noted in several areas along the FNP-to-Sinai Cemetery corridor.

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6.0 REFERENCES

ADCNR (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources). 2002. State Lands Division, Natural Heritage Section. Letter to C.R. Pierce (Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc), from J.

Lewis, Database Manager.

Subject:

Response to Sensitive Species Information Request.

Montgomery, Alabama, May 21.

ANHP (Alabama Natural Heritage Program). 2001. Alabama Inventory List: the Rare, Threatened and Endangered Plants, Animals, and Natural Communities of Alabama. Montgomery, Alabama, June.

Ashton, R. E. 1992. Flatwoods salamander. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Amphibians and Reptiles. Ed. P. E. Moler. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 291 pp.

Ashton, R.E., Jr and P.S. Ashton. 1985. Handbook of Reptiles and Amphibians of Florida: Lizards, Turtles, and Crocodilians. Windward Publishing, Inc., Miami, Florida. pp 191.

Belwood, J.J. and L.W. Lefebvre. 1992. Southeastern brown bat. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Mammals. Ed. S. R. Humphrey. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 392 pp.

Brown, L.N. 1997a. Mammals of Florida. Windward Publishing, Inc., Miami, Florida, pp 224.

Brown, L. N. 1997b. A Guide to the Mammals of the Southeastern United States. University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville, Tennessee. 236 pp.

Bryan, D.C. 1992. Limpkin. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Birds. Eds. J. A. Rodgers, Jr.,

H. W. Kale II, and H. T. Smith. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 688 pp.

Collopy, M.W. 1992. Southeastern American kestrel. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Birds.

Eds. J. A. Rodgers, Jr., H. W. Kale II, and H. T. Smith. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 688 pp.

Curnutt, J. L. 1996. Southern bald eagle. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Birds. Eds.

J. A. Rodgers, Jr., H. W. Kale II, and H. T. Smith. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 688 pp.

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Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report Diemer, J. E., 1992. Gopher tortoise. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Amphibians and Reptiles. Ed. P. E. Moler. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 291 pp.

FFWCC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission). 1997. Florida's Endangered Species, Threatened Species, and Species Of Special Concern, Official Lists. Tallahassee, Florida, August 1.

FNAI (Florida Natural Areas Inventory). 2002a. Data Report: FNAI Element Occurrence Records on or Near Site, Electrical Transmission Corridor. July 26.

FNAI (Florida Natural Areas Inventory). 2002b. Species and Natural Community Summary for Jackson County. http://www.fnai.org/cntylist.htm Franz, R. 1992. Florida pine snake. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Amphibians and Reptiles. Ed. P. E. Moler. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 291 pp.

Frederick, P.C. 1996. White ibis. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Birds. Eds. J. A. Rodgers, Jr., H. W. Kale II, and H. T. Smith. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 688 pp.

Godley, J.S. 1992. Gopher frog. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Amphibians and Reptiles.

Ed. P. E. Moler. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 291 pp.

Gore, J.A. 1992. Gray bat. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Mammals. Ed. S. R. Humphrey.

Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 392 pp.

Gore, J. A. 1987. Bat colonies in Jackson County caves: survey of caves. Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Nongame Wildlife Program Final Performance Report, Tallahassee, Florida. 6pp.

Heitshmidt, D. (Forester, Power Delivery, Alabama Power Company). 2000. Letter to D. Barrow (District Conservationist, United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Montgomery, Alabama). December 15.

Henny, C.J. 1988. Osprey In (R.S. Palmer, ed.) Handbook of North American Birds, Volume 4. Yale University Press, New Haven, Connecticut. 433 pp.

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Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report Hooper, R. G., A. F. Robinson, and J. A. Jackson. 1980. The red-cockaded woodpecker: notes on life history and management. USDA Forest Service General Report SA-GR9.

Humphrey, S. R. 1992. Indiana bat. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Mammals. Ed.

S. R. Humphrey. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 392 pp.

Jackson, D.R. 1992. River cooter. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Amphibians and Reptiles.

Ed. P. E. Moler. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 291 pp.

Kale, H. W. and D. S. Maehr. 1990. Florida's Birds. Pineapple Press, Sarasota, FL. 288 pp.

Kantola, A.T. 1992. Shermans fox squirrel. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Mammals. Ed.

S. R. Humphrey. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 392 pp.

Means, D.B. 1992a. Georgia blind salamander. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Amphibians and Reptiles. Ed. P. E. Moler. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 291 pp.

Means, D.B. 1992b. Pine barrens tree frog. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Amphibians and Reptiles. Ed. P. E. Moler. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 291 pp.

Meyer, K .D. and J. A. Smallwood. 1996. Peregrine falcon. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida -

Birds. Eds. J. A. Rodgers, Jr., H. W. Kale II, and H. T. Smith. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 688 pp.

Moler, P. E. 1992. Eastern indigo snake. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Amphibians and Reptiles. Ed. P. E. Moler. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 291 pp.

Mount, R. E. 1975. The Reptiles and Amphibians of Florida. Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.

347 pp.

