U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Field Notes Volume I, Number 3 Winter 2007 Field Notes The quarterly newsletter of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s North Carolina Ecological Service’s Field Offices

Note from the Field FWS Director visits Pocosin Lakes NWR and Supervisors: Makes Statement at Navy OLF Hearing Dale Hall, Director, U.S. Fish and Strength in Partnering Wildlife Service, toured Pocosin Lakes The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in National Wildlife Refuge on March 19 North Carolina is fortunate to have a and later spoke at the first of the Navy’s wealth of talented and committed six public hearing’s regarding the Navy’s partners in conservation. The articles placement of an Outlying Landing Field in this issue of Field Notes are not near Pocosin Lakes. just about us and what we are doing. The process of locating the OLF in They’re a sampling of the efforts by Eastern North Carolina has been going federal and state agencies, on for awhile. In late 2001, the Navy conservation organizations, local began planning process for proposed communities, industries, and private Outlying Landing Field (OLF) in individuals who work together to eastern N.C. The facility would be used conserve the fish, plants, and wildlife by the Navy to train its pilots for carrier

atty Matteson of North Carolina. landings. More than 31,000 practice P takeoffs and landings would occur yearly Dale Hall, Director, U.S. Fish and Partners not only make our job easier - at the OLF site. Wildlife Service speaks to reporters Dan they make it possible. Working together, Parson, Washington Daily News and we can build a common vision for The Navy looked at five locations in Wade Rawlins, Raleigh News-Observer North Carolina and two in other states. natural resource conservation, at the overlook on Pungo Unit of Pocosin In July 2002, the Navy released the Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. generate creative solutions to difficult Draft Environmental Impact Statement environmental problems, and pool and (EIS) with Washington County (Site C) requirements. In response, the Navy target resources in order to maximize and Craven County (Site E) sites announced their intention to prepare a results. identified as co-preferred alternative site Supplemental EIS, and asked the location. We are excited about the collaborative Service to participate as a cooperating efforts described in this issue; from In September 2003, the Navy issued a agency. our efforts to mutually benefit aquatic Record of Decision to locate Super In March 2007, the Navy released a wildlife and livestock on private land Hornet Aircraft squadrons at Naval Air Draft Supplemental EIS with the to our work with industry and other Station Oceana and Marine Corps Air Washington County (Site C) site still stakeholders to restore anadromous Station Cherry Point and construct an identified as the preferred alternative. OLF in Washington County, NC (Site C). fish spawning runs, or from to our Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge work to restore thousands of acres of In January 2004, the Southern (PLNWR) lies within 0.25 miles of the wetlands Pocosin Lakes National Environmental Law Center, OLF flight pattern. Site C is also located representing Audubon, The North 6 miles from the Pungo Unit of PLNWR. Wildlife Refuge on the coastal plain, to The Pungo Unit of the refuge has been our work to protect imperiled plants in Carolina Wildlife Federation, Defenders of Wildlife, and attorneys representing designated by the American Bird the mountains. We cannot fulfill the Conservancy as a globally important Service’s mission on our own, but by Washington and Beaufort Counties, filed suit against the Navy. bird area with 27 percent of Atlantic working together we can move closer to Flyway population of tundra swans our goal, while continuing to achieve In March 2005, the District Court wintering here each year. great things for North Carolina’s granted a permanent injunction against (continued on page 2) wildlife and wild places. the Navy barring them from proceeding with the OLF until they comply with all Pete Benjamin and Brian P. Cole National Environmental Policy Act

http://nc-es.fws.gov/ 1 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Field Notes Volume I, Number 3 Winter 2007 North Carolina and Beyond

FWS Director visits Pocosin Lakes NWR and Makes Statement at Navy OLF Hearing (continued from page 1) More than 70,000 snow geese also winter here each year. PLNWR is also home to many other species of birds and waterfowl, as well as other species of wildlife that depend year round on the refuge’s habitat to survive and thrive.

