20190331 Ver 1_Brg 081 Permit Cover Letter_20190311

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
ROY COOPER
GOVERNOR
March 11, 2019
Mr. Bryan Roden-Reynolds
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
8430 University Executive Park Drive
Charlotte, NC 28262
SUBJECT: Pre-Construction Notiiication Pursuant to Nationwide Permit #14
7AMES H. TROGDON, III
SECRETARY
NCDOT Division 9 Bridge Replacement Program Project
Bridge No. 081 on SR 1926 over Deals Creek (Class C), Rowan County, NC
WBS Number: 17BP.9.R.76
Dear Mr. Roden-Reynolds:
We are requesting a Section 404 Nationwide Permit (NWP) #14 for the replacement of Bridge No. 081
with a new bridge on a new adjacent, downstream location over Deals Creek (Class C) on SR 1926 in
Rowan County. The existing bridge will continue to be used during construction of the new bridge. In
addition to the PCN form, USGS and NRCS site excerpt maps, a"No Survey Required" form far Historic
Architecture and Landscapes, a"No Archaeological Survey Required Form" for Archaeological
Resources, Permit Drawings and a Stormwater Management Plan are included. Efforts in support of the
delineation of waters of the U.S. also included are the wetland determination data sheets, waters map,
and site photographs. The project will permanently impact 0.46 acre of forested wetland, temporarily
impact 0.18 acre of forested wetland, and temporarily impact 126 linear feet of Deals Creek for
construction of the new bridge and demolition of the old bridge. Design Standards in Sensitive
Watersheds have been implemented for the project. A mitigation acceptance letter from the Division of
Mitigation Services is included for the 0.46 impacts of wetland (at a 2:1 ratio).
Protected Species
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) lists Schweinitz's sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii) as
endangered, and northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) as threatened for Rowan County. There
is habitat in the project area for Schweinitz's sunflower. STV Environmental Scientists Brandon Phillips,
C.H.M.M. and Joshua Kotheimer, W.P.I.T completed a sunflower survey on October 4, 2017, during the
optimal flowering window, and no sunflowers were observed. In addition, the DEO completed a
sunflower survey on October 17, 2016 and no sunflowers were observed. A search of the North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) database, accessed on February 14, 2019 found no occurrences of
Schweinitz's sunflower within 1.0 mile of the study area. A biological conclusion of "No Effect" was
reached for Schweinitz's sunflower.
There is summer roosting habitat in the surrounding trees for northern long-eared bat (NLEB). No
evidence of bats using the bridge was found during a March 13, 2018 field review. The USFWS nearest
Mailing Address:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION 9
375 SILAS CREEK PARKWAY
WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27127
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Customer Service: 1-877-368-4968
Website: www.ncdot.gov
Location:
375 SILAS CREEK PARKWAY
WINSTON-SALEM,NC27127

record of occurrence for the NLEB is more than 30 miles away. Anticipated tree clearing impacts for this
project are estimated to be less than 0.5 acre. The NCDOT determined that the project `May Affect, Not
Likely to Adversely Affect' the NLEB.
NCDOT has determined that the proposed action does not require separate consultation on the grounds
that the proposed action is consistent with the final Section 4(d) rule, codified at 50 C.F.R. § 17.40(0)
and effective February 16, 2016. Section 7 responsibilities are therefore considered fulfilled.
Bald eagles are protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. A desktop-GIS assessment of
the study area, as well as the area within a 1.0-mile radius of the project limits, was performed on March
15, 2018 using September 2, 2017 color aerials. The confluence of the Yadkin River and the South
Yadkin River is located approximately 500 feet to the northeast of the study area. Both of these rivers
were large enough and provided suitable foraging habitat for bald eagles. Using GIS, a buffer of 660 feet
was created around the study area which was then loaded into a Trimble Geo7X and used as the bald
eagle study area. A survey of the bald eagle study area was conducted on March 16, 2018. The survey
entailed a review of the study area on foot as well as kayaking the shoreline of the Yadkin and South
Yadkin Rivers for a distance of approximately 1,500 feet. No nests were found within the bald eagle
study area and there were no eagles observed during this survey. Additionally, a review of the NHP
database on April 5, 2018 and February 14, 2019 revealed no known occurrences of this species within
1.0 mile of the study area.
By copy of this letter, we also request 401 review and approval from the NC Division of Water
Resources with one copy of the application package provided to Amy Chapman, Transportation
Permitting Unit Supervisor, and Dave Wanucha, DOT Project Coordinator. Please charge the application
fee of $240 to WBS Project No. 17BP.9.R.76
If you have any questions, comments or need additional information after reviewing this material please
contact me at [phone]. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
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Amy Euliss
Division Environmental Officer, NCDOT Division 9
Attachments: Application package
CC: Dave Wanucha, NCDEQ-DWR, Environmental Specialist- e-copy
Kelly Seitz, P.E. Rowan Resident Engineer —e-copy
Phil Suggs, Division 9 and 10 Roadside Environmental Engineer- e-copy
Eileen Fuchs, NCDOT Priority Projects Unit, e-copy
Edward Vance, STV, e-copy