ML15254A173
| ML15254A173 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Oconee  |
| Issue date: | 06/30/1999 |
| From: | NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML15254A172 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9907290086 | |
| Download: ML15254A173 (33) | |
Text
BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT FOR ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES POTENTIALLY AFFECTED BY THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE OCONEE NUCLEAR STATION AND ASSOCIATED POWER TRANSMISSION LINES Division of Regulatory Improvement Programs Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001 June 1999 9907290086 990630 PDR ADOCK 05000269 P
Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment Project Description The proposed action includes the continued operation and maintenance of the Oconee Nuclear Station (ONS) in eastern Oconee County, SC under a renewed license from the U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission. In addition to the continued operation of the nuclear power generating station, approximately 330 miles of transmission line corridors that were associated with the ONS in the original environmental impact analysis (AEC 1972) will continue to be operated and maintained. All facilities associated with this action were constructed during the early 1970's and no new construction will be performed as part of the license renewal action.
Project Area The project area includes the Oconee Nuclear Station Site on Lake Keowee in Oconee County, SC, and the associated transmission lines as described in the initial environmental documentation for the ONS (AEC 1972). There are 5 transmission lines included in this analysis with a total length of approximately 330 miles (528 km), with the rights-of-way encompassing a total of approximately 7,757 acres (3139 ha). These lines are described in Table 1, and the locations and routes of these lines are shown in Figure 1.
Table 1. Transmission lines associated with the Oconee Nuclear Station.
Length Right-of-Way Line Name Terminus Size Lines (miles)
Width (ft)
Central Central, SC 230 kV Double 9
270 North Greenville Northwest of Greenville, SC 230 kV Double 28 200 Tiger East of Greer, SC 230 kV Double 53 150 Newport Newport, SC 525 kV Single 110 200 McGuire West of Huntersville, NC 525 kV Single 130 200 The applicant (Duke Energy Corporation) has a set of best management practices for transmission line right-of-way maintenance (Duke 1996). These include provisions for erosion and sediment control, soil stabilization, stream and other water body protection, and protection of other sensitive species and habitats. Protection plans are developed for areas of special concern such as stream crossings, rare species locations, buffer zones, etc.
The rights-of-way are maintained to prevent vegetation intrusion near the conductors, to prevent invasion of undesirable species, to maintain soil stabilization, and to preserve wildlife diversity. Herbicides are applied according to manufacturer's guidelines by licensed applicators. Some areas are mowed on a 3 to 5-year cycle to control woody vegetation.
Previous Analyses of Endangered or Threatened Species The license renewal applicant performed a rare species analysis of the area within one mile of the ONS (Duke 1998a, Appendix F). Species that were specifically searched for were included on a species list for Oconee and Pickens Counties provided by the FWS (FWS Log No. 4-6-98-227). No Federally listed endangered, threatened, proposed, or candidate species 1
Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment were identified within one mile of the ONS, although 4 species of concern to the South Carolina Heritage Program were found within the surveyed area. These results were forwarded to the USFWS (Duke 1998b) and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) (Duke 1998c) with the conclusion that the continued operation of the ONS will not affect any Federal endangered or threatened species. Based on this analysis, the FWS and the SCDNR concurred with Duke's conclusion that continued operation of the ONS would not effect federally listed endangered, threatened, proposed, or candidate species, or any designated critical habitat for such species.
Duke's analysis did not include an evaluation of the potential effects of continued operation and maintenance of the 330 miles of transmission lines associated with the ONS. However, Duke has provided documentation describing the maintenance practices used within these rights-of-way to the SCDNR and the SC office of the FWS (Duke 1999a & 1999b). Both of these offices concurred that the procedures used in the operation and maintenance of Duke's rights-of-way "tend to minimize adverse impacts to threatened and endangered species" (FWS 1999, SCDNR 1999). This biological assessment is intended to assure that this is in fact the case for all species potentially in the vicinity of the specific transmission lines associated with the ONS within both South and North Carolina.
Federally Listed Species within Effected Coundes Federally listed endangered and threatened species that are either known to occur or are considered as potentially occurring within each of the counties along the transmission line routes are listed in Table 2. These species lists were obtained via personal communication with the staff of the SC FWS and, for North Carolina, the NC FWS Ecological Services web site, with corrections provided by the Asheville, NC FWS office (Mark Cantrell, Personal communication).
Habitat Types Present within the Project Area The 330 miles of transmission corridors associated with the ONS intersect virtually all habitat types found within the Piedmont of North and South Carolina. The rights-of-way have usually been cleared of larger trees, but may include dense shrub layers, wetland areas, open herbaceous dominated communities, and various types of grazing and agricultural management regimens.
Summary of Known Species Occurrences within or near Oconee Related Transmission Lines.
The transmission line rights-of-ways associated with the ONS have not been systematically surveyed for threatened and endangered species. Various sections of the different lines have been examined by Duke staff various students, private individuals, or personnel from State and Federal resource management agencies. The descriptions of the known occurrences within the transmission line rights-of-way were derived from the South Carolina Heritage Database obtained directly from the SCDNR and pertinent portions of the North Carolina Natural Heritage Database provided by the Asheville office of the FWS.
2
Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment Figure 1. Routes of Oconee Nuclear Station Transmission lines in South and North Carolina. Numbered boxes indicate areas detailed in subsequent figures.
, rTiger 230 kV North Greenvile=20Kv 4 ar0al 230 kV Nemport 525 kV
,,M~oguire 525kV Fed U
Species3i g
-] ban_ unshp 0
M~bs dO3
Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment Table 2. Federally listed Endangered and Threatened species in the vicinity of the Oconee Nuclear Station Power transmission system.
UU SPECIES COMMON NAME U
U rA z
z r-6 Uj U~~.
