20021145 Ver 1_Other Agency Comments_20030109

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i North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission I
Charles R. F'ullwood, F;xect.,r.ive Director
January 6, 2003 I
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Mr. Buz Cobb
DPC Lake Management Dept. EC12Q
PO Box 1006
Charlotte, North Carolina 28201-1006
RE: Proposed. Project:, Lake Norman Cove at Jetton (Jetton), Mecklenburg County
Dear Mr. Cobb:
This correspondence is in response to applications we have received for the referenced facility.
Biologists with the North Carolina. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) are familiar with habitat
values in the area. Th.e North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is authorized to
comment and make recommendations which relate to the impacts of this project on fish and wildlife
through the Federal License of Water Resource Project Act (Federal Power Act-16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.), the
Clean. Water Act of 1.977, and the Fish and. Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C.
661-667d).
Project proponents propose to dredge 2438.32 cubic yards of material from the cove, stabilize 900
linear feet of shoreline, and install a 6 foot x 660 foot boardwalk around the cove. The purpose of these
projects is to provide residents of Lake Norman Cove at Jetton with community access to Lake Norman, to
allow boat access and temporary docking and to provide a nature walk for viewing the lake.
On December 17, 2002 Chris Goudreau and I visited the Jetton site. Land. disturbing and
development activities are underway at the site. Contrary to existing federal and state policies and
regulations, a perennial stream has been utilized for sediment and stornrwater treatment. Much of the
stream, has been stripped. of riparian vegetation. This water quality treatment device has fragmented. the
stream ecosystem. The upper segment provides minimal buffers and the lower segment remains connected
hydraulically to the lake. Significant wooded buffets are present around this small cove. Both large tree
and understory vegetation were present, including oak, poplar, pine and cedar trees as predominant species.
These buffers provide sbade and shoreline stability. Woody debris found around the aquatic edge is
beneficial to fish and wildlife. This cove and an adjoining cove provide aquatic edge and terrestrial
habitats that are quickly disappearing from. Lake Norman. The area. around the old ramp and. dock did not
have wooded buffers due to previous impacts around the ramp facility. Some erosion was occurring across
the cove; however, the eroding site was not very long and the area did not appear to be extremely unstable.
It is our opinion that the stabilization and the dredging activities will cause disruption of existing
stabile shorelines and. impact aquatic edges, wooded wildlife habitats and impair buffer functions.
Together with the boardwalk, cumulative and secondary impacts from the project(s) and recreational
walking and boating are .likely to further disturb and degrade both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. The
small eroding area. on the western shoreline will destabilize with increased recreational activities. Lake
Ivl.a.ilinl, Address. Division of inlaz-Ic. r.•?sF.c:>rirs I721 5ervice (_:er;.tf:r lrlC; 2761I-1721
Telephone. (919) X33-3633 ext. 28 1. 4, Fax. €>-7643
Cove At Jetton 2 Jai-Mary 6, 2003
Norman lacks an abundance of quality shoreline cove habitats so areas that provide aquatic edge should be
preserved and enhanced whenever possible.
After or site vi.sit and project evaluation, we are not able to support the project as proposed within
this small cave. Based on our site visit and evaluation, we recommend the following:
1. Any boat ramps, stabilization activities, and dredging or boardwalk facilities should be
restricted to the area of the existing boat ramp and docks. Piers, boardwalks, stabilization and
dredging activities should not extend beyond the property line to the south nor extend above
the edge of the existing wooded area (approximately 70-100 feet) on the northern side of the
old ramp.
2. Shoreline stabilization should be provided for the eroding area. on the western side of the
cove. This activity should use large # 1 or # 2 size quarry stone. Placement of stone should
be from barges instead of from the land to protect and preserve existing edge and forest
habitats. Mechanical removal of shoreline soils is not needed or appropriate.
?. Hardwood and understory trees and plants should be preserved and protected. A few pine
trees should be felled into the lake to provide large woody debt-is to enhance fishery complex
and to prevent boating in the cove.
4. Existing forested buffer areas between the lake and the development should be preserved.
5. If a stationery pier is desirable, the use of Duke Gower fish friendly pier practices should be
included in both design and construction.
6. Mitigation for unavoidable impacts should. be provided through preservation of undisturbed
wooded buffers, planting of buttonbush or other similar native aquatic edge species,
placement of large woody debris along the lake edge, restricting cove access, and posting of
an enforceable "No Wake" zone in the cove area.
Based. on the fact that US Army Corps of Engineers 404 permit mitigation for site impacts
included perpetual preservation through deed restrictions four (4) acres of wooded buffers along the lake,
we can only support a smaller project that is limited in size and which follows the recommendations
indicated above. In addition, all activities must follow Duke Power Lake Management requirements and
any other special conditions specified by the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources,
including Catawba River buffer requirements.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this Lake Norman shoreline project(s). If you have
any questions regarding these comments, please contact me at 336/769-9453.
Sincerely
*Ron Linville
Regional Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program.
cc: Mr. Mike Parker, DWQ
Mr. Mark Cantrell, LJSFWS
Mr. John Dorney, DWQ
Tim. Smith, USACOEA
Bobbie Marsh, CBC Custom Dredging