20230795 Ver 1_R-5861 - Cherokee County - RGP 50 Cover Letter (Signed)_20230606

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Roy COOPER
GOVERNOR
June 5, 2023
Ms. Crystal Amschler
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers
NCDOT Project Manager
151 Patton Avenue, Room 208
Asheville, NC 28801-2714
Subject: Regional General Permit 50 Application
for the proposed U.S. 19/129 improvements from the
Georgia Border to U.S. 64/74, Cherokee County
TIP No. R-5861 (47427.1.1)
Dear Ms. Amschler,
ERIC BOYETTE
SECRETARY
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is requesting authorization for
stream and wetland impacts that are necessary for improvements to a 3.773-mile section of U.S.
19/129 improvements from the Georgia Border to U.S. 64/74 in Cherokee County, N.C. The
project involves minor widening and vertical and horizontal alignment improvements, drainage
improvements, as well as a small section of new alignment. The work will require stream and
wetland impacts to accommodate fill slopes, culvert improvements, and stream bank
stabilization. Project is federally funded, and project let date is scheduled for December 19, 2023.
Section 7
The US Fish & Wildlife Service's IPaC database shows that the green pitcher plant (Sarracenia
oreophila), small whorled pogonia (Isotria medeoloides), and swamp pink (Helonias hullata) are
known from current records and are listed as federally endangered or threatened, potentially
occurring near the project study area. Gray Bat (Myotis grisescens), Indiana Bat (Myotis
sodalist), Northern Long -Eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis, NLEB) and Tricolored Bat
(Perimyotis sublavus) are listed species that are likely or suspected to occur in Cherokee County.
Green pitcher plants are found greater than 1 mile from the project area and this species was not
observed during the May 16-17, 2023 field surveys of the project area. The wetlands that will be
impacted by the project are not sloped bogs that this plant favors. Therefore, the project should
have "no effect " on green pitcher plants.
Small whorled pogonia habitat exist onsite in the form of mixed deciduous forests containing
white pine and rhododendron dry slopes and moist slopes.
Mailing Address: Telephone: [phone]t Location:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATTON Fax: [phone] NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATTON
Division 14 Customer Service: 1-877-368-4968 Division 14
253 Webster Road 253 Webster Road
Sylva, North Carolina 28779 Website: www.ncdoteov Sylva, North Carolina 28779

R-5861, Cherokee County Page 2 May 26, 2023
Field surveys were completed on May 16-17, 2023 and no specimens were observed. Therefore,
the project should have "no effect" on small whorled pogonia.
Swamp pink occurs in a variety of wetland habitats, including: swampy forested wetlands
bordering meandering streams; headwater wetlands; sphagnous, hummocky, dense, Atlantic
white cedar swamps; Blue Ridge swamps; meadows; bogs; and spring seepage areas and is found
greater than 1 mile from the project area. Field surveys were completed on May 16-17, 2023 and
no specimens were observed. Therefore, the project should have "no effeet" on swamp pink.
Gray bats usually roost in caves or in/on structures year-round while Indiana bats and NLEB only
winter in caves. During warm seasons, Indiana bats and NLEB usually roost on/in structures,
under the shaggy bark of live trees such as white oaks, sycamores, and hickories, or in cavities or
under the loose peeling bark of dead trees. This project will require tree removal, but will not
affect caves or structures that could serve as bat roosts. The nearest NCNHP occurrence of a
federally protected bat species is greater than 1 mile from the project area. There will likely be
percussive activities with the project (hoe -ramming and/or jack hammering) to break concrete
and installation of guardrail, but this work should be intermittent and infrequent and probably be
limited to a few hours a day in some weeks. There are no areas where bedrock blasting is
anticipated. Night work will likely occur and temporary and/or permanent lighting may be
needed for the project. High decibel activity (81 — 162 dBA), such as pile driving, will be
avoided to the extent possible, during the pup season (June -July). Based on this and the preceding
information, the project should be compliant with the Final Section 4(d) rule.forNLEB, codified
at 50 C.F.R. § 17.40(o) and effective February 16, 2016.
To protect Indiana bats, obstructing trees will be removed between October 16t' and March 3 I't
(winter clearing) of any year. This tree clearing restriction will protect other potentially roosting
bats in the area from direct disturbance as well. Based on this and the preceding information, the
project should be compliant with the Final Section 4(d) rule for NLEB, codified at 50 C.F.R.
17.40(o) and effective February 16, 2016.
On September 14, 2022, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a proposal to listed the
Tricolored Bat (Perisnyotis subflavus —PESU) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
USFWS has not provided the official effective listing date, however, it is expected during the
second half of 2023. The following is the USFWS habitat description for the Tricolored Bat.
During the spring, summer, and fall - collectively referred to as the non -hibernating seasons,
tricolored bats primarily roost among live and dead leaf clusters of live or recently dead
deciduous hardwood trees. In the southern and northern portions of the range, tricolored bats will
also roost in Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides) and Boney Beard Lichen (Usnea trichodea),
respectively. In addition, Tricolored Bats have been observed roosting during summer among
pine needles, eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), within artificial roosts like barns, beneath
porch roofs, bridges, concrete bunkers, and rarely within caves. Female tricolored bats exhibit
high site fidelity, returning year after year to the same summer roosting locations. Female
tricolored bats form maternity colonies and switch roost trees regularly. Males roost singly.
During the winter, tricolored bats hibernate - which means that they reduce their metabolic rates,
body temperatures and heart rate - in caves and mines; although, in the southern United States,
where caves are sparse, tricolored bats often hibernate in road -associated culverts, as well as
sometimes in tree cavities and abandoned water wells. Tricolored Bats exhibit high site fidelity
with many individuals returning year after year to the same hibernaculum. Culverts impacted by
the proposed project will be inspected for bat presence/usage prior to construction.

