To support planning efforts for the Carolina Lithium project, Piedmont conducted an assessment through an independent, third-party environmental consultancy to identify any threatened or endangered species occupying the site and surrounding areas. The study considered field surveys, federally-listed species in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Information for Planning and Consultation database, and federally protected species in the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program Data Explorer database.
The findings demonstrated that there are no federal- or state-protected species or U.S. Fish and Wildlife-designated critical habitats on this project site. While there were no critical habitats or protected species observed on the proposed project site, the development of this project is not expected to have adverse effects on any listed species. We will, however, continue to monitor for the presence of any federal- or state-protected species and manage our construction and operational activities to mitigate any potential adverse effects.