20180755 Ver 1_NCDMF_moratorium_20180601

Coastal Management
ENVIRQNMENTAL QUALITV
MEMORANDUM:
TO: Clay Willis, NCDOT
FROM: Shane Staples, DCM Fisheries Resource Specialist
SUBJECT: Bridge Replacement Scoping Division 1
DATE: 9/7/16
PAT MCCRORY
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DONALD R. VAN DER VAART
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BRAXTON DAVIS
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A North Carolina Division of Coastal Management (DCM) Fisheries Resource Specialist has reviewed the
scoping e-mails received on 8/18, 8/22, and 8/29 of 2016 for NCDOT bridge replacements. Following
comments provide general bridge replacement recommendation as well as bridge specific recommendations.
General bridge recommendations:
1. Bridges that span waterbodies are preferred to culverts as they provide for natural fish passage and
traditional navigation. Following this recommendation NCDOT should avoid placing bridge support
bents in the water body to avoid disturbances during construction and potential fish passage or
navigation issues. Bridge to Bridge or Culvert to Bridge is recommended for all projects
2. Deck drains should not discharge directly into the waterbody
3. Sedimentation and erosion control measure should be followed to avoid potential negative effects to
aquatic organisms during construction and afterward as a result of disturbance during construction.
4. While the use of culverts is discouraged, when they are utilized the design should allow for natural
fish passage and efforts made to avoid to the potential for the culvert to become perched.
Specific Bridge recommendations:
Bridge 34 on SR 1361 over Eastmost Swamp in Bertie County: This stream flows into Salmon Creek an
Anadromous Fish Spawning Area (AFSA) downstream of the project. In order to avoid negative effects to
anadromous fish during their spawning migration an In-water work moratorium from February 15 —June 30
should be followed.
Bridge 137 on SR 1311 over UT to the Meherrin River in Hertford County: General recommendations
Bridge 20 on SR 1308 over Goodman Swamp in Gates County: General recommendations
Bridge 27 on SR 1428 over Raynors Swamp in Gates County: General recommendations
State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Coastal Management
400 Commerce Avenue I Morehead City, NC 28557
252-808-2808I252-247-3330(fax)

Bridge 29 on NC 37 over Buckland Mill Branch in Gates County: General recommendations
Bridge 35 on SR 1143 over UT to Slade Creek in Hyde County: Slades Creek and its tributaries are designated
Primary Nursery Areas (PNA). This means the area has been deemed critical to the larval and juvenile life
stages of estuarine finfish and shellfish. To protect these species during the seasons of peak biological activity
an in-water work moratorium is recommended from April 1— September 30.
Bridge 14 on SR 1108 over UT to Jeanettes Creek in Hyde County: This waterbody commonly known as
"Rattlesnake Canal" is a productive waterbody, especially for young brown shrimp, with many characteristics
of waterbodies that carry PNA designations. It would be recommended to observe the PNA moratorium of
April 1— September 30 for in-water work, if it can be reasonably done through planning. If in-water work
were to be done during the proposed moratorium, then measures to reduce potential negative impacts
should be used. (i.e. turbidity curtains)
Bridge 63 on SR 1126 over Occoneechee Creek in Northampton County: General recommendations
Bridge 49 on SR 1300 over Corwells Millpond in Northampton County: General recommendations
Bridge 10 on SR 1341 over Corduroy Swamp in Northampton County: General recommendations
Bridge 19 on US17 over Mill Creek in Perquimans County: This waterbody is designated an AFSA and a
moratorium for in-water work from February 15 — June 30 is recommended.
Bridge 11 on SR 1338 over Raccoon Creek in Perquimans County: This waterbody is designated an AFSA and a
moratorium for in-water work from February 15 — June 30 is recommended.
Contact Shane Staples at [phone] or [e-mail] with further questions or concerns.
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State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Coastal Management
1367 US Hwy 17 South I Elizabeth Ciry, NC 27909
252-264-3901