USFWS In the statement submitted to the Navy 2007 North Carolina Junior Duck Stamp Winner on March 19 Director Hall stated: “We are concerned that the conclusion that N.C. Federal Junior Duck Stamp Navy has drawn are more definitive than the data can support. Indeed it is our Art Competition Best of Show Winner overarching concern that the limitations Christian Hunt, 15, a sophomore at The Federal Junior Duck Stamp of the available information leave a large Tuscola High School, Waynesville, N.C. degree of uncertainty regarding the true won the 2007 North Carolina Federal Conservation Design Program is an magnitude of effects to the resources we Junior Duck Stamp art competition. The integrated art and science curriculum are charged with managing on behalf of acrylic of a male and female wood duck developed to teach environmental the public.” “Our role as a cooperating “Alert” will compete in the national agency does not mean that we agree with competition to be held in April at the science and habitat conservation. The all the findings contained in the draft National Zoo in Washington, D.C. After first place national winning design is Supplemental EIS,” said Hall. the contest his artwork will travel used to create a Federal Junior Duck throughout the United States as part of Our concerns center around the the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Art Tour Stamp each year. Proceeds from the sale following six issues: Program. of Junior Duck Stamps (which cost $5) ■ Loss of foraging habitat for More than 500 students representing 12 support conservation education by waterfowl North Carolina schools participated in providing awards and scholarships for ■ Effects of aircraft noise this year’s competition. To view the 2007 winner’s list visit: the students, teachers, and schools that ■ Cumulative impacts http://www.fws.gov/nc-es/port/ participate in the program. ■ Ability to manage refuge resources 2007DuckStampNewsReleasePDF.pdf This year the North Carolina Federal ■ Effects to red wolves The contest was held at the North Carolina Estuarium, Washington, N.C. Junior Duck Stamp Program partnered ■ Effects of refuge visitor experience This year’s judges included: Clayton with the North Carolina Wildlife Wilkes, N.C. Wildlife Resources Resources Commission and the East To view the complete statement you Commission; B.H. Powell, East Carolina Carolina Wildfowl Guild to host the may visit: www.fws.gov/nc-es/ or to Wildlife Guild; Peggy Powell, East competition. Jerry’s Artarama continued receive a copy by mail or fax please Carolina Wildlife Guild; Billy Jackson, its sponsorship of the program and will call 919/856 4520 (ext. 25). Sponsor of the Wildlife Arts Festival; be providing more than $2,000 in prizes. Curtis Dykstra, Park Ranger, Goose Creek State Park.

http://nc-es.fws.gov/ 2 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Field Notes Volume I, Number 3 Winter 2007 North Carolina and Beyond

$240,000 to Help Restore Imperiled Rare Fish Conservation Fisheries, Inc. (CFI), a Knoxville-based leader in rare fish conservation, has received $240,000 from the Service to support the recovery of some of the region’s most imperiled fish. The non-profit organization received two grants. One is for $200,000 to propagate and reintroduce seven threatened and endangered fish species in the Southern Appalachians—the slender chub, pygmy madtom, duskytail darter, spotfin chub, smoky madtom, yellowfin madtom, and boulder darter (the boulder darter is found in the Elk River, along the Mark Cantrell, USFWS Tennessee/Alabama state line). An J.R. Shute of Conservation Fisheries, Inc., preparing to release fish into additional grant for $40,000 will be used Abrams Creek to support the conservation of four other fish species that currently are not federally protected but are a Plight of the Catspaw Mussel conservation priority. The future of the federally endangered catspaw mussel (Epioblasma obliquata) was thrown further into doubt when biologists failed this past fall in their effort to collect The hope is that supporting these fish healthy females from the only creek where the mussel is still known to exist. now will help preclude the need for listing them as endangered or The team of biologists, assembled from government agencies, universities, and threatened in the future. They include private consulting firms, were searching Killbuck Creek in northeast Ohio for female the stonecat, wounded darter, and catspaw mussels with the intention of taking them into captivity where they could be sicklefin redhorse (a new species found propagated and reintroduced into the wild once habitat quality had improved. Their only in a handful of rivers centered hopes for achieving such a conservation hail-Mary were dimmed when their search where North Carolina, Tennessee, and failed to turn up a single female. Georgia come together). The money will Historically, the catspaw was wide-ranging across the Ohio River basin. The Killbuck help develop propagation technology for population was discovered in 1994 by Michael Hoggarth, a professor from Otterbein these species, augmenting existing College. At the time it was thought that the mussel persisted in Kentucky’s Green populations, and reintroducing them into River and in Tennessee’s Cumberland River, but those populations are now believed to suitable areas of historical distribution. be extirpated. Today, the mussel in only known from Killbuck Creek in northeast Ohio. CFI has made a name for themselves Hoggarth, who was a part of the search team, noted a tremendous build-up of through their captive propagation of sediment in the stream bed since the mid-1990s, ruining catspaw habitat. The imperiled fish that are then reintroduced biologists also found a population of the invasive Asian clam large enough that it into the wild, where suitable habitat is would likely have provided the catspaw with intense competition for food and space. available. They’ve led a 20-year effort to North America’s freshwater mussels often have colorful common names, and reintroduce four federally protected catspaw is thought to derive from the fact that the shells of the females have tiny species—the smoky madtom, yellowfin extensions that look like cat claws. madtom, spotfin chub, and duskytail darter—into Abrams Creek in the Great Mattamuskeet Video Available Smoky Mountains National Park and have recently begun a similar If you missed seeing the record number of waterfowl visiting our national wildlife reintroduction project in the Tellico refuges in North Carolina a video is now available that can take you there. The Mattamuskeet Foundation, a non-profit organization, has created a video entitled “A River on the Cherokee National Forest Winter Day Lake Mattamuskeet.” The video is available for purchase by calling the in Tennessee. Mattamuskeet Foundation on 252/746 4221. http://nc-es.fws.gov/ 3 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Field Notes Volume I, Number 3 Winter 2007 North Carolina and Beyond