R-5861, Cherokee County Page 3 May 26, 2023
Night work will likely occur and temporary and/or permanent lighting may be needed for the
project. With the inclusion of the following project commitments: winter clearing moratorium
(October 16"' — March 31 "), the inspection of culverts greater than 2' diameter, 14 days prior to
construction, no blasting and high decibel activity (81 — 162 dBA), such as pile driving, will be
avoided to the extent possible, NCDOT recommends a "may affect, not likely to adversely
affect" for Indiana Bat, NLEB, Tricolored and "no effect" for Gray Bats.
Section 106
The project was reviewed by NCDOT's Cultural Resources Group in 2018 & 2019 for potential
effects to architectural and archaeological resources. There was a determination of "Assessment
of Effects Form — No Effects" for historic architecture (See Attached Form).
An archaeological survey and evaluation report dated August 18, 2018 identified 12 previously
unidentified archaeological resources within the project Area of Potential Effects (APE). All 12
resources are recommended not eligible under all four National Register of Historic Places
criteria as expressed within the project APE. Consequently, no further archaeological
investigations are recommended at those sites or finds as currently defined. The project area had
several small expansions. The defined archaeological APE extensions for the proposed project
are unlikely to impact intact and significant archaeological deposits, per two later reports dated
September 13, 2018 and November 21, 2018 (See Attached Reports).
After the completion of the above mentioned assessments, several small areas were added to the study
area. Results from any additional assessments (if needed) will be provided once completed.
Impacts to Waters of the United States
In order to construct the project, it will be necessary to impact Cobb Creek and UTs to Cobb
Creek, Gold Branch and UTs to Gold Branch, Rominger Creek and UTs to Rominger Creek, and
UTs to Moccasin Creek, as well as jurisdictional wetlands and ponds in the Hiawassee River
Basin (HUC 06020002). Project impacts are depicted on the project permit plan set. Listed on the
following pages are tables detailing proposed impacts associated with the project. Site numbers
which correspond with the permit (hydraulic) drawings included in this application and with the
August 2, 2022 Preliminary Jurisdictional Determination (PJD). Temporary fill may include
other temporary impacts such as temporary dewatering. Proposed impacts are provided in the
following tables.

R-5861, Cherokee County Page 4 May 26, 2023
Stream Impacts in HUC 06020002
Permit
Site
No.
Stream
Name/
JS ID
Status/Class
Impact
Type
Reason
Length
(feet)
Impact
(acres)
USACE
Mitigation
Required
NCDWR
Mitigation
Required
SA
Perennial
Permanent
Fill
Bank
Stabilization
IA
UT to
Moccasin
Creek
C
Channel
Relocation
Channel Change
140
0.009
140
Temporary
Fill
Channel Change
10
0.001
--
SA
Perennial
Permanent
Fill
66" RCP
53
0.004
53
Bank
Stabilization
1 B
UT to
Moccasin
C
Channel
Creek
Relocation
--
--
--
--
--
Temporary
Fill
66" RCP
18
0.001
SA2
Intermittent
Permanent
Fill
Bank
Stabilization
1 C
UT to
Moccasin
Creek
C
Channel
Relocation
Channel Change
403
0.018
403
--
Temporary
Fill
Channel Change/
Detour
131
0.001
--
SB
Perennial
Permanent
Fill
--
--
Bank
Stabilization
2A
UT to
Cobb
Creek
C
Channel
Relocation
Channel Change
50
0.003
50
Temporary
Fill
Channel Change/
Detour
95
0.004
--
SB
Perennial
Permanent
Fill
48" RCP
71
0.003
71
Bank
Stabilization
2B
UT to
Channel
Cobb
C
Creek
Relocation
Temporary
Fill
48" RCP
10
0.001
--
SB
Perennial
Permanent
Fill
Roadway Fill &
66„ WSp
120
OAl1
120
Bank
7
UT to
Stabilization
Channel
Cobb
C
Creek
Relocation
Temporary
Fill
66" WSP
15
0.002

