20241173 Ver 1_R-5840_NC 9 improvements_Polk_application_NCWRC Comments_20240913

9 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 9
Cameron Ingram, Executive Director
September 13, 2024
Crystal Amschler
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Asheville Regulatory Field Office
151 Patton Avenue, Room 208
Asheville, NC 28801
Amy Annino
401 and Buffer Transportation Permitting Branch
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
2090 U.S. 70 Highway
Swannanoa, NC 28778-8211
SUBJECT: Comments on Application for NC 9 Improvements from US 74 to NC 108, Polk County.
R-5840, WBS 47083.3.1
DWR 20241173 ver.1
Dear Crystal and Amy,
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) applied for a permit for the subject project.
I participated in the July 23, 2024 plan review for the project. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources
Commission's (NCWRC) comments are offered to help conserve wildlife resources in the project area
and to promote wildlife -based recreation in accordance with applicable provisions of 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).
As noted in scoping comments, the Little White Oak Creek watershed is depicted as trout water, but it is
not classified as trout and should not support any trout resources. Therefore, the project construction does
not need to adhere to a trout moratorium.
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

R-5840
Polk County
Page 2 September 13, 2024
The NCWRC supports the tree clearing restrictions included in the project. This should eliminate the
potential for harm to tree -roosting bats, particularly since it avoids the spring through summer period
when bats are caring for young that are unable to fly.
While the NCWRC does not recommend including any special conditions in authorizations, the NCDOT
is encouraged to avoid the use of nylon mesh containing erosion control blankets in riparian areas. These
types of blankets entangle and kill wildlife, often for several years. Coir matting should be used instead
on disturbed stream banks that are steep or susceptible to high water. Matting should be anchored with
wooden stakes according to NCDOT specifications.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and provide recommendations on this project. Please contact me
at david.mchenryAncwildlife.org or [phone] if you have any questions about these comments.
Sincerely,
Dave McHenry, NCWRC Western DOT Coordinator
cc: Patrick Breedlove, NCDOT Division 14 PDEA Engineer
Kevin Micthell, NCDOT Division 14 Environmental Specialist II