20080584 Ver 1_Other Agency Comments_20080401

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® North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 0
MEMORANDUM
TO: Monte Matthews, USACOE
Raleigh Regulatory Field Office
FROM: Ron Linville, Regional Coordinator /fir
Habitat Conservation Program
DATE: April 1, 2008
SUBJECT: SR1613A, South Laurel fork Road, unnamed Tributaries Wolf Branch, (Class B,
Trout +), Ashe County
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to grade, drain base and pave
SR1613A. Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) 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 will widen the referenced roadway. These activities will impact 92 linear feet of
stream due to pipe improvements and riprap installation. NCDOT indicates that the pipes at
Station 28+77 and Station 47+88 are perched and may remain perched with energy dissipater
pads due to site conditions. Wild Brown and Rainbow trout as well as some Brook trout are
known for area streams. Brook trout are known to use smaller tributaries especially during the
spawning season. Small headwater streams can provide protective nursery areas, especially for
Brook trout. Kanawha darter, Ethostoma kanawhae (NCSR), Tonguetied minnow, Exoglossum
laurae (NCSR) and the Kanawha minnow, Phenacobius teretulus (NCSC, FSC) are known for
area streams and tributaries.
Based on our review of the submittal and our knowledge of area habitats, we will not object to
the project. Irregardless of upstream conditions and passage impediments, we recommend the
following for the project:
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]
SR1613A, UTs Wolf Branch -Page 2 - April 1, 2008
2. To the extent practicable, the culverts should be installed in a manner to promote
aquatic life passage instead of remaining perched. If it is not possible for fish to
access the culvert area (i.e. fish are determined to be absent during normal stream
flows and normal climate conditions), perched pipes should not unduly hinder
aquatic life passage. Energy dissipaters should be formed to provide an aquatic life
passage channel below the culverts if possible.
3. Stringent erosion control measures should be installed where soil is disturbed and
maintained until project completion. Sediment and erosion control measures should
adhere to the design standards for sensitive watersheds (15A NCAC 413 .0024).
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: Sue Homewood, DWQ-WSRO
Heath Slaughter, NCDOT
Kathy Matthews, USEPA
Marla Chambers, NCWRC
Marella Buncick, USFWS
Sonya Gregory, DWQ-Raleigh