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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20081157 Ver 1_WRC Comments_20080812T'?Aj 0-- 0 r- t I !;- 9 9 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 9 MEMORANDUM TO: Cyndi B. Karoly, Supervisor, 401 Oversight and Express Permits Unit t[OXV90 NCDWQ Wetlands and Stormwater Branch AU G 1 2 2008 FROM: Ron Linville, Regional Coordinator ZWCe -wAiERauA??j'? BRA ?r+ WETLANDS AND S f"'NATER Habitat Conservation Program DENR DATE: July 28, 2008 SUBJECT: Lake James Shoreline Stabilization Application, Natalie Koletic, Lot 3, 1780 Subdivision, Burke County The applicant is requesting letters of concurrence from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) to obtain a 404 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The NCWRC has reviewed information provided by the applicant, and field biologists on our staff are familiar with habitat values of the project area. These comments are provided in accordance with 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). The applicant proposes to install riprap to stabilize 164 feet of eroding shoreline on Lake James. Based on the information provided by the applicant, we will not object to the project provided that the following non-prioritized conditions are followed: 1. The stabilization project should be done by barge with minimum class I (class II preferred) riprap or rock instead of a wall. This size rock improves aquatic habitat structure. We do not support the use of river rock as mining river rock causes impacts to aquatic environments and destabilizes riparian zones by causing unnatural geomorphic regime modifications. Natural fiber matting may be used beneath the stone to reduce erosion and turbidity. Plastic matting should be avoided as it entraps small animals. To the extent practicable, rock or stone should be placed just above the high water mark and towards the lake five (5) to six (6) feet to provide continuous aquatic edge habitat. 2. Stabilization work should occur from the water instead of the shore to minimize buffer impacts. Existing wooded buffers should be preserved. Any Large Woody Debris (LWD) should be maintained to the maximum extent practicable Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721 Telephone: (919) 707-0220 • Fax: (919) 707-0028 Koletic, Lake James -Page 2 - July 28, 2008 to provide aquatic habitat. If relocated, the LWD must be securely anchored so that it will remain where installed. We recommend that large boulders be placed for fish habitat every 30 feet to provide enhanced aquatic habitat. Placement should be accomplished so as not to cause hazardous conditions. 3. Stringent erosion control measures should be installed where soil is disturbed and maintained until project completion. Temporary or permanent herbaceous vegetation should be planted on all bare soil within ten (10) days of ground disturbing activities to provide long-term erosion control. 4. Wide undisturbed shoreline buffers and natural vegetation should be maintained to the extent practicable. Disturbed banks may be revegetated with silky dogwood (Cornus amonum), silky willow (Salix sericea), tag alder (Alnus serrulata), black willow (Salix nigra), and sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) or other native plants to provide long term bank stability and stream shading. Note that silky dogwood, silky willow and black willow can be planted as live stakes collected during the dormant growing season. Cuttings should be randomly planted and done on four (4) foot centers from the waters edge to the top of the bank. Trees should be planted on ten (10) to twelve (12) foot centers. Banks in these areas should also be seeded with an approved riparian/wetland seed mix or temporary crop of wheat or rye. 5. The applicant should contact state and local planning and environmental authorities to determine if permits are needed for the any buffer infringements or impacts. Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project. If you have any questions regarding these comments, please contact me at 336-769-9453. Cc: Kevin Barnett, DWQ-ARO Steve Chapin, USACOE-ARO