Southeastern Biologists and Engineers Look at Aquatic Life Passage Issues An adult greenside darter is two to three inches long and spends its days perched on the stream bottom, darting from place with a quick flick of its pectoral fins. It represents the challenge of aquatic life passage in the Southeast, a region with more than 600 species of fish ranging from inch and a half-long pygmy sunfish to ten feet-long alligator gars, plus the greatest mussel diversity in the world and an incredible diversity

Anita Goetz, USFWS of insects, salamanders, and other Workshop participants break out to tackle aquatic life passage issues aquatic life. To address passage issues for this work on a model to estimate culvert and getting that technique successfully diversity of aquatic life, biologists and effects on small stream fish. put into widespread use. While some in engineers from across the Southeast the group raised concerns about the cost USGS biologist Ted Castro-Santos of stream simulation in new crossings convened in November in Asheville, discussed what needs to be known to North Carolina for a two-day workshop. and retrofitting existing barriers, others predict passage success. The afternoon countered that in the long-term, Day one was a wrap-up of recent culminated with national fish passage including maintenance costs, stream Southeastern fish passage research. expert Kozmo Bates sharing his simulation would probably be Mark Hudy and Seth Coffman of the experiences in working with stream comparable, if not cheaper than passage USDA Forest Service related simulation design. design based on the hydrologic model. It experiences in working on fish passage The following day, workshop participants was also made clear that stream simulation on Southeastern national forests, broke into groups and rolled up their coupled with natural channel techniques specifically modeling for passage sleeves to begin answering some of the would be taken up more readily if they through culverts and assessing culverts. questions facing southeastern aquatic were required by government Jenny Vander Pluym and Angela species passage, notably assessing permitting and reviewing agencies. Gardner reviewed their North Caroline what’s known about passage in the State University graduate research on Many supported an inventory of passage Southeast, and how to design and barriers and a shared database to record fish passage at culverts and other implement passage projects. stream crossings. Raising the question them, though it presents funding and of invasive species, Tennessee Tech Questions arose about what species logistical issues and underlies the need student Paul Benton shared research on should be the design target, but for development of standardized the swimming performance of mosquito workshop participants came to a assessment and data recording fish and the endangered barrens consensus that focusing on the stream methodology. In the end, the workshop topminnow and the implications for community was preferable, and with strengthened, and in some cases began, passage design. Mary Freeman of the that, using stream simulation was a dialogue between biologists and USGS and the University of Georgia preferable to hydraulic design based on engineers on moving ahead with stream presented work on implementing one or a few species. However, there’s a passage policy in the Southeast. For passage policy in north Georgia while distance between getting a room full of more information contact Anita Goetz at UGA student James Norman shared his people in Asheville, N.C. to agree that [email protected]. stream simulation is the best approach, http://nc-es.fws.gov/ 4 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Field Notes Volume I, Number 3 Winter 2007 Coastal Plain Wetland Restoration Group Forms to Help Partnership to Benefit Conserve Cape Fear Arch The Cape Fear Arch Conservation Water Quality and Collaboration is a partnership in its Wildlife in Eastern infancy. Over twenty representatives from Federal and State resource North Carolina agencies, conservation groups, cities, The North Carolina Department of towns, local land trusts, private Environment and Natural Resources landowners, businesses and individuals (NCDENR) and the Service have have recently met to discuss this ecologically important area. committed to the restoration of 6,000 acres of degraded pocosin wetlands in The Cape Fear Arch is a geological term Washington and Beaufort Counties. Dale Suiter / USFWS for an area that is slightly uplifted Pocosins, or southeastern shrub bogs, Venus Fly Trap is a state listed species compared to the typical flat coastal plain that occurs in the Cape Fear Arch are often underlain by a thick layer of area that comprises Southeastern North peat soils that function as nutrient Carolina and Northeastern South sponges over geologic time, locking-up Mutual concern about potential impacts Carolina. During the earth’s past this area stayed dry while the lower area was nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon in from large new nutrient sources to the submerged under seawater. It is an area vegetation and the soil layer. When watershed near Pocosin Lakes NWR prompted this joint venture between of high biodiversity with a significant pocosins were drained, their nutrient number of rare species. There are 19 retention functions were lost and some of NCDENR and the Service. This approach of off-setting new nitrogen federally listed endangered or the nutrients they held were released to threatened species which inhabit this loads in the watershed with an equivalent adjacent waters. Once these lands unique region. became part of Pocosin Lakes National amount of local nitrogen reduction was This area has been identified as one of Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in 1990, recommended by the Service’s the highest priority areas for managers began restoring natural water Environmental Contaminants Program to minimize the potential for water quality conservation efforts in not only the levels. The new partnership with North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan by NCDENR accelerates on-going degradation where nutrient enrichment is already a problem. The project will the North Carolina Wildlife Resources restoration efforts by refuge managers Commission, but also by The Nature return lands to a saturated condition, re- and the Service’s Coastal Program. Conservancy’s Mid-Atlantic Coastal establishing their function as natural Plain Ecoregional Plan. The One North nutrient sponges. In addition to Carolina Naturally initiative under the sequestering nutrients in the local airshed N.C. Department of Environment and and watershed, restoration will enhance Natural Resources has also identified habitat for wildlife. this area has having high importance for conservation efforts. Remaining work to restore wetland hydrology on targeted tracts is limited to “The Cape Fear Arch provides a elevating the height of dikes and roads necessary forum to coordinate strategies so water levels can be raised. Recently, implement a larger conservation vision Bill Ross, Secretary, NCDENR and and engage the community” said Dan Bell, Project Director, The Nature recently retired NCDENR Deputy Conservancy, Wilmington, N.C. Secretary Dempsey Benton toured the “Through public awareness, protection refuge along with Raleigh Field Office and stewardship we intend to highlight

