ame Memorandum

DATE: August 24, 2012

FROM: Charles R. Harman

SUBJECT: Supplemental Studies -15G Surveys

TO: Project File 3250085298.03.01 Steve Stumne, Bill Elzinga

This memorandum presents the results of a baseline characterization of the existing natural resources at the 15G site.

A baseline characterization of ecological resources at the 15G site was performed using methods consistent with previous studies , in accordance with the PSEG Early Site Permit (ESP) Application ER Work Plan in Support of the Environmental Report, hereafter referred to as the Work Plan. The 15G site is a 373.14-acre parcel comprising the following Block and Lots:

Block Lot(s) Municipality County 3 2, 5 and 6 Oldmans Township Salem

3105 1 Logan Township Gloucester

It is roughly rectangular in shape and may be characterized as an open field , possibly an abandoned agricultural field, bisected in a north and south direction by two tree/hedge-rows. It is bound to the northeast by Oldmans Creek, to the southeast by railroad tracks, to the southwest by undeveloped land, and to the northwest by U.S. Route 130. Net drainage on the site is towards Oldmans Creek, a tributary to the Delaware River. The site is located in the Oldmans Creek watershed, within NJ Watershed Management Area 17 (Maurice, Salem, Cohansey). The immediate surrounding land use is rural.

Methods

Three survey transects had been previously established as depicted on Figure 1. These transects were surveyed by AMEC biologists, Mr. Phil Perhamus and Ms. Christy Benes, for two consecutive days (July 16 and 17, 2012) in order to record floral and faunal species. Photographic documentation was also performed.

For the floral survey, a qualitative inventory of the vegetation was documented by recording the presence and relative abundance of plant species that were observed along the three transects. Plant species were visually scored as follows :

A = abundant C = common o = occasional U = uncommon R = rare

AMEC Environment & In frastructure, Inc. 285 Davidson Avenue, Suite 405 Somerset, New Jersey 08873 Tel (732) 302-9500 Fax (732) 302-9504 www.amec.com

For the avifaunal survey, the three transects were surveyed twice in the early morning on two separate days. A team of two observers, moving at a pace not exceeding 0.7 kilometers per hour (-0.4 miles per hour) inventoried all birds seen or heard within approximately 20 meters (65 feet) of the transect centerline. The surveys were performed in the following manner:

Date Transect Order Start Time (hrs) End Time (hrs) Duration (min) July 16, 2012 1 0540 0608 28

3 0614 0632 18 2 0640 0735 55

July 17, 2012 3 0530 0548 18 1 0602 0623 21 2 0627 0710 43

For all other wildlife (i.e., mammal and herpetofauna), the two observers recorded any wildlife seen or heard during the vegetation and avifaunal surveys. In addition, one night-time vehicle survey was performed along Transects 1 and 3 on July 17, 2012 at approximately 2330 hrs.

Results

The results of the vegetation survey are presented in Table 1 and photographs are presented in Attachment 1. The dominant vegetation community on the site is upland to mesic old field with a few areas exhibiting wetter conditions. The upland to mesic old field is dominated by white heath aster (Aster pilosus), common mugwort (Ambrosia artemisifolia), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), horseweed (Erigeron canadense), common plantain (Plantago major), English plantain (Plantago lanceolata), Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis), giant foxtail (Setaria faben), and Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon). Wetter areas contained these species as well, but also an abundance of common reed (Phragmites australis), kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate (Polygonum orientale), and curly top knotweed (Polygonum lapathifolium). The tree-rows, both along the property lines and bisecting the property, are similar in composition and are dominated by tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), princess-tree (Paulownia tomentosa), black cherry (Prunus serofina), staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina), and Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica). Since the trees in Transect 2 are younger in age than those along Transects 1 and 3, portions of Transect 2 may be more accurately characterized as a hedge-row. This distinction was apparent in the results of the avifaunal survey for Transect 2 which revealed bird species with a preference for hedge-row habitat over tree-row habitat.

The results of the avifaunal survey are presented in Table 2. The most abundant bird species observed were barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) (although flying over the transects and not perching on the site), common yellowthroat (Geothylpis trichas), eastern towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus), red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), brown-headed cowbird (Molotrhus ater), and American goldfinch (Spinus tristis). Table 2 also includes the list of bird species observed by Nuclear Regulatory Commission personnel during their visit of the 15G site on May 11, 2012.