X 0
Felis concolor cougar Eastern cougar E
p2 p
Myotis sodalis Indiana bat E
X X
Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald eagle T
X P
X XX Picoides borealis Red-cockaded woodpecker E
x P
Falco peregrinus Peregrine falcon E
P X
X X
Clemmys muhlenburgii Bog turtle T/sa X
X X
Hexasytlis naniflora Dwarf-flowered heartleaf T
P x
X P
X X
X Sagittaria fasiculata Bunched arrowhead E
x Echinacea laevigata Smooth coneflower E
X X
X Helianthus schweinitzii Schweinitz's sunflower E
X X
X Sarracenia rubra ssp. jonesii Mountain sweet pitcher plant E
X X
Sisyrinchium dichotomum White irisette E
x X
Isotria medeoloides Small-whorled pogonia T
X x
Trillium persistens Persistent trillium E
X Isoetes melanospora Black-spored quillwort E
X Helonius bullata Swamp pink T
x Amphianthus pusillus Little amphianthus T
x Rhus michauxii Michaux's sumac E
P P
Gymnoderma lineare Rock gnome lichen E
x
._X Lasmigona decorata Carolina heelspliter E
- 1) Listing Status: E = endangered, T = Threatened, T/sa = Threatened due to similarity of appearance
- 2) For each county - "X" indicates that the species has been recorded in that county, "P" indicates that the species potentially occurs in that county.
4
'Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment South Carolina Species Occurrences The Tiger 230 kV transmission line right-of-way incorporates or is in close proximity to a number of occurrences of bunched arrowhead in the area to the northeast of Traveler's Rest, SC (Figure 2). The precision for most points is within 3 arc-seconds (which translates to slightly less than 100 m), except for three of the points for which the precision is I arc-minute (which translates to approximately 1550 m or about I mile). Two SC Heritage preserves are located within or adjacent to the transmission line right-of-way. These are the Blackwell Heritage Preserve south of the right-of-way on the east side of U.S. Highway 25 and the Bunched Arrowhead Heritage Preserve which straddles the right-of-way approximately I km east of US
- 25. There are no registered populations in the area to the west of U.S. 25, although Duke has worked with the SCDNR to minimize impacts to the bunched arrowhead in the area west of U.S.
- 25.
In addition to the numerous reported populations of bunched arrowhead in this vicinity, there are several reported occurrences of the dwarf-flowered heartleaf. The precision of two of these points is at the 1-min level, these may be older records than for most of the bunched arrowhead occurrences. A population of dwarf-flowerd heartleaf within the bunched arrowhead heritage preserve has a precision of 3-sec.
Additional known rare species occurrences are located along the right-of-way approximately 8 km east of U.S. 25 (Figure 3). Again these are primarily bunched arrowhead occurrences, but there are two additional dwarf-flowered heartleaf occurrences and one reported occurrence of the mountain sweet pitcher plant.
The element occurrences are reported as single points, but it is probably safe to assume that many, if not most, of the occurrences actually refer to populations that cover considerably more area than indicated in Figures 2 and 3. It is also unclear how large each population is, how old the records are, or the current status of the populations. Most of these data should be available from the SC Heritage Program.
Additional populations of bunched arrowhead are located along the North Greenville 230 kV transmission line in the area just southwest of Furman University approximately 2 to 3 km north of the North Greenville Substation (Figure 4). At least one of the populations on the Furman University campus is registered with the Heritage program, but the populations in close proximity to the transmission corridor are not registered.
The dwarf-flowered heartleaf occurs near the McGuire 525 kV transmission corridor at several locations in South Carolina (Figures 5 and 6) and at additional locations in North Carolina (Figure 12 through 15). The occurrences within South Carolina stretch from the Greenville County / Spartanburg County line south west of Landrum, SC and continue to the North Carolina border, a distance of approximately 25 km. The reported occurrences are mostly scattered, and are of 1 -min precision. However, it is quite possible that additional populations are in this area and that the reported populations follow the drainages that are crossed by the McGuire 525 kV transmission line.
5
Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment The bunched arrowhead and the dwarf-flowered heartleaf in the areas described above are the most likely cases of adverse impacts from the maintenance of the Oconee related transmission line corridors. However, there are several additional locations where the transmission corridors are located relatively near to reported occurrences of Federally listed threatened or endangered species. These are summarized in the following paragraphs.
The smooth coneflower has been reported within 2 km NW of the Jocassee Substation along the Tiger 230 kV transmission line (Figure 7). Apparently, this population is now underneath approximately 50 m of water in Lake Jocassee. The smooth coneflower has also been reported east of Lake Keowee, approximately equidistant from the North Greenville 230 kV transmission line and the McGuire 525 kV transmission line approximately 6 km north of Six Mile, SC (Figure 8). The current status of this population is not presently known, nor is it known if additional suitable habitat exists in the vicinity of the transmission lines. The precision of this point is 1-min, therefore the true location could be quite close to one of the transmission lines.
The black-spored quillwort has been reported on the eastern edge of Pickens, SC (Figure 9). The reported point is approximately 2 km north of the North Greenville 230 kV transmission line, adjacent to a set of railroad tracks. However, the precision of this point is 1 min so the population location could be in a significantly different type of habitat. The Glassy Mt. Heritage Preserve is located to the east of the reported black-spored quillwort location.
The mountain sweet pitcher plant has been reported approximately 5 km south of the Tiger 230 kV transmission line and approximately 2 to 3 km east of Lake Keowee (Figure 7). This species has also been reported at numerous locations in the vicinity of Table Rock Reservoir approximately 6 km north of the McGuire 525 kV transmission line (Figure 10). This area has occurrences of a number of Federally listed species including small whorled pogonia, swamp pink, rock gnome lichen, eastern cougar, and bog turtles. Several SC Heritage Trust Preserves are also located in this area. However, most of these reported resources occurrences are at least 5 to 6 km from the transmission line and at somewhat higher elevation, except for a couple of bog turtle locations, which are 2 - 3 km from the line.