ard / USFWS and Pocosin Lakes NWR staff to get a and build support for conservation of the first hand look at restoration in region’s unique natural resources,” said Sara W progress. It is anticipated that the work, Bell. “Through cooperation and NCDENR Secretary Bill Ross, Raleigh to be completed collaboratively by collaboration, we hope to increase our Field Supervisor Pete Benjamin, and Pocosin Lakes NWR and Alligator River overall effectiveness, he added.” NCDENR Deputy Secretary Dempsey Benton (from left to right) survey a NWR refuge, will be compete in 2008. For further information of if you would section of refuge roadway recently raised For more information, please contact like to become involved in this to allow completion of a sizeable portion Sara Ward ([email protected] or collaborative effort please contact of hydrology restoration needed at 919/856 4520 x 30) or Pocosin Lakes Dan Bell at 910/395 5000 or Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. NWR (252/796 3004). Camilla Herlevich at 910/790 4524.

http://nc-es.fws.gov/ 5 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Field Notes Volume I, Number 3 Winter 2007 Piedmont Bryant Farm Riparian Restoration in Chatham County Siblings Wilbur Bryant and Margaret Pollard deeply love their land along the Rocky River in Chatham County. Their parents raised them and their siblings on the farm, selling a pig or two when bills came due; harvesting cotton to cover the family’s needs, and cutting timber to Conservation in cover tuition for the children. And it happens that this fourth generation Chatham County family farm of over a century is Largely rural Chatham County is recognized as a high priority area for the nestled in the Cape Fear River drainage Cape Fear Shiner and other species and in the center of North Carolina’s designated as endangered or of special Piedmont. Its rich cultural history concern. demonstrates how the citizens have been tied to the land and its wildlife for It was the family who first approached generations. Back in the early 1900’s the Service about measures they could wild rabbit meat was sent from Chatham take to keep their cattle out of Rocky County to New York City where it River that ran past their farm. became a delicacy known as the “They really love their land and respect Chatham Rabbit. USFWS Margaret Pollard on her family’s farm all the creatures that live on it or thrive When it comes to natural resources, in Chatham County in the water that runs through it,” said Chatham County is unique and special. John Ann Shearer, Partners for Fish and It is made special by its topography, riparian and riverine communities, soil Wildlife Coordinator, Raleigh Field chemistry/texture, and distinctive plant and animal species. The Cape Fear shiner, a Office. “In addition to putting nutrients two inch yellowish minnow, endemic to the upper Cape Fear River Basin in the into a stream, cattle with access to Central Piedmont of North Carolina, occurs nowhere else in the world. The species is streams damage stream banks and known from tributaries and mainstreams of the Deep, Haw and Rocky Rivers in streambeds, causing excess Chatham, Harnett, Lee, Moore and Randolph counties. sedimentation,” said Shearer. “That can change a stream from one with a clean Chatham County’s swift flowing streams, gigantic white pines, working forests, gravel bed to one with a muddy bottom. rolling pastures, and rich farm lands are home to many species of wildlife including Gravel beds can be important habitat for bald eagles and the endangered Harperella plant whose delicate stems thrive on the fish such as the Cape Fear shiner,” she rocky shoals and margins of clear, swift-flowing streams. Jordan Lake provides said. “Protecting the riparian buffer outdoor recreational opportunities and glimpses into the natural beauty of the area. from cows is also good because cows The Triangle Land Conservancy’s 275 acre White Pines Preserve at the confluence often trample or eat the plants there,” of the Deep and Rocky rivers, supports several stands of white pines, a tree normally she added found in the cooler mountain region of North Carolina. Hiking trails there offer beautiful views of the forest and the rivers. The Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, along with the However, Chatham County straddles the fence between two rapidly expanding areas Chatham Soil and Water District, Mrs. of our state - the Triad and the Triangle. The county’s fine features have the caught Pollard, and Mr. Bryant made a plan to the eye of many new residents to North Carolina, driving up the rate of housing exclude their cattle from the Rocky developments and the necessary infrastructure to support them. To provide a voice River, a small tributary, and a small for the county’s natural resources and perhaps a vision for their protection, several natural spring. organizations, agencies, officials, and concerned citizens began convening in the fall of 2006. “Successfully, fences were erected and an alternate watering source was “We have had more than 40 active participants from state and federal agencies, local developed for the cows,” said Shearer. land trusts, local conservation organization, county officials, commissioners, planners “We are very pleased with the project. and landowners in meetings concerning the natural resources in Chatham County,” It’s good for the environment and for our said Partners for Fish and Wildlife Coordinator John Ann Shearer. “This newly cows,” said Mrs. Pollard. formed Chatham Conservation Partnership desires a sustainable county focused on the preservation of its natural resources and rural and agricultural heritage,” she said. “To accomplish this objective the group seeks to promote education and communication, reaching out to citizens, developers, and planners,” she added.