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Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report Ogden, J. C. 1996. Wood stork. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Birds. Eds. J. A. Rodgers, Jr., H. W. Kale II, and H. T. Smith. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 688 pp.

Pritchard, P. C. H. 1992. Alligator snapping turtle. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida -

Amphibians and Reptiles. Ed. P. E. Moler. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 291 pp.

Sanderson, R.A. 1992. Barbours map turtle. In Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Amphibians and Reptiles. Ed. P. E. Moler. Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, University Press of Florida. 291 pp.

Stalmaster, M. V. 1987. The Bald Eagle. Universe Books, New York. 227 pp.

Tennent, A. 1997. A Field Guide to Snakes of Florida. Gulf Publishing Company, Houston, Texas. pp.

257.

Tetra Tech NUS. 2002. Final Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys: Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant and Associated Transmission Line Corridors 2001-2002. Tetra Tech NUS, Incorporated, Aiken, South Carolina. Prepared for Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Birmingham, Alabama.

June 21.

USFWS (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). 1986. Recovery plan for the U.S. breeding population of the wood stork. Atlanta, Georgia. 28 pp.

USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). 1999. Division of Endangered Species, Species Accounts, Indiana Bat. Available online at http://endangered.fws.gov/i/a/saa08.html.

Van Meter, V. B. 1987. Floridas alligators and crocodiles, Florida Power and Light Company, Miami, Florida, 41 pp.

Final 27 10/25/02

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report TABLES AND FIGURES Table 1. Target plant species: Sinai Cemetery transmission line corridor, August, 2002.

Species Common Name Federal State Habitat type status statusa Arabis canadensis Sicklepod None Endangered Upland mixed forest, limestone outcrops Arnoglossum diversifolium Variable-leaved Indian- None Threatened Calcareous swamps plantain Baptisia megacarpa Apalachicola wild indigo None Endangered Floodplains and bluffs Brickellia cordifolia Flyrs brickell-bush None Endangered Shaded disturbed areas Callirhoe papaver Poppy mallow None Endangered Woodland edges Calycanthus floridus Sweet shrub None Endangered Floodplains, slope forest, bluffs, upland hardwood forest Calystegia catesbiana Trailing Catesbys None Endangered Open, calcareous bindweed woodlands Crytotaenia canadensis Canada honewort None Endangered Bluffs and floodplains Forestiera godfreyi Godfreys privet None Endangered Calcareous hammocks Hepatica nobilis Liverleaf None Endangered Moist calcareous hammocks Illicium floridanum Florida anisetree None Threatened Calcareous bluffs Kalmia latifolia Mountain laurel None Threatened Bluffs, acidic swamps Linum westii Wests flax None Endangered Bogs, pond margins Lindera melissifolia Pondberry Endangered Endangered Margins of calcareous sinkholes Macranthera flammea Hummingbird flower None Endangered Bogs, creekbanks Magnolia ashei Ashes magnolia None Endangered Bluffs, hammocks Magnolia pyramidata Pyramid magnolia None Endangered Bluffs Malaxis unifolia Green adders mouth None Endangered Floodplains, slope forest, upland mixed forest Marshallia obovata Barbaras buttons None Endangered Pinelands Matalea baldwyneana Baldwyns spinypod None Endangered Bluffs Matalea floridana Florida spinypod None Endangered Bluffs, woods Pachysandra procumbens Allegheny spurge None Endangered Calcareous woods Pinguicula planifolia Chapmans butterwort None Threatened Bogs and swamps Pinguicula primuliflora Clearwater butterwort None Endangered Shallow, sandy clear water streams and seeps Platanthera integra Yellow fringeless orchid None Endangered Wet pinelands Oxypolis canbyi Canbys cowbane Endangered Endangered Pond cypress savannahs Ruellia noctiflora White-flowered wild None Endangered Bogs, wet flatwoods petunia Rhododendron austrinum Orange azalea None Endangered Floodplains, slopes, upland mixed forests Salix eriocephala Heart-leaved willow None Endangered Wetlands Salix floridana Florida willow None Endangered acidic, open swamps Salivia urtcifolia Nettle-leaved sedge None Endangered Calcareous woods Schisandra coccinea Scarlet magnoliavine None Endangered Calcareous woods Sideroxylon thornei Thornes buckthorn None Endangered Margins of calcareous wetlands Final 28 10/25/02

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report Table 1. Target plant species: Sinai Cemetery transmission line corridor, August, 2002 (continued).

Sideroxylon lycioides Silky buckthorn None Endangered Bluffs Silene polypetala Fringed campion Endangered Endangered Bluffs Spigelia gentianoides Gentian pinkroot Endangered Endangered Sandhills Torreya taxifolia Florida torreya Endangered Endangered Bluffs Trillium lancifolium Narrow-leaved trillium None Endangered Bottomlands, slopes, upland mixed forest Xyris scabrifolia Harpers yellow-eyed None Threatened Bogs grass

a. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources does not provide special status designations for plants. Therefore, the state-listed designations in this column are those of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Note: There were no proposed or candidate species whose geographic ranges included the study area.