Schweinitz's sunflower has been observed in the general vicinity of the Newport substation at the eastern end of the Newport 525 kV transmission line (Figure 11). All of the reported occurrences in the area are to the east of the substation, with the closest approximately 1.5 km from the substation. However, this species prefers open areas such as transmission corridors, and additional populations are possible to the west of the Newport substation.
North Carolina Species Occurrences The final 75 miles (est.) of the McGuire 525 kV transmission line traverses south-central North Carolina, passing through southern Rutherford County, central Cleveland County, Northern Gaston County, and the southeast corner of Lincoln County, ending near the McGuire Nuclear Power Station just inside the Mecklinburg County Line on the south end of Lake Norman (Figure 12). Populations of several species listed under the ESA were identified near the McGuire transmission line. Most of the occurrences in close proximity to the transmission corridor are populations of dwarf-flowered heartleaf in Rutherford and Cleveland Counties 6
Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment (Figures 13, 14, and 15). North Carolina USFWS representatives identified several additional areas that are considered potential habitat for the dwarf-flowered heartleaf that are intersected by the McGuire transmission line. The greatest concentration of known populations and potential habitat areas are located to the west of Shelby, NC (Figure 14). There are probably even more portions of this transmission corridor that would be suitable heartleaf habitat.
Several additional plant species occur in the vicinity of the eastern end of the McGuire Line (Figure 16). Most of the reported occurrences in the area are Schweinitz's sunflower, the non listed federal species of concern Aster georgianus (Georgia aster), and one population of smooth coneflower. All of these reported occurrences are at least 7 miles south of the McGuire transmission line, and most are on the south side of Mountain Island Lake. However, the area south of Lake Norman may also contain some suitable open habitat for these species.
7
Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment 230 kV Federal Usted Specie Locatin 3 Ar-sec Bufter 1-min Buier(500m inco~ments)/
SC Heritage Paserves 0
500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 Meters0 Figure 2. Federally listed element occurrences and SC Heritage Trust lands Northeast of Traveler's Rest, SC. Most of the points indicate bunched arrowhead, except for the points labeled "DHi" which are dwarf-flowered heartleaf.
8
Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment 0
500 1000 1500 2000 Meters Tiger 230 kV D
- Federal Listed Species Location 3 Arc-sec Buff er 1 -min Buffer (500 m increments)
M IP SC Heritage Preserves Figure 3. Federally listed element occurrences approximately 6 km east of U.S. 25 near Traveler's Rest, SC. Most of the element occurrences are bunchedi arrrowhead, except for those labeled "DH"' which are dwarf-flowered heartleaf and the poinlt labeled "MSPP" which is mountain sweet pitcher plant 9
Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment North Greenville 230 Kv A Federal Listed Species Locationw 3 Arc-sec Buffer 1-min Buffer (500 m increments)
SC Heritage Preserves
.4 O1 50Y00 10 00Mtr Figue 4 Feeraly lste spcie ner th Noth reevile 23 kVtrasmisio rigt-o-wa nothwst o
GrenvllekSC All f
te ocurrncesarebunced rrowead 10.
Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment Mcguire 525 kV Federal Listed Species Location 3 Arc-sec Buffer 1-min Buffer (500 m increments) j ISC Heritage Preserves 0
500 1000 150020002500 30003500 Meters Figure 5. Dwarf-flowered heartleaf occurrences near the McGuire 525 kV transmission righit-of-way in the vicinity of Landrum, SC.
11
Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment Mcguire 525 kV Federal Listed Species Location 3 Arc-sec Buffer 1-min Buffer (500 mn increments)
SC Heritage Preserves 0
1000 200 30tMtr Figre.
ccurenesof he waf-foweedheatlef lon th M~uie 55 V tansisionlin nar he orh Crolnaborer S12
Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewval Biological Assessment SCF 3
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Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment North Greenville 230 Kv I
i1
/%/Mcguire 525 kV
~.
Federal Listed Species Location
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I mmn Butter (500mrnincrements) t,
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Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment North Greenville 230 Kv Federal Listed Species Location 3 Arc-sec Buffer 1-min Buffer (500 m increments)
SC Heritage Preserves r
1 5, rz 4
)
4 S I>1
/0 500 1000 1500 2000 Meters Figure 9. Location of reported population of black-spore quiliwort on west edge of Pickens, SC, near the North Greenville 230 kV transmission line.
15
Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessmen RGL PreHerae
'.r Ashmore eerveHeritage PPreserve MMSPP MSPPv IX.
1-mC hade ler Pr0 erve Cougar Bogtcurtle 160
/\\(Mcguire 525 kV 6Federal Listed Species Location 1--3 Arc-sec Buffer 1-min Buffer (500 m increments) 1 SC Heritage Preserves 0
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8
9 10 Kilometers Figure 10. Locations of reported occurrences of Federally listed threatened and endangered species near Table Rock Reservoir near the McGuire 525 kV transmission line. Species include the swamp pink (SP), small-whorled pogonia (SWP), mountain sweet pitcher plant (MSPP), rock gnome lichen (RGL), bog turtle, and eastern cougar.
16
Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment Newport 525 kV Federal Listed Species Location 3 Arc-sec Buffer r
1-min Buffer (500 m increments)
SC Heritage Preserves 0
1 2
3 4 Kilometers w
E
""A A
kA' n4i Figure 11. Locations of Schweinitz's sunflower near the Newport substation at the eastern end of the Newport 525 kV transmission line.
