20080375 Ver 1_Other Agency Comments_20080307

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MEMORANDUM
TO: Monte Matthews, USACOE
Raleigh Regulatory Field Office
FROM: Ron Linville, Regional Coordinator /'~~
Habitat Conservation Program
DATE: March 3, 2008
SUBJECT: SR1658, Moore Road, Unnamed Tributaries North Fork New River, Ashe County
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to improve and pave SR1658.
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission are familiar with habitat
values in the area. These comments are provided in accordance with the provisions of the Fish
and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667d) and the North
Carolina Environmental Policy Act (G.S. 113A-1 through 113A-10; NCAC 25).
The NCDOT project will impact a total of 294 linear feet of perennial streams within the New
River basin. No wetland impacts are indicated. Gabions are indicated for section 22+8- - 23+30.
Temporary dewatering is proposed. Brown trout are known for area streams. Kanawha minnow,
Phenacobius teretulus (NCSC, FSC); logperch, Percina caprodes (NCT); seep mudalia, Leptoxis
dilatata (NCT); sharpnose darter, Percina oxyrhynchus (NCSC); purple wartyback, Cyclonaias
tuberculata (NCSC); spike, Elliptio dilatata (NCSC); tonguetied minnow, Exoglossum laurae
(NCSR); Kanawha darter, Etheostoma kanawhae (NCSR); and a crayfish on the NC Watch List
(New River crayfish), Cambarus chasmodactylus; and Orconectes cristavarius, no common
name) all occur throughout the mainstem New River and tributaries thereof.
Based on our review of the submittal and our knowledge of area habitats, we will not object to
the project as proposed providing the following recommendations are followed:
1. Providing that stringent erosion control measures will be used where soil is disturbed
and maintained until project completion, a trout moratorium will not be requested.
2. Sediment and erosion control measures should adhere to the design standards for
sensitive watersheds (15A NCAC 4B .0024).
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries 1721 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

SR1658, Moore Road, Ashe County -Page 2 - March 3, 2008
To the maximum extent practicable, culverts 48" or larger should be buried a foot
into the streambed. Culverts less than 48 inches in diameter should be buried to a
depth equal to or greater than 20% their size to allow for aquatic life passage. These
measurements must be based on natural thalweg depths. Aquatic life passage should
be provided where practicable. Any riprap used must not interfere with aquatic life
movement during low flows.
4. Autochthonous plants should be used for permanent stream bank stabilization.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project during the early planning
stages. If you have any questions regarding these comments, please contact me at 336-769-9453.
E-copy: Amy Euliss, DWQ-WSRO
Heath Slaughter, NCDOT
Kathy Matthews, USEPA
Marla Chambers, NCWRC
Marella Buncick, USFWS
Sonya Gregory, DWQ-Raleigh