R-586 1, Chcrokcc County Page 5 May 26,2023
Stream impacts in HUC 06020002
Permit
Stream
USACE
NCDWR
Site
Name/
Status/Class
Impact
Reason
Length
Impact
Mitigation
Mitigation
No.
JS Ill'
Type
(feet)
(acres)
Required
Required
Sc
Perennial
Permanent
Fill
Bank
Base Ditch Tie In
17
0.003
Stabilization
Channel
g
Cobb
C
Relocation
Creek
Temporary
Base Ditch Tie In
40
0.008
Fill
Sc
Perennial
Permanent
42" WSP
12
0
12
Fill
Bank
Pipe Outlet
14
0
--
Stabilization
10
Cobb
Creek
C
Channel
Relocation
Temporaty
Fill
42" WSP
10
0
--
Permanent
(2) 8'x8' RCBC
Sc
Perennial
73
0.017
73
Fill
& 72" WSP
Bank
Outlet/Inlet
Stabilization
Improvements
69
0.013
--
11
Channel
Cobb
Creek
C
Relocation
Temporary
(2) 8'x8' RCBC
Fill
& 72" WSP
20
0.004
SE
Intermittent
Permanent
Roadway Fill
52
0.001
52
Fill
Bank
Stabilization
12
UT to
Channel
Cobb
C
Creek
Relocation
Temporaty
Fill
SF
Perennial
Permanent
Fill
Bank
Stabilization
Channel
Relocation
14A
UT to
Cobb
C
Crock
Remove CMP,
Temporary
Fill
Reconnect
(Daylight) Stream
53
0.006
--
SF
Perennial
Permanent
66" WSP
36
0.006
36
Fill
Bank
Stabilization
14B
UT to
Cobb
C
Channel
Creek
Relocation
Temporaty
Fill
PermanentFill
SG
Perennial
54" RCP
21
0.002
21
Bank
Stabilization
15
UT to
Channel
Cobb
C
Creek
Relocation
Temporaty
Fill
54" RCP
12
0.001

R-5861, Cherokee County Page 6 May 26, 2023
Stream impacts in HUC 06020002
Permit
Stream
USACE
NCDWR
Site
Name/
Status/Class
Impact
Reason
Length
Impact
Mitigation
Mitigation
No.
JS Ill'
Type
(feet)
(acres)
Required
Required
SF
Perennial
Permanent
Fill
Bank
Stabilization
36" RCP Outlet
13
0.001
16A
UT to
Channel
Cobb
C
Creek
Relocation
Temporary
Fill
36" RCP Outlet
20
0.001
SF
Perennial
Permanent
Fill
Bank
15" CSP Outlet
5
0
Stabilization
16B
UT to
Cobb
C
Channel
Creek
Relocation
--
--
--
--
--
Temporary
Fill
15" CSP Outlet
15
0.001
SF
Perennial
Permanent
Roadway Fill
77
0.013
77
Fill
Bank
Stabilization
16C
UT to
Cobb
C
Channel
Creek
Relocation
Temporary
Roadway Fill
15
0.001
--
Fill
Perennial /
Permanent
267 /
0.026 /
SI
Roadway Fill
374
Intermittent
Fill
107
0.017
0.001 /
30" CSP
Oct-00
19A
UT to
Stabilization
Channel
Gold
C
Branch
Relocation
Temporary
0002 /
.0
Roadway Fill
16 / 0
Fill
SI
Perennial
Permanent
Fill
Bank
24" CSP
19
0.001
Stabilization
19B
UT to
Channel
Gold
C
Branch
Relocation
Temporary
24" CSP
29
0.002
Fill
Si
Perennial
Permanent
S'x 9' RCBC
65
0.008
65
Fill
Bank
Stabilization
--
--
--
--
--
20A
Gold
Branch
C
Channel
Relocation
Temporary
Fill
S'x 9' RCBC
65
0.007
--
Si
Perennial
Permanent
S'x 9' RCBC
59
0.012
59
Fill
Bank
Stabilization
20B
Gold
Branch
C
Channel
Channel Change
40
0.005
40
Relocation
Temporary
Fill