17
Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment
=Urban Amas SC Isted species NC ListedSpecies W
E BOG TURTLE CAROLINA BIRDFOOT-TREFCIL CAROUNACREEKSHELL CAROLINADARTER S
- CAROUNAELKTOE
- A"A"M AE urke atawba e
DWARF C)INOUAPIN OAK gDWARF-FLOWERED HEARTLEAF
.GEORGIA ASTER SANTEE CHUB - PIEDMONT POPULATIO "n
S CHWEINITZ'88SUNFLOWER SMOOTH CONEFLOWER g.
Mcguire525 kV Uin.e ncoln therford lan 0
00e Gas n 10 0
10 20 30 40 50 Mile Figure 12. Location of Federally listed species near the McGuire 525 kV line in North Carolina.
18
Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment NC Listed Species BOOTURTLE CAROLINABIRDFOOT-TREFCIL N
e CAROLNACREEKSHELL CAROUNADARTER CAROUNAELKTOE DIANAFRITILLARY F
C DWARF CHINQUAPIN OAK g
DWARF-FLOWERED HEARTLEAF e
GEORGIA ASTER S
SANTEE CHUB - PIEDMONT POPULATIO o
SCHWEINITZ'S SUNFLOWER g
SMOOTH CONEFLOWER Potential Heartleaf Habitat Mcguire 525 kV Line liSC Ited species
~Urban Ares PFores Ciuty Contounty,~ee<..
S "S
County MO 2
0 2
4 6
8 10 12 MIes Figure 13. Locations of known populations of dwarf-flowered heartleaf and additional potential habitat in Rutherford County, North Carolina, Circles around each point are at 500 m intervals for scale.
19
Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment NC Listed Species 1 BOGTURTLE N
CAROUNABIRDFOOT-TREFOIL CAROUNACREEKSHELL CAROLINADARTER CAROLINAELKTOE W
E DIANAFRIlILLARY e
DWARF CHINOUAPIN OAK DWARF-FLOWERED HEARTLEAF S
e GEORGIA ASTER SANTEE CHUB - PIEDMONT POPULATIO o
SCHWEINITrS SUNFLOWER SMOOTH CONEFLOWER Potential Heartleaf Habitat Mcguire 525 kV Line SC Isted species Urban Areas Rutherfor County Cleveland Shelb County
)*
2 0
2 4
6 10 MIles Figure 14. Locations of known populations of dwarf-flowered heartleaf and additional potential habitat in southwestern Cleveland County, North Carolina.
Circles around each point are at 500 m intervals for scale.
20
Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment NC Listed Species BOOTURTLE CAROLINABIRDFOOT-TREFOIL CAROLINACREEKSHELL CAROLINADARTER CAROLINAELKTOE DIANAFRITILLARY DWARF CHINOUAPIN OAK 0
DWARF-FLOWERED HEARTLEAF e
GEORGIA ASTER SANTEE CHUB - PIEDMONTPOPULATIO SCHWEIITZS SUNFLOWER SMOOTH CONEFLOWER Potential Heartleaf Habitat Mcguire 526 kV Line SC Usted species Urban Areas
+
Gaston w
County S*
Cleveland County 20 2
4 6
810 12 Miles Figure 15. Locations of known populations of dwarf-flowered heartleaf and additional potential habitat in eastern Cleveland County, North Carolina. Circles around each point are at 500 m intervals for scale.
21
Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment NC Listed Species a
BOGTURTLE CAROLINABIRDFOOT-TREFOIL CAROLINACREEKSHELL CAROLINADARTER CAROLINAELKTOE Lake Norman DIANAFRITILLARY e
DWARF CHINQUAPIN OAK DWARF-FLOWERED HEARTLEAF e
GEORGIA ASTER Gu(g SANTEE CHUB - PIEDMONT POPULATIO Lincoln SCHWEINITZ'S SUNFLOWER Plant g
SMOOTH CONEFLOWER CPotentl nHrtlea Habitat Mcgure 525 kV Line a SC IIled speciMe Urban Areas RtaWba River N
W E
S GastonMountain Island Lake County South Fork NMecklinburg atawba River Moun County stonia aw Creek 0
2 4
8 10 12 Miles Figure 16. Federally listed species near the eastern end of the McGuire 525 kV transmission line. Circles around each point are at 500 m intervals for scale.
22
'Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment Summary of Species Biology and Distribution Information in Relation to the ONS Based Transmission System It is unlikely that any of the endangered or threatened species located near the ONS attributed transmission lines will be adversely affected by the continued operation and maintenance of the rights-of-way. However, populations of the following species are known to be located within or near one or more of the ONS attributed transmission line rights-of-way. Except where separately referenced, the following evaluations are based on USFWS species accounts prepared for either the Southeast Region, or for North Carolina, as available on the FWS internet web sites. Species occurrence data was provided by the South Carolina Natural Heritage Program, and for pertinent portions of North Carolina, the Asheville office of the USFWS.
Bunched arrowhead (Sagitariafasciculata) is known to occur within the ONS transmission rights-of-way to the north and northeast of Traveler's Rest, SC, and southwest of Furman University northwest of Greenville, SC. The SC Heritage Database has 26 records for the bunched arrowhead, 22 of these are within 1 mile of either the Tiger 230 kV or the North Greenville 230 kV transmission lines. Three of the remaining 4 records are within 2 miles of these lines. This species is an emersed aquatic perennial forb that grows in gently sloping areas with slow, continuous seepage of cool, clear water. Plants tend to be more vigorous in shaded sites. Field studies from the 1970's suggest that reproduction is primarily by vegetative means.
The Tiger 230 kV right-of-way passes through the Bunched Arrowhead Heritage Preserve, and adjacent to the Blackwell Heritage Preserve. Duke has worked with the SC Heritage Trust Program and the FWS to develop management and conservation plans for this species near the area where the Tiger transmission line crosses US Highway 25. Threats to this species include certain right-of-way maintenance practices, such as herbicide use, and mowing at critical periods during the growth season. The applicant already has management plans in place for the known populations within its rights-of-way that deal with these issues.
