20080745 Ver 1_Other Agency Comments_20080715

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0 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 0

TO: Monte Matthews, NCDOT Coordinator
Raleigh Regulatory Field Office, USACE

FROM: Marla Chambers, Western NCDOT Permit Coordinator 17~a,_L et d,iYL "L~_'
Habitat Conservation Program, NCWRC

DATE: June 2, 2008

SUBJECT: Review of NCDOT's request for a Section 404 Permit to replace Bridge No. 71
on SR 1167 (Stony Fork Road) over Stony Fork Creek, Wilkes County, North
Carolina. TIP No. B-4322.

North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has requested a Section 404 Permit
from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for the subject project. Staff biologists with
the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have reviewed the Categorical
Exclusion and information provided. These comments are provided in accordance with the
provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(c)) and the Fish and
Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667d).

The NCDOT proposes to replace Bridge No. 71 on SR 1167 (Stony Fork Road) over Stony Fork
Creek with a new bridge in place on a slightly shifted alignment; traffic will be routed to an
offsite detour. Proposed impacts include <0.01 acres of permanent impacts to wetlands. No
permanent or temporary impacts to Stony Fork Creek are proposed. Stony Fork Creek is
classified as "C, Trout" waters and supports brook trout populations in the project area. We
appreciate NCDOT's impact minimization efforts for this project.

NCWRC can concur with the issuance of Section 404 permit provided that 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.

Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

B-4322, SR 1167
Stony Fork Creek, Wilkes Co. -2- June 2, 2008
2. At a minimum, sediment and erosion control measures shall adhere to the design
standards for sensitive watersheds and be strictly maintained until project completion.

3. Temporary or permanent herbaceous vegetation shall be planted on all bare soil as soon
as possible following ground disturbing activities to provide long-term erosion control.

4. Tall fescue should not be used in riparian areas. We encourage NCDOT to utilize onsite
vegetation and materials for bank stabilization when practicable. Erosion control matting
should be used in riparian areas, instead of straw mulch and well anchored with 12"
staples, wooden survey stakes or live stakes.

5. Stormwater, including deck drainage, should be directed to buffer areas or retention
basins and should not be routed directly into the stream.

6. Discharge of materials into the stream from demolition of the old bridge should be
avoided as much as practicable. Any materials that inadvertently reach the stream should
be removed.

7. The natural dimension, pattern, and profile of the stream above and below the crossing
should not be modified by widening the stream channel or changing the depth of the
waterway.

8. Removal of vegetation in riparian areas should be minimized. Native trees and shrubs
should be planted along the banks to reestablish the riparian zone and to provide long-
term erosion control.

9. Grading and backfilling should be minimized, and tree and shrub growth should be
retained if possible to ensure long term availability of shoreline cover for fish and
wildlife. Backfill materials should be obtained from upland sites.

10. Riprap placed for bank stabilization should be limited to the banks below the high water
mark, and vegetation should be used for stabilization above the high water elevation.

11. If concrete will be used during construction, work must be accomplished so that wet
(uncured) concrete does not contact surface waters. This will lessen the chance of
altering the water chemistry and causing a fish kill.

12. Discharging hydroseeding mixtures and washing out hydroseeders and other equipment
in or adjacent to surface waters is strictly prohibited.

13. Heavy equipment should be operated from the bank rather than in the stream channel
whenever possible in order to minimize sedimentation and reduce the likelihood of
introducing other pollutants into the waterway. All mechanized equipment operated near
surface waters should be inspected and maintained regularly to prevent contamination of
surface waters from fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids or other toxic materials.

B-4322, SR 1167
Stony Fork Creek, Wilkes Co. - 3 - June 2, 2008
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project. If you have any questions
regarding these comments, please contact me at [phone].

cc: Troy Wilson, USFWS
Brian Wrenn, NCDWQ
Carla Dagnino, NCDOT
Elizabeth Lusk, NCDOT