R-586 1, Cherokee County Page 7 May 26,2023
Stream impacts in HUC 06020002
Permit
Stream
USACE
NCDWR
Site
Name/
Status/Class
Impact
Reason
Length
Impact
Mitigation
Mitigation
No.
JS Ill'
Type
(feet)
(acres)
Required
Required
Si
Perennial
Permanent
Fill
Bank
Stabilization
20C
Channel
Gold
C
Branch
Relocation
Channel Change
81
0.014
81
Temporary
Channel Change
7
0.001
--
Fill
SL
Perennial
Permanent
Fill
Bank
Stabilization
21
UT to
Channel
Channel Change
85
0.008
85
Gold
C
Branch
Relocation
Temporary
Detour
128
0.012
--
Fill
SK
Perennial
PermanentFill
36" RCP
20
0.001
20
Bank
Stabilization
36" RCP
12
0.001
--
22
UT to
Gold
C
Channel
Branch
Relocation
Temporary
36" RCP
11
0
Fill
SM
Perennial
Permanent
--
--
--
Fill
Bank
72" & 24" RCP
Stabilization
Outlet
29
0.001
23A
UT to
Gold
C
Channel
Branch
Relocation
Temporary
72" & 24" RCP
Fill
Outlet
18
0.008
--
SM
Perennial
Permanent
72" RCP
23
0.002
23
Fill
Bank
Stabilization
23B
UT to
Channel
Gold
C
Branch
Relocation
Temporary
Fill
Permanent
SM
Perennial
Fill
Bank
Stabilization
23C
UT to
Channel
Channel Change
353
0.02
353
353
Gold
C
Branch
Relocation
Temporary
Fill
SM
Perennial
Permanent
60" RCP
29
0.001
29
Fill
Bank
Stabilization
Channel
23D
UT to
Gold
C
Relocation
Branch
Temporary
Fill
60" RCP
10
0

R-5861, Cherokee County Page 8 May 26, 2023
Stream impacts in HUC 06020002
Permit
Stream
USACE
NCDWR
Site
Name/
Status/Class
Impact
Reason
Length
Impact
Mitigation
Mitigation
No.
JS Ill'
Type
(feet)
(acres)
Required
Required
SM
Perennial
Permanent
30" RCP
203
0.019
203
Fill
Bank
30" RCP Outlet
10
0
--
Stabilization
24
UT to
Gold
C
Channel
Branch
Relocation
__
__
Temporary
30" RCP
18
0.001
--
--
Fill
SO
Perennial
Permanent
66" RCP
417
0.037
417
417
Fill
Bank
Stabilization
25
UT to
Channel
Rominger
C
Creek
Relocation
Temporary
66" RCP
29
0.002
--
Fill
SP
Perennial
Permanent
Roadway Fill
48
0.004
48
Fill
Bank
Stabilization
26
UT to
Channel
Rominger
C
Creek
Relocation
Temporary
Fill
SN
Perennial
Permanent
Fill
Bank
66" RCP Outlet
25
0.003
Stabilization
Channel
27
Rominger
Relocation
Creek
C
Temporary
66" RCP &
Fill
Existing 48"
31
0.003
CMP Access
SM
Perennial
Permanent
60" RCP
50
0.002
50
Fill
Bank
Stabilization
28
UT to
Gold
C
Channel
Branch
Relocation
Temporary
60" RCP
11
0.001
--
Fill
SM2
Perennial
Permanent
Roadway Fill
58
0.001
58
Fill
Bank
Stabilization
29
UT to
Channel
Gold
C
Branch
Relocation
Temporary
Roadway Fill
12
0
Fill
3,247
0.288
(P)
(P)
Total Stream impacts for HUC 06020002
3,013(2:1)
770 (I:1)
849
0.071
(T)
(T
Total Requested from DMS
6,026
W Stoam iD; rnnespond to R-5861 PID labeling.
P-P -cnt, T-Temporary