Dwarf-flowered heartleaf (Hexastylis nanjlora) grows in acidic, sandy soils along bluffs and nearby slopes, hillsides, and ravines, as well as in boggy areas adjacent to creek heads and streams. Soil type is the most important environmental factor, the species is limited to Pacolet or Madison gravelly sandy loam, or Musella fine sandy loam soils. If the proper soil type is present the plants can survive in either dry or moderately moist areas. Sunlight in early spring increases flowering and seed production, which is highest in creek heads with few shrubs on bluffs with light gaps. This species occurs sporadically along extensive portions of the McGuire 525 kV transmission line and in the vicinity of the Tiger 230 kV transmission line northeast of Travelers Rest. Major threats to the species include the use of insecticides which could disrupt the plants reproductive cycle, timber harvesting, and general habitat loss. However, if the soil is not disturbed, selective removal of larger trees (as in right-of-way maintenance) could benefit the species by increasing available sunlight.
Mountain sweet pitcher plant (Sarracenia rubra var.jonesii) is restricted to bogs and stream sides, generally in level depressions associated with floodplains, although some populations are found along the sides of waterfalls on granite rock faces. Generally, the bogs that harbor these 23
Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment plants are dominated by herbs or shrubs, but there may be a few scattered trees. The soils are deep, poorly drained with high organic content, and medium to high acidity. Most of the populations of this species in South Carolina are located approximately 3 to 5 miles north of the McGuire 525 kV transmission line. However, one population is known from approximately 0.7 miles from the Tiger 230 kV transmission line east of Traveler's Rest, in close proximity to populations of both the dwarf-flowered heartleaf and the bunched arrowhead. An additional population has been reported from Pickens County, approximately 3 miles from both the Tiger 230 kV and the McGuire 525 kV transmission lines, east of the northern end of Lake Keowee.
The finding of this population suggests that additional populations may be found where suitable habitats exists, which might include portions of the ONS transmission system. However, the right-of-way maintenance practices used by Duke are not likely to have a significant effect on this species, since it grows in wetland areas which are normally left intact because there normally are few large trees within the bogs where the plants grow.
Schweinitz's sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii) grows in clearings and the edges of upland woods on clays, lay-loams, or sandy clay-loams, often with a high gravel content. This species is often found in conjunction with other rare species with affinities to glade and prairie habitats of the Midwest or fire maintained sandhills and savannas of the southeast coastal plain. In South Carolina, all of the known populations are located in York County, while it is presently known from several counties in North Carolina, including Gaston and Mecklenburg Counties. Six populations have been reported within about 4 miles of the Newport Substation at the eastern end of the Newport 525 kV transmission line, the nearest is approximately 0.8 mile east of the substation. It is possible that additional populations may be found in the vicinity. Duke has worked with the SC Heritage Trust program in monitoring and protecting populations of this species within other rights-of-way near Rock Hill, SC. In North Carolina, there are approximately 9 reported populations in eastern Gaston County and western Mecklenburg County approximately 4 to 6 miles south of the McGuire 525 kV transmission Line, near its eastern end. All of these populations are in the vicinity of Mountain Island Lake. Many of the known populations of this species occur along roadsides and utility rights-of-way, and are therefore threatened by maintenance practices such as the use of herbicides and mowing prior to flowering or seed set Proper right-of-way maintenance is probably beneficial to the survival of this species because it appears to rely on remnant open areas that are simulated by the open rights-of-way. In general, the applicants maintenance procedures provide these beneficial effects Smooth coneflower (Echinacea laevigata) has been reported from Oconee and Pickens Counties in South Carolina and from Mecklenburg County in North Carolina. The largest concentration appears to be in Oconee County, approximately 13 to 24 miles west of the ONS plant site. Other populations in Oconee County include reported population located approximately 7.5 miles south of the ONS and one that was located within what is now Lake Jocassee. The one reported occurrence in Pickens County is located approximately 6 miles northeast of the ONS, approximately 1.5 miles from the North Greenville 230 kV transmission line and approximately 2 miles from the McGuire 525 kV transmission line. One population was reported from within 10 miles of the McGuire 525 kV transmission line in North Carolina. This is located approximately 6 miles south of the McGuire Substation, near populations of Schweinitz's sunflower and Georgia aster. Additional unrecorded populations are possible along various portions of the Oconee transmission system. Like Schweinitz's sunflower, the smooth 24
"Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment coneflower occurs in open remnant prairie communities and many of the known populations occur within utility rights-of-way and roadsides. The species is intolerant of shade, therefore careful right-of-way management would be beneficial to the species by maintaining an open, early successional plant community. However, improper right-of-way maintenance practices, such as mowing during the wrong portion of the year or applications of many types of herbicide, could have serious adverse affects on the species. Because Duke's procedures appropriately address transmission line right-of-way maintenance activities, including mowing and herbicide applications, adverse impacts on the smooth coneflower are not expected.
White Irisette (Sisyrinchium dichotomum) is known from Greenville County, SC, and Polk, Henderson, and Rutherford Counties in NC. The SC Heritage Database indicates 6 reported occurrences in Greenville County, two of which are on Chestnut Ridge approximately 2.5 miles north of the McGuire 525 kV transmission line. The FWS Region 4 Species account indicates that the only existing population in SC is on the North Carolina border on the north side of Greenville County, approximately 5.4 miles north of the McGuire Line. This species grows in clearings and the edges of woods where the canopy is thin and where run-off has removed much of the deep litter layers. Many of the known populations are located within highway or utility rights-of-way, and are thus potentially threatened by the use of herbicides or other maintenance practices. Apparently all of the known populations in North Carolina are greater than 10 miles from the McGuire 525 kV transmission line.
