20221453 Ver 1_BP11.R001_DWR 20221453v1_Caldwell 29_GP Application__NCWRC Comments_20221109

9 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 9
Cameron Ingram, Executive Director
November 9, 2022
Lori Beckwith
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Asheville Regulatory Field Office
151 Patton Avenue, Room 208
Asheville, NC 28801
Dave Wanucha
NCDEQ, DWR
450 Hanes Mill Road, Suite 300
Winston Salem, NC 27105
SUBJECT: Comments on GP/WQC Application for Replacement of Bridge 29 on NC 268 over the
Yadkin River, Caldwell County (BPILR001)
DWR 20221453 ver.I
Dear Ms. Beckwith and Mr. Wanucha,
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) applied for a General 404 Permit and 401
Certification for the subject project. I am familiar with the wildlife resources in the area but did not visit
the project site. Comments from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) on the
application are offered to conserve wildlife resources affected by the project and to promote wildlife -
based recreation in accordance with applicable provisions of the state and federal Environmental Policy
Acts (G.S. 113A-1through 113-10; 1 NCAC 25 and 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(c), respectively), the Clean Water
Act of 1977 (33 U.S.C. 466 et seq.), and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667d).
The project will impact a small unnamed tributary to the Yadkin River (C Tr) and the Yadkin River for
bank stabilization and temporary rock work pads, respectively. As noted in the application, a waiver from
the trout moratorium has already been coordinated.
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

BPl l.R001 Page 2 November 9, 2022
Caldwell County
Mussels including eastern creekshell (Villosa delumbis, NC significantly rare) and brook floater
(Alasmidonta varicosa, NC Endangered) inhabit portions of the upper Yadkin River watershed. In 2006,
eastern elliptio (Elliptio complanata) and variable spike (Elliptio icterina) mussels were found at this
bridge. Therefore, the NCWRC would appreciate NCDOT contacting me in advance of construction,
preferably two months, so that I can coordinate with biologists any animal relocations deemed necessary.
If the coordination is okay with NCDOT, then a "green sheet" commitment and corresponding note to
contractor in the contract is recommended as a reminder.
Some wildlife species closely follow stream corridors and will pass under bridges if suitable conditions
are present. Rip rap placed under bridges can impede or block some wildlife if it spans from streambank
to cap. Therefore, the NCWRC supports the proposed bridge design because it leaves an unarmored
floodplain under the new bridge. There is some narrow riparian habitat on either side of the bridge and so
wildlife should take advantage of this condition.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and provide recommendations on this project. Please contact me
at david.mchenrya,ncwildlife.org or [phone] if you have any questions about these comments.
Cordially,
11-�(� -
Dave McHenry, NCWRC Western DOT Coordinator
cc: Kevin Hining, NCDOT Division I I Environmental Officer