Appendix H

Species Protection Plans

Introduction

Few federal or state threatened or endangered species occur within the Catawba-Wateree project boundary; likewise, little unique terrestrial habitat exists within the project boundary. The following is a description of known federal or state listed species and unique habitats associated with the Catawba-Wateree Project. Schweinitz’s Sunflower, Bald Eagle, Spider Lily and the Great Blue Heron Rookery are listed species and unique habitats that have been identified to occur on or immediately adjacent to the project. Species Protection Plans follow that allow for the protection of these features. Should other situations be identified, Duke will work cooperatively with appropriate agencies to develop protective or mitigative measures as needed.

Federal or State Threatened or Endangered Species

Species Protection Plan (SPP) for the Schweinitz’s Sunflower

A substantial population of Schweinitz’s sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii), a federally endangered species, occurs in the area of the bypass channel downstream of Mountain Island Dam on the Catawba River in Gaston County, North Carolina. Scattered plants were found on an adjacent slope on the eastern side of the river. The population in the bypass channel is subject to periodic flooding when water overtops the dam. This situation generally occurs only a couple of times per year. The Schweinitz's sunflowers are found growing in the crevices of large cobble (greater than 8"); mineral soil is apparently underlying the large cobble. The area has a sparse canopy of mixed hardwoods, pines and eastern red cedar that must be managed to enhance evacuation of water from the area during floods. The following measures will be instituted to ensure protection of this population:

• The area will be designated as "Natural" in the 2001 filing of the SMP.
• Broadcast herbicides will not be used in the area without consultation with the USFSW and North Carolina Natural Heritage Program; however, stump treatment or selective use of herbicides is allowed.
• Skid trails for assembling trees for burning will be minimized.

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Species Protection Plan (SPP) for the Bald Eagle

The bald eagle, a federally threatened species, nests along the shoreline of the Catawba-Wateree Project. To date, no bald eagles are known to be nesting in the project boundaries; however, two nests occur that are adjacent to the project boundary. One occurs on the shoreline of Lake James in North Carolina and another on an island of Cedar Creek Reservoir in South Carolina. It is probable that future nesting will occur on lands adjacent to the project boundary, but because of the paucity of terrestrial habitat within the project, it is unlikely that future nesting will occur within the project boundary. Because of the scenarios that may develop in the future, it is difficult to develop site specific protection plan for bald eagle nests. Therefore, a generalized plan is provided:

• Duke will inform the appropriate state agency and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) of any eagle nests that it becomes aware of that are on or immediately adjacent to the Catawba-Wateree Project.
• Duke will maintain communications with appropriate state agencies and the USFWS to be aware of eagle nests that they discover.
• Duke will cooperate with the appropriate jurisdictional agency to assist in protection or mitigation of existing or new nest sites as the need arises.

Species Protection Plan (SPP) for the Rocky Shoals Spider Lily

The rocky shoals spider lily (Hymenocallis coronaria) is not a federally listed species, but is unofficially ranked as "Of Concern, National" and is state listed as "S2" (Imperiled state-wide because of rarity or factor(s) making it vulnerable). Two populations exist in or near the Catawba-Wateree Project boundary, both in the South Carolina portion of the project. One population borders the upstream extent of the project at Fishing Creek Reservoir. Here the major portion of the population, which is one of the largest in the United States, apparently lies just upstream of the project boundary at Landsford Canal State Park which Duke donated to the state of South Carolina. Most if not all of the population at the State Park is outside the jurisdiction of the SMP. A small colony of the lily also exists in the project in the headwaters of Cedar Creek Reservoir.

The rocky shoals spider lily population is apparently stable and apparently flourishes under the existing hydro operations, but little data exist regarding its population characteristics. Additionally, it life history at the sites is not well known. Accordingly, Duke, state agencies, and a team of ecologists, under the direction of Katawba Valley Land Trust, are implementing a study to document existing characteristics of the populations at Cedar Creek and at Landsford Canal State Park. Duke Power, in cooperation with resource agencies, has recently made low level aerial photographs of the spider lily colonies to provide baseline data for long term monitoring. The studies coordinated by Katawba Valley Land Trust will assist future efforts protect the population and serve as guidance for protection planning as needed.

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The major portion of the rocky shoals spider lily population of the Catawba River is located in the river bounded by Landsford Canal State Park, of which Duke donated appoximately 2 miles of river shoreline to South Carolina. Duke will continue to work cooperatively with South Carolina agencies and interested stakeholders to further knowledge of the spider lily at Landsford and the small colony within the project boundary at Cedar Creek Reservoir.

Unique Habitat

Species Protection Plan (SPP) for the Great Blue Heron Rookery

A great blue heron rookery was discovered on an island in Lake Norman during the Resource Team fieldwork. Approximately 30 nests were active on the island in 2000. Although not within the project boundary, this rookery is unique in that it is the only one known on the Catawba River. Duke Power has developed, and is jointly implementing, a protection plan for this island with the NCWRC. The plan is described as follows:

• The island is protected under the Colonial Waterbird Nesting Area Program,
• The boundaries are posted and no entry is allowed from April through August, and
• The NCWRC Enforcement Division patrols the area and violators are given citations.

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