The species listed below have been reported to occur within the general vicinity of the transmission line rights-of-way or within the counties containing the transmission corridors. It is believed that these species are unlikely to be effected by the continued operation and maintenance of the transmission lines because of one or more of the following:
- The species is restricted to unique habitat conditions not known within the rights-of-way
- The known occurrences of the species are quite distant from the transmission corridors
- The species is highly mobile and would be merely transient within the rights-of-way, or
- The species is considered to be extinct in the wild Small whorled pogonia (Isotria medeoloides), this species occurs in widely scattered locations throughout the eastern United States. In South Carolina it is known from 6 populations, 5 of which are near the South Carolina / Georgia Border in western Oconee County. These 5 populations are all more than 10 miles from the nearest ONS related transmission line, and they are all located within a separate watershed from the ONS and associated transmission lines. The sixth population is located west of Table Rock Reservoir, at an elevation of approximately 2000 feet, about 5 miles north of the McGuire 525 kV transmission line in Greenville County, near the Pickens County line. The elevation at that location is at least 800 feet higher than the nearest transmission right-of-way. In North Carolina, all known populations are located in counties well to the west of the Oconee related transmission lines.
Persistent trillium (Trillium persistens) is known from 2 sites in South Carolina, both of these are at the extreme western tip of Oconee County, approximately 25 miles west of the ONS in the Tallulah-Tugaloo River system. All other known populations of this species are in Georgia, within 5 miles of the SC populations.
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Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment Swamp pink (Helonias bulta) is known from one record in South Carolina. This population is located approximately 6.75 miles north of the McGuire 525 kV transmission line, and approximately _ mile from the North Carolina border at an elevation of nearly 3000 feet. This population is within the Watson Heritage Preserve. In North Carolina, the known occurrences of this species are located more than 10 miles to the north and west of the McGuire 525 kV transmission line.
Michaux's sumac (Rhus michauxii) is believed to be extirpated from South Carolina, and the only record of it in the South Carolina Heritage Database is located approximately 60 miles from the Newport 525 kV transmission line. In North Carolina it currently occurs well to the east of the eastern end of the McGuire 525 kV transmission line. It is believed to be extirpated from Lincoln and Mecklenburg Counties. The species is shade-intolerant, therefore careful maintenance of the cleared transmission corridors could be beneficial to the species.
Little amphianthus or Pool sprite (Amphianthus pusillus) is restricted to very small vernal pools located on granite outcrops in South Carolina and Georgia. Populations in South Carolina are known from Saluda, Lancaster, and York Counties. The population in York County is approximately 9 miles Northwest of the Newport substation.
Black-spore quillwort (Isoetes melanospora) has been reported from two locations in South Carolina, one in Lancaster County, within the Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve, where it was reported to co-occur with the Little amphianthus, and the other in Pickens County where the reported occurrence is along a railroad track in a developed area on the east side of Pickens, SC, approximately 1.3 miles north of the North Greenville 230 kV transmiission line. However, the FWS Region 4 species account indicates that only one population had been reported in SC (as of 1992), and that it had not been re-observed since it's initial collection in 1969. The species account does not indicate what county the reported population was located, but maps in the Flora of North America (FNA 1993) indicate that the population is located in Lancaster County. As with the little amphianthus, this species is restricted to small vernal pools in granite outcrops.
Both species are known to co-occur in at 4 of the 5 reported populations of the black-spored quillwort.
Rock gnome lichen (Gymnoderma Uneare) is known from one occurrence in South Carolina.
This population is approximately 6.3 miles north of the McGuire 525 kV transmission line, at an elevation of approximately 2800 feet. It is also known from Rutherford County, NC, but at a distance of greater than 10 miles from the McGuire right-of-way. This species is restricted to high humidity areas, such as vertical cliff faces at high elevations or on boulders or outcrops in deep river gorges at lower elevations. Neither of these habitats is directly encountered within the rights-of-way. If these habitats were within the right-of-way, it is unlikely that the maintenance practices in such areas would effect the lichen because there would be little or no maintenance required in such areas.
Eastern cougar (Felis concolor) The South Carolina Heritage Database includes records for this species in northern Pickens and Greenville Counties. However, the surviving population (if there is one) in the southeastern United States is extremely small and the species may be extinct 26
'Oconee Nulear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment in the wild. If the species does occur near one or more of the transmission lines, it would probably be transient in the area, and most likely would not be adversely effected by the routine maintenance of the rights-of-way.
Bog turtle (Clemmys muhlenbergii) In the Carolinas this species is listed as threatened due to similarity of appearance to the individuals from the populations in the northeastern United States that are considered to be threatened with extinction. Therefore the ESA restrictions that apply to this species in the Carolinas are concerned with possession and sale, and not necessarily with disturbance of individuals in the wild. However, bog turtles are still a species of concern in both North Carolina and South Carolina, and for the purposes of this assessment will be considered as if it were fully protected under the ESA. Bog turtle populations have been reported within the Saluda River System within 1.3 to 2 miles of the McGuire 525 kV and Tiger 230 kV transmission lines in South Carolina and within the Catawba River system in North Carolina approximately 3 miles south of the McGuire Transmission line. This species also may occur in additional wetland areas along and near the Oconee related transmission lines. However, Duke normally leaves wetland areas intact during right-of-way maintenance, and it is unlikely that this species will be adversely affected by the continued use of the transmission lines.
Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) is considered by the FWS to occur in Oconee County, SC, and Rutherford County, NC. The Oconee County occurrence is located approximately 16 miles west of the ONS, well removed from any of the transmission lines. Populations in Rutherford County, NC are greater than 10 miles from the McGuire 525 kV transmission line. The species could occur near transmission line stream crossings, but is not likely to be affected by the continued use and maintenance of the transmission lines because Duke normally leaves riparian vegetation in place, and only removes larger trees that threaten the integrity of the transmission lines.
Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is reported by the FWS as occurring in Oconee County, and potentially occurring in Pickens County, SC. However, the SC heritage database does not include records for this species in either county, apparently indicating that this species does not nest or spend extended periods of time in either county. Bald eagles are known to occur in Anderson and York Counties in South Carolina as well, but the Heritage database records indicated that the reported occurrences are along the Savannah and Catawba rivers respectively, well away from the Oconee transmission line routes. Eagles are also known to occur within several North Carolina counties, but apparently they are not known to nest or reside for extended periods within at least 10 miles of the McGuire 525 kV transmission line. Eagles that do encounter the ONS related transmission lines are likely to be transient individuals that would not be adversely affected by the continued use and maintenance of the transmission line rights-of way. Duke has a program in place to monitor and report bird collisions with its transmission lines, and has not reported impacts to bald eagles.
Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum) is reported by the FWS to occur in Rutherford County North Carolina and Greenville, Pickens, and potentially Oconee Counties in South Carolina (only considering counties where the transmission lines are located). However, the species was not included in the database provided by the South Carolina Heritage program, nor does it appear to be located within 10 miles of the McGuire transmission line in North Carolina.
Apparently there have been attempts to establish nests on the cliffs above the Jocassee Dam.
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Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment Individuals that do encounter the ONS related transmission lines are likely to be transient individuals that will not be adversely affected by the continued use and maintenance of the transmission line right-of-ways. Duke has a program in place to monitor and report bird collisions with its powerlines, and has not reported impacts to peregrine falcons.
Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) is primarily known from the coastal plains portions of the Carolinas. The nearest population to the Oconee transmission lines is located approximately 17 miles southeast of the Newport 525 kV transmission line in Laurens County.
That population appears to be an outlier within the overall distribution of the species in South Carolina, because the next closest population is an additional 30 miles south. Operation and maintenance of the Oconee related transmission system is not likely to effect to this species.
Carolina heelsplitter (Lasmigona decorata) was formerly known from the Catawba River system in Mecklenburg County, NC. Recent collections, however, indicate that the species does not presently exist in Mecklenburg County, nor any other county containing portions of the Oconee related transmission lines. Reported populations of the Carolina heelsplitter in South Carolina are at least 30 to 50 miles from the nearest Oconee transmission line.
Other Species of Concern Within or Near the Transmission Rights-of-way In addition to the 20 Federally listed endangered and threatened species described above, numerous other species that are either of concern to the State of North or South Carolina, or considered to be national or regional Species of Concern by the FWS are located within or near the Oconee transmission system. These will not be discussed further within this document, but the overall distribution and density of species in relation to the Oconee transmission system in South Carolina is provided in Figure 17.
Summary of Impacts Due to Continued Operation and Maintenance At the ONS plant site, wetlands and other sensitive areas are posted with signs, and procedures are in place to review all work conducted in or near these areas so as to protect the sensitive resources.
Duke follows a documented set of best management practices for transmission line right-of-way construction and maintenance (Duke 1996). These include provisions for erosion and sediment control, soil stabilization, stream and other water body protection, buffer zones, and protection of other sensitive species and habitats.
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Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assemsment Figure 17. Species of national, regional, or State concern Near the Oconee transmission system in South Carolina.
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soeoraes crwth oute erosoatognrcue.Vgttinrmvlwthnteebfe
- Fedt ara aresal imedansetoebtteletipactodom
- s.
eFed TI baUft I ieaWnlanwn wo Iegtaionn.
e8tecon
- anfause*re
- 7
- .0 10 0
10 20 30 a
50 s0 70 80 90 100 Ms Buffers adjacent to streams or other water bodies are a minimumn of 25 feet wide on relatively flat ground with other erosion control structures in place, and are wider in areas with steeper slopes or areas with out other erosion control structures. Vegetation removal within these buffer areas is limited to that required for adequate conductor clearances. Felled trees within buffer areas are usually limbed and sectioned, but then left in place to decompose.
The right-of-way corridors are maintained so as to prevent vegetation intrusion near the conductor wires, to prevent invasion of undesirable species, to maintain soil stabilization, and to preserved wildlife diversity. Herbicides are applied, when needed, according to manufacturer's guidelines by licensed applicators. Smaller maturing trees are encouraged in lieu of trimming or topping out larger trees. Some areas are mowed on a 3 to 5-year cycle to prevent growth of woody vegetation.
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'Oconee Nuclear &aton License Renewal Biological Assessment Piotection plans are developed for areas of special concern such as stream crossings, rare species locations, leave areas, buffer zones, etc. These will typically be site-specific, but will include provisions for the maintenance of the special features via limitations on herbicide use, limitations on mowing during specified parts of the year, or hand removal of woody vegetation rather than mechanical.
Conciusions Conclusions for each of the species discussed in the preceding sections are summarized in Table
- 3. For many of the species, the available data suggests that they are not presently known to occur, nor are they likely to occur within the ONS transmission system. For those species, a conclusion of "No Effect" was drawn. Several other species (i.e. peregrine falcon, bald eagle, and Indiana bat) are mobile, relatively uncommon in the area, and are not likely to spend significant amounts of time within the transmission corridors, and are not likely to be affected by the transmission line corridor maintenance procedures. A conclusion of "No Effect" was also drawn for those species.
Five species are either known to exist within or near the ONS transmission system rights-of-way or have a reasonable likelihood of inhabiting one or more portions of the rights-of-way corridors.
Of these five species, the two most likely to be directly affected by the continued operation and maintenance of the ONS transmission system are the bunched arrowhead and the dwarf-flowered heartleaf. For all of these five species a conclusion of "Not likely to adversely affect" is drawn.