http://nc-es.fws.gov/ 6 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Field Notes Volume I, Number 3 Winter 2007 Piedmont Yadkin, Yadkin Pee-Dee Hydropower Licensing Update The Service’s Raleigh Field Office continues to engage Alcoa Power Generating Inc. (APGI) and Progress Energy (PE) in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) relicensing and fish passage efforts for

Progress Energy the Yadkin Hydroelectric and the Progress Energy’s Tillery dam and power plant on the Pee Dee River Yadkin-Pee Dee Hydroelectric Projects. types of efforts and they are helping us include the desire of the licensees for a The Service is also working with the come up with a solution that will work on fifty year license term, and inadequate National Marine Fisheries Service, North these dams.” instream flows proposed between the Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Tillery and Blewett Falls dams. South Carolina Department of Natural Because of complex environmental Resources, and both licensees in the issues, the Service has also chosen not to “These inadequate stream flows would development of a mutually agreeable fish continue in the settlement discussions adversely affect 19 miles of riverine passage plan for these dams to benefit which are ongoing with other habitat in the Piedmont of North American shad and the American eel. stakeholders who have an interest in the Carolina,” said Bowers. And, historically relicensing efforts. Instead the Service we only enter into a 30 to 40 year “To help with this effort we are will direct comments, terms and licensing agreement on these types of coordinating with fishway engineers in conditions, and fish passage projects,” said Bowers. the northeast region in the development prescriptions directly to FERC to of engineering studies and other aspects mitigate, protect and enhance fish and The Service is currently reviewing and relative to the design of an acceptable wildlife trust resources affected by these preparing comments on documents that fish passage and restoration plan for the large hydroelectric projects. are part of the FERC process. Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin,” said Mark Upcoming actions include the release of Bowers, Biologist, Raleigh Field Office. Issues that prevented the Service from a comprehensive Environmental Impact “They have a lot of experiencing in these continuing in the settlement discussions Statement for both projects. Mountains Landowner Joins Fight Against Invasive Plants Ray Hearne is quick to share a local private land owners improve wildlife apple and point out the native habitat on their land. wildflowers beginning to flourish on her 62 acres in Buncombe County’s In addition to oriental bittersweet, the Sandymush community. She’s also quick property is also home to invasive to share stories of her ongoing struggle Japanese honeysuckle and multiflora with oriental bittersweet, an invasive rose. Invasive plants tend to be non- Ray Asian vine that has overtaken areas of native species that easily overwhelm Hearne her meadows and woodlands. native plants through their fast growth showing and prolific reproduction, which, aided off one of “I had no inkling of the invasive species by the lack of natural predators, allows the problem on the property,” said Hearne, them to come to dominate an area. By massive “If I had known I probably wouldn’t excluding native plants, they also impact Oriental have bought the place.” She goes on to the animals that depend on those native bittersweet describe patches of her land that look plants and end up completely disrupting vines like rolling oceans of bittersweet that are native natural communities. Kudzu is a cleared far too dense to walk through and trees classic example. from her smothered and pulled down by masses of

USFWS land. the vine. Hearne is using the Service’s grant money to intensively treat the oriental “I swear, I think I’m ruining my hands. Part of her efforts to fight invasive bittersweet and multiflora rose with both On the other hand, I have the pleasure of plants is funded by grant from the U.S. chemical and mechanical methods. She being out in the woods and seeing every Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for still attacks the plants with her own nook and cranny,” Hearne said. “I’m Fish and Wildlife program that provides hands, walking her land and digging and getting to know every acre, literally inch funding and technical assistance to help pulling up every invasive plant she can. by inch.”

http://nc-es.fws.gov/ 7 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Field Notes Volume I, Number 3 Winter 2007 Mountains

