20030130 Ver 3_WRC Comments_20170614

Strickland, Bev
From: Munzer, Olivia
Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2017 11:27 AM
To: [e-mail]
Cc: Hamstead, Byron ([e-mail]); Shaeffer, David Leigh (Dave) CIV
USARMY CESAW (US); Higgins, Karen; Jones, Brena K.
Subject: VMC Cabarrus Quarry - Andrews IP (SAW-2016-01348)
Attachments: MP 13-27 VMC Cabarrus Quarry-Andrews IP_NCWRC.pdf
Please see the attached.Thanks.
Olivia
Olivia Munzer
Western Piedmont Habitat Conservation Coordinator
Certified Wildlife Biologist
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Sykes Depot,2430 Turner Rd.
Mebane, NC 27302
Office:336.290.0056 H Cell:336.269.0074
[e-mail]>;
www.ncwildlife.or>;
13 mLM
Email correspondence to and from this sender is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties
1

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Gordon Myers, Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
TO: Craig R. Wyant
A Fine Line Design
FROM: Olivia Munzer,Western Piedmont Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Division
DATE: 14 June 2017
SUBJECT: Individual Permit Application and Pre-Construction Notification for Vulcan Materials
Company Cabarrus Quarry—Andrews—Mining Permit No. 13-27, Cabarrus County,
North Carolina. USACE Action ID No. SAW-2016-01348,DEQ No. 200301300.
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission(NCWRC)have reviewed the subject
document. Comments are provided in accordance with provisions of the Clean Water Act of 1977 (as
amended) and Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act Wildlife Coordination Act(48 Stat. 401, as amended;
16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.).
On behalf of Vulcan Materials Company,A Fine Line Design has submitted an Individual Permit
Application and Pre-Construction Notification for the Cabarrus Quarry on the Andrews Tract at the
terminus of Trail Road in Concord, Cabarrus County,North Carolina. The applicant seeks to place
overburden material on the Andrews Tract from the adjacent Cabarrus Quarry. The project entails the
construction of a rip rap underdrain along 359 linear feet(ft) of an intermittent,unnamed tributary to
Coddle Creek. The applicant will maintain a 100-ft buffer around the perennial,unnamed tributary to
Coddle Creek. The intermittent stream is an unnamed headwater tributary to Coddle Creek in the Yadkin
—Pee Dee River basin. Coddle Creek is classified as a Class C stream by the N.C. Division of Water
Resources (NCDWR).
We have records of the federal species of concern and state special concern Carolina darter(Etheostoma
collis) in Coddle Creek. In a letter dated 20 December 2016,the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS)indicates the site may provide suitable habitat for the federally and state endangered
Schweinitz's sunflower(Helianthus schweinitzii). The lack of records from the site does not imply or
confirm the absence of federal or state-listed species or state Species of Greatest Conservation Need listed
in the 2015 State Wildlife Action Plan(http://www.ncwildlife.ora/plan);we are unaware of any
protected-species surveys having occurred within the vicinity of or in the project area.
We are concerned that approximately 200 cubic yards of fill will permanently impact 359 linear ft of a
headwater stream to Coddle Creek. Headwater streams can significantly reduce nutrient export to rivers
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh,NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

Page 2
14 June 2017
Cabarrus Quarry-Andrews
SAW-2016-01348
(Alexander et al. 2000;Peterson et al. 2001)and the condition of the stream in the lower reaches is
closely dependent on the condition in the headwaters(Vannote et al. 1980). Furthermore,placing fill in
aquatic resources can alter hydrology,result in significant negative impacts to downstream areas, and
eliminate aquatic and terrestrial wildlife habitat. Should the permit be approved,we offer the following
recommendations to minimize impacts to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife species.
1. Maintain a minimum 100-foot undisturbed,native, forested buffer along perennial streams, and a
minimum 50-foot buffer along intermittent streams and wetlands. Maintaining undisturbed,
forested buffers along these areas will minimize impacts to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife
resources,water quality, and aquatic habitat both within and downstream of the project area.
2. Consider using seed mixtures(e.g.,native warm season grasses)that are beneficial to wildlife in
the reclamation plan. NCWRC recommends an alternative mix of red clover, creeping red
fescue, and a grain, such as oats,wheat, or rye. In addition, for relatively shallow sediment basin
reclamation,we recommend these areas be reclaimed as wetlands where practicable. Non-native
plants should be removed from the seeding schedule. Native plants are preferred and
recommended for revegetation and reclamation activities. Bermudagrass,redtop,tall fescue, and
lespedeza are invasive and/or non-native and should be avoided. Please contact NCWRC for a
list of suitable native plants for reclamation.
3. The use of biodegradable and wildlife-friendly sediment and erosion control devices is
strongly recommended. Silt fencing, fiber rolls and/or other products should have loose-weave
netting that is made of natural fiber materials with movable joints between the vertical and
horizontal twines. Silt fencing that has been reinforced with plastic or metal mesh should be
avoided as it impedes the movement of terrestrial wildlife species. Excessive silt and sediment
loads can have detrimental effects on aquatic resources including destruction of spawning habitat,
suffocation of eggs,and clogging of gills.
The NCWRC encourages the applicant to consider additional measures to protect wildlife species in
developing landscapes. More detailed information on each of these measures and supporting literature
can be found in NCWRC's Guidance Memorandum to Address and Mitigate Secondary and Cumulative
Impacts to Aquatic and Terrestrial Wildlife Resources and Water Quality(August 2002;
hlt2://www.ncwildlife.org,/Portals/O/Conserving/documents/2002 GuidanceMemorandumforSecondgaman
dCumulativelmpacts.pdf).
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this permit application. Further information on native
plants and free technical guidance from the NCWRC,please contact me at(336)290-0056 or
olivia.munzer&ncwildlife.org.
Literature Cited
Alexander,R. B., R. A. Smith, and G. E. Schwarz. 2000. Effect of stream channel size on the delivery of
nitrogen to Gulf of Mexico. Nature 403:758-761.
Peterson,B. J.,W. M. Wollheim, P. J. Mulholland,J.R.Webster, J. L. Meyer,J. L. Tank,E.Marti,W. B.
Bowden,H. M. Valett,A. E. Hershey,W. H. McDowell,W. K. Dodds, S. K. Hamilton, S. Gregory, and
D. D. Morrall. 2001. Control of nitrogen export from watersheds by headwater streams. Science 292:86-
90.

Page 3
14 June 2017
Cabarrus Quarry-Andrews
SAW-2016-01348
Vannote,R. L., G. W. Mineshell,K. W. Cummins, J. R. Sedell, and C. E. Cushings. 1980. The river
continuum concept. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 37:130-137.
ec: David Schaeffer,USACE
Byron Hamstead,USFWS
Brena Jones,NCWRC
Karen Higgins,NCDWR