20191629 Ver 1_NC WRC Scoping_20191125

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Gordon Myers, Executive Director

Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

September 5, 2019

Mr. Dan McCauley
Hart & Hickman PC
3921 Sunset Ridge Road, Suite 301
Raleigh, NC 27607

Subject: Request Sensitive Environmental Information for Piney Grove Wilbon Road Sewer Project in
Wake County, North Carolina.

Dear Mr. McCauley,

Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have reviewed the subject
information and are familiar with the habitat values of the area. Comments are provided in accordance
with provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-
667e) and North Carolina General Statutes (G.S. 113-131 et seq.).

Hart & Hickman PC is requesting environmental information for the Piney Grove Wilbon Road sewer
project, located in an existing easement northeast of Bayham Drive and east of Piney Grove Wilbon Road in
Holly Springs. The project area drains to Basal Creek in the Neuse River basin.

There are no national refuges or state-owned, wildlife-designated lands within the project vicinity, nor are
there migratory or feeding grounds for anadromous fish. Aerial images and maps indicate Basal Creek
bisects the project area. There are records for the federal species of concern and state-endangered, green
floater (Lasmigona subviridis) and federal species of concern and state-threatened, Roanoke slabshell
(Elliptio roanokensis), downstream of the site in Basal Creek. The NCWRC recommends maintaining a
minimum 100-foot undisturbed, native, forested buffer along perennial streams, and a minimum 50-foot
buffer along intermittent streams and wetlands. Forested riparian buffers protect water quality by filtering
stormwater runoff and maintaining stream bank stability. In addition, these buffers provide a travel
corridor for wildlife species.

The directional bore (locating utilities beneath the riverbed and avoiding impacts to the stream and buffer)
stream crossing method should be used for utility crossings wherever practicable; the open cut stream
crossing method should only be used when water level is low and stream flow is minimal. Stream
crossings should be near perpendicular (75o to 105o) to stream flow.

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) should verify the project site for wetlands and
streams to ensure there are no impacts to surface waters. In addition to providing wildlife habitat,
wetland areas and streams aid in flood control and water quality protection. USACE Section 404 Permits
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September 5, 2019
Scoping – Piney Grove Wilbon Road Sewer

and NC Division of Water Resources Section 401 Certifications are required for any impacts to
jurisdictional streams or wetlands. Temporarily disturbed wetland areas should be returned to original
soils and contours, reseeded with annual small grains appropriate for the season (e.g. oats, millet, rye,
wheat or rye grass) and allowed to revert to natural wetland vegetation.
Pollinator mixes are commercially available for restoration projects and provide forage and shelter for
numerous species of bees, butterflies, moths and birds. Where feasible, use woody debris and logs from
cleared areas to establish brush piles adjacent to the cleared right-of-ways to improve habitat. Allowing
the corridor area to re-vegetate into a brush/scrub habitat would maximize benefits to wildlife. For areas
adjacent to residential areas, a native shrub/grass option may also be beneficial.
Sediment and erosion control measures should be installed prior to any land clearing or construction. The
use of biodegradable and wildlife-friendly sediment and erosion control devices is strongly
recommended. Silt fencing, fiber rolls and/or other products should have loose-weave netting that is
made of natural fiber materials with movable joints between the vertical and horizontal twines. Silt
fencing that has been reinforced with plastic or metal mesh should be avoided as it impedes the
movement of terrestrial wildlife species. Excessive silt and sediment loads can have detrimental effects
on aquatic resources including destruction of spawning habitat, suffocation of eggs and clogging of gills.

If I can provide further assistance, please call [phone] or email [e-mail].

Sincerely,

Gabriela Garrison
Eastern Piedmont Habitat Conservation Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program