Endangered Mussel Population Declining Biologists working in the Little Tennessee River, home to what was once one of the healthiest populations of the endangered Appalachian elktoe mussel, are noting a mysterious and dramatic decline in the population. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has surveyed mussels in the Little Tennessee River between the town of Franklin and Fontana Reservoir for the past two years as part of a mussel reproduction study. During that time, their biologists noted a general decline in Denise Moldenhauer / USFWS the number of Appalachian elktoe NCDOT biologists transplanting endangered white irisettes mussels, and a major acute die-off. Transportation Agency Strives to Protect Endangered Plant The North Carolina Department of Especially notable are the NCDOT’s Transportation has taken steps to efforts to control invasive plants at the protect an endangered plant not only site that threaten the irisette: from road construction, but also from ■ Scheduling construction to disturb as invasive species. Nearly 850 federally little ground as possible at a given endangered white irisettes are found at time; the site of a proposed road paving project on Skyuka Road in Polk County, ■ Working downhill to prevent invasive

leading NCDOT to consult with the plant seeds from washing onto exposed USFWS Service on how to protect the plants. The soil; Appalachian elktoe transportation agency secured a ■ conservation easement on an adjoining Carrying off site and destroying There is no obvious reason for the piece of property where a portion of the invasive species material unearthed decline, though at this point biologists 230 white irisettes in the construction during the project, such as large kudzu aren’t ruling out anything – disease, path will be moved. NCDOT also pledged roots; parasites, toxins, or stressors that have $190,000 to the N.C. Department of ■ Using native and other non-invasive weakened mussels to the point they Agriculture and Consumer Services to plants as the basis of plantings used at succumb to something that typically isn’t manage a nearby tract already home to the site to control erosion during and a problem. This past winter, state the endangered plant. after construction; biologists noted an acute die-off of mussels, prompting them to send tissue ■ Part of NCDOT’s efforts to protect the Implementing an invasive species samples to the U.S. Geological Survey plant focused on the design of the control plan on the site during and Virginia Polytechnic Institute project. NCDOT reduced the road width construction and for three years after looking for pathogens and parasites, but by five to seven feet to avoid plants along the end of construction; and results were inconclusive. the length of the road. Where feasible, ■ Mowing to keep the Japanese they also modified the road alignment to Biologists are looking at conducting stiltgrass in check while allowing the avoid some of the white irisettes, as well further pathological and toxicological irisette to propagate. as power and phone poles, reducing analyses, and if resources allow, they environmental impacts by the phone and NCDOT also agreed to monitor the 616 also hope to conduct a detailed review of power companies when replacing the plants at the site that won’t be directly existing water quality data and increase poles. They also reduced the planned impacted by the project at three and five water quality monitoring on the Little shoulder width to avoid 30 large trees years after the project completion to Tennessee River, looking for any that provide shade to the irisettes, which evaluate the effectiveness of their anomalies or trends that may be linked need dappled sunlight for best growth. measures. to the decline. http://nc-es.fws.gov/ 8 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Field Notes Volume I, Number 3 Winter 2007 Mountains

UNCA Student Tracking Growth in Six-County Region As Western North Carolina wrestles In order to establish a baseline for future with growth issues, such as slope and comparison, floodplain development, University of Fryberger, who did the work as a student North Carolina at Asheville student research project, Carolyn Fryberger is laying the collected parcel information from groundwork for a study of where property tax offices in mountain communities have grown and North Carolina’s 40 westernmost counties. where future growth may take place. From there, she took a closer look at how Typically, when an area is developed, a parcel size was large parcel is subdivided into a number changing in of smaller parcels, and this information Buncombe, Haywood, is recorded in the county property tax Henderson, Madison, records. Fryberger is part of a Warren Transylvania, and Wilson College Environmental Yancey Counties. Leadership Center project that tracks changes in parcel size to examine where Comparing data from development has historically occurred 2004 (the year the and where it may occur in the future. project started) with 2005, Fryberger “Collecting parcel size information over discovered that the time and using it as a surrogate for majority of the development in the six- Mark Cantrell, a biologist with the U.S. development can help communities look county region had occurred in the Fish and Wildlife Service which is at how and where to accommodate future Asheville and Black Mountain areas in funding Fryberger’s work, points out growth. We’ve seen there can be Buncombe County and in western that this information can then be negative effects if growth isn’t done Transylvania County, where a single combined with data on water quality, thoughtfully. This is a tool that can help 1,266-acre parcel was divided into 813 wildlife habitat, or any number of community leaders approach growth in a parcels. Focusing on Buncombe County, environmental conditions, which will help thoughtful and deliberate manner,” where data was available back to 1998, land managers, regulatory agencies, and Fryberger said. she determined that, on average, nearly local leaders make informed decisions. 2,000 acres of rural land were developed each year from 1998 to 2006. Community Takes a Look at Where They Want to Go Landowners from across Western North residential and other small-scale uses; Watch, a recently formed watershed Carolina’s Toe River Valley came and how local citizens can become group that coalesced around recent together in early November to study involved in water quality monitoring. water quality infractions by a developer. ways they can use personal land The Toe River Valley, covering Yancey, management choices to make their The workshop was organized by the Toe Mitchell, and part of Avery County, is community more sustainable. More than River Valley Watch, a recently formed home to the endangered Appalachian 90 people attended the Toe River Valley watershed group serving the area, with elktoe mussel, and Virginia spiraea, a Legacy Workshop, which included partners the Service, and Mayland threatened plant that typically grows sessions on protecting stream quality on Community College. It was the along river banks. farms; alternative energy sources for inaugural event for the Toe River Valley http://nc-es.fws.gov/ 9 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Field Notes Volume I, Number 3 Winter 2007 What Ecological Services Does