The distribution of bird species among the three transects reflected the differences in the habitat among the three transects. Transect 3, situated along the widest portion of wooded habitat exhibited species with a preference for forests such as downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens), red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus), red-eyed vireo (Vireo olivaceus), and wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina). Transect 2, situated along a relatively young tree-row with portions better characterized as a hedge-row, exhibited an abundance of species with a preference for this type of habitat such as red-winged blackbird, common yellowthroat, brown-headed cowbird, and a single indigo bunting (Passerina cyanea).

The results of the mammal and herpetofauna survey revealed the presence of only three mammals (white-tailed deer, eastern cottontail, and striped skunk) at the site (Table 3).

AMEC Environment & Infrastructure. Inc. 285 Davidson Avenne, Suite 405 Somerset, New Jersey 08873 Tel (732) 302-9500 Fax (732) 302-9504 www.amec.com

Summary

The field surveys performed at the 15G site indicate a typical old field community, vegetated by plant species and inhabited by avian and mammalian species that are typical of open habitats in this region of the state. The site also does support several species of migratory warblers. All of the flora and fauna observed on the site are generally common in the state.

In an added effort to assess the potential for any protected species to inhabit the site, GeoWeb, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (NJDEP) on-line Geographical Information System (GIS) was consulted. A review of the GeoWeb database indicates no records of any rare, threatened, or endangered species or their habitats on the site.

AMEC Environment & Infrastructure, Inc. 285 Davidson Avenue, Suite 405 Somerset, New Jersey 08873 Tel (732) 302-9500 Fax (732) 302-9504 www.amec.com

AMEC Environment & Infrastructure, Inc. 285 Davidson Avenue, Suite 405 Somerset, New Jersey 08873 Tel (732) 302-9500 Fax (732) 302-9504

FIGURE

www.amec.com

Legend

survey transects

____ ===::::J' Feet

o 500 1000

Image Source: New Jersey 2007 - 2008 High Resolution Orthophotography NJ Office of Information Technology (NJOIT) Office of Geographic Information Systems (OGIS)

Environment & Infrastructure

Figure 1 Baseline Characterization of the 15G Site

PSEG Power, LLC Salem County and Gloucester County, New Jersey

AMEC Environment & Infrastructure, Inc, 285 Davidson Avenue, Suite 405 Somerset, New Jersey 08873 Tel (732) 302-9500 Fax (732) 302-9504

TABLES

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Table 1. Vegetation Species Observed and Their Relative Abundance

at the 15G Site from July 16-17,2012

Scientific Name Common Name Relative Abundance 1 per Transect 1 2 3

Abutilon theophrasti Velvetleaf R R Achillea millefolium Yarrow U U Ailanthus altissima Tree-of-heaven A A Albizia julibrissin Silk-tree R Ambrosia artemisiifolia Common ragweed C C U Ambrosia trifida Great ragweed R Apocynum cannabinum Hemp dogbane R R R Arctium minus Common burdock C Artemisia vulgaris Common mugwort A C Asclepias syriaca Common milkweed 0 U U Asclepias tube rosa Butterfly weed R Aster pilosus White heath aster A A A Bidens coronata Crowned beggarticks 0 Bromus japonicus Japanese brome 0 Centaurea nigra Common knapweed U Chenopodium album Lamb's-quarters U U Cirsium arvense Canada thistle A A A Cynodon dactylon Berm uda _grass A A Cyperus esculentus Yellow-nut sedge C Daucus carota Queen Anne's-Iace C 0 Digitaria sanguinalis Crabgrass A A Echinochloa crusgalli Barnyard grass U Erigeron canadensis Horseweed A A Erigeron strigosus Lesser daisy fleabane C C C Eupatorium album White boneset C C 0 Humulus japonicus Japanese hops U Juncus effusus Soft rush U Juncus tenuis Path rush 0 C Lactuca serriola Prickly lettuce U U Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle A 0 A Lythrum salicaria Purple loosestrife U Melilotus albus White sweet-clover 0 0 Melilotus officinalis Yellow sweet-clover 0 Microstegium vimineum Japanese stiltgrass U Morus alba White mulberry C 0 Oxalis acetosella European wood sorrel U R Panicum clandestinum Deer-tongue grass U Parthenocissus quinquefolia Virginia creeper C Paulownia tomentosa Princesstree A Persicaria perfoliata Asiatic tearthumb U Phragmites australis Common reed A A C Phytolacca americana American pokeweed C 0 0 Plantago lanceolata English plantain A Plantaqo major Common plantain A A Polygonum lapthifolium Curlytop knotweed A Polygonum orientale Kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate A A Polygonum persicaria Lady-thumb C Prybys serotina Black cherry A C

Table 1. Vegetation Species Observed and Their Relative Abundance

at the 15G Site from July 16-17, 2012

Scientific Name Common Name Relative Abundance 1 per Transect

Rhamnus cathartica Rhus typhina Robinia pseudoacacia Rosa multiflora Rubus a/legheniensis Rumex crisp us Sambucus canadensis Sassafras albidum Setaria faberi Solanum carolinense Solanum dulcamara Solidago canadensis Solidago nemoralis Tarazacum officinale Toxicodendron radicans Verbascum thapsus Vitis sp.

