20071837 Ver 1_Other Agency Comments_20071220

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~ North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission ~
TO: David Baker, NCDOT Coordinator
Asheville Regulatory Field Office, USACE
FROM: Marla Chambers, Western NCDOT Permit Coordinator ~~~` C~~'7YL~~~'`~'
Habitat Conservation Program, NCWRC
DATE: December 20, 2007
SUBJECT: Review of NCDOT's request for a Section 404 Permit to replace two bridges Nos.
109 and 110 on SR 1002 (Crabtree Creek Road) over East Fork Big Crabtree
Creek, Mitchell County, North Carolina. TIP No. B-4202.
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has requested a Section 404 Permit
from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Staff biologists with the North Carolina
Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have reviewed the information provided. These
comments are provided in accordance with the provisions of the National Environmental Policy
Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(c)) and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667d).
The NCDOT proposes to replace Bridge Nos. 109 and 110 on SR 1002 (Crabtree Creek Road)
over East Fork Big Crabtree Creek with new bridges on existing alignment. Traffic will use two
temporary on-site detours. There will be 80 linear feet of permanent impacts to the creek for
bank stabilization and outfall protection for a drainage ditch entering the creek between the
bridges. If terminating the ditch before it joins the creek and allowing sheet flow through a
buffer is practicable and won't cause erosion, impacts could be further minimized. East Fork Big
Crabtree Creek supports a rainbow trout population in the project area and is assigned a best
usage classification by the North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ) of C Trout.
NCWRC can concur with the issuance of Section 404 and 401 permits provided that the
following conditions are implemented:
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries 1721 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

B-4202, Bridge Nos. 109 & 110
East Fork Big Crabtree Cr., Mitchell Co. - 2 - December 20, 2007
1. In-stream work and land disturbance within the 25-foot wide buffer zone is prohibited
during the trout-spawning period of January 1-April 15 to protect the egg and fry stages
of rainbow trout.
2. Sediment and erosion control measures should adhere to the design standards for
sensitive watersheds and be strictly maintained until project completion.
3. Temporary or permanent herbaceous vegetation should be planted on all bare soil as soon
as possible following the completion of permanent or temporary ground disturbing
activities to provide appropriate long-term erosion control.
4. Tall fescue should not be used in riparian areas. We encourage NCDOT to utilize onsite
native vegetation and materials for bank stabilization when practicable. Erosion control
matting should be used in riparian areas (streambanks) and any disturbed steep slopes,
instead of straw mulch, and well anchored with 12" staples, wooden survey stakes, or live
stakes.
5. Stormwater should be directed to buffer areas or retention basins and should not be
routed directly into the river, when practicable.
6. Discharge of materials into the river from demolition of the old bridge should be avoided
as much as practicable. Any materials that inadvertently reach the river should be
removed.
7. The natural dimension, pattern, and profile of the river above and below the crossing
should not be modified by widening the channel or changing the depth of the river.
8. Removal of vegetation in riparian areas should be minimized. Native trees and shrubs
should be planted along the banks to reestablish the riparian zone and to provide long-
term erosion control.
9. Grading and backfilling should be minimized, and tree and shrub growth should be
retained if possible to ensure long term availability of shoreline cover for fish and
wildlife. Backfill materials should be obtained from upland sites.
10. Riprap placed for bank stabilization should be limited to the bank below the high water
mark, and vegetation should be used for stabilization above the high water elevation.
11. If concrete will be used during construction, work must be accomplished so that wet
(uncured) concrete does not contact surface waters. This will lessen the chance of
altering the water chemistry and causing a fish kill.

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12. Discharging hydroseeding mixtures and washing out hydroseeders and other equipment
in or adjacent to surface waters is strictly prohibited.

B-4202, Bridge Nos. 109 & 110
East Fork Big Crabtree Cr., Mitchell Co. - 3 - December 20, 2007
13. Heavy equipment should be operated from the bank rather than in the channel whenever
possible in order to minimize sedimentation and reduce the likelihood of introducing
other pollutants into the river. All mechanized equipment operated near surface waters
should be inspected and maintained regularly to prevent contamination of surface waters
from fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids or other toxic materials.
14. Temporary access roads or detours should be removed back to original ground elevations
immediately upon the completion of the project. Disturbed areas should be seeded or
mulched to stabilize the soil and native tree species should be planted with a spacing of
not more than 10'x10'. If possible, when using temporary structures the area should be
cleared but not grubbed. Clearing the area with chain saws, mowers, bush-hogs, or other
mechanized equipment and leaving the stumps and root mat intact, allows the area to
revegetate naturally and minimizes disturbed soil.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project. If you have any
questions regarding these comments, please contact me at [phone].
cc: Sue Homewood, NCDWQ
Brian Wrenn, NCDWQ
Elizabeth Lusk, NCDOT
Carla Dagnino, NCDOT