Endangered and Project Review Environmental There are a number of federal laws that Threatened Species instruct the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Contaminants Listing/Recovery/ Service, as the nation’s wildlife agency, This program involves working with to review various projects that are partners to prevent environmental Delisting funded and/or authorized by the federal contamination and to maintain the health The Ecological Services Division is government. The Service’s role is of ecosystems; identifying contamination that adversely affects the health of fish, responsible for administering significant typically to identify impacts to fish, parts of the Endangered Species Act. We wildlife, and plants and their habitats wildlife, and their ecosystems; serving as have programs that work to conserve from these projects and work to the federal trustee for fish and wildlife injured by contamination; and negotiating rare species before they need legal minimize or eliminate those impacts. The protection, and we determine whether to laws under which the Service reviews settlements from polluters to restore lost add a species to the Federal List of projects include: the Endangered resources and their benefits to local citizens. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife Species Act, Fish and Wildlife and Plants. Coordination Act, Clean Water Act, Coastal Program Federal Power Act, the Migratory Bird This program focuses on restoring Once a plant or animal is listed as Treaty Act, and the National ecosystem health to bays, estuaries, and threatened or endangered, we work to Environmental Policy Act. watersheds along the coastlines of the coordinate efforts to recover that United States. Working with partners, species. These efforts include providing Partners for the Coastal Program provides funding funding to state agencies to protect and technical assistance for projects to these species and working with other Fish and Wildlife restore wetlands and seagrass beds, government agencies, private companies The Partners for Fish and Wildlife control invasive species, acquire rare or and individuals to help them protect Program provides funding and technical exceptionally important habitats, remove these plants and animals on their land. assistance to private landowners to help dams to allow fish passage to spawning Ultimately, the goal of the Endangered them restore, improve, and protect fish areas, and provide community outreach Species Act is to recover species to the and wildlife habitat while leaving the regarding coastal fish and wildlife point where they no longer need federal land in private ownership. resources. protection, and Ecological Services determines which plants and animals have recovered to the point they can be delisted.

http://nc-es.fws.gov/ 10 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Field Notes Volume I, Number 3 Winter 2007 Asheville Field Office Staff Listing 160 Zillicoa Street Robert Currie Laura Pickens Asheville, NC 28801 Fish and Wildlife Information Phone: 828/258 3939 Biologist Technology Specialist Fax: 828/258 5330 Terrestrial endangered Computer and GIS species listing and support, network Brian Cole recovery in Tennessee administration; Field Supervisor and Kentucky; bat and Ext. 238 Ext. 223 other cave fauna specialist; cave and Allen Ratzlaff Marella Buncick abandoned mine Fish and Wildlife Fish and Wildlife protection specialist; Biologist Biologist Ext. 224 Endangered Species listing and recovery; Review of North John Fridell Carolina Department federal project review Fish and Wildlife under the Endangered of Transportation Biologist projects under the Species Act, Clean Invertebrate and Water Act, Fish and Endangered Species aquatic vertebrate Act, Clean Water Act, Wildlife Coordination endangered species Act, and Migratory Fish and Wildlife listing and recovery; Coordination Act, and Bird Treaty Act; federal project review Ext. 229 Migratory Bird Treaty under the Endangered Act; mitigation bank Species Act, Clean Nell Richard review; Ext. 237 Water Act, Fish and Office Automation Bob Butler Wildlife Coordination Clerk Fish and Wildlife Act, and Migratory Receptionist; mail Biologist Bird Treaty Act; room administration; Aquatic Ext. 225 vehicle maintenance; Ext. 221 macroinvertebrate and Anita Goetz fish specialist; aquatic Fish and Wildlife Laura Rogers endangered species Biologist Administrative Officer listing and recovery; Habitat restoration Budget administration; imperiled aquatic and conservation on contracting and species conservation; private lands; personnel officer; Ext. 235 administrator of the Ext. 222 Mark Cantrell Partners for Fish and Bryan Tompkins Wildlife program; Fish and Wildlife General Biologist Ext. 228 Biologist Federal project review Hydroelectric project Denise Moldenhauer under the Endangered review; Endangered Species Act, Clean Species Act habitat Fish and Wildlife Biologist Water Act, Fish and conservation planning; Wildlife Coordination federal project review Review of North Carolina Department Act, and Migratory under the Endangered Bird Treaty Act; Species Act, Clean of Transportation projects under the mitigation bank Water Act, Fish and review; Ext. 240 Wildlife Coordination Endangered Species Act, and Migratory Act, Clean Water Act, Carolyn Wells Fish and Wildlife Bird Treaty Act; General Biologist Coordination Act, and stream restoration; Botanist; endangered Migratory Bird Treaty Ext. 227 species listing and Act; Ext. 226 recovery; state Nancy Cole Gary Peeples coordinator of the Office Automation Endangered Species Assistant Fish and Wildlife Biologist Act state grant Word Processing, program; Ext. 231 editing and Education and proofreading; time and attendance outreach specialist; processing; property management; primary media and records management; Ext. 232 Congressional contact; Ext. 234