1 Relative Abundance Key: A == abundant C == common 0== occasional U == uncommon R == rare

Common buckthorn Staghorn sumac Black locust Multiflora rose Allegheny blackberry Curly dock Common elder Sassafras Giant foxtail Horse nettle Bittersweet nightshade Canada goldenrod Gray goldenrod Common dandelion Poison ivy Common mullein Grape

1 2 3 U U A A C 0 0 0 0 U U U U U

R C 0 A

0 0 U A A A A

U 0 C 0

Table 2. Avian Species Observed at the 15G Site from July 16-17, 2012

Common Name Scientific Name Transect 1 2 3

Wild Turkey * Meleagris gallopavo 7 Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens 1 Red-Bellied Woodpecker * Melanerpes carolinus 1 Red-Eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus 1 Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata 5 American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos 1 Barn Swallow * Hirundo rustica 35 Carolina Wren * Thryothorus ludovicianus 5 4 1 Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina 1 American Robin * Turdus migratorius 2 3 Gray Catbird * Dumetella carolinensis 7 5 6 Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos 2 Cedar Waxwinq Bombycil/a cedrorum 1 Common Yellowthroat * Geothlypis trichas 8 21 Eastern Towhee * Pipilo erythrophthalmus 26 13 Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla 4 3 2 Song Sparrow * Melospiza melodia 1 2 1 Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea 1 Northern Cardinal * Cardinalis cardinalis 3 5 Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula 2 Indiqo Buntinq * Passerina cyanea 1 Red-Winged Blackbird * Agelaius phoeniceus 2 52 Brown-Headed Cowbird Molothrus ater 1 13 American Goldfinch * Spinus tristis 31 29 20

* Observed at the 15G Site on May 11,2012. In addition, the following species were also observed on May 11, 2012:

Mute Swan (carcass) Turkey Vulture Bald Eagle Eastern Kingbird House Wren European Starling Yellow Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Yellow-breasted Chat Baltimore Oriole Ring-necked Pheasant Tree Swallow

Cygnus alar Cathartes aura Haliaeetus leucocephalus Tyrannus tyrannus Troglodytes aedon Sturn us vulgaris Dendroica petechia Dendroica caerulescens Icteria virens Icterus galbula Phasianus colchicus Tachycineta bicolor

Table 3. Mammal Species Observed at the 15G Site from July 16-17, 2012

Common Name Scientific Name Observation Type Direct Sign

White-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus 3 Eastern cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus 2 Striped Skunk Mephitis mephitis x

AMEC Environment & Infrastructure, Inc. 285 Davidson Avenue, Suite 405 Somerset, New Jersey 08873 Tel (732) 302-9500 Fax (732) 302-9504

ATTACHMENT 2

Photographs

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PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION

PSE&G 15G Survey Salem County, New Jersey

Photo 1

Southern end of Transect 1, facing north.

Photo 2

Approximate mid-point of Transect 1, facing north.

AMEC Environment & Infrastructure, Inc. 285 Davidson Avenue, Suite 405

Somerset, NJ 08873

PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION

PSE&G 15G Survey Salem County, New Jersey

Photo 3

Northern end of Transect 1, facing north.

Photo 4

Northern end of Transect 2, facing south.

AMEC Environment & Infrastructure, Inc. 285 Davidson A venue, Suite 405

Somerset, NJ 08873

PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION

PSE&G 15G Survey Salem County, New Jersey

Photo 5

Approximate mid-point of Transect 2, facing north.

Photo 6

Southern end of Transect 2, facing north.

AMEC Environment & Infrastructure, Inc. 285 Davidson Avenue, Suite 405

Somerset, NJ 08873

PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION

PSE&O 150 Survey Salem County, New Jersey

Photo 7

Northern end of Transect 3, facing south.

Photo 8

Approximate mid-point of Transect 3, facing south.

AMEC Environment & Infrastructure, Inc. 285 Davidson Avenue, Suite 405

Somerset, NJ 08873

PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION

PSE&O 150 Survey Salem County, New Jersey

Photo 9

Southern end of Transect 3, facing south.

Photo 10

Typical view of the southern portion of the parcel.

AMEC Environment & Infrastructure, Inc. 285 Davidson Avenue, Suite 405

Somerset, NJ 08873