R-5861, Cherokee County Page 9 May 26, 2023
Stream Impacts from Utilities in HUC 06020002
Stream
USACE
NCDWR
Permit
Name/
Status/Class
Impact Type
Length
Impact
Mitigation
Mitigation
Site No.
JD ID,
(feet)
(acres)
Required
Required
Permanent Fill
--
--
--
--
Bank Stabilization
--
--
--
--
SF
UT to
Perennial
Embedded rip -rap--
--
--
--
1
Cobb
WS-IV
Channel Relocation
--
--
--
--
Temporary Fill
Creek
Gu Wire)28
0.001
--
--
Stream Impacts for HUC 06020002
28
0.001
0
0
1/ Stream IDs correspond to R-5861 PJD labeling.
Wetland Impacts in HUC 06020002
Permit Site /
NC WAM / Hydraulic
Mechanized Clearing
Wetland ID1
Classification
Reason
Permanent Fill (ac)
(ac)
3 / WA
Headwater Forest
Roadway Fill
0.064
--
Riparian
4/WA
Headwater Forest
Roadway Fill
0.012
--
Riparian
5 / WA
Headwater Forest
18" CSP
0.042
--
Riparian
6 / WB
Floodplain Pool
Roadway Fill
0.016
0.018
Riparian
9 / WB
Floodplain Pool
Roadway Fill
0.024
0.047
Riparian
13 / WC
Floodplain Pool
Roadway Fill
0.014
0.025
Riparian
16B / WE
Floodplain Pool
Roadway Fill
--
0.000
Riparian
18 / WE
Floodplain Pool
Roadway Fill
0.001
0.015
Riparian
22 / WG
Floodplain Pool
36" RCP
0.001
0.000
Riparian
Totals by Impact Type:
0.174
0.105
Total Permanent Wetlands
0.279
Total Requested from DMS
0.279 (@2:1=0.558)
1 Wetland IDs correspond to R-5861 PJD labeling.

R-5861, Cherokee County Page 10 May 26, 2023
Wetland Impacts in 06020002 From Utilities
Permit Site /
NCWAM /
Permanent Fill
Mechanized
Wetland ID'/
Hydraulic
Reason
(ac)
Clearing (ac)
Classification
2 / WF
Floodplain Pool
Guy Wire
0.001
--
Riparian
Totals by Impact Type:
0.001
--
Total Permanent Wetland impacts
0.001
--
Total Requested from DMS
0.001 (@2:1=0.002)
1 Wetland iDs correspond to R-5861 PJD labeling.
Surface Water Impacts in 06020002
Permit Site /
Pond IDI
Impact Type
Reason
Impact (Acres)
17 / PB
Temporary Fill
Roadway fill
0.002
17 / PB
Permanent Fill
Rock fill
0.027
17 / PB
Temporary Fill
Rock fill
0.027
18 / PC
Temporary Fill
Roadway fill
0.014
20B / PD
Permanent Fill
Roadway fill
0.108
Total Open Water Impacts for HUC 06020002
0.178
1/ Pond iDs correspond to R-5861 PJD labeling.
Avoidance and Minimization
NCDOT has avoided impacting many wetlands and streams and reduced impacts to wetlands and
streams to the greatest extent practicable. Other specific examples of avoidance and minimization
measures include:
• Best Management Practices (BMPs) will be utilized during construction to attempt to reduce the
stormwater impacts to receiving streams and wetlands due to erosion and runoff.
• Bury all pipes 20% or 1 ft. if culvert diameter is greater that 48 inches.
• Use of energy dissipater riffles.
• Flatten slopes of ditches/pipes wherever possible.
• 2:1 side slopes were utilized where possible.
• No construction activities within or adjacent to historic boundary of John Franklin Cobb House
(CE0033)

R-5861, Cherokee County Page 11 May 26, 2023
Compensatory Mitigation and Plan
The NCDOT has requested mitigation for 3,013 linear feet permanent stream impacts as well as
0.28 acre of permanent impacts to wetlands, both at a 2:1 ratio. The mitigation approval letter
from the NC Division of Mitigation Set -vices is included with this application.
Permits Requested
NCDOT hereby requests authorization under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act to proceed with
the construction project outlined above. NCDOT requests authorization for the project under
Section 401 of the Clean Water Act from the North Carolina Department of Environmental
Quality, Division of Water Resources (DWR). We have requested and received comments on
this request from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC). The NCWRC does not
request a trout moratorium. (See Attached Letter)
Please contact me at [phone] if there are any questions or need additional information to
evaluate this request. Your prompt attention to this request is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
IPDocuSigned by:
a Vi& brtj Jt,6V,,t_ 06/05/2023
AWAC8979C7943D_.
Patrick J. Breedlove
NCDOT Division 14 — Division PDEA Engineer
Enclosures
cc: Mr. Kevin Mitchell, Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ, Asheville
Ms. Holland Youngman, Biologist, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville
Mr. David McHenry, Western NCDOT Coordinator, NCWRC
Mr. Kenneth McDowell, Division 14, Project Engineer, NCDOT