Duke has management agreements for the maintenance of Schweinitz's sunflower in York County, SC, which could be extended to include any additional populations found within the ONS transmission corridors. To date, this species has not been reported to occur within the ONS transmission corridor, but does occur in relatively close proximity. Duke has regular contact with the Heritage programs, and has shown willingness to include species conservation as a management priority. Additionally, properly performed corridor maintenance is probably beneficial to this species.
Corridor maintenance is also likely to be beneficial to the smooth coneflower. This species is not known to occur within the rights-of-way for the ONS transmission system, but potential habitat exists in the general vicinity of the rights-of-way of several of the transmission lines.
The mountain sweet pitcher plant is known to occur in bogs relatively close to the ONS rights-of-way. However, the preferred habitat of this species would be classified as a wetland / sensitive area within the rights-of-way, and would therefore be left intact and undisturbed (except for the rare need to remove a larger tree). Therefore, even if it is found directly beneath one of the existing lines, it is not likely to be adversely affected by the continued maintenance of the line.
Nearly all of the known populations of the bunched arrowhead occur within approximately 3 to 6 miles of the Oconee to Tiger and Oconne to North Greenville transmission lines. However, Duke already has a management agreement with the SCDNR concerning many of the bunched arrowhead populations potentially affected by these transmission lines, and has regular contact 30
lGeonee Nuclear &ation License Renewal Biological Assessment with the SC Natural Heritage staff concerning rare species potentially affected by its transmission system. Therefore, it is expected that additional alterations to maintenance of the corridors in the vicinity of this species will be implemented as necessary.
The dwarf-flowered heartleaf is known to occur near McGuire 525 kV transmission line at numerous locations, and there is a reasonable potential that additional populations will be found near this line and potentially along the Tiger line. Some corridor maintenance procedures are likely to be beneficial to the species by increasing light availability, but others, such as non selective application of herbicides could adversely affect the species. However, such general application is normally not needed within a well maintained corridor since most vegetation control can be accomplished via mowing or selective application of herbicides to individual trees.
If Duke continues to work with the FWS and the SC and NC Heritage programs to develop management plans for the known locations of dwarf-flowered heartleaf, and to identify additional potential habitat areas within the rights-of-way, the species is not likely to be adversely affected by the continued operation and maintenance of the transmission corridors.
Table 3. Conclusions for each Species Potentially affected by the ONS Transmission System.
SPECIES COMMON NAME STATUS CONCLUSION Sagittaria fasiculata Bunched arrowhead E
Not likely to adversely affect Hexasytlis naniflora Dwarf-flowered heartleaf T
Not likely to adversely affect Helianthus schwenitzii Schweinitz's sunflower E
Not likely to adversely affect Sarracenia nibra sap. jonesii Mountain sweet pitcher plant E
Not likely to adversely affect Echinacea laevigata Smooth coneflower E
Not likely to adversely affect Sisyrinchium dichotomum White irisette E
No Effect Isoetes melanospora Black-spored quillwort E
No Effect Helonius bullata Swamp pink T
No Effect Amphianthus pusillus Little amphianthus T
No Effect Isotria medeoloides Small-whorled pogonia T
No Effect Rhus michauxii Michaux's sumac E
No Effect Trillium persistens Persistent trillium E
No Effect Gymnoderma lineare Rock gnome lichen E
No Effect Clemmys muhlenburgii Bog turtle T/sa No Effect Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald eagle T
No Effect Falco peregrinus Peregrine falcon E
No Effect Myotis sodalis Indiana bat E
No Effect Felis concolor cougar Eastern cougar E
No Effect Picoides borealis Red-cockaded woodpecker E
No Effect Lasmigona decorata Carolina heelspliter E
No Effect 31
Oconee Nuclear Station License Renewal Biological Assessment Refrences Atomic Energy Commission (1972) Final Environmental Statement related to the Operation of Oconee Nuclear Station Units 1, 2, and 3. U. S. Atomic Energy Commission. March 1972.
Duke Energy (1996) Duke Power Company Best Management Practices for Stormwater Management and Erosion Control - Policy and Procedures Manual, Revised 1996.
Duke Energy (1998a) Application for renewed operating licenses Oconee Nuclear station, Units 1, 2, and 3. Volumne IV. Exhibit D: Applicants Environmental Report, Operating License Renewal Stage. Duke Energy Corporation, June 1998.
Duke Energy (1998b) Letter from Jennifer Huff (Duke) to Roger Banks (FWS). Transmittal of survey report "Endangered, threatened, and otherwise noteworthy plant and animal species of the Oconee Nuclear Station." 23 June 1998.
Duke Energy (1998c) Letter from Jennifer Huff (Duke) to Ed Duncan (SCDNR). Transmittal of survey report "Endangered, threatened, and otherwise noteworthy plant and animal species of the Oconee Nuclear Station." 23 June 1998.
Duke Energy (1999a) Letter from John S. Garton (Duke) to Steve Gilbert (FWS). 23 February 1999.
Duke Energy (1999b) Letter from John S. Garton (Duke) to Thomas Kohlsaat (SCDNR). 23 February 1999.
Flora of North America Committee (1993) Flora of North America North of Mexico. Volume 2, Pteridophytes and gymnosperms. Oxford University Press, NY.
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (1998a) Letter from Robert E. Duncan (SCDNR) to Jennifer Huff (Duke). Concurrence with conclusions provided in Duke (1998c). 24 September 1998.
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (1999) Letter from Thomas S. Kohlsaat (SCDNR) to John S. Garton (Duke). 24 February 1999.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1998a) Letter from Roger Banks, FWS to Jennifer Huff (Duke).
List of federally listed species in Oconee and Pickens counties, SC. FWS Log No. 4-6-98-227.
17 April 1998.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1998b) Concurrence with conclusions submitted within Duke (1998b) concerning FWS-4-6-98-227. Stamped and signed, 30 July 1998.
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1999) Letter from Joseph F. Cockrell (FWS) to John S. Garton (Duke). 3 March 1999.
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