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Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report Table 2. Target animal species: Sinai Cemetery transmission line corridor, August, 2002.

Probability State statusb Federal of Common name Scientific name statusa Florida Alabama occurrencec Mammals Gray bat Myotis grisescens E E SP L Southeastern bat Myotis austroriparius - - SP M Indiana bat Myotis sodalis E E SP L Rafinesques big-eared Corynorhinus rafinesquii - - SP M bat Southeastern pocket Geomys pinetis - - SP P gopher Long-tailed weasel Mustela frenata - - SP M Shermans fox squirrel Sciurus niger shermani - SSC - M Birds Limpkin Aramus guarauna - SSC - L Little blue heron Egretta caerulea - SSC - P Snowy egret Egretta thula - SSC - M Tricolored heron Egretta tricolor - SSC - M White ibis Eudocimus albus - SSC - M Peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus - E SP L Southeastern American Falco sparverius paulus - T - M kestrel Bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus T T SP L Osprey Pandion haliaetus - - SP L Red-cockaded Picoides borealis E E SP L woodpecker Wood stork Mycteria americana E E SP L Reptiles American alligator Alligator mississippiensis T(S/A) SSC - P Eastern indigo snake Drymarchon corais T T SP M couperi Gopher tortoise Gopherus polyphemus - SSC SP P Barbours map turtle Graptemys barbouri - SSC SP L Southern hognose snake Heterodon simus - - SP M Alligator snapping turtle Macroclemys temminckii - SSC SP L Eastern coachwhip Masticophis flagellum - - SP P flagellum Florida pine snake Pituophis melanoleucus - SSC SP M mugitus Suwannee cooter Pseudemys concinna - SSC - L suwanniensisi Final 30 10/25/02

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report Table 2. Target animal species: FNP to Sinai Cemetery transmission line, August, 2002 (continued).

Probability State statusb Federal of Common name Scientific name statusa Florida Alabama occurrencec Amphibians Flatwoods Ambystoma cingulatum T - SP L salamander Georgia blind Haideotriton wallacei - SSC - M salamander Pine barrens treefrog Hyla andersonii - SSC SP L Dusky gopher frog Rana capito sevosa - SSC SP M

a. E = Endangered - A species which is in danger of extinction throughout all or part of its range.

T = Threatened - A species which is likely to become an endangered species in the foreseeable future throughout all or part of its range.

T(S/A) = Threatened due to similarity of appearance - A species which is protected because it is very similar in appearance to a listed species.

b. Florida Endangered - A species, subspecies, or isolated population so few or depleted in number or so restricted in range that it is in imminent danger of extinction.

Threatened - A species, subspecies, or isolated population facing a very high risk of extinction in the future.

SSC - A species, subspecies, or isolated population which is facing a moderate risk of extinction in the future.

- = Not Listed Alabama SP = State-Protected - A species which is protected by the Nongame Species Regulation of the Alabama Regulations for 1999-2000 on Game, Fish, and Fur Bearing Animals.

- = Not Listed

c. L = Low probability M = Moderate to high probability P = Present; observed during the wildlife surveys See Section 4.4 of text for a discussion of the probability of occurrence of these species.

Note: There were no proposed or candidate species whose geographic ranges included the study area.

Final 31 10/25/02

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report Table 3. Listed animals observed during field surveys.

State Status Species Federal Status Florida Alabama Location (Site)a American alligator Threatened due Species of None S8B (Alligator mississippiensis) to similarity of Special appearance Concern Little blue heron None Species of None S15 (Egretta caerulea) Special Concern Southeastern pocket gopher None None State- S6Ab, S6Bb, S7b, (Geomys pinetis) Protected S12b Eastern coachwhip None None State- S12b (Masticophis flagellum flagellum) Protected Gopher tortoise None Species of State- S2, S4A, S4B, S6A, (Gopherus polyphemus) Special Protected S6B, S7, S8A, S9, Concern S12

a. See Figure 2 for locations relative to transmission corridor. See Appendix A for precise locations and data.

b. Species is not state-listed in Florida (location where observed) but is classified as state-protected in Alabama.

Final 32 10/25/02

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report N

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Ú 5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 Kilometers Major Urban Areas Farley Parks Nuclear Florida FARLEY NUCLEAR PLANT Plant FIGURE 1 Transmission Line Map Final 33 10/25/02

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report

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Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report APPENDIX A ANIMAL DATA SHEETS Final A -- 1 10/25/02

Farley Nuclear Plant Threatened and Endangered Species Surveys Final Report APPENDIX B PHOTOGRAPHS OF SELECTED SURVEY LOCATIONS Final B -- 1 10/25/02

Jackson Creek, Site S1A Hairy Blue Clustervine, Site S1A Pocket Gopher Mound, Site 6A Cropland, Site S8A Aligator Den, Site S8B Meadow Beauty, Site S10A Elliotts Croton, Site S10B Active Gopher Tortoise Burrow, Site S12 Armadillo Burrow, Site S13 Cypress Vine, South of S14 Marsh, Site S15 Copperhead, Near Sinai Cemetery Substation Thunderstorm in Vicinity