20080373 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: SR1522A, Little Piney Road, Unnamed Tributaries Little Piney Creek, Ashe
County
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to improve and pave
SR1522A. 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 119 linear feet of perennial streams within the New
River basin. Wetland impacts are indicated to be 0.006 acres. Temporary dewatering is
proposed. A double barrel culvert is proposed at station 0+30. Brown and rainbow 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. In stream work and land disturbance within the 25-foot wide buffer zone are
prohibited during the trout spawning seasons of October 15 through April 15 to
protect the egg and fry stages of trout.
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries 1721 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

SR1522A, Little Piney Road, Ashe County -Page 2 - March 3, 2008
2. Sediment and erosion control measures should adhere to the design standards for
sensitive watersheds (15A NCAC 4B .0024).
3. Where culverts must be used, culverts should be designed and constructed to ensure
passage of storm events and passage of aquatic organisms during low flow
conditions. Culverts should be as short as possible and culverts should not be used
for non essential or non linear crossing purposes. Culverts 48" diameter or larger
must be buried at least a foot (12") below the streambed. Culverts less than 48"
diameter must be buried to a depth equal to or greater than twenty (20) percent of
their diameter. Depth of burial must be based on the stream's natural thalweg depth.
Culverts should be aligned and situated so that no channel realignment or widening is
required unless such modification will improve natural conditions. Widening of the
stream channel at the inlet or outlet of the culvert structure causes a decrease in water
depth and velocity causing sedimentation impacts and reduction of aquatic passage.
Piping should be large enough to prevent high velocity erosion (faucet effect) on the
downstream end and erosive swirling on the upstream end. Flat concrete aprons
between wing-walls must not be used. Riprap must not be placed in the streambed
unless absolutely necessary and if used in channel, it should provide natural channel
dimension. If multiple barrels are needed, base flow barrels should be installed as
indicated above while additional barrels should be placed with floors located at the
active floodplain or bank full elevation. These elevated barrels must be connected to
the active floodplain or bank full benches to ensure natural stream dimensions for the
base flow channel with sufficient water depth during low flows and drought
conditions to accommodate normally anticipated aquatic movement. If culverts are
long and/or sufficient slopes exist, alternating baffles should be provided in the base
flow barrel in a manner to conform to channel bends upstream and downstream, to
mimic natural meanders, to prevent upstream scour and downstream deposition, to
move and contain typical bed load materials, and to provide resting areas for aquatic
species. When multiple barrels are used, at least one barrel should be designed and
constructed with a floor material easily used for terrestrial wildlife passage. Plastic
pipes should be corrugated (not smooth or slick) on the inside so that bed load
materials can easily establish and maintain natural substrates.
4. Any riprap used must not interfere with aquatic life movement during low flows.
5. 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

SR1522A, Little Piney Road, Ashe County -Page 3 -
March 3, 2008
Sonya Gregory, DWQ-Raleigh