http://nc-es.fws.gov/ 11 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Field Notes Volume I, Number 3 Winter 2007 Raleigh Field Office Staff Listing P.O. Box 33726 Raleigh, NC 27636 - 3726 Phone: 919/856 4520 Fax: 919/856 4556 Street Address: 551F Pylon Drive Raleigh, NC 27606 (Our street address is for express mail / shipping only. Please use our PO Box for correspondence.)

Pete Benjamin Ecological Services Supervisor Ext. 11 Tom Augspurger Ecologist

Wildlife toxicology; environmental USFWS contaminants / pollution; water quality Front row from left to right: John Ann Shearer, John Hammond, Susan Miller, Ext. 21 Dale Suiter, Doug Newcomb; second row from left to right: Mike Wicker, Mark Bowers Patty Matteson, Joe Pittman, Leigh Mann, Sara Ward; back row from left to right: Fish and Wildlife Biologist Tom Augspurger, David Rabon, Pete Campbell, Pete Benjamin, Howard Hall Federal energy regulatory coordinator; Not pictured: Gary Jordan, Mark Bowers, John Ellis, Laura Fogo COE 404 regulatory permits Ext. 19 Gary Jordan David Rabon Fish and Wildlife Biologist Fish and Wildlife Biologist Peter Campbell Endangered Species Act - Section 7, Terrestrial and aquatic vertebrate Wildlife Biologist Clean Water Act - Section 404 Species, Endangered Species Act - Red-cockaded woodpecker recovery consultation for North Carolina Section 7 consultation and recovery in biologist - Southern Pines Suboffice Department of Transportation projects; Eastern North Carolina 910/695 3323 permit and mitigation bank review Ext. 16 John Ellis Ext. 32 John Ann Shearer Fish and Wildlife Biologist Patty Matteson Fish and Wildlife Biologist Federal permits and projects coordinator; Public Affairs Specialist Partners for Fish and Wildlife state Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Public affairs and outreach specialist; coordinator, Farm Bill/private lands (FERC) issues; 404 regulatory coordinator primary media and congressional contact coordinator Ext. 26 Ext. 25 Ext. 17 Laura Fogo Leigh Mann Dale Suiter Fish and Wildlife Biologist Office Automation Clerk Fish and Wildlife Biologist Partners for Fish and Wildlife and Farm Receptionist, secretary Recovery of threatened and endangered Bill programs, Work area: Catawaba, Ext. 10 plants and invertebrates, Section 7 Yadkin-Pee Dee, Lumber and Waccamaw Susan Miller consultation, national forest consultations River Basins. and invasive species control 910/695 3323 General Biologist Safe harbor biologist, Southern Pines Suboffice Ext. 18 John Hammond 910/695 3323 Sara Ward Fish and Wildlife Biologist Ecologist Endangered species coordinator; military Doug Newcomb GIS Specialist/Information Technology Wildlife toxicology; environmental projects; Endangered Species Act-Section 7 contaminants / pollution; water quality Ext. 28 Specialist/Webmaster, GIS analysis and data manager, system administration Ext. 30 Howard Hall and support for Windows95/98/NT/2000, Mike Wicker Fish and Wildlife Biologist Linux, and Solaris desktops, file servers Fish and Wildlife Biologist U.S Army Corps of Engineers civil work and web servers; network administration Coastal coordinator; dam removal and projects (beach nourishment, dredging Ext. 14 breaching/rapids creation; wetlands and restoration); Corps of Engineers 404 restoration on deep peat soils; riparian Permits (Wilmington Field Office); Joe Pittman Administrative Officer protection commercial mitigation banks; and Coastal Ext. 22 Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) determinations Budget and administration Ext. 27 Ext. 13

http://nc-es.fws.gov/ 12