20070317 Ver 1_WRC Comments_20070305

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~ North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Richard B. Hamilton, Executive Director
TO: Amanda Jones, USACOE ~~~~~4
Asheville Regulatory Field Office 1J (~ c~~ `~rJ rr i
FROM: Ron Linville, Regional Coordinator /'~ ;- 201
Habitat Conservation Program M~~
DATE: February 21, 2007 ,~~~~ypS'~t~~A~ ~~rt
SUBJECT: National Committee for the New River, Winkler Creek, Watauga County
The National Committee for the New river proposes to restore or enhance areas on Winkler Creek disturbed by
hurricanes. 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 5tat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-b67d) and the North Carolina Environmental Policy Act (G.S. 113A-1
through 113A-10; NCAC 25).
The project will enhance stability and aquatic habitats through use of a Clean Water Management Trust Fund grant.
The stabilization project will affect 145 linear feet of stream bank. Wild Brown and Rainbow trout are known for
the area.
Based on our review of the submittal, we will not object to the project as proposed providing the following
conditions are implemented:
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.
2. Sediment and erosion control measures should adhere to the design standards for sensitive watersheds
(15A NCAC 4B .0124).
3. Stream bank hardening should be minimized through the use of properly designed and placed using
state of the art natural channel designs and structures.
4. To the maximum extent practicable, heavy equipment should be operated from the bank rather than in
the stream channel in order to minimize sedimentation and reduce the likelihood of introducing other
pollutants into the stream. Equipment should be low hour and/or well maintained. Petroleum spill
containment equipment/materials should be readily available on the site.
5. Only autochthonous plants should be used for the project. Natural fiber matting should be used for the
project as man-made materials that decay slowly perpetuate ongoing small animal entrapment and
mortality.
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: Daryl Lamb, DWQ-WSRO
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries 1721 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] Fay: [phone]