20080377 Ver 1_WRC Comments_20080311

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P North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission P
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT
Amanda Jones, Permit Coordinator
Asheville Office, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Ron Linville, Regional Coordinator ZWW
Habitat Conservation Program
February 29, 2008
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MAR 1 1 2008
DENR - WATER QUALITY
WETLANDS AND sTORMWATER BRANCH
Review of an application for Phillip and Karen Rea (Flint River Estates, Lot 15)
by National Committee for the New River (NCNR), Ashe County
The NCNR is requesting a letter of concurrence from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources
Commission (NCWRC) to obtain a 404 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The
NCWRC has reviewed information provided by the applicant, and field biologists on our staff
are familiar with habitat values of the project area. These comments are provided in accordance
with provisions of the Clean Water Act of 1977 (33 U.S.C. 466 et. seq.) and the Fish and
Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667d).
The project will install reshape 110 linear feet of bank and install one (1) rock vane and live
stakes. Natural channel design methodologies are indicated for the in channel structures. Some
in channel work will be necessary. Projects in Ashe County have the potential to impact North
Carolina listed species (Green floater (Lasmigona subviridis, NCE, FSC); Kanawha minnow
Phenacobius teretulus, NCSC, FSC); Tonguetied minnow (Exoglossum laurae, NCSR);
Kanawha darter (Etheostoma kanawhae, NCSR); logperch, (Percina caprodes, NCT); seep
mudalia, (Leptoxis dilatata, NCT); sharpnose darter (Percina oxyrhynchus, NCSC); purple
wartyback (Cyclonaias tuberculata, NCSC); spike, (Elliptio dilatata, NCSC)} and species on the
NC watch list {Appalachia darter (Percina gymnocephala); New River crayfish (Cambarus
chasmodactylus); and a crayfish with no common name (Orconectes cristavarius)). Smallmouth
bass are known for this area of the New River.
Based on the information provided by the applicant and our knowledge of the range of trout in
the project area, we do not believe this project will cause significant effects to waters supporting
trout. Therefore, we do not object to the project as proposed. To the extent practicable for the
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries - 1721 Mail Service Center - Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] - Fax: [phone]
Flint River Estates, Lot 15 Page 2 March 3, 2008
installation of rock vanes, sediment and erosion control measures should adhere to the design
standards for sensitive watersheds (15A NCAC 4B .0124). Equipment allowed in waters should
be new or low hour, clean and in good mechanical condition. To the extent possible, a minimum
twenty-five (25) foot undisturbed buffer should be provided. Wider undisturbed buffers of 200'
are recommended (whenever possible) to protect listed or rare species as well as to protect the
river from widening and losing depth.
In our view, the erosion is probably caused by removal of woody riparian plants and planting
shallow rooted grasses. Similar eroding banks are becoming common place along portions of the
New River as development occurs. Sound land use planning and necessary protection of the
twenty-five (25) foot trout buffer (NC Division of Land Quality) throughout Ashe County should
be instituted to preclude similar problems with other developments along the New River and its
tributaries.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project. If you have any
questions regarding these comments, please contact me at 336-769-9453.
E-copy: Sue Homewood, DWQ-WSRO