20180006 Ver 1_cover_letter_20180102

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
ROY COOPER
GovERNOR
December 22, 2017
Mr. Steve Kichefski
Asheville Regulatory Field Office
US Army Corp of Engineers
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801-5006
7AMES H. TROGDON, III
SECRETARY
SUBJECT: Bridge #131 Replacement on SR 1810 (Providence Mill Road), Catawba County
(Courtesy copy)
Dear Mr. Kichefski:
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to replace an existing three
—span 80-foot long X 24-foot wide timber deck bridge with a two-span, 82 foot long 33-ft wide
bridge on SR 1810 (Providence Mill Road) in Catawba County. A total of 31 feet of Class II
riprap will be utilized under the new bridge, and an additional 8 feet of rip rap bank stabilization
will be utilized at the end of a proposed ditchline. The scope of work will result in a total of 39
feet of permanent riprap bank stabilization impacts and 39 feet of temporary causeway impacts to
Allen Creek which is classified as Class C waters by the Division of Water Resources.
The Division 12 Environmental Office conducted a threatened/endangered species survey on
October 26, 2016, May 8, 2017 and June 20, 2017 for Bridge #131 and surrounding areas. The
federally listed species for Catawba County (USFWS listed date July 24, 2015) include the dwarf-
flowered heartleaf (Hexastylis naniflora)- Threatened: Schweinitz's sunflower (Helianthus
schweinitzii)-Endangered; and the Northern Long-Eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis)-Threatened
Natural Heritage Program records document the nearest dwarf-flowered heartleaf location
approximately 3.0 miles southeast of the proposed project area. The heartleaf is usually found on
dry to moist ravine slopes (usually north facing and of the oak-hickory-pine forest type) and in
boggy areas near springheads. There did not appear to be suitable habitat within the proposed
project area and no species were observed. No impact on this species is anticipated. Natural
Heritage Program records document the nearest Schweinitz's sunflower location approximately 13
miles east of the proposed project area. Schweinitz's sunflower is typically found along roadside
rights-of-way, maintained power lines and other utility rights-of-way, edges of thickets and old
pastures, clearings and edges of upland oak-pine-hickory woods and Piedmont longleaf pine
forests, and other sunny or semi-sunny habitats where disturbances help create open or partially
open areas for sunlight. The Natural Heritage Program records document the nearest Northern
Long Eared Bat location approximately 23 miles west of the proposed project area. During
summer, northern long-eared bats typically roost singly or in colonies underneath bark, in
cavities, or in crevices of both live and dead trees. It has also been found, rarely, roosting in

Bridge #131, Providence Mill Road
December 22, 2017
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structures like barns and sheds. Northern long-eared bats spend winter hibernating in humid caves
and mines. The closest listed underground mine, per NHP database is the Stonewall Bank property,
4.7 miles southeast of the project site. There are currently no known hibernaculum or maternity
roost trees in Division 12 counties for NLEB; therefore, the bridge replacement, pipe replacement
and any minor tree clearing associated with this DOT project would be exempted from the
incidental take under the 4(d) Rule. I have attached a copy of the NLEB streamlined consultation
form. Per guidance from USFWS personnel, concurrence is granted by citing the following
website and a 30-day response period is waived.
http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmis/project_review/ NLEB_in WNC.html.
There are no sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places are located in the vicinity of the
project nor did there appear to be any eligible structures. The project has been reviewed by
NCDOT's cultural resources staff (NCDOT Cultural Resources Review — Internal Tracking No. -
11-10-0014).
The project area is not located within'/2 mile of any critical watershed area. SR 1810 is not a rural
or urban arterial; therefore, hazardous spill basins are not required. Enclosed is the hazardous spill
basin checklist.
I have enclosed a courtesy pre-construction notification for a NW#3, plan sheets, location maps,
and other relevant documentation relative to the project.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at [phone]. Thank you
for your time and consideration on this matter.
Sincerely,
Mark Stafford, P.E.
Division Engineer
Twelfth Division
I:•
Trish Beam
Division 12 Environmental Supervisor
Enclosures