Studies

This assessment addresses plant and animal species protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), and North Carolina state-listed species protected under Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Wildlife Species of Special Concern of the State of North Carolina. A desktop review in combination with field observations were used to determine the potential for listed plants and wildlife to occur in the Project area. Survey conclusions found that no federally listed species have been identified within the proposed project area. All other state-listed species have a low or very low potential to occur in the proposed project area due to lack of suitable habitat.

Bat surveys were conducted at the proposed Kings Mountain Lithium Mining Project in Cleveland County, North Carolina to determine the species composition of the local bat population, document the presence or probable absence of currently listed species and those under review, and collect any other data that may be useful for Project design and development. The study discusses six bat species and addresses topics such as habitat, food, roosts and other individual species' characteristics. Recommended management practices are included in the study.

An aquatic habitat assessment for the Kings Mountain Lithium Mining Project was conducted to determine the aquatic faunal assemblage of the ponds and streams within the Project area, including the state-listed species with the potential to occur. These data will be used to understand the potential impacts to the aquatic systems that might occur during mine construction and operations, including the discharge of water to Kings Creek during pit dewatering. All species of fish, crustaceans, and bivalves encountered during surveys are listed as Least Concern by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The results of SWCA Environmental Consultants’ aquatic survey indicate that it is unlikely that federal or state-listed aquatic species of concern occur in the Project area.

A survey on seeps and springs was conducted for the Kings Mountain Lithium Mining Project located in southeastern Cleveland County, North Carolina. The purpose of this study is to identify seeps and springs in the Project area to understand and monitor site hydrology related to these resources. Once mining starts, these seeps and springs can be monitored for any potential groundwater changes as they occur. There were 16 seeps and 23 springs identified during the surveys in February and March 2022. The results of the baseline surveys of seeps and springs provide an understanding of groundwater conditions before mining restarts. Once mining starts, these seeps and springs can be monitored for any potential groundwater changes as they occur.

This survey was conducted on the presence and/or absence of the dwarf-flowered heartleaf for the Kings Mountain Lithium Mining Project in southeastern North Carolina. The dwarf-flowered heartleaf is a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and a desktop review and field reconnaissance determined that approximately 100 acres of suitable dwarf-flowered heartleaf habitat are present in the Project area. The threatened dwarf-flowered heartleaf was not identified within any of the survey areas. Several populations of the little heartleaf (Hexastylis minor), a common Hexastylis species, were observed during the surveys.

This study was conducted to assess the monarch butterfly habitat for the Kings Mountain Lithium Mining Project in southeastern North Carolina. The monarch butterfly could become listed as a threatened or endangered species prior to the start of Project construction. The study determines the potential for monarch butterfly to occur, assesses potential impacts, and provides conservation measures should the species become listed. Based on data review and field reconnaissance, the potential for the monarch butterfly to occur within the Project area is low due to the limited quantity and quality of the habitat. No monarch individuals were observed during 2022 spring and summer surveys. Monarch butterflies are not anticipated to regularly breed within the Project area but may occasionally migrate through and use Right-of-Ways for foraging. Should the monarch become listed as threatened or endangered, consultation with the USFWS is recommended to determine suitable measures, such as habitat conservation or enhancement, to address any adverse effects.